20 TV Shows That Deserve a Movie Adaptation

What do you like better, films or TV shows? Take your time, but here's a hint: it's a trick question. It is not really possible to pick favorites between two completely different formats. The pacing, the dynamics, the development of characters, everything changes whether the story is being told on the small or on the big screen. Would 2001 be the timeless classic everyone knows if it had been split into several episodes? On the other hand, would The Sopranos be what it became if squeezed into a single feature film?

However, some properties do manage to make a fine transition from one to another. By choosing the right timing, the proper setting, or simply coming up with a new, solid story that connects to the original work, there are a lot of gems waiting to be found. Going even further, some shows could actually use a movie to complement the story, fix plot holes or "do justice" to anything that left fans bothered or dismayed. The following list proposes different TV shows which, in one way or another, would greatly benefit from a movie.

20 1899 (2022)

1899

Release Date

November 17, 2022

Cast

Ben Ashenden, Aneurin Barnard, Anton Lesser, Emily Beecham

Main Genre

Drama

Genres

Drama, Mystery

Rating

TV-MA

If you felt some Dark vibes from watching 1899, don’t be surprised; both shows were created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese. In the series, the steamship Kerberos is departing from England to New York, with a diverse group of passengers on board. The voyage is interrupted as the Kerberos receives a transmission from its sister ship, the Prometheus, which went missing a few months prior.

Why It Deserves a Movie

1899 premiered in November 2022, and was mostly well-received by viewers and critics alike. Nevertheless, about two months later, Netflix had the show canceled, leaving it on an inconclusive cliffhanger. A feature film would be a good format to summarize the somber storyline. Worst-case scenario, at least it could provide much-needed closure.

Stream it on Netflix

19 House (2004)

House

Release Date

November 16, 2004

Cast

Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jesse Spencer, Peter Jacobson, Odette Annable, Charlyne Yi

Main Genre

Drama

Genres

Drama, Mystery

What would happen if Sherlock Holmes ever attended medical school? House, M.D., that’s what. Screenwriter David Shore is credited for creating Dr. Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie. Misanthropic, antisocial, addicted to painkillers, and offensive to everyone he works with, including his best friend and roommate, he is also a genius capable of solving the most puzzling cases, thanks to his unconventional ways of diagnosing his patients.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Lasting for a total of eight seasons, House has been praised in most critical publications, often included in top 10 lists and showing significant audience figures. Just like Holmes, House is charismatic enough to provide endless stories. A movie could go back to looking at his past, detailing the cause of his severe pain and limping, although anything with Dr. House in it would be worth watching. Elementary, my dear Wilson.

Stream it on Prime Video

18 Narcos (2015)

Narcos

Release Date

August 28, 2015

Cast

Pedro Pascal, Matias Padin, Damian Alcazar, Alberto Ammann, Michael Stahl-David

Main Genre

Drama

Genres

Drama

Based on real events, Narcos takes the public to Medellín during the 1980s, showing the story of drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. His ambition and ruthlessness allowed him to build a multi-billion-dollar empire, with politicians, police, and other gang leaders in his pocket. Escobar’s business philosophy is simple, albeit effective: plata o plomo, something like “either take the cash or take a bullet.”

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Why It Deserves a Movie

Regarded as one of Netflix’s best works to date, Narcos is divided into three seasons and spawned another original show, Narcos: Mexico. Even so, the world is not short of drug dealers who rose to power, providing nearly endless Narcos material. A movie could tell one of these stories with a more dynamic approach, which would look great in the show’s style.

