With the upcoming releases of Teen Wolf: The Movie and Luther: The Fallen Sun, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Movies Based on A TV Series.
Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. THE NAKED GUN
You can't make a list of great comedic characters without including Frank Drebin. Still among the funniest films ever made, The Naked Gun (and its sequels) is spoof done right. Although the original series was quickly cancelled, Leslie Neilsen's timing and wit were enough to give Drebin a second life on the big screen. Luckily, the feature was much more sharply written, and it gave Neilsen a chance to put on a comedic masterclass. Four decades later, and this one is still good for a laugh. - Nick
4. 21 JUMP STREET
I love a film that knows it shouldn’t exist yet justifies itself at the same time. That’s exactly what 21 Jump Street is. A film that is more than aware of its own absurdity and how unoriginal it is, the result is still something wholly unique, funny, and heartfelt. It's a staple of 2010s comedies and a worthy adaptation. - Adriano
3. THE FUGITIVE
There's not much I have to say about The Fugitive as an adaptation (I never watched the show it's based on), but hot damn, if it doesn't still get the job done every time. Harrison Ford carries the role admirably to be sure, but the true star is Tommy Lee Jones and his note-perfect one-liners. I miss when mid-budget movies like this were a dime a dozen and could be both nominated for and even win Oscars. - Jacob
2. STAR TREK
Since its days as a television series, Star Trek has been perennially in the cultural zeitgeist, proven to be one of the most influential shows on the air. Pitched as "a wagon train to the stars," the original series was meant to show hope for an idealized future, one where mankind has shed its foibles in the name of progress. As a film series, while the results have been uneven, movies like Wrath of Khan, Undiscovered Country, and the 2009 reboot remain shining beacons of science fiction, giving fans unforgettable characters to be cherished through the generations. - