The 20 Best TV Shows Based on Movies, Ranked
by Sharon Knolle
It's rare for TV shows based on movies to be good. For every "Buffy" or "Fargo" there's a "Working Girl" or "Minority Report." But television keeps trying. With "Lethal Weapon" and "Time After Time" airing this year, here is a guide to the best small screen efforts based on big-screen films.
20. 'The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles' (1992 - 1993)
Sean Patrick Flanery starred as a younger version of the dashing hero in this "Indiana Jones Begins" series from George Lucas. Indy met such interesting historical figures as Lawrence of Arabia and Pancho Villa. The expensive, short-lived series was followed by four made-for-television films from 1994 to 1996.
19. 'La Femme Nikita' (1997 - 2001)
Before "Alias," Nikita (cult USA series based on the Nikita," starring Maggie Q.
18. 'The Dead Zone' (2002 - 2007)
1983 David Cronenberg/Christopher Walken film about a man who awakes from a years-long coma with psychic powers.
17. 'Beetlejuice' (1989 - 1991)
So we are still waiting for that "Beetlejuice" sequel, one we may never get. Until then, we have four seasons of delightful undead shenanigans in this wonderfully funny animated series that first ran on ABC and then on Fox Kids.
16. 'In the Heat of the Night' (1988 - 1995)
The Carroll O'Connor.
15. 'Stargate SG-1' (1997 - 2007)
Stargate Atlantis" and "Stargate Universe."
14. 'Bates Motel' (2013 - Present)
It's tricky stuff messing with the horror classic "Psycho," but A&E is doing something right since this show is now the longest running original series in the network's history. Its fifth and final season will (at last!) dramatize the events of the film.
13. 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' (2008 - 2009)
Given the general badness of the most recent "Terminator" films, this series is only looking better and better. But if it hadn't been canceled, then we might not have gotten Game of Thrones."
12. 'Agent Carter' (2015 - 2016)
We're kind of meh on the other agents of SHIELD., but this short-lived ABC series was smart to focus on just one savvy, extremely capable agent, Peggy Carter (Captain America: The First Avenger." And love that post-WWII setting!
11. 'Star Wars Rebels' (2014 - Present)
Set between "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope," this award-winning series features the voice talents of Freddie Prinze, Jr., Jason Isaacs, and James Earl Jones reprising his role as Darth Vader.
10. 'The Courtship of Eddie's Father' (1969 - 1972)
The Brandon Cruz.
9. 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 - 2014)
So the prequels sucked, but this Cartoon Network animated series, set between "Revenge of the Sith," is actually pretty damn good.
8. 'Fame' (1982 - 1987)
Based on the 1980 movie of the same name, the series followed students at a fictional New York high school for the performing arts. Talent included Janet Jackson. the time they staged an Othello musical? You can catch reruns on Ovation.
7. 'The Odd Couple' (1970 - 1975)
The Tony Randall as mismatched roommates.
6. 'Hannibal' (2013 - 2015)
5. 'Parenthood' (2010 - 2015)
The NBC series, but we're mostly we're still thinking of that incredibly sad finale. *sniff, sob*
4. 'Fargo' (2014 - Present)
The FX series takes from the Oscar-winning Coen Bros. film its ice-cold setting, thick Midwestern accents, colorful characters, and murder galore. The plots and people are entirely different, but the black comedy is just as note-perfect.
3. M*A*S*H* (1972 - 1983)
Some may prefer the TV version became one of the most beloved shows of all time. Its finale still holds the record for being the most-watched final episode in TV history, with more than 100 million people tuning in.
2. 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997 - 2001)
After the Joss Whedon took back his premise and made one of the funniest, scariest, and most heartbreaking shows of all time.
1. 'Friday Night Lights' (2006 - 2011)
Just like the underdog Panthers football team of the NBC series kept defying the odds and surviving from season to season thanks to fervent fan . And the last season was a winning one for Kyle Chandler, who collected a long-overdue Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama.