Stream it on Netflix

17 Lupin (2021)

Netflix

Stories about “good bandits” are usually a safe way into the audience’s good graces. So, when you get the most iconic gentleman thief in French literature and hire Omar Sy to embody his legacy, the outcome is the best possible. As such, in Lupin, Sy plays Assane Diop, a con artist who is obsessed with doing things exactly as his childhood hero Arsene Lupin would. More than trying to get rich, Assane wants, above all, to prove his father’s innocence, and take revenge upon the man who sent him to jail.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Lupin counts with three seasons so far, with everything indicating at least one more season is on the way. The show’s success relies on a consistent script and Sy’s charisma to deliver a cushy outcome, filled with smart resolutions that are easy to keep track of. Lupin could have a movie detailing, for example, how Assane managed to avoid capture during the second and third seasons.

Stream it on Netflix

16 Dexter (2006)

Dexter

Release Date

October 1, 2006

Cast

Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Geoff Pierson, David Zayas, James Remar, Aimee Garcia, Desmond Harrington, C.S. Lee

Main Genre

Crime

Genres

Crime, Drama, Mystery

Dexter could be credited as the show responsible for introducing the “psycho hero” archetype. The show follows Dexter Morgan, a forensic specialist for the Miami Police Department and a serial killer in his spare time. But Dexter doesn’t go around killing indiscriminately; he targets murderers who walk away from proper punishment, due to the justice system’s deficiencies - a twisted form of vigilante.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Although critically acclaimed, Dexter drew a share of criticism in its last season, the series finale in particular. And while fans were given a bit more closure in the form of the recent Dexter: New Blood, a movie could go a long way in smoothing over some of the more contentious elements of the series that the revivalw as still forced to reckon with.

Stream it on Max

15 Arrested Development (2003)

Arrested Development

Release Date

November 2, 2003

Cast

Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jessica Walter

Main Genre

Comedy

Genres

Comedy

Arrested Development first aired on Fox in November 2003. The series tells the story of the Bluths, a family which comes from a rich past, but faces serious difficulties as George Bluth Sr., the family’s patriarch, goes to prison after years practicing “creative accounting” in his company. His son, Michael, tries to keep the business and the family together, but that is never too easy for the Bluths.

Why It Deserves a Movie

After three seasons, Arrested Development was canceled, but thanks to the fan outcry, it was eventually brought back by Netflix for two more seasons. With its meta features, running gags, and memorable characters, the series became a pop culture phenomenon and gathered a cult following. This cult would definitely embrace any movie that proposed to bring the Bluths back.

Stream it on Netflix

14 Stranger Things (2016)

Stranger Things

Release Date

July 15, 2016

Cast

Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Cara Buono

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Genres

Sci-Fi, Drama, Horror

To be successful, does a show need to pay homage to the previous works it has been inspired by, or does it need to present a whole new and original premise? Somehow, Stranger Things manages to do both. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the story is set in the '80s, in the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana, and throws viewers into a twisted plot with psychic children, government conspiracies, high school drama, and a lot of pop culture references.

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Why It Deserves a Movie

Many see Stranger Things as Netflix’s crown jewel, due to the show’s enormous success with adults, teens, and kids alike. It has spawned four seasons, with a last season to be released sometime between 2024 and 2025. A Stranger Things feature film could expand any of many arcs the show cannot explore in detail, such as how the Hawkins Lab was established or anything related to Hopper’s past before Hawkins.

Stream it on Netflix

13 Angel (1999)

Angel

Release Date

October 5, 1999

Cast

Doris Singleton, Marshall Thompson, Don Keefer

Main Genre

Comedy

Genres

Comedy

Angel is a spin-off of the '90s smash-hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, both created by Joss Whedon. The show follows Angel, a 240-year-old vampire who was struck by a curse that made him grow a conscience. This made Angel feel anguished and guilty over the murders and tortures he had committed throughout his existence. Seeking redemption, he goes to Los Angeles.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Angel lasted for a total of five seasons, and even though the series ended rather abruptly, Whedon continued the story in the official comic book series Angel: After the Fall. Although fans cannot comply with being left “unattended”, a movie bringing back the original cast together would meet much appreciation. A movie had even been in the talks a while ago, but nothing concrete came from it.

