Some classic TV shows never should have left the small screen.
From Jessica Simpson’s baffling performance in the first Dukes of Hazzard film to the Baywatch parody that couldn’t even be salvaged by The Rock and Zac Efron’s combined eight-packs, TVLine is taking stock of the 15 worst movies inspired by TV shows — though it feels unfair to even use the word “inspired” while discussing these critical (and often box-office) flops.
If you need a refresher on any of our choices (and you’re feeling bold), you can click on the photos below to watch each movie’s original trailer.
Quick disclaimer: The movies on this list are all feature-length reboots of existing shows. We did not consider special-event movies made using their shows’ original casts, such as the Psych movies or El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. (Not that we would have included them!)
Scroll down to see our list of the 15 worst movies based on TV shows, then drop a comment with your own picks below. Which stinkers would you add to our list?
Based on: The Wild Wild West (CBS, 1965–1969)
Not even a slammin’ theme song* could save this wacky Will Smith Western, a manic parade of spider robots and… well, that’s all you really need to know.
*OK, fine, the song was no “Men in Black.”
Based On: Baywatch (NBC, 1989–1990; syndicated, 1991–2001)
No one would ever accuse the original syndicated lifeguard drama of being “smart,” but it still deserved better than the sheer stupidity of this big-screen adaptation. (Parodies are allowed to be clever! In fact, it helps!) Sure, there was plenty of skin to go around — which probably contributed to the film’s box-office success — but no one was surprised by its five Razzie Award nominations, including one for Worst Movie.
Based On: The Dudley Do-Right Show (ABC, 1969–1970)
Whereas 2000’s The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle successfully catapulted its decades-old characters into the modern era, Brendan Fraser’s titular Mountie didn’t have quite as smooth a transition. Then again, when does anything go smoothly for that lovable dolt?
Based On: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (syndicated, 1983–1985)
Though it’s managed to achieve cult status in the decades since its initial release, this Dolph Lundgren-fronted epic was largely considered to be all style and no substance. Dubbed a “Conan–Star Wars hybrid ripoff” by Variety, the movie was panned overall as a “colossal bore.”
Based On: The Brady Bunch (ABC, 1969–1974)
The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) and A Very Brady Sequel (1996) will forever be remembered as spot-on parodies of the beloved family sitcom. That’s what made this third installment — for which only Gary Cole and Shelley Long returned to reprise their roles as Mike and Carol Brady — such a disappointment.
That said, “President Mike Brady” doesn’t sound quite as ridiculous as it might have, say, four years ago?
Based On: Fantasy Island (ABC, 1977–1984)
Given the supernatural storylines in the original Aaron Spelling drama — about a private island where invited guests’ fantasies come at… a price! — it made perfect sense for Blumhouse to adapt the title into a horror movie. At least in theory. The finished product was a convoluted mess of thin storylines and cheap scares.
Based On: Dragon Ball Z (Japan’s Fuji TV, 1989–1996)
Whitewashed casting, a lackluster script and a reckless disregard for its source material rendered this anime-inspired movie completely unwatchable. Not even the Shameless combination of Emmy Rossum and Justin Chatwin could salvage this unmitigated disaster. If we ever find ourselves in possession of all seven Dragon Balls, we’ll be sure to wish this movie out of existence.
Based On: The Dukes of Hazzard (CBS, 1979–1985)
Maybe we were crazy for expecting more out of Jessica Simpson’s big-screen debut, but this adaptation of the classic comedy was simply not the business. Early-2000s staples Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott did what they could as the Duke boys, but outside of a few high-speed chase sequences, there was very little fun to be had. (At least The General Lee got a few more miles on it!)
Based On: The Honeymooners (CBS, 1955–1956)
We love the idea of reframing this iconic sitcom from a more diverse perspective. And the casting — Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Gabrielle Union and Regina Hall — was unquestionably inspired. If only these powerhouse comedians had been given material worthy of their talents.
Based On: My Favorite Martian (CBS, 1963–1966)
Whatever charm the original series had was lost in this emotionless (yet surprisingly star-studded!) modernization, courtesy of the House of Mouse. “Loud, busy and altogether pointless!” Variety raved at the time.
Based On: Aeon Flux (MTV, 1991–1995)
Charlize Theron starred in this live-action adaptation of Peter Chung’s popular action ‘toon, though the original creator wasn’t involved in the film’s production. Let’s just hear what he has to say, shall we?
