C.C.C. Issue #29: Top Ten Movies Inspired by TV Shows

Top Ten Movies Inspired By Television Shows

With the comedy sequel 22 Jump Street hitting theaters next week, I’m looking back on other great TV shows that made the transition from the small screen to the big screen with feature film adaptations, spinoffs, or follow-ups.

                                                                                                       

Criteria: The show it’s inspired by must have been a well known show, and the film must be comparable to the quality of show it was based on, or exceed it. Can be a continuation or spin off.

10. Mission Impossible (1996), inspired by Mission: Impossible

First up is this 90’s action hit that stars Tom Cruise as special agent Ethan Hunt, who is framed for murdering his fellow agents and must clear his name while exposing the true murderer. It’s an action packed adaptation of the TV show from the 80’s, and is faithful in the way that the plot is farfetched, but Mission: Impossible was never about a flawless plotline. As long as the story allowed for sustained sequences of suspense and action, it worked. Mission: Impossible works, as is evident, as Tom Cruise has gone on to become well associated with the films and the sequels. To date, there have been three sequels, and a fifth film is now in the works. So apparently the title is a lie.

9. The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998), inspired by The X-Files

FOX’s sci-fi crime drama The X-Files was hugely popular in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Starring David Duchovny as alien believer Agent Mulder and Gillian Anderson as skeptical Agent Scully, the series was successful enough to call for not one but two feature films. This first one is set between seasons five and six, and deals with the alien mythology established in earlier seasons. Conspiracy about an alien colonization of earth is at the root of the plot, which plays out very much like the best episodes of the TV series do, but in a way that even viewers who haven’t seen the show will be able to connect to; however, true fans of the show are the ones who will be able to appreciate it the most.

8. Land of the Lost (2009), inspired by Land of the Lost

Most critics and audiences didn’t like this Will Ferrell adventure comedy, but I actually enjoyed it for what it was worth. The original Saturday morning show which first aired in 1974 was nothing more than a fun time with the Marshall family and their attempts to escape (and survive) the land of the lost: an alternate world where dinosaurs thrive, ape men eke out a living, and other strange creatures exist. In the film, Will Ferrell plays an explorer trying to prove the existence of this world. The movie is a parody of the show and not aimed at little kids, but does contain many key elements such as how they get to the land of the lost, the always entertaining T-rex, and the primitive ape men. It might get too silly for some, but in those regards, it lives up to campy cult status of the original show perfectly. 

7. Jackass: The Movie (2002), inspired by Jackass

Here’s another one a lot of you might not care for, but I think more people enjoyed the antics of these delinquents than the previous film. MTV’s Jackass was just a bunch of idiots doing dumb stunts and pulling even dumber pranks on one another. The movie is the same, only elevated in the crude and rude departments. Some of the best moments include cast members peeing on a snow cone and eating it, doing number two in a non functioning toilet in a hardware store, and inserting a toy car where the sun doesn’t shine then going to the doctor to have it looked at. It is low brow, often revolting, and just plain sick. It’s also hilarious (to some) and was a way to make money via filmmaking that had yet to be done back in 2002. There were two sequels and a spinoff released in theaters and several other direct to DVD features.    

6. The Fugitive (1993), inspired by The Fugitive

Returning to more serious fare, this action thriller based on the TV series from the sixties is, in my opinion, one of Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones’ best films. Ford’s character, Dr. Richard Kimble, is wrongfully accused of his wife’s murder, and seeks to clear his name after escaping from the police and being declared a fugitive. Jones’ character leads a team of U.S. Marshalls to track down Kimble, and once the chase is on, the suspense and thrills never let up. Harrison Ford is very intense as Kimble, and his interactions with Jones’ character are terrific. The sequel/spinoff U.S. Marshalls follows Jones’s character only, but it doesn’t come anywhere close to the excitement of its predecessor. 

5. Charlie’s Angels (2000), inspired by Charlie’s Angels

Say what you will about this action packed adaptation of the 70’s TV series, but I love Charlie’s Angels for a few reasons. First off, the tantalizing trio of Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu is consistently entertaining, and they prove chicks can kick as much butt and the next action hero. The TV series was noted for being “Jiggle TV”, meaning it emphasized jiggling butts and breasts and used the visual appeal to draw in viewers. It worked back then, and it still works now. Beyond the three female leads, the supporting cast, including Bill Murray as Bosley and Crispin Glover as The Thin Man, is just as terrific. With exciting action sequences and a plot that isn’t too complicated but not so dumb that it interrupts the fun, Charlie’s Angels does a great job of bringing the nature of the TV show into the 21^st century.

4. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), inspired by Police Squad!

Based on the short-lived ABC series which only lasted six episodes, creators Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker brought bumbling police detective Frank Drebin (actor Leslie Nielson’s most iconic role) back by giving him the big-screen-adaptation treatment, to the enjoyment of critics and audiences alike. The plot isn’t especially original, but given that the film is a parody of police procedurals, it works just as well. Filled with memorable jokes and gags, hilarious dialogue filled with puns and innuendos, and a fast pace that keeps you laughing from beginning to end, The Naked Gun is one of the best spoof films ever.  Two sequels were made, The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear and The Naked Gun 33 ⅓: The Final Insult, though neither come close to the original, which proves as funny upon tenth viewing as it is the first time.

3. 21 Jump Street (2012), inspired by 21 Jump Street

Before Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum went under cover for the smash hit comedy film, Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise were the original undercover cops for over 100 episodes of 21 Jump Street, a crime drama that ran from 1987 to 1991. Though the film follows different characters and has a raunchier edge, it still ties directly to the TV series, and even features hilarious cameos from Depp and DeLuise who reprise their roles. In the film, Tatum and Hill go back to high school to find out where a new synthetic drug is coming from and take out the supplier. It’s much the same as what occurred in the TV series, only here it goes for full on comedy, as opposed to the show’s more dramatic vibe. It’s extremely funny and will satisfy fans of the TV series as well any newcomers unfamiliar with what inspired it.

2. Star Trek (2009), inspired by Star Trek

I never loved the original Star Trek. So when I saw J.J. Abrams’ big screen prequel/reboot/reimagining, I didn’t expect much, and was blown away. No, it doesn’t replicate the same look, feel, and tone as the original series (or any of the subsequent films or TV incarnations), but it fully delivers with impressive visuals, exciting action scenes, and the new young cast proves to be talented and entertaining. It’s fast paced, witty, and brings back some of the elements of what made the original series great, which is enough to satisfy fans of the original without alienating newcomers to the franchise. Star Trek’s excellence speaks for itself, as it earned the support from critics (with a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and made nearly 400 million dollars worldwide. The sequel, last year’s Star Trek: Into Darkness, delivered more of what made this one so great, and proved to be one of the best sequels in recent memory.

1. Serenity (2005), inspired by Firefly

After only eleven of fourteen produced episodes were aired, FOX cancelled Joss Whedon’s Firefly, to the disappointment of many early fans. Since the series ended and found its way to home video, it has grown enormously in popularity, and is now recognized as one of the top greatest shows to be cancelled too soon. Joss Whedon and fans didn’t lose hope, however, and Whedon rewarded eager fans by bringing the show back in a big screen sequel, which almost works as a proper series finale as much as it does a standalone film. If you haven’t seen the show, you might be a little confused about the fusion of the space, western, drama, and comedy genres, but chances are you’ll quickly adapt and fall in love with these colourful characters and the exhilarating storyline. Fans of the show will be most satisfied, as they see the world of Firefly brought back for one last big adventure.