Stream it on Hulu

12 The Last of Us (2023)

The Last Of Us

Release Date

January 15, 2023

Cast

Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv, lamar johnson, Melanie Lynskey

Main Genre

Action

Genres

Action, Adventure, Drama

The Last of Us came as a game-changer (pun unintended) for all video game adaptations to the screen. In the story, a kind of fungus, namely cordyceps, caused a global infection, utterly wiping out the entire human race. The few survivors live in quarantine zones ruled by dictatorial governments. Joel (Pedro Pascal) is asked to take Ellie (Bella Ramsey) to a safe place, as the girl is seemingly immune to the infection.

Why It Deserves a Movie

The impressive thing about The Last of Us is how creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann turned a zombie horror game into a drama with deep psychological and social reflection. Even with a handful of fans despising the production for the differences from the game, the series met large approval from critics and the public. If the creators followed the same recipe, a movie could even diverge from the original game’s story line, and still be great.

Stream it on Max

11 Everybody Hates Chris (2005)

Everybody Hates Chris

Release Date

September 22, 2005

Cast

Tyler James Williams, Terry Crews, Vincent Martella, Tichina Arnold, Imani Hakim, Chris Rock

Main Genre

Comedy

Genres

Comedy

Created and narrated by Chris Rock, Everybody Hates Chris is based on his memories as a teenager in Brooklyn during the 80s. Chris, the eldest brother of a close-knit African-American family, tells about the misadventures of his adolescence, including his love disappointments, the hardships of being a Black kid in a gang-infested neighborhood, and the struggles his parents make to grant their kids a better life.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Perhaps the charm of Everybody Hates Chris is wondering to what extent those stories had really happened. The show’s cast is a spectacle in itself, and the chemistry between them works so well, any movie featuring them would be worth a shot. As a one-off, a movie could assemble the original cast, showing how Chris and the family have been doing after more than 15 years.

Stream it on Prime Video

10 Xena: Warrior Princess (1995)

Xena: Warrior Princess

Release Date

September 4, 1995

Cast

Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor

Main Genre

Action

Genres

Action, Adventure, Drama

Have you ever thrown a party and then one of your guests ended up as the main attraction? That is basically what happened with Xena: Warrior Princess. The show, starring Lucy Lawless, was actually a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, which features the character in a couple of episodes. Xena is a warrior seeking redemption for her sins, so she uses her abilities to help others – meaning, beating the heck out of gods and warlords and such.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Xena: Warrior Princess quickly rose to popularity, surpassing its predecessor. The show has been praised mostly for Lawless’ interpretation of a charismatic and strong female protagonist. Xena spawned sequels in other media, including books and role-playing games, but no movie. Now, a film bringing an older, wiser Xena showing the younger generation how it’s done would be no lesser than awesome. Xena was the one to walk, so everyone at DCEU and MCU could run.

9 Supernatural (2005)

Supernatural

Release Date

September 13, 2005

Cast

Misha Collins, Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles

Main Genre

Action

Genres

Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi

Muscle cars, otherworldly mysteries, a killer soundtrack, and a couple of very sexy brothers. What could go wrong? Supernatural, created by Eric Kripke. The show follows brothers Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki), as they hit the road in their black ’67 Impala to search for their missing father. Along the way, they face monsters, ghosts, demons, and a lot of meta references.

Why It Deserves a Movie

The show rose to immense popularity, spreading across 15 seasons and generating comics, novels, and spin-off series. A movie had been long anticipated by the show’s immense and still active fan base, but nothing seems to point to that direction so far. What is certain is that either on Earth, Hell or Heaven, there are still plenty of mysteries for the Winchesters to investigate.