“The movie is a travesty,” he said in an interview. “I was unhappy when I read the script four years ago; seeing it projected larger than life in a crowded theatre made me feel helpless, humiliated and sad.
Based On: The Avengers (multiple British networks, 1961–1969)
Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes starred in this poorly reviewed big-screen reboot of the long-running British spy drama, whose original cast included the late Diana Rigg (aka Game of Thrones’ Lady Olenna). In addition to “lackluster” performances from it stars, the film was also harshly criticized for failing to update the source material in any meaningful way.
Based On: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Nickelodeon, 2005–2008)
Fans of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender were thrilled — then subsequently horrified — by the idea of the beloved animated series getting the live-action treatment. Uninspired dialogue, unnecessary story alterations and questionable performances were among the film’s most egregious sins. As far as live adaptations are concerned, The Last Airbender was such a hard swing and miss, it actually makes Dragonball Evolution and Aeon Flux feel like home runs.
Based On: The Mod Squad (ABC, 1968–1973)
This big-screen adaptation of ABC’s classic crime drama was slammed by Variety as “one of the lamest films [MGM] ever has foisted upon the world.” Claire Danes, Giovanni Ribisi and Omar Epps filled in for the TV series’ crimefighting trio, but they were no match for an uninspired script. (The critic noted that it was especially “depressing” to see Danes’ talents wasted on screen.)
Based On: McHale’s Navy (ABC, 1962–1966)
Tom Arnold assumed the role of Lt. Commander Quinton McHale in this ill-conceived military action comedy, which also starred the likes of David Alan Grier, Debra Messing and Tim Curry. Heck, even original series star Ernest Borgnine agreed to appear, officially giving the film his blessing.
But that blessing wasn’t enough, apparently. Here’s what producer Sidney Sheinberg said of the film in 1997: “McHale’s Navy was a disaster. I’m not pretending it wasn’t a disaster.”
I’m a massive Steve Martin fan but I have to add Sgt. Bilko to this list. Ooof. What a stinker.
I was wondering why BILKO wasn’t on this list. It was an insult to the late Phil Silvers and to the audience.
(Whereas 2000’s The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle successfully catapulted its decades-old characters into the modern era) Uh, no. The Rocky and Bulkwinkle movie flopped too.
Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
Don’t forget Flash from the 80’s based on the Flash Gordon series.
Are you referring to the movie with Sam J. Jones as Flash??
That film is a universally known “Camp Classic”. And let’s face it, the source it came from was pretty “campy” as well
If you mean “Flash Gordon,” then I emphatically disagree! It’s a cult classic. BRIAN BLESSED alone is worth the price of admission and a bucket of popcorn.
You’re a few Apples short of a fruit bowl.
I was obsessed with WWW’s song when I was a kid. Just as good as MIB. True, though, the movie was terrible. I remember watching it in a drive in and falling asleep.
No major disagreement with any of the inclusions, but how did the 2005 Bewitched and 2012 Dark Shadows abominations not make the list? They were easily as head-scratchingly ill-conceived as the Wild Wild West, Avengers and My Favorite Martian adaptations.
I was going to say the same thing about Bewitched! That movie was awful! I nearly walked out. I haven’t see My Favorite Martian since it first came out and I was 8, but I remember loving it.
Bewitched deserved to be on the list way more than My Favorite Martian which was not that bad a movie (mind you not seen it since it came out) as for Dark Shadows while a mostly bad movie it has peaked the interest of the orginal series to a whole new generation of fans ,who agree tv series was 100 times better so it did some good
I feel like I’m the only person who actually love the Dark Shadows movie. I was cracking up the entire time lmao.
The Last Airbender should be first; Dragonball Evolution being the second, if not tied for first. They were just down right and straight up awful!!!!
And here we go again, with the live-action series that the creators just quit, apparently over stuff Netflix wanted that they thought was awful. Not looking forward to it.
I’m not sure any animated action tv show can be made into live action. A few non action toons made the leap, sure, but the action ones?
.
Airbender’s problem was that the main characters were kids, and it is hard to find a child actor, let alone SEVERAL of them, who can act well enough to carry such a project. I mean, you could easily FIND all those child actors, but that cast would be ruinously expensive. One or two better child actors would cost more than the entire Airbender child cast roster.
