5 More Horror Franchises That Could Have Great TV Spinoffs Like Alien: Earth

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The xenomorph and other terrifying, off-world creatures were unwelcomely introduced to places we’d rather avoid by the planet Earth, which was the setting for the original horror. The 2024 film, Alien: Romulus, revived the franchise’s essence of suspense in confined areas without getting too tied up in the complexities of the prequel series’ overarching lore. Unlike its predecessors, Earth doesn’t require viewers to have prior knowledge about substances like ‘black goo’, Engineers, or whether Prometheus can be considered a holiday movie.

Television isn’t a novelty for horror franchises reviving themselves. For instance, “Chucky” resurrected “Child’s Play,” skillfully intertwining all its narrative strands and characters. “The Purge” enriched the film series by exploring events occurring during nights of lawlessness in between annual purges. And “Ash vs. Evil Dead” provided fans with three additional seasons, showcasing Bruce Campbell battling Deadites amidst buckets of blood, all while “Evil Dead” continued its reign. Some other renowned horror series might flourish under the television format as well. Here are five we’d love to see reborn on TV screens.

5) The Conjuring

The Conjuring franchise began with its self-titled debut in 2013 and has since expanded into a vast interconnected series, encompassing movies like Annabelle, The Nun, and several sequels. In 2025, The Conjuring: Last Rites marks the conclusion of the main series, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility of more stories being told. There are countless haunting tales, well-known and lesser-known, that could be adapted for a TV show format. This series could adopt either a continuous narrative structure or an episodic one. Each season could focus on a specific case, or it could follow a standalone or weekly-monster format.

The spin-off from the Warren family could explore events occurring beyond the timeframe depicted in the films (1970s-1980s). As accounts of unexplained supernatural occurrences transcend both time and geographical boundaries, this venture is free to unfold in various settings.

4) [REC]

Could a long-running TV series that uses only real footage be successful? Given the success of the annual V/H/S movies, there’s a chance it could work. The REC series moved away from using in-story cameras by its third installment, but the first two films are classics within this subgenre. Keeping the found footage style for a series might be wise, considering how infrequent such productions have become since Rec 2 was released.

In the remake, we’d rather avoid another enigmatic epidemic causing an apartment block lockdown, as seen in the original films. However, the ominous and confined atmosphere would translate smoothly to a fresh environment. Moreover, the franchise’s Demon Worms could potentially emerge in any location, truth be told.

3) Predator

The character Predator, similar to the Alien, is experiencing a renewed popularity due to strong films such as the 2022 release “Prey” and the anticipated 2025 movie titled “Killer of Killers”. Unlike Alien, which often sticks to specific environments, Predator has the advantage of adaptability in its settings.

In my perspective as a movie enthusiast, both “Prey” and “Killer of Killers” offer intriguing glimpses into the recurring visits of the Yautja species to our Earth. These visits date back to at least 841, hinting at a vast array of potential time periods and locations on this very planet. But let me tell you, if the Predator franchise decides to venture beyond our solar system, we’re in for a treat! The Yautja could encounter bizarre alien creatures or even intelligent extraterrestrials armed with their unique weapons and strategies. It’s an exciting prospect that promises to take us on thrilling journeys through the cosmos!

A collection-style approach seems ideal for showcasing the various features within Predator, yet a standalone narrative focusing on a single hunt (perhaps set in the future with laser technology) could also be intriguing and exciting.

2) Saw

At its core, devoid of games and violence, the Saw series can be described as a captivating blend of mystery and suspense. Seasoned followers are well-aware that unexpected plot twists are inevitable: unmasking hidden villains, revisiting the timeline, or revealing characters who seem deceased were merely faking it, to name a few. The Saw franchise consistently encourages intricate theory-building among its enthusiasts, a trait ideal for serialized television productions.

In a departure from the traditional format, a Saw series installment doesn’t necessarily require the primary characters from the films. As shown by later releases like “Spiral” and “Jigsaw”, the teachings and methods of John Kramer have spread beyond their initial boundaries, allowing for standalone stories to thrive. Ideally, this new story would follow a group of individuals in a specific location, navigating a sequence of traps while uncovering who orchestrated it all, much like “Saw II”. The Saw franchise shines brightest when it focuses on a contained narrative. One of the most cherished entries is the original movie where the two main characters are trapped in a bathroom for the entire film.

1) The Thing

The timeless 1982 horror film by John Carpenter titled “The Thing” is among the select science fiction horrors that can rival masterpieces like “Alien” and “Predator.” Yet, it’s puzzling how, aside from a 2002 video game and a 2011 prequel, a series has largely not progressed or expanded significantly.

In my humble opinion, as a movie enthusiast, I must share that despite the best efforts of showrunner Frank Darabont back in 2002, the Sci-Fi Channel’s planned miniseries, “Return of the Thing,” sadly never saw the light of day before filming commenced. This missed opportunity would have transported us to a remote desert community in New Mexico, offering a chilling twist on isolation that, while not quite as secluded as Antarctica, was certainly worthy of its own spine-tingling tale. Alas, the shapeshifting alien’s return remains unrealized, at least for now.

Transitioning the Thing to a bustling neighborhood definitely amplifies the tension, but it could potentially strip away the aspects that give the original (and even the prequel) their unique charm. The allure and intrigue stem from being stuck among familiar faces, uncertain who among them is reliable.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this:

“Now, I’m not suggesting we remake The Thing in an icy Antarctica setting again, but there needs to be a sense of confinement or ‘bottle’ feel to keep the suspense high. If someone can simply dial the police and report a roaming Thing, w And if executed skillfully, audiences will find themselves engrossed in debates about who’s human and who’s not, just as they did with the original series.

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2025-08-25 22:45