9 Franchise TV Shows Way Better Than The Movies They’re Based On

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Turning movies into TV shows is often a gamble, even when the original film has a dedicated fanbase. Some adaptations cleverly build upon the existing story, while others feel hastily made or simply aim to profit from a well-known title. Viewers are used to this cycle – many shows promise to explore the story further, but only a handful actually offer something new and worthwhile.

Occasionally, a TV show based on a popular movie franchise is actually better than the films that started it all. These aren’t just quick attempts to make money; they’re creative reimaginings that offer fresh perspectives on characters and expand the story’s world, demonstrating that TV can sometimes be even more impressive than the big screen, even with established blockbuster franchises.

The Terminator Franchise/Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-2009) & Terminator Zero (2024-Present)

The Terminator TV Shows Outclass The Franchise’s Weaker Sequels With Deeper Lore And Better Character Arcs

The first two Terminator movies were huge hits and set a very high standard. Later sequels didn’t quite live up to the quality of the originals. The Sarah Connor Chronicles is different – it’s the most compelling continuation of Sarah Connor (played by Lena Headey) and John’s story since Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Instead of focusing on big action sequences, The Sarah Connor Chronicles explores the constant fear, the struggle to survive, and the emotional toll of living in a world controlled by Skynet. Summer Glau’s character, Cameron, brings a new and complex element to the story, making the connection between humans and machines feel both interesting and disturbing—something the earlier films didn’t achieve.

The 2024 animated series, Terminator Zero, builds on the success of recent animated projects, showing the franchise’s dark future with a level of detail and grandeur that the later Terminator movies lacked. Overall, these shows offer stories that are much better than the confusing sequels we’ve seen in theaters.

The Child’s Play Franchise/Chucky (2021-2024)

Chucky revitalizes the Child’s Play franchise by mixing grisly horror with richer emotional storytelling

The Child’s Play movies are famous slasher films, but the Chucky TV series on Peacock takes the franchise to a new level. It develops the characters more deeply and thoughtfully, without losing the fun, violent energy fans expect. The show centers on Jake Wheeler (Zackary Arthur), who becomes a relatable and emotionally engaging character, allowing it to explore complex themes like loss, self-discovery, and manipulation – topics the movies didn’t often delve into.

Brad Dourif is back as the voice of Chucky, which keeps the character’s signature dark humor alive. The TV series also takes advantage of its longer runtime to show Chucky’s plans in a more detailed and surprising way. It’s bolder with its social commentary than many of the more recent Child’s Play movies.

As a long-time fan, I have to say the latest Chucky is amazing! What I really loved is how they brought back characters like Tiffany and Andy – not just for nostalgia’s sake, but in a way that actually made the new story even better. It feels like the most well-rounded, fun, and complex Child’s Play installment we’ve seen in years. They didn’t just rely on old favorites; they built on them, and it really paid off!

The Tron Franchise/Tron: Uprising (2012-2013)

Tron: Uprising Perfects The Grid With Sharper Visuals And More Compelling Heroes Than The Movies

Tron: Uprising expands on the world of Tron in a way the original movies didn’t quite manage. The show, which focuses on the character Beck (voiced by Elijah Wood), moves away from the films’ cold, futuristic feel and tells a more personal story about fighting back against oppression, learning from a mentor, and the sacrifices that come with resistance within the digital world of the Grid.

The animated series Tron: Uprising really brings the franchise’s bright, futuristic style to life. The action sequences are clearer and more polished than in the Tron movies – particularly Tron: Legacy and Tron: Ares, which weren’t always consistent in quality. Seeing the world unfold in an episodic format makes it feel more detailed, connected, and visually impressive.

Threatened by the powerful Clu (Jeff Bridges) and filled with growing tension, Tron: Uprising is the most polished and assured installment in the Tron series so far.

The Psycho Franchise/Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Bates Motel Eclipses The Franchise’s Messy Sequels With A Richer, More Human Reimagining Of Norman Bates

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is a classic, but its follow-up films never lived up to the original’s quality. Bates Motel avoids this pitfall by taking a fresh approach instead of simply trying to copy Psycho. The series reimagines Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), in a contemporary setting, focusing on a gradual and detailed exploration of their troubled relationship and the tragic events that unfold.

The Psycho TV series delves much deeper into Norman’s mental breakdown than the sequels did, focusing on the reasons behind his instability instead of just trying to shock viewers. The complex, unhealthy connection between Norman and Mother is central to the show, offering a fresh perspective on the story and challenging everything audiences previously understood.

Vera Farmiga’s portrayal of Norma is a standout in the series – she’s complex, captivating, and feels incredibly real. By the time the show reaches the events of the first movie, it’s become more emotionally resonant and easier to follow than any of the film sequels.