Stream it on Netflix

8 The Blacklist (2013)

Blacklist

Release Date

September 23, 2013

Cast

James Spader, Diego Klattenhoff, Harry Lennix, Hisham Tawfiq, Amir Arison

Main Genre

Action

Genres

Action, Crime, Drama

There is really a thing going on that makes “nice villains” so irresistible. In The Blacklist, created by Jon Bokenkamp, the “thing” has a name and surname: Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader). A former Navy officer, or so it’s thought, Reddington ranks among the top names of the FBI’s most wanted list of criminals. He voluntarily surrenders and proposes a deal in which he will assist the bureau in tracking down other names from the list, but only if a specific agent named Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) is part of the task force.

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Why It Deserves a Movie

James Spader’s portrait of Reddington is the real highlight of The Blacklist. His slow-paced, surgical delivery gives all the needed credibility to a character who is always one step ahead. The show ended with its 10th season, but there are many spaces where a feature film could fit into the story. If not between seasons, one that tells Reddington’s past, and his steps to become the greatest and most classy crime lord ever.

Stream it on Netflix

7 Freaks and Geeks (1999)

Freaks and Geeks

Release Date

September 25, 1999

Cast

Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco, Samm Levine, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Joe Flaherty

Main Genre

Drama

Genres

Drama

On any list of unjustly canceled TV shows, Freaks and Geeks is a strong top contender. Created by Paul Feig and Judd Apatow, the show follows siblings Lindsay and Sam Weir during their 1980-81 high school year. Lindsay takes sides with the school’s “freaks”, while Sam befriends the “geeks”. Together, they both deal with rejection as the school’s outcasts, making their own way to face the inherent hardships of adolescence.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Problems such as the “erratic scheduling” and divergences between the producers and NBC led Freaks and Geeks to its cancelation. Nevertheless, not only did the show manage to get a cult following, it is also cited as boosting the careers of many actors, including Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Linda Cardellini. As the cast’s current age would not allow a movie with the characters returning as students, it could bring back the freaks and the geeks once more for a fun and nostalgic high-school reunion.

Stream it on Prime Video

6 Peaky Blinders (2013)

Peaky Blinders

Release Date

September 12, 2013

Cast

Cillian Murphy, Sam Claflin, Helen McCrory, Sophie Rundle

Main Genre

Crime

Genres

Crime, Drama, History

The attire, the haircuts, the ambiance, the accents, the soundtrack. You pick the most iconic feature from Peaky Blinders, because they are certainly all on the same level. Created by Stephen Knight, the show draws inspiration from the real-life Birmingham gang of the same name. It centers on the story of their ambitious leader, Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), and how he makes the Peaky Blinders rise from a street gang of bookies to one of the most powerful crime syndicates in Europe.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Peaky Blinders has six seasons in total. The story needed to be re-adapted with the sad loss of Helen McCrory, who played Polly Gray, in 2021. Although Knight had been successful in conducting the series to a conclusion, a movie could very well tie some loose ends. The good news is that Knight reportedly said it is already in production, and should be released sometime in 2024.

Stream it on Netflix

5 Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Release Date

October 15, 2000

Cast

Larry David, Jeff Garlin

Main Genre

Comedy

Genres

Comedy

The history of American sitcoms (and therefore, pop culture itself) would not be the same without Larry David. Seinfeld’s co-creator is the mind and the face of Curb Your Enthusiasm. In the show, Larry basically plays himself. Or rather, a fictionalized version of him, but with many “borrowed” aspects from his real self. Foul-mouthed, socially awkward, and dry-witted, Larry’s life philosophy is expressed in the show’s title, which is also a meta-advice for the audience: don’t expect too much from it. After all, it’s just Larry.

Why It Deserves a Movie

And that is precisely what makes Curb Your Enthusiasm so good. Whether he goes to the hospital and regrets a noble act of chivalry, or when he chooses to hire a chef because he is bald, Larry is capable of extracting the crazy essence out of the most boringly ordinary situations. As such, anything related to Larry David becomes movie material, but there is nothing that suggests it could happen. At least, HBO announced the 12th season is expected to premiere around February 2024. Too much enthusiasm for the fans to curb.

