20 Forgotten TV Shows Based on Movies

I’ve noticed some movies just really stick with people, you know? They become more than just entertainment – they become important parts of our lives and something we always remember. And it’s amazing how often they end up everywhere else too, like becoming toys, video games, or even TV shows. It’s like they take on a life of their own!

Many TV shows based on movies have become just as popular, or even more so, than the original films. For example, when people think of “M*A*S*H,” they usually picture the Alan Alda TV series, not the earlier Robert Altman movie. It’s similar with *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* – most people imagine Sarah Michelle Gellar’s portrayal of Buffy, rather than Kristy Swanson’s in the original film.

It’s no surprise Hollywood loves turning movies into TV shows – when these adaptations succeed, they’re hugely popular. But failures are often quick and complete. Below, you’ll find 20 TV shows based on films that, unlike the movies themselves, didn’t last. If you’ve forgotten these shows existed (and many of us have!), there are clips included to refresh your memory. Honestly, in some cases, it’s probably a good thing they’re gone.

Doctor Dolittle (1970-1)

The 1967 film *Doctor Dolittle* was a famously expensive failure, going way over its $6 million budget. Surprisingly, it even received a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards! (Mark Harris’ book, *Pictures at a Revolution*, tells the full story.) Despite the film’s poor performance, the *Doctor Dolittle* name still had appeal, so Fox created an animated series a few years later. The show borrowed heavily from the film, including using a version of the Oscar-winning song “Talk to the Animals” and having voice actor Bob Holt mimic Rex Harrison’s performance. However, the animated series wasn’t successful either, and it was cancelled after just one season of 17 episodes.

Shaft (1973-4)

It’s fairly common for popular movies to inspire TV shows, but it’s unusual for the movie’s lead actor to also appear in the show. However, the short-lived series of *Shaft* TV movies that aired on CBS in 1973 and 1974 did feature Richard Roundtree reprising his role as the famous detective John Shaft. While seven *Shaft* movies were made with Roundtree, CBS made a strange programming decision: they aired *Shaft* on alternating Tuesdays with *Hawkins*, a show starring Jimmy Stewart as a small-town Southern lawyer. These shows appealed to very different audiences – a lawyer in a small town versus a tough detective always in danger. The pairing didn’t work, and both *Shaft* and *Hawkins* were canceled after the 1973-74 season.

Planet of the Apes (1974)

After the original *Planet of the Apes* movies ran their course, the story briefly moved to television. Once again, a team of astronauts traveled to space and found themselves in the distant future on an Earth now ruled by apes! Roddy McDowall, a familiar face from the *Apes* franchise, played a new ape character. However, the TV show suffered from the same problem that plagued the later movies: low budgets. The cheaper the ape costumes and masks, the less realistic the world seemed. After just 14 episodes, CBS canceled the show due to low ratings, prompting passionate fans to famously lament the lost potential with the line, “You maniacs! You blew it up! Damn you! Damn you all to development hell!”

Delta House (1979)

The movie *National Lampoon’s Animal House* was already pushing boundaries with its R-rating, so turning it into a TV show seemed like a risky idea. How could they capture the same chaotic energy without the original stars like John Belushi? And why schedule it for 8 PM on a Saturday night? From the start, the TV adaptation, *Delta House*, was set up to fail. It only lasted 13 episodes before being cancelled in the winter and spring of 1979.

Starman (1986-7)

The movie *Starman* hinted at an alien baby, and that idea became the basis for this short-lived TV show. Set ten years after the film, the story follows the now teenage son of the Starman (played by Christopher Daniel Barnes, who also voiced Spider-Man in the ’90s cartoon). The father, now portrayed by Robert Hays, returns to Earth to help his son navigate life as a human. Each week, the pair searched for the boy’s mother while using their special abilities to help people they met, much like the format of *The Fugitive*. Despite a promising start, the show only lasted one season on ABC.

Teen Wolf (1986-7)

The MTV series *Teen Wolf*, which aired in the 2010s, became a popular show, running for six seasons and 100 episodes before concluding with a movie on Paramount+. However, many people don’t realize this wasn’t the first *Teen Wolf* TV show. Shortly after the original *Teen Wolf* movie came out, CBS launched an animated series based on the film. Townsend Coleman, who famously voiced Michelangelo in the original *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* cartoon, provided the voice for Michael J. Fox’s character. Unfortunately, the animated show wasn’t very good and was cancelled before *Teen Wolf Too* even hit theaters in the fall of 1987.