The Karate Kid Franchise/Cobra Kai (2018-2025)

Cobra Kai Enriches The Karate Kid’s Legacy With Sharper Themes And More Layered Rivalries

Although the original Karate Kid movies are still popular, Cobra Kai takes the story in exciting new directions. By making Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) a central character alongside Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), the series explores deeper, more complex emotions like regret and insecurity – things the films never really touched upon, and highlights the characters’ strength in overcoming challenges.

The show is compelling because it deals with complicated moral issues. Characters constantly form and break alliances, and the emotional weight of the story increases as we see characters like Miguel and Samantha grow and change. Unlike the original movies, the series isn’t about simple good versus evil; it realistically shows how mentorship and conflict can have complex and lasting consequences.

More than just a nostalgic revisit, Cobra Kai has surpassed the later Karate Kid movies, becoming the strongest and most meaningful installment in the entire series. What began as a fun tribute has evolved into the best part of the franchise, thanks to its humor, emotional depth, and well-developed characters.

The Hannibal Lecter Movies/Hannibal (2013-2015)

Hannibal Transforms The Franchise With Bold Aesthetics And Deeper Psychological Storytelling

While the Hannibal Lecter movies are inconsistent in their quality and style, the television series offers the most consistently well-made and artistic version of the story. The show, Hannibal, features a complex and emotionally intense relationship between Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) that goes beyond the simpler crime-solving focus of the films.

The TV series Hannibal is remarkable for its beautiful and artistic presentation. It treats even violent scenes with a striking visual style, portraying meals as unsettling ceremonies and dreams with dramatic intensity. Very few films or shows achieve this level of artistic vision and complex storytelling.

Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Hannibal is both sophisticated and unsettling, offering a fresh take on the character that expands on it without simply copying Anthony Hopkins’ famous performance. This makes the show Hannibal the most psychologically satisfying part of the entire series.

The Evil Dead Franchise/Ash Vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)

Ash Vs Evil Dead Expands The Mythos With Sharper Humor, Wilder Horror, And Real Character Growth

Ash Williams, played by Bruce Campbell, is a classic horror hero, but the series Ash vs Evil Dead really lets us see him as a complex person. The show goes beyond just over-the-top gore and explores Ash’s struggles as an adult, his fears, and how he reluctantly steps up as a hero – all while still giving fans the wild, violent action they love.

The show Ash vs Evil Dead builds on the original Evil Dead story in exciting ways, moving the action beyond the iconic cabin and introducing new, terrifying versions of Deadites. The monsters and special effects are often even more imaginative and gruesome than those in the movies, and each season ramps up the supernatural horror.

The new characters, Pablo and Kelly, give Ash emotional support that wasn’t often seen in the original Evil Dead movies, making this a surprisingly touching and consistently lively reboot.

Stargate (1994)/The Stargate TV Franchise

The Stargate TV Universe Turns A Standalone Film Into One Of Sci-Fi’s Most Expansive Mythologies

The 1994 movie Stargate had a fascinating idea, but didn’t delve very deep into its world. The Stargate TV series, starting with SG-1, expanded on this by looking at ancient cultures, new dangers from space, and how Earth dealt with the political implications of traveling to other planets.

Characters like Jack O’Neill and Daniel Jackson in the Stargate TV series are more developed and humorous than their movie versions because the show had time to tell longer, more detailed stories. The strong connection between these characters is central to the show, keeping the expanding story world grounded even as the team changes and the challenges become bigger.

The Stargate TV series, with its additions of Atlantis and Universe and a complex, connected storyline, has grown into a remarkably detailed and enduring science fiction universe, far beyond what the original movie offered.

The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy/Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2018-2020)

The Clone Wars Polishes The Prequels With Better Character Arcs, Richer Politics, And A More Cohesive Narrative

While the Star Wars prequels had interesting ideas, they sometimes had trouble developing characters alongside the large-scale story. Star Wars: The Clone Wars addresses these problems, turning that period into a grand, emotionally powerful story.

Anakin Skywalker, voiced by Matt Lanter, develops into a true hero, which makes his later downfall all the more heartbreaking and easier to grasp. The character of Ahsoka Tano, voiced by Ashley Eckstein, brings added emotional depth and offers a crucial outside look at the problems within the Jedi Order.

Over its seven seasons, The Clone Wars deepened the political storylines, made the battles more complex, and ultimately helped make the prequel era a highlight of the entire Star Wars saga. It’s a prime example of a TV show surpassing its source movies, and its impact is still visible today in how films are often expanded into TV series.

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2025-11-20 02:02