Why Some TV Shows Should Have Been Films and Vice Versa

Some television adaptations miss the mark by truncating or emphasizing too much content in their feature film counterparts, while certain book-to-screen adaptations lose their essence when attempted as traditional theatrical films. Here, we discuss several notable cases and why a different format might have served fans and creators better.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is a prime example of a book-to-film adaptation that could have thrived in a TV series format. Based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, the story’s scale and character richness would have been better captured through a multipart limited series or mini-series format. A TV series would have provided the space to delve deeper into the characters and the plot’s expansive universe, making the narrative more engaging and satisfying for audiences.

Watchmen and V for Vendetta

Graphic novels like “Watchmen” and “V for Vendetta” were stripped down in their cinematic adaptations, resulting in the omission of key characters and subplots. Both the films and the mini-series that followed, while fascinating in their own right, fall short in capturing the serialized nature of these graphic novels. The rhythm and structural integrity found in the original format are often lost in the movies, leading to a more disorganized and less coherent visual experience.

The Dark Tower

The sprawling multiverse of Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” books is another case where a single film adaptation fell short. Cramming so much into a single four-hour runtime inevitably sacrifices depth and complexity in favor of story progression. Fans of the books were left wanting more, and those unfamiliar with the series found themselves confused by the rapid pace and numerous plot twists. A television series could have provided the necessary depth and pacing to make the story more accessible and emotionally resonant.

Jurassic Park

The action and adventure of “Jurassic Park” could have been better suited for a series rather than a film franchise. Traditional action movies fill screen time with special effects and high-octane sequences, leaving character development and backstory under the knife. A television adaptation would have allowed for more fleshing out of the characters, their motivations, and the world-building typically left on the cutting room floor in favor of blockbusters and sequels.

The Green Lantern Movie

The adaptation of Joseph Adami’s novel “Green Lantern” could have benefited from a series format. Due to the novel’s rich mythology and character development, attempting to condense it into a single film was like trying to fit an entire Potted Plot into a 90-minute runtime. The show adaptation would have provided the space to explore the depths of the Green Lantern mythos and the story’s complexities, making for a more engaging and coherent narrative experience.

These examples highlight the importance of proper adaptation strategy when translating stories from one medium to another. A series can often provide the necessary pacing, depth, and detail that movies sometimes lack. While films can be fantastic, a successful TV series can offer a richer, more immersive experience for viewers.

Keywords: TV shows, films, adaptation, storytelling, content