It's no secret that turning a hit movie into a television series is an age-old Hollywood tradition. Sometimes it works—like with classics such as MASH and Buffy the Vampire Slayer—and other times, well, let's just say the results aren't always pretty. Most adaptations fall somewhere in between, struggling to capture the magic of their cinematic counterparts. But hey, every now and then, TV versions outshine the original films. Join me as we take a journey through some of the best, worst, and most memorable attempts at bringing movies to the small screen.

12 Monkeys

(Photo Credit: Universal Pictures)

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Released in 1995, the movie 12 Monkeys introduced audiences to James Cole (Bruce Willis), a man sent from the future to prevent a deadly plague from wiping out humanity. Cole, alongside Brad Pitt's unhinged Jeffrey Goines and Madeline Stowe's determined scientist, Kathryn Railly, embarks on a mind-bending journey through time to uncover the truth. The TV adaptation, which premiered in 2015, expanded the story with a fresh cast, including Aaron Stanford as Cole and Amanda Schull as Dr. Cassandra Railly. While the film's nonlinear narrative kept viewers guessing, the series deepened the conspiracy, adding layers to the original premise. It wasn’t just a retread; it was a bold reinvention.

(Photo Credit: NBCUniversal)

Alice (from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore)

(Photo Credit: Warner Bros)

In the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Ellen Burstyn plays Alice Hyatt, a single mother navigating life after the death of her husband. When money runs low, she takes a job as a waitress at Mel’s Diner, where she meets a charming rancher played by Kris Kristofferson. The transition to TV in 1976 brought us Alice, starring Linda Lavin as the titular character. The show leaned into Alice’s wit and determination, creating a beloved sitcom that ran for nine seasons. Vic Tayback reprised his role as Mel, adding continuity to the story. It wasn’t just about Alice—it was about the colorful cast of characters who made Mel’s Diner a second home.