Hollywood has a long history of adapting movies into TV shows, but not all efforts hit the mark. Although, when done right, these series breathe new life into the worlds we first fell in love with on the big screen. From vampire roommates to karate rivals turned mentors, these adaptations expand the original stories while standing tall as their highly rated works.   

And now, Dune: Prophecy—a small-screen continuation of the acclaimed 2024 sci-fi epic—is streaming in India, making it the latest entry in this trend. That said, here’s a list of the most highly rated TV series which do justice to its source material  

13 TV Shows Based on Iconic Movies 

The Penguin  
Where to watch: JioCinema 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95 per cent  

 
Set in Gotham City’s dark underbelly, this Batman spinoff dives deep into Oswald Cobblepot’s rise to power after the events of The Batman (2022). Colin Farrell reprises his role, in a very impressive makeup, bringing gritty charm and danger to the criminal world. Think mob drama meets comic book noir. 

Fargo 
Where to watch: Prime Video 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93 per cent  

Inspired by the Coen brothers’ 1996 masterpiece, the Fargo series swaps the film’s plot for a fresh anthology format while keeping the signature dark humor and small-town crime vibes. With five seasons featuring stars like Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Hamm, the show reimagines its cinematic roots with innovative storytelling. 

Hannibal 
Where to watch: TBA 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93 per cent  

Based on The Silence of the Lambs, NBC’s Hannibal offers a prequel-esque dive into the chilling relationship between FBI profiler Will Graham and the enigmatic Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal rivals Anthony Hopkins’. 

What We Do in the Shadows 
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 96 per cent  
 

This spinoff of the 2014 mockumentary film takes vampire flatmates from New Zealand to Staten Island, where they hilariously navigate modern life. Featuring Matt Berry and Mark Proksch, it’s a fang-tastically absurd look at undead domesticity. 

Andor 
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 96 per cent  
 

A prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Andor trades space opera spectacle for grounded realism, focusing on rebellion and sacrifice during the Empire’s tyranny. Its layered storytelling makes it the most mature entry in the Star Wars TV canon. 

Cobra Kai 
Where to watch: Netflix 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93 per cent  
 

Thirty-four years after The Karate Kid (1984), this series flips the narrative, making Johnny Lawrence the unexpected underdog. Equal parts nostalgia and fresh drama, Cobra Kai kicks the franchise into a new era, bringing heart and humor to the dojo. 

Westworld 
Where to watch: JioCinema 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 79 per cent  
 

This adaptation of Michael Crichton’s 1973 sci-fi classic is more than just a tale of robots gone rogue. The HBO series delves into consciousness and morality, painting a provocative picture of humanity’s flaws—and its future. 

Snowpiercer 
Where to watch: Netflix 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 75 per cent  

Based on Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 dystopian thriller, this series expands the story of the titular train circling a frozen Earth. With class warfare and survival at its core, it’s a chilling allegory of privilege and power. 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 
Where to watch: TBA 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 85 per cent  

Joss Whedon turned his 1992 film into a genre-defining TV show that reimagined Buffy Summers as a sharp-witted, stake-wielding high schooler battling vampires and teenage drama. It’s a cult classic for good reason. 

The Mandalorian 
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 90 per cent  
 

Spinning off from Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, this series brought us the bounty hunter Din Djarin and the adorable Grogu. Mixing Western vibes with sci-fi spectacle, it’s a tale of honour, adventure, and found family in a galaxy far, far away. 

WandaVision 
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92 per cent  
 

Springing from the Avengers franchise, WandaVision explores grief, love, and the surreal through sitcom nostalgia and mind-bending superhero storytelling. It’s Marvel at its most daring and heartfelt. 

Teen Wolf 
Where to watch: Prime Video 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 81 per cent  

Loosely based on the 1985 Michael J. Fox comedy, MTV’s Teen Wolf reimagines its titular hero as a brooding high schooler navigating werewolf transformations, teen drama, and supernatural dangers. It’s darker, moodier, and totally binge-worthy. 

The Rings of Power 
Where to watch: Prime Video 
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 84 per cent  

Set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, this prequel to The Lord of the Rings film series explores the rise of Sauron and the forging of the titular rings.