10 Popular Movies That Have Been Adapted into TV Shows

Books have long been adapted into movies, with one of the earliest examples being The Pillar of Fire (1899), a short silent film based on H. Rider Haggard’s 1887 novel. Recently, with the rise of streaming platforms, movies have increasingly served as the inspiration for TV shows. This trend allows fans to see beloved characters return in new formats. Here are some examples:

1. A League of Their Own (1992 and 2022-present)

The TV series, inspired by the 1992 film, expands on the story of the Rockford Peaches, a women’s professional baseball team. While introducing new characters and plotlines, it retains the essence of the original movie. The show features D’Arcy Carden and Chanté Adams in lead roles, with Nick Offerman making a guest appearance. As of now, one season with eight episodes has been released.

2. The Karate Kid franchise (1984-1989) and Cobra Kai (2018-present)

Ralph Macchio reprised his role as Daniel LaRusso from The Karate Kid in Cobra Kai, a series that began on YouTube Red before moving to Netflix. Now in its fifth season, the show continues the story from the film series and introduces new characters and storylines, appealing to both long-time fans and a new generation.

3. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999 and 2009-2010)

A decade after the popular romantic comedy featuring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, a TV sitcom adaptation of *10 Things I Hate About You* premiered. The show, starring Ethan Peck and Lindsey Shaw, was short-lived and lasted only one season before being canceled.

4. High School Musical franchise (2006-2008) and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019-present)

The TV series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is set at the high school where the original movies were filmed. A mockumentary-style show, it follows a group of students performing a High School Musical production. The series is currently in its third season, with a fourth season in production, which will include appearances by actors from the original films.

5. Heathers (1988 and 2018)

The TV adaptation of the 1988 film Heathers premiered 30 years later. The show featured a contemporary reboot of the film’s story and included a special guest appearance by Shannen Doherty from the original movie cast. The series ran for one season.

6. The Lord of the Rings saga (2001-2003) and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022-present)

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, a television series that premiered in 2022, explores new stories set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, long before the events depicted in the film saga. Although it is set in the same world, the show is not a direct continuation of the films but rather a prequel that delves into earlier events. It features characters from Tolkien’s universe, including a younger version of Galadriel, originally portrayed by Cate Blanchett in the films, now played by Morfydd Clark.

However, not every creative decision in the show has been met with public approval. One notable point of contention is the introduction of a Dwarven princess who is depicted as beardless. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s original lore, Dwarves, regardless of gender, are characterized by their beards, and this departure from established tradition has been controversial among some fans.

As of now, the show has completed one season, with production for a second season already in progress.

 

7. The Mighty Ducks franchise (1992-1996) and The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2021-present)

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers premiered in 2021 with Lauren Graham as the lead and Emilio Estevez returning as coach Gordon Bombay. The series follows a 12-year-old boy who convinces his mother to start a new youth hockey team to compete against the dominant Mighty Ducks junior team. The show has been renewed for a second season.

8. About a Boy (2002 and 2014-2015)

The sitcom About a Boy, which premiered in 2014, is based on the 2002 film of the same name. David Walton played Will Freeman, a role originally portrayed by Hugh Grant in the film, while Benjamin Stockham played Marcus Bowa, an 11-year-old character from the movie. Although the show was renewed for a second season, it was ultimately canceled by NBC and did not continue to a third season.

9. Parenthood (1989 and 2010-2015)

The TV series Parenthood, while inspired by the 1989 film of the same name, focuses on the lives of the Braverman family, a reimagining of the Buckman family from the film. The series starred Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, and Dax Shepard, among others. It ran for six seasons.

10. The Pitch Perfect franchise (2012-2017) and Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (2022-present)

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, a spin-off of the Pitch Perfect movies, premiered on November 23, 2022. The show focuses on Bumper Allen, with Adam DeVine reprising his role. Sarah Hyland and Jameela Jamil also star as series regulars.