10 Movies That Barely Resembled Their TV Show Adaptations

Article Overview

TV adaptations of movies often diverge by expanding character depth, introducing new storylines, and exploring themes beyond the film's scope.

The best TV shows adapted from movies often take creative liberties, significantly altering the original storylines and bringing in new actors.

TV adaptations have the freedom to explore current issues and provide a new and expanded viewpoint on well-known tales, leading to more intricate world-building and thematic exploration.

TV shows based on movies often differ greatly from their source materials, showcasing the strengths and limitations of the series versus film formats. By expanding character depth, introducing new storylines, and exploring themes beyond the scope of the original film, TV adaptations can develop intricate narratives over multiple seasons, offering a more in-depth exploration of the source material. Changes in tone, pacing, and genre are common in TV adaptations, allowing for flexibility in addressing contemporary issues and more complex world-building. The transition from film to TV often involves a reinterpretation of the material, giving audiences a fresh and extended perspective on familiar stories.

10. Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Psycho (1960)

Bates Motel

Release Date April 18, 2013Cast Vera Farmiga , Freddie Highmore , Max ThieriotGenres ThrillerSeasons 5

9. Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Bates Motel diverges from Psycho in numerous ways, from its storytelling approach to the development of its characters. Instead of focusing solely on Norman Bates' murderous actions, Bates Motel delves into his formative years and delves into his complex relationship with his mother, Norma. The series also introduces new characters and subplots, and takes a more gradual and intricate approach to storytelling compared to the swift pacing of the film. By setting the story in modern times, Bates Motel brings a fresh perspective to the classic tale while still staying true to its core elements. The decision to cast horror legend Vera Farmiga to embody Norma was a brilliant move as well.

Teen Wolf (1985)

Teen Wolf

The TV series Teen Wolf, which premiered on June 5, 2011, features a talented cast including Holland Roden, Tyler Posey, Dylan Sprayberry, Melissa Ponzio, Tyler Hoechlin, Arden Cho, Crystal Reed, jr bourne, Shelley Hennig, Colton Haynes, Dylan O'Brien, and Linden Ashby. It falls into the genres of action, drama, and supernatural, and has run for 6 seasons.

While the original 1985 film was a lighthearted comedy, the modern adaptation takes a darker turn, incorporating elements of horror and supernatural drama. The show delves into complex mythologies, character relationships, and overarching conflicts within the supernatural world. The characters in the adaptation are more developed and face challenges beyond typical high school antics. The series follows a serialized coming-of-age narrative, exploring themes such as identity, morality, and the consequences of supernatural existence. Overall, Teen Wolf reinvents the source material into a multi-layered and engaging supernatural saga.

8. MASH (1972-1983)

MASH (1970)

Both the MASH movie and TV show convey an anti-war message and delve into in-depth character development, shedding light on the emotional and psychological impact of war on the medical staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. However, the TV series surpasses the film's satirical portrayal of the Korean War by spanning 11 seasons, allowing for more complex storylines and thematic exploration. Going beyond the original war setting, the show adapts to societal changes and remains relevant beyond its initial premise. While both the movie and show blend humor with poignant commentary on the human cost of war, the film's dark comedy may be seen as more compelling than the sitcom style of the show.

7. Westworld (2016-2022)

Westworld (1973)

Westworld

Originally aired on October 2, 2016, the cast of Westworld includes Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, Shannon Woodward, Ed Harris, James Marsden, Jimmi Simpson, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Thandie Newton, and Rodrigo Santoro. The show falls under the genres of Sci-Fi, Thriller, and Western, and has a total of 4 seasons.

6. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

The TV series Westworld expands significantly on the original film's concept of a futuristic theme park with android hosts. The movie primarily explores the consequences of the hosts malfunctioning and turning against guests, while the series delves into profound philosophical questions about consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality. Unlike the movie, the series weaves a complex narrative across multiple timelines, adding layers of mystery and intrigue. Character depth is heightened in the series as it explores the ethical implications of creating sentient beings. The show transforms the initial premise into a thought-provoking and immersive experience that goes far beyond the action-oriented focus of the original film.

Friday Night Lights (2004)

Friday Night Lights

Release Date October 3, 2006Cast Taylor Kitsch , Jesse Plemons , Kyle Chandler , Connie BrittonGenres SportsSeasons 5

5. Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007)

The true story of Friday Night Lights, chronicled in the book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by HG Bissinger, was adapted into a film by director Peter Berg, who also developed the series. While the movie primarily focuses on the events of one high-stakes football season, the TV series expands beyond the gridiron. It delves much deeper into the personal lives of characters, exploring the challenges faced by both students and adults in the small, football-centric community. Unlike the film, the series' format allows for in-depth character development and addressing social issues like racism, class disparity, and the pressures of life in a football-obsessed town.

