Have you ever had a favorite TV series where you wished the episodes were longer, farther apart, less convenient to watch, and yet somehow more expensive? Then your wish can be answered by a movie spin-off. Last month, in “Make it Again, Sam”,[1] we looked at TV series remakes, generally categorized as revivals, reboots, and reimaginings. This month, we look at TV series with stories so big that they could not be contained by the half-hour sitcom or one-hour drama format and transformed into a theatrical feature film.[2]
For this list, we’re looking at movies based on TV series that offer more of the same, not some of the similar. We don’t want to get into quibbles and minutiae,[3] but many films are excluded from our list because they’re not proper continuations of a TV series on the big screen. We allowed reimaginings in “Make it Again Sam”, but here that’s a bridge too far.[4] For this list, we’re sticking to movies that continue or retell the stories from the original series rather than reboot the series into a significantly different form. Theatrical reboots can be a subject for another day.
For example, in this list we didn’t allow Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie (1997), since it was a lead-in for the Power Rangers Turbo (1997–1998) television series that premiered the following month, rather than the other way around, or Power Rangers (2017), since it re-booted the series with a new origin story rather than continuing or retelling stories from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993–1996). We also exclude Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) from our list, since it takes place in an alternate timeline from the original series. For that same reason, we exclude the Star Trek “Kelvin Timeline” movies: Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), and Star Trek Beyond (2016). Those stories take place in an alternative quantum universe created by unregulated time travel by the Federation’s enemies, which we do not approve of as a general sort of behavior.[5] The list also sticks to live-action[6] movies and excludes animation. Not because we have anything against animation,[7] but because that way lies madness. Japanese anime series spawn theatrical feature films with surprising frequency. For example, Doraemon (1979–2005) has led to over 45 theatrical features on its own.[8]
The list below includes 148 movies inspired by 99 different series. The first to make the move from small to big screen was Dragnet (1954), the police procedural produced and directed by Jack Webb, who also played the lead character, Los Angeles police detective Joe Friday.[9] The highest grossing film on our list, adjusting for inflation, is The Fugitive (1993),[10] coming in at number four behind Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), and Transformers (2007) – all excluded from this list due to their extreme level of reboot-ery.[11] The series that has spawned the most movies (with 10 on our list) is Saturday Night Live (1975—),[12] where various sketch characters have been given their own movies, starting with The Blues Brothers (1980). Star Trek (1966–1969) and The Muppet Show (1976-1981) are tied for second, with six each.
So, if you have a favorite TV series on the list below, take the time to see the movie it inspired (or vice versa). For the curious of mind, each movie and inspiring series is accompanied by its EIDR ID, which will take you to the Emmy Award-winning EIDR registry of audiovisual works featuring basic, descriptive metadata and cross-linked Alternate IDs that can take you to millions of other sources of information about the movies, TV series, and other works identified in the EIDR registry.
Live-Action Movies Based on TV Series
|
Movie |
Movie EIDR ID |
The Original TV Series |
Series EIDR ID |
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Dragnet (1954) |
Dragnet (1951–1959) |
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It's a Great Day (1955) |
The Grove Family (1954–1957) |
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The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) |
The Quatermass Experiment (1953–1953) |
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The Lone Ranger (1956) |
The Lone Ranger (1949–1957) |
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Our Miss Brooks (1956) |
Our Miss Brooks (1952–1956) |
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Quatermass 2 (1957) |
Quatermass II (1955–1955) |
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I Only Arsked! (1958) |
The Army Game (1957–1961) |
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The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958) |
The Lone Ranger (1949–1957) |
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Bottoms Up (1960) |
Whack-O! (1956–1972) |
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Inn for Trouble (1960) |
The Larkins (1958–1960) |
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Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) |
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955–1959) |
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Batman (1966) |
Batman (1966–1968) |
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Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) |
Thunderbirds (1965–1966) |
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Till Death Us Do Part (1968) |
Till Death Us Do Part (1965–1975) |
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House of Dark Shadows (1970) |
Dark Shadows (1966–1971) |
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And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) |
Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974) |
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Dad's Army (1971) |
Dad's Army (1968–1977) |
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Night of Dark Shadows (1971) |
Dark Shadows (1966–1971) |
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On the Buses (1971) |
On the Buses (1969–1973) |
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Please Sir! (1971) |
Please Sir! (1968–1972) |
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Up Pompeii (1971) |
Up Pompeii! (1969–1970) |
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The Alf Garnett Saga (1972) |
Till Death Us Do Part (1965–1975) |
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Bless This House (1972) |
Bless This House (1971–1976) |
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Doomwatch (1972) |
Doomwatch (1970–1972) |
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Father, Dear Father (1972) |
Father, Dear Father (1968–1973) |
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For the Love of Ada (1972) |
For the Love of Ada (1970–1971) |
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Mutiny on the Buses (1972) |
On the Buses (1969–1973) |
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Nearest and Dearest (1972) |
Nearest and Dearest (1968–1973) |
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Ooh… You Are Awful (1972) |
The Dick Emery Show (1963–1981) |
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Steptoe and Son (1972) |
Steptoe and Son (1962–1974) |
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That's Your Funeral (1972) |
That's Your Funeral (1970–1971) |
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Holiday on the Buses (1973) |
On the Buses (1969–1973)3 |
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Love Thy Neighbour (1973) |
Love Thy Neighbour (1972–1976) |
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The Lovers! (1973) |
The Lovers (1970–1971) |
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Man About the House (1973) |
Man About the House (1973–1976) |
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Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width (1973) |
Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width (1967–1971) |
