15 TV Shows You’ll Love if You Enjoyed the Movie Version
Movies keep us glued, not only to the screens, but to the creativity, concepts, and ideas. They may even leave you wanting more. Thankfully, some movies have been followed up with a series that continues their story, shows a different side of it, keeps the concept alive, or extends it in another way. We’re sure you’ll love these TV shows if you love their movie versions.
“Fargo” (2014–present)
In the original Fargo of 1996, we see a pregnant law enforcement officer trying to solve a triple homicide. About 18 years later, a series of the same name follows its comedic-lawlessness vibe and presents new stories every season. Its changing cast includes Chris Rock in season four and Billy Bob Thornton in season one.
“Westworld” (2016–2022)
The series kicks off with an amusement park for those who want to indulge in wild fantasies and can pay for it. It first aired in October 2016. Remember that the original movie also had such a park, and the robots malfunctioned. Evan Rachel Wood and Thandiwe Newton play “hosts” in the series.
“Hannibal” (2013–2015)
Hannibal, Hannibal Rising, and other movies in the Hannibal franchise introduce us to the dangerous Hannibal Lecter. The series remains a psychological thriller and features characters from some of the novels that were used to create the Hannibal franchise. Its first season enjoyed good ratings, and the following ones had even better ratings.
“What We Do in the Shadows” (2019–present)
In the movie, which was released in 2014, and the series, which is still on, some vampires live together, and their lives are documented by a crew. Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi, who both appear in the movie, also appear in the series, even though Clement is missing in the third episode.
“Bates Motel” (2013–2017)
Norman Bates is a character from Psycho, a novel by Robert Bloch. In the 1987 movie, he was played by Kurt Paul in the movie Bates Motel, where he is the friend of a troubled youth. The series also features Bates, now played by Freddie Highmore, along with his mother in the aftermath of his father’s passing.
“The Exorcist” (2016–2018)
Most horror movie fans who saw the 1973 Exorcist would easily recommend it. A young girl is possessed, and two Catholic priests are to perform an exorcism on her. Even though the priests change in the series, it remains a horror worthy of your time and attention.
“12 Monkeys” (2015–2018)
The 1995 version of 12 Monkeys brings Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt together in a post-apocalyptic setting where time travel is possible. James Cole is a character in the movie and the series who travels to the past because of a virus. In the series, Aaron Stanford acts as Cole.
“Friday Night Lights” (2006–2011)
Friday Night Lights takes root from a nonfiction novel by H. G. Bissinger. In the 2004 film, the Permian High School football team loses the state championship. Roughly two years later, it was back as a TV series about the football team of a small town high school.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997–2003)
1992 saw the movie about Buffy, a girl in high school destined to hunt vampires. She later partners with Pike, who survived a vampire attack. A different actress takes the role of Buffy in the series, and here she lives in Sunnydale, a fictitious portal town, not the Los Angeles of the movie.
“Lethal Weapon” (2016–2019)
At the center of Lethal Weapon’s 1987 movie are two mismatched detectives—Martins Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. These two detectives remain in the series. Before the series, these characters were played by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, but in the series, Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford step up to fill their shoes.
“Cobra Kai” (2018–present)
Karate Kid’s protagonist is Daniel LaRusso, who changes from a scared kid to a tournament champion. The movie’s two sequels have Ralph Macchio keeping the role. Cobra Kai flips the story to be about his childhood tormentor, Johnny Lawrence, played by Martin Kove. Several characters from the movie make it to the series.
“Ash vs. Evil Dead” (2015–2018)
After movies like The Evil Dead I and II, the franchise gave us this iconic series. Bruce Campbell, who has played Ash Williams since the movie version was an indie affair, holds onto the role for the series. This TV series takes us three decades ahead of the original trilogy.
“Limitless” (2015–2016)
The 2011 film Limitless is about a writer who overcomes his struggles by taking NZT-48 pills that allow him to use more of his brain. In the series, a musician experiences the magic of NZT-48. Edward Morra, the writer from the original movie, is now a senator.
“Snowpiercer” (2020–2024)
Snowpiecer of 2013 happens on a train of the same name that ends in a wreck. Just like in the movie, the train in the series has parts for the rich and parts for the poor. Another train, called Big Alice, is introduced in the series.
“The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” (2019)
The animated film is about two Gelflins who wish to balance Thra, their world—a world also used in the TV series Age of Resistance. In the series, three Gelflins also aim to protect their planet, but Jen and Kira from the movie are not among them.
