Great AdaptationsRanking, deconstructing, and thinking about movies based on books, TV shows based on comics, plays based on cartoons, musicals based on toys, etc.
If Hollywood notices audiences love a film, don't be surprised to see a franchise built around it. While sequels and movie spinoffs are the norm in showbiz and highly expected, there are times when surprising TV shows based on the films pop out of the woodwork. These spinoff series often end up being continuations or prequels to popular movies.
At the rate in which content drops on a weekly basis, though, it's easy to miss an adaptation that may pique the interest, especially if someone is a fan of the respective film. So, let's dig through the archives and take a look at the classic movies that had their own TV shows.
Ah, the story of a wild, irresponsible bachelor being thrust into the role of raising kids. Ultimately, he will learn the value of family and responsibility and grow up. John Hughes' Uncle Buck may not have had the most novel of premises, but the combination of John Candy and Macaulay Culkin is pure magic on screen.
Hollywood loves nothing more than tried-and-tested stories, so Uncle Buck received two television adaptations in 1990 and 2016. The first one, which starred Kevin Meaney as the titular character, lasted a single season (with a few episodes left unaired), while the second thrust Mike Epps into the role of Buck Russell. However, Epps' version of the character didn't fare much better either, as the show also got stomped out after eight episodes.
Before American Pie or Old School, National Lampoon's Animal House lay down the marker for college comedies to come with its brazen blend of raunchy and side-splitting humor. Directed by John Landis from a script by Harold Ramis, Chris Miller, and Douglas Kenney, the film features a misbehaving and troublesome fraternity who makes Dean Vernon Wormer's life as difficult as humanly possible.
The frat boy shenanigans continue in Delta House, a short-lived sitcom that follows a few returning cast members from the film, including Dean Wormer. While it never hit the same comedic peaks as the classic film, the show is remembered for helping to launch Michelle Pfeiffer's career.
When discussing the greatest films ever made, Casablanca enters the chat every single time. If anything, it features an abundance of classic lines that are quoted by people who haven't even seen the O.G. film. Expectedly, it influenced many other pictures throughout the decades, but there have also been two surprising TV shows based on the film.
The first show aired in 1955, featuring Charles McGraw as Rick and lasting a single season. The second adaptation spun its way onto TV screens in 1983, starring David Soul as Rick and surviving for only five episodes before the plug was pulled. Needless to say, most people don't mention the two shows when they think of Casablanca.
About a Boy is a romantic comedy/drama that tugs at the heartstrings as Hugh Grant's Will learns about life and responsibility as he develops a friendship with a young boy named Marcus. The film also proved to be a sleeper hit in 2002, notching up a 93% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Instead of remaking the movie, a decision was made to turn it into a television show of the same name in 2014. Expectedly, none of the leads returned here, but the premise stays the same. It might not have had the same impact as the film did, but it garnered a decent reception, picking up a 74% critical approval score on Rotten Tomatoes.
If someone doesn't believe young children are little devils, show them Richard Donner's The Omen. The classic horror film spawned several sequels and a remake, as Damien Thorn ran wild and brought hellfire and brimstone to all those who crossed him or made fun of his silly hat and bad haircut.
In 2016, Damien became a TV star in an eponymous show. The series follows the adult Damien, who has forgotten his sinister ways. Don't worry, though, a special friend helps him reconnect with the horned one. Damien only lasted a single season and received a critical bashing, securing a measly 14% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Slackers everywhere worship at the altar of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Starring Matthew Broderick as the titular character, it's a tale about freedom, rejecting the status quo, and having a day off with your best buds, providing even better memories.
In 1990, the Ferris Bueller TV show raced out of the school halls and into living rooms. Charlie Schlatter replaces Broderick as the lead in the series, while Jennifer Aniston also appears as Jeannie Bueller. The show tries to implement a meta approach, with Ferris rejecting the fact Broderick plays him in a movie while hitting the traditional sitcom beats of the time. In the end, Ferris Bueller lasted for a single season.