Stargate (1994)

Stargate SG-1

Release Date July 27, 1997Cast amanda tapping , Richard Dean Anderson , Michael ShanksGenresSci-FiSeasons 10

4. Fargo (2014-present)

While the film introduces the concept of a Stargate - a portal to other worlds - the TV series builds upon and expands the single adventure into an expansive galactic narrative. Stargate SG-1 takes a more serialized approach, delving into a vast and interconnected universe filled with diverse alien civilizations, political intrigues, and ancient technologies. Unlike the limited scope of the Stargate movie, Stargate SG-1 develops a rich mythology, introducing new characters and exploring the overarching threat posed by the Goa'uld. The series offers a more comprehensive exploration of science fiction themes, distinguishing itself from the initial standalone adventure presented in the original sci-fi movie.

Fargo (1996)

Fargo

First Aired April 15, 2014

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Allison Tolman, Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Wilson, Jesse Plemons, Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon, Chris Rock, Jessie Buckley, Jason Schwartzman, Juno Temple, Jon Hamm

Genres: Anthology, Crime, Drama, Comedy, Thriller

Number of Seasons: 5

While Fargo is a standalone crime comedy-drama movie, the TV series takes on an anthology format, introducing new characters and storylines each season, all connected by the overarching theme of crime in the Midwest. The series delves into different time periods, characters, and criminal activities, providing a broader narrative scope. It also delves into complex character development, nuanced storytelling, and a deeper exploration of social issues. While the film maintains a darkly comedic tone, the series emphasizes its dramatic and sometimes surreal elements. In essence, Fargo the series builds off the film to create a unique and multifaceted exploration of crime and morality.

3. The Odd Couple (2015-2017)

The Odd Couple (1968)

2. Hannibal (2013-2015)

Unlike the original The Odd Couple's focus on Felix and Oscar adapting to living together after divorces, the series delves into modern relationships and friendships. The show's comedic style has been revamped to include contemporary humor and cultural references. In contrast to the film's self-contained story, the series unfolds over multiple episodes, allowing for more extensive character development and diverse story arcs. Additionally, the TV series introduces new characters, Emily and Dani, and significant changes to the supporting cast. Indeed, The Odd Couple series reimagines the classic premise for a new era, infusing it with fresh comedic elements and more character dynamics through its ensemble cast.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Hannibal

Release Date April 4, 2013Cast Hugh Dancy , Caroline Dhavernas , Aaron Abrams , Mads Mikkelsen , Laurence Fishburne , Scott ThompsonGenres Horror , Drama , Crime , ThrillerSeasons 3

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Interestingly, Hannibal never adapted The Silence of the Lambs, the book on which the movie is based. Instead, Hannibal focuses on Thomas Harris' other books about Hannibal Lecter, which allows the series to expand beyond the events of the original movie, incorporating new storylines and characters. It also presents Hannibal Lecter in a more multifaceted manner, offering a nuanced and empathetic perspective on the '90s horror icon. While both the movie and the series share the source material's distinct psychological thriller formula, Hannibal extends the influence of the original material on the genres it touches, despite the unmatched cultural value of The Silence of the Lambs.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer was released on March 10, 1997 and features a talented cast including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Dan Rubin, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters. The show encompasses various genres such as action, comedy, drama, horror, and the supernatural, and ran for a total of 7 seasons.

Joss Whedon, co-scriptwriter of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, created a series that moves away from the film's comedic style to focus on a more complex and character-driven coming-of-age story. Sarah Michelle Gellar's portrayal of Buffy is more nuanced and mature than the original film's protagonist, played by Kristy Swanson. The TV show introduces new characters and explores darker and more emotional themes, resulting in a rich and serialized storytelling experience. The series also delves into the challenges of adolescence and the burden of responsibility in ways that far surpass the scope of the original film, leading to the exceeding success of Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer series.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of TV shows, I am always excited to see how filmmakers adapt movies into TV series. It's fascinating to observe how they expand character depth, introduce new storylines, and explore themes beyond the original film's scope. TV adaptations offer a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the world and characters of a beloved story, and I appreciate the creative liberties that showrunners take to bring these adaptations to life.

One of my favorite examples of a successful TV adaptation is Bates Motel. The series takes the classic horror film Psycho and turns it into a thrilling psychological drama that explores Norman Bates' formative years and his complex relationship with his mother, Norma. By setting the story in modern times and introducing new characters and subplots, Bates Motel creates a fresh and captivating take on the original material. The casting of Vera Farmiga as Norma was particularly inspired, and her performance adds depth and nuance to the character.