.
Dragonball simply requires too much martial arts action to do live. It works best as a toon.
“Beverly Hillbillies”
I agree the movie should be buried beneath the cement pond.
I was expecting Green Hornet and Bewitched to make the list,, but I forgot about more than a few of these.
.
I disagree on a couple of these. Baywatch was an enjoyable, fun way to spend 2 hours. It wasn’t trying to be William Shakespeare’s Baywatch. It was trying to be fun. That’s all.
And I thought Fantasy Island was clever in the way it connected all the various storylines. And it had a good ending.
yeah i did like how they finally got blank there as i wondering where blank was
I agree. Neither was anywhere near being the world’s greatest movie but they were enjoyable. Baywatch was fun and I was a little surprised by Fantasy Island. Then again, I’m a bit of a sucker for cheesy, bad movies.
I really enjoyed Baywatch – it was supposed to be stupid and fun and it succeeded. To be honest, I liked it better than the series.
Movie version of S.W.A.T.
#1 should have been that dismal Dukes of Hazard movie.
Lost in Space
Dragonball Evolution didn’t have whitewashing. It was a bad movie but saying a literal alien should be played by an Asian actor is wrong.
Also it was an adaptation of Dragon Ball, not Dragon Ball Z.
You know Goku isn’t white, right? You know none of them are white? Thus the whitewashing comment….
I would add:
Charlie’s Angels (2019)
Bewitched
CHiPS
Miami Vice
Transformers (all of them)
G.I. Joe (both)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Michael Bay)
The Flintstones (both)
The Smurfs (both)
Alvin and the Chipmunks (all of them)
Yogi Bear
Land of the Lost-Without a doubt.
Oh God, yes. The original series deserved better.
God that movie is awful. My kid just got really into dinosaurs and I recently saw it streaming somewhere so I threw it on because well dinosaurs. I don’t think we even made it halfway through. I rarely turn off movies and I have a pretty high tolerance for cheesy, bad movies but I just couldn’t do this one.
I was disappointed in The Man From Uncle and I-Spy. I didn’t see Underdog or Speed Racer but I don’t remember them being well received. I can’t believe Dark Shadows didn’t make the list. Does The Lone Ranger count (not the last one but the one before that). How about the second X-Files movie? The second Sex And The City? Mr. Magoo?
For some reason I have watched the ISpy several times. Something works in it.
I actually liked The Man From Uncle! (But… I must admit that I’ve never seen the original).
Ok no. The Man from Uncle was actually good. Maybe not a classic, but good. The original show was downright silly. This was the era of Get Smart after all. So they had to figure out what balance to make with the movie. Do they go a little more serious? Or like the Get Smart movie stay on the silly side. I think they did a good job honestly. That scene when Solo is in the Truck watching the water battle, was downright brilliant.
That was a great scene!
dark shadows for me, i get its an adaption and can do its own version but it was so cringey and boring, it barely did anything right
it is a bit of an offense to me that we cant get that dark shadows reboot but that 2012 film got to happen and it was the last film of jonathan frid, what a sad ending for his career
*whispers* I liked Wild Wild West and still do. *hides*
Bad as the Dukes of Hazzard movie was, it wasn’t Jessica Simpson’s performance I was thinking about. (She’s pretty much the only thing from that movie I can still picture in my head.)
You got the great
Masters of the Universe mixed up with Dark Shadows.
I wouldn’t disagree about the movies/shows on this list that I’ve seen, and others have also mentioned a few good potential additions. I’d also add Get Smart. It felt like it was taking itself way too seriously and didn’t lean into anything that made the original show fun. It was such a waste of Steve Carell & Anne Hathaway.
I cannot believe you forgot to mention the dreadful remake of Bewitched with Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell!
Land of the Lost was weak. Speed Racer was interesting at least but did not do the original justice. Cristina Ricci was spot on as Trixie.
‘thunderbirds’.
jonathan frakes helped make that classic into a ‘spy kids’ knock off.
and ‘masters’ is great with a decent cast topped by langella as skeletor
I always felt that the movie failed when it chose to capitize on making Kevin Kline parts bigger. Will Smith was more that enough. And I see that heavens gate was not on the list. It just needed to be trimmed about 30 minutes from the top.
Starsky & Hutch was bad. I literally don’t remember a thing about it!