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Steptoe and Son Ride Again (1973) |
Steptoe and Son (1962–1974) |
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The Best of Benny Hill (1974) |
The Benny Hill Show (1969–1991) |
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Callan (1974) |
Callan (1967–1972) |
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The Likely Lads (1976) |
The Likely Lads (1964–1966) |
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Are You Being Served? (1977) |
Are You Being Served? (1972–1985) |
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Sweeney! (1977) |
The Sweeney (1975–1978) |
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Sweeney 2 (1978) |
The Sweeney (1975–1978) |
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The Muppet Movie (1979) |
The Muppet Show (1976-1981) |
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Porridge (1979) |
Porridge (1974–1977) |
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Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) |
Star Trek (1966–1969) |
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The Blues Brothers (1980) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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George and Mildred (1980) |
George and Mildred (1976–1979) |
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The Gong Show Movie (1980) |
The Gong Show (1976–1989) |
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The Nude Bomb (1980) |
Get Smart (1965–1970) |
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Rising Damp (1980) |
Rising Damp (1974–1978) |
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The Great Muppet Caper (1981) |
The Muppet Show (1976-1981) |
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Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) |
Star Trek (1966–1969) |
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Strange Brew (1983) |
SCTV (1976–1984) |
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Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) |
The Twilight Zone (1959–1964) |
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The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) |
The Muppet Show (1976-1981) |
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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) |
Star Trek (1966–1969) |
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Follow That Bird (1985) |
Sesame Street (1969—) |
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Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) |
Star Trek (1966–1969) |
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The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) |
Police Squad! (1982) |
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Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) |
Star Trek (1966–1969) |
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Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) |
Tales from the Darkside (1983–1988) |
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The Addams Family (1991) |
The Addams Family (1964–1966) |
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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) |
Police Squad! (1982) |
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Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) |
Star Trek (1966–1969) |
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Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) |
Twin Peaks (1990-1991) |
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Wayne's World (1992) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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Addams Family Values (1993) |
The Addams Family (1964–1966) |
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Coneheads (1993) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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The Fugitive (1993) |
The Fugitive (1963–1967) |
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Wayne's World 2 (1993) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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The Flintstones (1994) |
The Flintstones (1960–1966) |
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It's Pat: The Movie (1994) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) |
Police Squad! (1982) |
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Star Trek: Generations (1994) |
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) |
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Stuart Saves His Family (1995) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995) |
Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996) |
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Bordello of Blood (1996) |
Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996) |
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Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996) |
The Kids in the Hall (1988–1995) |
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Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996) |
Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988-1999) |
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Star Trek: First Contact (1996) |
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) |
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Bean (1997) |
Mr. Bean (1990–1995) |
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Good Burger (1997) |
All That (1994–2005) |
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A Night at the Roxbury (1998) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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Addams Family Reunion (1998) |
The Addams Family (1964–1966) |
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Barney's Great Adventure (1998) |
Barney & Friends (1992–2010) |
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Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) |
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) |
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The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998) |
The X-Files (1993–2018) |
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The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999) |
Sesame Street (1969—) |
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Guest House Paradiso (1999) |
Bottom (1991–1995) |
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Muppets from Space (1999) |
The Muppet Show (1976-1981) |
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Superstar (1999) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000) |
The Flintstones (1960–1966) |
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Kevin & Perry Go Large (2000) |
Harry Enfield's Television Programme (1990–1992) |
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The Ladies Man (2000) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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Ali G Indahouse (2002) |
Da Ali G Show (2000–2004) |
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Jackass: The Movie (2002) |
Jackass (2000–2007) |
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Star Trek: Nemesis (2002) |
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) |
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Fat Pizza (2003) |
Pizza (2000–2007) |
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The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) |
Lizzie McGuire (2001–2004) |
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Stella Street (2004) |
Stella Street (1997–2001) |
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The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse (2005) |
The League of Gentlemen (1999–2002) |
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Serenity (2005) |
Firefly (2002–2002) |
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Borat (2006) |