Police Academy (1988-9)

A curious trend in 1980s pop culture was turning R-rated movies into shows for children. Several films originally made for adults – like *RoboCop*, *First Blood*, and *Police Academy* – were adapted into Saturday morning or after-school cartoons. The *Police Academy* cartoon brought back the characters from the movies, voiced by actors who sounded like the originals, but focused on silly, physical comedy instead of the adult humor of the films. The show lasted for two seasons in the late ’80s, but as the *Police Academy* movies became less popular, the cartoon quickly faded into obscurity as well.

The Karate Kid (1989)

Similar to *Teen Wolf*, *The Karate Kid* actually had a cartoon series long before the recent popular TV show. This animated version of *The Karate Kid* premiered on NBC shortly after *The Karate Kid Part III* came out in theaters. It continued the story from *The Karate Kid Part II*, where Daniel LaRusso traveled to Okinawa with his teacher, Mr. Miyagi. The cartoon’s plot revolves around a stolen shrine that Daniel and Miyagi must find. While different actors voiced Daniel and Miyagi, Pat Morita himself provided voiceovers for most of the show’s episodes, which only lasted one season.

Uncle Buck (1990-1)

Even with a great performance by John Candy and a heartfelt script by John Hughes, the movie *Uncle Buck* always felt like it could be a TV sitcom: a carefree guy steps in to look after his brother’s three kids while his brother and wife are away on business. The TV show version, starring Kevin Meaney, took a much darker turn – the parents died, and Buck became the kids’ permanent guardian. Despite being the first show to use the phrase “You suck!”, *Uncle Buck* didn’t even last a full season and was canceled. Six episodes, including one titled “Sixty Candles,” were never shown. Years later, in 2016, another TV remake with Mike Epps as Uncle Buck was attempted, but it fared even worse, lasting only eight episodes.

Fievel’s American Tails (1992)

The story of *An American Tail*, about a Russian Jewish mouse family starting a new life in America, surprisingly continued with a sequel called *Fievel Goes West*, which saw the family move to the Wild West. This was followed by a television series, *Fievel’s American Tails*, continuing Fievel’s adventures. While some of the original voice actors, like Phillips Glasser, returned for the series, others were replaced. For example, the character originally voiced by Jon Lovitz was now voiced by Dan Castellaneta, who is best known as the voice of Homer Simpson.

A League of Their Own (1993)

This TV show, based on the beloved film about a women’s baseball team during World War II, only lasted six episodes, with only five actually broadcast. While it featured familiar characters like the demanding Coach Dugan and star player Dottie Hinson, it used a completely different cast. This highlights that a good idea isn’t enough – the actors themselves are what truly connect with audiences. A new series based on *League of Their Own* premiered on Amazon in 2022, but plans for a second season were cancelled following the 2023 Hollywood strikes.

Problem Child (1993-4)

I have strong memories of the *Problem Child* movies starring John Ritter, where he played a man hilariously struggling with his mischievous adopted son. However, I completely forgot that there was a *Problem Child* TV series on USA Network in the early 90s, even though I watched a lot of cartoons on that channel back then – I even remember the not-so-great *Highlander* cartoon! (Seriously, they didn’t worry much about what was okay for kids to watch. ) Maybe I’m part of the reason the show is forgotten. Sorry, *Problem Child*.

Beethoven (1994)

The *Beethoven* films featured a large St. Bernard who constantly got into trouble for his family. Unlike some animal movies, Beethoven wasn’t magical and didn’t think or talk to himself. However, when *Beethoven* was turned into a cartoon, the creators decided he *would* talk and act like a human – a common trait in cartoons. Unfortunately, CBS only aired 13 episodes of the show before canceling it.

Dumb and Dumber (1995-6)

Jim Carrey was incredibly popular in 1994, and all three of his hit movies – *The Mask*, *Ace Ventura: Pet Detective*, and *Dumb and Dumber* – were turned into animated series. Surprisingly, Jim Carrey didn’t lend his voice to any of them. *The Mask* proved to be the most successful, running for three seasons and even spawning a line of action figures. *Ace Ventura* also did well, lasting three seasons. However, the *Dumb and Dumber* cartoon didn’t fare as well, quickly being canceled after just 13 episodes.

The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998-9)

As a fan, I was excited when they announced a *Crow* TV series – the movies had already shown the idea of multiple people becoming the Crow, so it seemed like a natural fit. But it was strange to me that the show brought back the *same* character Brandon Lee played in the first movie, only now with Mark Dacascos taking on the role. It just felt like it was asking for trouble, constantly bringing up comparisons to the original and to the tragic circumstances of Brandon Lee’s death on set. Sadly, it didn’t last long, getting canceled after just one season.

The Mummy (2001-3)

The *Mummy* movies starring Brendan Fraser are a major source of nostalgia for Millennials, successfully mixing scary moments with exciting action. However, many people forget about the animated *Mummy* series that aired on Kids WB for two seasons in the early 2000s. The show continued the story from *The Mummy Returns*, featuring the son of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz’s characters, who became the main character for a younger audience.

Blade: The Series (2006)

David S. Goyer, who wrote the popular *Blade* movies starring Wesley Snipes and directed the third one, *Blade: Trinity*, developed this sequel series for Spike TV. Kirk Jones, known as Sticky Fingaz, took over the lead role. Goyer co-wrote the first episode with Geoff Johns, a writer for DC Comics. While the show did well in ratings, it was expensive to make due to its special effects and action sequences, leading Spike TV to cancel it after one season. The team behind the show understandably disagreed with this decision, as they felt they were facing an uphill battle.

Spaceballs: The Animated Series (2008-9)

The new *Spaceballs* movie follows through on a long-ago promise to bring the characters back together, this time for *The Search For More Money*. But surprisingly, there was a previous *Spaceballs* sequel of sorts: a short-lived animated series that aired on the now-closed G4 channel in the 2000s. The show continued the *Spaceballs* parody of *Star Wars*, but also poked fun at other popular things like *Jurassic Park* and *Grand Theft Auto*. While some of the original actors – including Mel Brooks, the director – returned, those who had retired or passed away were replaced. Though announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2007, the show didn’t actually air until a year later, and quietly ended after just one season.

Napoleon Dynamite (2012)

It’s often difficult for unique, funny movies to succeed when adapted for television. A prime example is *Clerks*, a popular independent film from the 1990s, which didn’t do well on ABC, even though it was created by the original filmmaker, Kevin Smith, and starred much of the movie’s cast. This pattern repeated with *Napoleon Dynamite* a few years later. Jared and Jerusha Hess turned their beloved film into an animated series, but like the *Clerks* cartoon, it was cancelled by Fox after only six episodes. It’s frustrating to see something so well-loved fail like that!

The Continental: From the World of John Wick (2023)

As a big fan of the *John Wick* movies, I was really curious about *The Continental*, the first TV series set in that world. Instead of focusing on John Wick himself, it tried to tell the story of how Winston, played by Ian McShane, became the manager of the Continental Hotel. Honestly, though, you had to be *really* invested in the inner workings of a fancy hotel and its staff to truly enjoy it. And with so much competition from other streaming shows and movies, Peacock decided to cancel it – or, as they say in the *John Wick* universe, declare it ‘excommunicado’ – not long after it premiered in 2023. It’s a shame, because I do love the unique world they’ve built, but this spin-off just didn’t quite stick the landing.

10 TV Shows That Were Rescued by Netflix

Arrested Development (2003-2019)

Despite being hugely influential and developing a dedicated fanbase, *Arrested Development* didn’t attract a large enough audience during its first three seasons on Fox to continue airing. When it was cancelled in 2006, creator Mitchell Hurwitz said the show had naturally reached its conclusion after 53 episodes, despite talk of it moving to Showtime. However, Netflix revived the series in 2013 with a fourth season of 15 episodes, all taking place within the same timeframe and each focused on a different character. While fans were glad to have the show back, the unusual format was confusing. In 2018, Netflix released *Arrested Development Season 4 Redux: Fateful Consequences*, which re-edited the season into 22 episodes presented in chronological order. The show returned for a more traditional fifth season, which concluded in March 2019.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)

Believe it or not, there was a time when a *Star Wars* show was a Netflix Original! This happened when streaming services were still new, and different companies often shared popular shows. *Star Wars: The Clone Wars*, a well-regarded animated series, was canceled by Cartoon Network in 2013 after five seasons. Then, in 2014, Netflix brought the show back for a sixth season and secured a deal with Disney to be the exclusive streaming home for *Star Wars* content. This arrangement lasted until 2017, when Disney decided to launch its own streaming service, Disney+. Disney+ eventually released a seventh and final season of *Clone Wars* in 2020.

The Killing (2011-2014)

For a period, Netflix became known for rescuing shows that other networks had canceled prematurely. A prime example is *The Killing*, an American adaptation of a Danish crime drama. It originally aired on AMC for two seasons before being canceled in 2012. However, a deal between AMC, Fox Television Studios, and Netflix brought it back for a third season, with Netflix securing streaming rights after its AMC broadcast. Though AMC canceled it *again* after season three, Netflix stepped in to produce a final, six-episode season, finally giving the show the ending it deserved. This back-and-forth—canceled, revived, canceled again—pretty much sums up the rollercoaster ride that was *The Killing*.

Longmire (2012-2017)

Before Netflix became known for its original content, it gained popularity by acquiring well-liked shows that had been canceled by other networks, despite having dedicated fans. One of the first big successes in this strategy was the Western crime drama *Longmire*. After A&E canceled it in 2014 after three seasons, the show’s producers tried to find a new home for it, and Netflix stepped in to air three more seasons, concluding in 2017. Currently, *Longmire* isn’t available to stream on Netflix in the U.S. due to expired licensing agreements, but you can find it on Paramount+.

Designated Survivor (2016-2019)

The political thriller *Designated Survivor* faced an early cancellation by ABC after two seasons in 2018. Fortunately, Netflix stepped in to allow the show to finish its story. A third season of ten episodes premiered on Netflix in 2019, but it received only moderate reviews. Ultimately, Netflix canceled the show after that season, reportedly due to issues with the actors’ contracts – it seems they anticipated the cancellation and had already started making other plans.

Lucifer (2016-2021)

Despite modest ratings during its original run, the show *Lucifer* – a loose adaptation of the DC comics where the Devil works as a crime solver in Los Angeles – developed a dedicated fanbase. After Fox cancelled it in 2018 following three seasons, fans launched an online campaign to save the show, and Netflix picked it up a month later. Netflix aired three additional seasons before concluding the series in 2021. These later seasons were consistently popular on the platform, demonstrating that a show’s success isn’t always about the content itself, but rather about finding the right audience.

Cobra Kai (2018-2025)

From the beginning, the future of YouTube Red/YouTube Premium looked uncertain, but the series *Cobra Kai* unexpectedly found success. The first two seasons premiered on YouTube, gaining a large audience. When YouTube decided to stop producing original content, Netflix stepped in to save the already-completed third season and stream it on their service. *Cobra Kai* moved to Netflix for all following seasons, concluding with its sixth and final season in 2025. This journey mirrors the show’s underdog theme perfectly.

Manifest (2018-2023)

The show *Manifest* became an early example of a new trend at Netflix: rescuing canceled shows. Originally airing on NBC for three seasons, *Manifest* was added to Netflix right before NBC announced its cancellation. It quickly became popular on Netflix, leading the streaming service to revive it for a fourth and final season. Viewers began to notice this pattern – Netflix acquiring shows only to cancel them again after one more season – and it started to feel like the company was just delaying the inevitable.

You (2018-2025)

Luckily, *You* followed a similar path to success with streaming. The show, a dark romance about a serial killer, originally aired its first season on Lifetime, and things were going well for Joe Goldberg and his…targets. However, Lifetime unexpectedly canceled the second season. Then, Netflix stepped in, recognizing the show’s potential after seeing strong numbers on streaming platforms (Lifetime’s viewership hadn’t been as strong). Netflix went on to release seasons two through five, finally concluding the series in 2025 and, arguably, saving us from the problematic antics of the original, seemingly intellectual bad boy.

Girls5Eva (2021-2024)

Peacock originally created the comedy series *Girls5Eva*, about a former turn-of-the-millennium girl group trying for a comeback. While the show gained a dedicated fanbase over its two seasons on Peacock, it didn’t attract enough viewers for the platform. After Peacock cancelled it, Netflix picked up *Girls5Eva* for a third season in 2024, much to the delight of its fans. However, Netflix ultimately decided to cancel the show after just one season on their service.

2025-10-17 00:32