We all love our TV shows, and sometimes we love them so much that we want more when they’re over. If enough of us want the same thing, a movie studio eventually gets the hint and puts together a major motion picture based on our favorite show, and that’s when the real magic happens. No more networks, no more censorship, no creative limits, massive funding — it all leads to the ultimate consummation of everything the show’s built up throughout its run. These 15 movies are the best and most loved of the ever-growing list of films brought about by a television show.
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Beginning as a lowly and impermanent character in Sasha Baren Cohen’s Da Ali G Show, Borat hit movie-goers in the face when it released in 2006.
The movie was so funny that many audience members were already in tears from laughing before the opening credits were entirely finished. The film was banned in more countries than it actually ran in, and to this day is quoted ad nauseum by millions.
The Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy
Canadian comedy super-troupe The Kids in the Hall made their biggest splash yet with Brain Candy in 1996, after their show had finished its run. The movie brought several fan-favorite characters from the series along with it, including the Cops, Cancer Boy, and the Racist Cabbie, who narrates the film. Mock packages of GLeeMONEX can still be found for sale at many online stores.
The X-Files
Actually taking place between seasons five and six of the show, The X-Files hit theaters in 1998 to much fanfare and throngs of joyous fans. The show was at the height of its popularity at the time, and had several major story arcs up in the air. Of all things anticipated in the movie, it was the relationship between Mulder and Scully that fans were most interested in seeing gain some traction on-screen.
Starsky & Hutch
An ode to the 70′s classic, Starsky & Hutch is one of many Stiller/Owen/Vaughn successes. The movie dropped all pretenses of being serious, while at the same time delivering a solid plot along with its ridiculous comedy routines. In short, it’s hilarious and still pays homage to the show it’s based on, which is a rare balance.
Serenity
Released a full three years after the original airing of the incomplete, single season of Firefly, Serenity was the answer to the fans clamoring for more. The show was ended prematurely, and no party denies that anymore after the movie’s extreme critical acclaim, which came on the heels of the show’s unprecedented DVD sales.
Beavis and Butt-head Do America
Released near the end of the show’s run, nobody thought Beavis and Butt-head Do America would attain any major success. They were surprised to find that it was all the best parts of the show, and hilarious. Complete with an appearance by Cornholio and the boys’ fathers, the movie fulfilled more than any of us could have hoped.
Wayne’s World
1992 saw regular SNL favorites Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar explode into the mainstream with Wayne’s World. Suddenly it wasn’t just the late-night audience who were walking around quoting the movie, but everyone who was old enough to see the film. Still a favorite now, almost two decades later, this movie was a classic the moment it was released.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Rare is a childhood untouched by the TMNT of old. The original animated series, though pretty bad by today’s standards, was the foundation for what would become an empire. The first movie was huge, taking full advantage of all that 1990 had to offer in terms of tolerance for bad movies. The promotional slogan at the time was “Lean, Green, and on the Screen,” and full ridiculousness followed as costumed, ninja-laden mutant-turtle live-action hit the big screen.
The Blues Brothers
Jake and Elwood Blues were much loved characters and musical guests on Saturday Night Live in 1978, played by John Belushi and Dan Akroyd during the show’s hay day. They were so popular that they later became a sensation as The Blues Brothers released in theaters nationwide, and a legend ever since.
Office Space
Actually based on the old and oft-forgotten Milton series of shorts from Saturday Night Live, Office Space has gathered nothing short of a cult following. The movie was so ridiculously popular that Swingline actually had to release a red stapler to meet the demands of the rabid fans clamoring for a red Swingline stapler like Milton had in the movie.
Transformers
This movie follows a long line of sister-ventures in the Transformers franchise based on the 1982 cartoon series. Regardless of any plot holes that may exist, Transformers was the biggest, most visually explosive movie of its time, and with Megan Fox present in most of the film, it’s one of the best movies to watch period.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Based off the 1982 series Police Squad!, there just isn’t a more efficient way to describe this movie than to simply call it retarded — but for a 1988 slapstick comedy, it’s still hilarious. Made at a time when nobody was above a good shot of low-brow humor, this movie tore into everyone. Nobody was safe, but unlike the failed attempts at this genre that continually assault us today, Naked Gun managed to pull it off with class.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
Releasing at the height of the show’s popularity, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut managed to take nearly every pre-established boundary and break through to new levels of offensively hilarious humor. Combining all the best characters and story arcs from the series, the movie was able to deliver on its promises as it was completely uncensored when released.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
While it’s true that the entire franchise is based on the original 1966 series, one movie in particular always stands apart; The Wrath of Khan is set in stone as the absolute iconic film of the entire Star Trek universe. The movie is beloved by millions of fans worldwide, and its chief antagonist, Khan, is still often credited as film’s best villain to date.
The Untouchables
The Untouchables will forever be known as the timeless classic from 1987 that not only centered on a war between Al Capone and Elliot Ness, but managed to mix the likes of Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery and Andy Garcia together in a take-no-prisoners prohibition-era period-piece. It’s a mouthful, but it’s awesome.
BONUS: Intro from Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie for Theaters
Easily the funniest scene to come out of the entire ATHF franchise, this introduction to the movie was what audiences were paying money to see. The movie itself may as well as never happened at all, it was that bad.
Comments
No comments.
Add your comment