Da Ali G Show (2000–2004) |
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Jackass Number Two (2006) |
Jackass (2000–2007) |
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Strangers with Candy (2006) |
Strangers with Candy (1999–2000) |
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Trailer Park Boys: The Movie (2006) |
Trailer Park Boys (2001–2008) |
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Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007) |
Mr. Bean (1990–1995) |
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Reno 911!: Miami (2007) |
Reno 911! (2003-2022) |
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Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (2008) |
Noah's Arc (2005–2006) |
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Sex and the City (2008) |
Sex and the City (1998–2004) |
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The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008) |
The X-Files (1993–2018) |
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Brüno (2009) |
Da Ali G Show (2000–2004) |
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Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009) |
Hannah Montana (2006–2011) |
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In the Loop (2009) |
The Thick of It (2005–2012) |
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State of Play (2009) |
State of Play (2003–2003) |
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The A-Team (2010) |
The A-Team (1983–1987) |
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Edge of Darkness (2010) |
Edge of Darkness (1985–1985) |
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Jackass 3D (2010) |
Jackass (2000–2007) |
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MacGruber (2010) |
Saturday Night Live (1975—) |
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Sex and the City 2 (2010) |
Sex and the City (1998–2004) |
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The Inbetweeners Movie (2011) |
The Inbetweeners (2008–2010) |
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The Muppets (2011) |
The Muppet Show (1976-1981) |
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Housos vs. Authority (2012) |
Housos (2011—) |
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Kath & Kimderella (2012) |
Kath & Kim (2002–2007) |
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Keith Lemon: The Film (2012) |
Keith Lemon's Very Brilliant World Tour (2008) |
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Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013) |
I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002) |
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The Harry Hill Movie (2013) |
TV Burp (2001–2012) |
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The Inbetweeners 2 (2014) |
The Inbetweeners (2008–2010) |
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Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie (2014) |
Mrs. Brown's Boys (2011—) |
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Muppets Most Wanted (2014) |
The Muppet Show (1976-1981) |
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Trailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It (2014) |
Trailer Park Boys (2001–2008) |
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Veronica Mars (2014) |
Veronica Mars (2004–2007) |
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The Bad Education Movie (2015) |
Bad Education (2012–2014) |
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Entourage (2015) |
Entourage (2004–2011) |
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The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) |
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968) |
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Spooks: The Greater Good (2015) |
Spooks (2002–2011) |
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Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) |
Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012) |
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Dad's Army (2016) |
Dad's Army (1968–1977) |
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David Brent: Life on the Road (2016) |
The Office (2001–2003) |
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Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows (2016) |
Nowhere Boys (2013–2018) |
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Downton Abbey (2019) |
Downton Abbey (2010–2015) |
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The Many Saints of Newark (2021) |
The Sopranos (1999–2007) |
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People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan (2021) |
People Just Do Nothing (2014–2018) |
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Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) |
Downton Abbey (2010–2015) |
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Jackass Forever (2022) |
Jackass (2000–2007) |
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The Nan Movie (2022) |
The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2007) |
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Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025) |
Downton Abbey (2010–2015) |
[1] Not to be confused with the book MAKE IT AGAIN, SAM: A Survey of Movie Remakes (1975) by Michael B. Druxman, which is a critical review of selected cinematic remakes with an index of literary works that have been remade as movies.
[2] Generally, with the same actors playing the same characters in the same situations, to the extent that time and divine providence allow.
[3] Who are we kidding? That’s all we really care about.
[4] A Bridge Too Far (1977) is fine film, based on the book of the same name, but we’re focused on movies based on TV series, not books. Still, if you haven’t seen it, I think it’s worth three hours of your time. Then again, the thing I remember most about the movie is the Humber Scout Car that Michael Caine rides in. I want one.
[5] Really, it just gave the writers an excuse to ignore 43 years of established story canon and make stuff up, which we do not approve of as a general sort of behavior.
[6] We do allow Thunderbirds Are Go (1966), because, while it does use puppets (specifically, Supermarionation) and miniature sets, they are filmed live. However, we don’t allow Thunderbirds (2004), which has no puppets, so it rather misses the whole point of Thunderbirds (1965–1966). We did include The Flintstones (1994), because, while the original series was animated, the movie is a remarkably faithful live-action adaptation. Sadly, our live-action rule means that we must exclude The Simpsons Movie (2007) and the origin story of Spider-Pig. If you don’t have 3 hours for A Bridge Too Far, you can certainly find 90-minutes for The Simpsons Movie.
[7] Some of our best friends are animated.
[8] For similar sanity-preserving reasons we’ve also skipped Japanese tokusatsu programs – live-action shows with a heavy reliance on practical special effects – like Kamen Rider (1971–1973) and the various Super Sentai series (49 different series in all, since each “season” is presented as a new series with new characters), which have well over 100 movies between them.
[9] Webb also created and starred in the Dragnet radio series in 1948, followed by the television series in 1951.
[10] It’s also the highest grossing before adjusting for inflation, coming in at number 14 overall per Box Office Mojo. Only 28 of the films on our list made Box Office Mojo’s top 100 grossing TV show adaptations list, so I think it’s safe to say that there is more appeal in reboots and reimaginings than nostalgia and comfort in the familiar.
[11] Not to mention their complete disregard for the law of conservation of mass.
[12] Along with Sesame Street (1969—), the only two series on our list that are still on the air.