Stream it on Max

4 The Wire (2002)

The Wire

Release Date

June 2, 2002

Cast

Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Wood Harris, Wendell Pierce, Clarke Peters, Michael K. Williams, Deirdre Lovejoy, J.D. Williams

Main Genre

Action

Genres

Action, Crime, Drama

Not even its fair to middling ratings stopped The Wire from being recognized as one of the greatest television series of all time. Created by former police reporter David Simon and based on the experiences of former homicide detective Ed Burns, the series navigates through different institutions of Baltimore, focusing on how it relates to law enforcement and criminal activities.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Although The Wire did not show significant ratings during its first run, it is widely considered one of the best television series of all time. Its sharp accuracy depicting power institutions and the crime world is unparalleled. A prequel showing Avon Barksdale’s rise to power, how he got to know Stringer, and Jimmy McNulty’s early days in the Force.

Stream it on Max

3 The Office (2005)

The Office (U.S.)

Release Date

2005-00-00

Cast

Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Ellie Kemper, Rainn Wilson, Angela Kinsey, Melora Hardin, Rashida Jones, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, B.J. Novak, Ed Helms, Brian Baumgartner

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

9

Ah, corporate life. Conference room meetings, office parties, coffee breaks, secretive affairs. Sounds like fun? A goal to achieve? A complete nightmare? The Office shows it can be all at once. The mockumentary follows the Dunder Mifflin branch in Scranton, managed by Michael Scott, the most obnoxious, immature, nonsense boss one could ever think of, but nevertheless with a kind heart and a (questionable) sense of humor.

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Why It Deserves a Movie

The Office creates a terribly relatable atmosphere by thoroughly detailing the mediocrity of the everyday life at the company, and that is the show’s greatest treasure. Even in the doldrums of the office routine and with the cringeworthy moments that are part of it, there are still good things to be taken from it. Two options for monumental movies here: a reunion of the old cast for whatever reason, or the much-anticipated feature film about detective Michael Scarn, Threat Level Midnight.

Stream it on Peacock

2 Game of Thrones (2010)

Game Of Thrones

Release Date

December 10, 2010

Cast

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Liam Cunningham, Maisie Williams, Gwendoline Christie, Rory McCann, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Conleth Hill, John Bradley

Main Genre

Adventure

Genres

Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Many would say it’s possible to split fantasy dramas before and after Game of Thrones. The HBO series is based on the epic novel A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. Bringing what can be the largest ensemble cast on television, the show takes viewers to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, where noble family houses engage in continuous wars for power, territories, and the Iron Throne.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Game of Thrones has broken records in ratings, becoming a worldwide phenomenon and receiving critical acclaim. Even so, the last season is still seen as a messy stain on a near-perfect painting, angering some disappointed fans. That’s where a movie would be beneficial, tightening some knots and giving some characters a more fit closure. Or just kill all the characters (again).

Stream it on Max

1 Friends (1994)

Friends

Release Date

September 22, 1994

Cast

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer

Main Genre

Comedy

Genres

Comedy, Romance

How is it possible that, 20 years after it ended, Friends still manages to rise in popularity? The answer is simple to understand, though difficult to replicate: write a very inspired script, develop six entirely different (but equally charismatic) characters, and get six perfect actors for each of them. Friends follows a tight-knit group of 20-some-year-olds living in New York, dealing with the pains and delights of adult life.

Why It Deserves a Movie

Every group of friends has someone who acts like someone from Friends. The show is always relatable, and that doesn’t get old. Unfortunately, reuniting the original cast for a movie will no longer be possible, with the untimely passing of Matthew Perry in October 2023. In fact, it is really challenging to imagine Friends without Chandler’s sarcastic jokes, so pretty much all bets are off.

Still, if, for a miracle, the five remaining friends ever decide to get back together for a movie or any other project, or if a studio somehow manages to find six young people to perfectly embody the cast, the legion of fans would respond with the only possible answer: “I’ll be there for you.”

Stream it on Max