Top Ten Television Shows Based on Movies

With Agent of SHIELD starting in a few weeks, I've looked back on a few other television shows that originated in movies.  Some of these on this list are direct continuations or the films, other are just kind of in the same world, and other ones take place during the movie they are based.  This is by no means a definitive list, that can be found here.  This is a list of my top ten.

10. Clerks: The Animated Series (2000)

Okay, now if you have seen any of this show, just stay with me for a second.  It is far from perfect, literally only aired two episodes before being taken off the air, and really has very little to do with the show, but give it a chance!  The show follows Dante and Randall as they work at Quickstop.  Each of the six episodes has Jay and Silent Bob as recurring characters, as well as some other new characters.  It doesn't fit in with the View Askew Universe, but is definitely worth watching for anyone who enjoyed Clerks.

Clerks (Movie) on Netflix

9. Tron: Uprising (2012)

Tron: Uprising stars Elijah Wood as the lead character.  The series takes place in between Tron (1982) and Tron Legacy (2010) and so far has lasted 19 episodes.  It features characters from both movies: Tron, Clu, and even Quorra.  The show has received favorable critical reviews, but has yet to be renewed for another season.  Since January 2013, rumors have circulated that it has been cancelled, but nothing has been officially stated.

Tron: Uprising on Netflix

8. Hercules (1998)

While not considered canon, Hercules the series lasted 65 episodes and well fairly well-received.  The show covers Hercules as a teenager getting into Greek mythology themed shenanigans.  One could say that it takes place during the montage scene in the film, while Hercules is aging, but really it doesn't take place within the same continuity.  On occasion, the show contradicts things from the film.  Either way, it still had a fairly successful run along with most of Disney's other series based on movies.

Hercules (Movie) on Netflix

7. Aladdin (1994)

While definitely not as successful as the film it is based on, Disney's Aladdin had a fairly successful run of 86 episodes.  The show starts right where the second film, Return of Jafar, leaves off.  Aladdin now lives in the palace and goes on adventures with Abu, Genie, and Iago.  The third film, Aladdin and the King of Thieves continues where the show ends.

6. The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron (2002)

I didn't even know this was based on a movie for years.  It was based on the 2001 film of the same name.  For whatever reason, I never saw it as a kid, and I don't specifically remember advertisements for it.  Either way, the movie spawned a successful 119 episode run.  The movie also spawned another TV show, Planet Sheen.  The show began airing in 2010 and lasted for 26 episodes.  Planet Sheen was not near and successful or memorable as Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (Movie) on Netflix

5. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2007)

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles follows Sarah and John Connor after the events of Terminator 2.  In 1999 Sarah, John, and a reprogrammed Terminator named Cameron jump forward in time to 2007 to try and take down Skynet.  The first season was well received and had decent ratings.  It quickly gained a vocal fanbase.  It was decided during the show's second season that it would not continue. It was nominated for numerous Teen Choice and Primetime Emmy awards.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day on Netflixtar

4. Friday Night Lights (2006)

The film, Friday Night Lights was released in 2004 and follows a high school football team in Texas working their way to the state championship.  While the film is based on actual events, the series takes place in a fictional town with fictional characters.  The series took the overall tone from the movie, and the book it was based on, and applied to modern cultural problems.  The show has a very vocal, but small, fan-base along with huge amounts of critical reception.  The show was nominated for a number of Emmys, but still never really found a solid audience.

Friday Night Lights on Netflix

3. Stargate: SG-1 (1997)

Stargate: SG-1 continues where the film, Stargate, leaves off.  The gate is now fully operational and the United States government has assembled a teams of operatives to explore and defend the galaxy.  This series went on the spawn two more series and two direct-to-DVD films.  SG-1 was a huge critical success, it was nominated for a pile of awards, including seven Emmys in the ten year run.

Stargate on Netflix

Stargate: The Ark of Truth

Stargate Continuum

2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

Definitely more successful than the film, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a critically acclaimed TV series that lasted 144 episodes and spawned a spin-off, Angel, that lasted 110 episodes.  Joss Whedon, the director of Avengers and Dr. Horrible had written a script about teenage vampire.  When he finally found somebody to make it, they took his script and changed most of it.  In the film, the main character, Buffy, is much more "girly" as she is in the television show.  Whedon wrote the pilot episode of the TV to be a continuation of the original script.  While I can't recommend the movie, the TV show is definitely something that is quite entertaining and will keep you busy for months.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Netflix

Angel on Netflix

1. M*A*S*H (1972)

M*A*S*H is based in the film MASH, which is based on the novel of the same title.  The show follows some military surgeons during the Korean war.  It covers a three-year time period over the course of eleven seasons and 256 episodes.  It is easily considered one of the greatest shows of all time, and it seems hard to find a "top 100" list of series without M*A*S*H on it.  The series finale is still the most watched television episode of all time, and the rate people are dropping cable, it is impossible for anything to ever surpass its legacy.