If ahorror movieis so successful that it can spawn 10 sequels, then the franchise should be popular enough to warrant a TV show. While that sounds logical, this practice has only caught steam in the last decade or so with shows such asScream,Bates Motel,Ash vs Evil Dead, andFrom Dusk till Dawn: The Series. Prior to that, it was a rarity for a horror film to earn a series, although there were a few exceptions.RELATED:Slasher Films Like Netflix’s There’s Someone Inside Your HouseBuffy: The Vampire Slayer, theBeetlejuicecartoon, and the plethora ofGhostbustersreleases all have plenty of fans, with some shows even eclipsing the original movies. However, not every TV adaptation or sequel is fondly remembered; in fact, some have completely slipped through the cracks. Whathorror movie franchises have forgotten TV shows?
Special Mention: Chucky
It is way too soon to say whetherChuckywill stand the test of time, and there is a decent amount of hype surrounding the killer doll’s TV romp. Despite 2019’s remake,Chuckyis a continuation of 2017’sCult of Chucky, and the pilot episode delivers the over-the-top mayhem and black comedy synonymous with theChild’s Playfranchise.
Chuckyis very much for existing fans of the movies, although newcomers who appreciate a good (and bloody) slasher flick should find something to enjoy here.
Special Mention: I Know What You Did Last Summer
Compared toChucky,I Know What You Did Last Summer’s TV adaptationis garnering less attention. An Amazon Prime Video exclusive, the series will return to the beginning by providing a modern update of the 1997 film, meaning it will also adapt the original novel.
I Know What You Did Last Summeris a dated but enjoyable ’90s slasher film, but the franchise lost quite a bit of steam due to its underwhelming sequels, the last of which came out in 2006.
7Freddy’s Nightmares (1988-90)
A Nightmare on Elm Streetreleased sequel after sequelin the late ’80s, and the franchise still found time to drop a TV show. Despite its title,Freddy’s Nightmaresreduces Krueger to little more than a host, limiting his story appearances to a handful of episodes and the occasional (corny) cameo.
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The show tells standalone stories that take place within Springwood, and the episodes are all over the place in terms of quality. Lacking the creativity of the films,Freddy’s Nightmaresis oftencheesy rather than scary. That said, there are a couple of decent episodes, including one featuring a young Brad Pitt.
Friday the 13th: The Seriesis better thanFreddy’s Nightmaresbut it has nothing to do with Jason.
6Poltergeist: The Legacy (1996-99)
Name aside,The Legacyis only slightly connected toPoltergeistand certainly doesn’t deliver the type of scares found in the classichaunted house movie. Focusing on a group of Legacy members that investigate incidents involving demonic or otherworldly entities, the show is somewhat similar to series likeX-FilesandBuffy, although it doesn’t quite reach the height of either of those releases.
While by no means a masterpiece,Poltergeist: The Legacyis a pretty engaging sit for the most part, and the cast does a great job with the material. People looking for some supernatural thrills can do much worse than this series.
5Wolf Creek (2016-17)
One of the better movie-to-(web)-TV transitions,Wolf Creekshould be deemed a must-watch for any fans of the Australian horror films. Created by Greg McLean, the director of 2005’sWolf Creek, the series brings back the movies' killer, Mick Taylor, and pushes to the forefront two survivors who are easy to like and root for.
Lasting for 12 episodes spread over two seasons,Wolf Creekdoesn’t overstay its welcome. The show makes the most of every second, delivering an experience that holds up well when compared to the movies.
4Tremors: The Series (2003)
TheTremorsfranchise has lived on for three decades, creating six sequels in the process. Following the release ofTremors 3: Back to Perfection, one of the weaker entries, the franchise found its way to Syfy Channel for a TV show. Only lasting one season and 13 episodes,Tremors: The Seriesis slightly more interested in its characters than the movies, and it also features a few appearances from El Blanco.
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Unapologetically campy,Tremors: The Seriesis entertaining for what it is, permitting someone doesn’t go in expecting anything other than budget B-movie shenanigans.
3Blade: The Series (2006)
Bladelost a lot of steam following the release of its third movie, and its uneven TV show did not help much in steadying the ship. Set after the events ofBlade: Trinity, theMarvel heroheads to Detroit to take care of business and kill a few vampires along the way.
Surprisingly, the show does not devote its time solely to its titular character. Krista, a combat medic, takes center stage for large sections ofBlade’s solitary season, and she is interesting. Blade does get his share of moments to shine as well, and the series doesn’t hold back on the action. If nothing else,Blade: The Seriesis better thanBlade: Trinityââââââ.
2The Exorcist (2016-17)
Outside of 1973’sThe Exorcistand its spiritual sequelThe Ninth Configuration, 2016’s TV show is the best thingassociated with this franchise. Things start familiar enough, with a mother coming to believe that her daughter has caught a case of the demon; from there,The Exorcistexpertly expands its concepts, cast, and locations en route to telling an effective and consistently unsettling story.
While scares are a bit in short supply,The Exorcistis well-written and unnerving. Both seasons are great and well worth seeking out for horror fans in general.
1Damien (2016)
Set a few decades after the events of 1976’sThe Omen,Damienfinds its titular Anti-Christ leading an adult life after having repressed the chaos that was his childhood. Like his younger self, Damien’s passive presence is enough to bring death to those who threaten his existence, which naturally attracts the attention of a detective.
Damienis well produced but suffers from a meandering plot that struggles to build any significant momentum throughout its 10 episodes. There is a reason this show has been already forgotten.
