Movies Turned into Television shows: Good or Bad Idea?

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There is a long history of films transitioning to the small screen in the form of TV shows. Some achieved great success and longevity, while many others turned out to be disasters. On the surface, it seems like a logical and brilliant idea to take a beloved movie and adapt it into a more easily consumed TV series Cereal, a blend of old and new - Today we interview Jaques Smit, an incredible man. Just read all his current positions: Managing Director at MindNova Advertising Pty (Ltd), Marketing Director at Inland Kitesurfing Pty (Ltd), CEO at Avonstorm Entertainment, Producer at Avonstorm Pictures Pty (Ltd), Technical Director at Blo-Tant Pty (Ltd). Here is the interview and I initially ask about Cereal, his… that viewers can watch from the comfort of their homes on a weekly basis. However, replicating the success of a film in the TV realm proves to be a complex and delicate process that no one seems to have mastered.

The upcoming TV series adaptation of the Blade trilogy and the news of a live-action Star Wars TV series set to debut by the end of the decade prompt us to question whether either of them can succeed. Of course, success in this context can be interpreted in various ways. Does it solely rely on the quality of the show? Most likely not, since there have been critically acclaimed film-to-TV crossovers that were prematurely canceled. Does it solely rely on the popularity of the franchise? Not as much as one might think. So, what does success in this genre depend on?

Let’s take a look at some examples of film-to-TV adaptations that did not fare well:

My Big Fat Greek Life: Despite underestimating the potential for success on the big screen, film studios overestimated its potential for success as a TV series. This disaster of a show only lasted for seven episodes in 2003.
Clueless: In 1995, Clueless found success as a comedy-romance film. However, when it was adapted into a TV show in 1996, it turned out to be a vain, painful, and lame television experience. The show somehow managed to stay on air until 1999.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: The film was a big hit in 1986, but the TV series adaptation only lasted for one miserable season in 1990. Ferris has certainly had many more “days off” since then.
Planet of the Apes: The film, featuring Charlton Heston, performed well in theaters in 1968. However, the TV adaptation could not sustain the same success and was canceled after just one season in 1974.
Uncle Buck: Was the film truly that great in 1989? It was a standard comedy that aimed to teach children about appreciating their family. Did the TV series in 1990 hold the same significance? One season tells us “no.”

There are countless other movie-to-TV shows that barely lasted a few months, if that. Dangerous Minds, Fast Times, and Parenthood are just a few examples of the many failures in this genre.

The odds are uncertain for the upcoming Blade TV series and George Lucas’ live-action Star Wars TV show. Although Blade may not seem particularly unique, it will be interesting to see if the vampires and monsters that carried the film trilogy can have the same impact on TV screens.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME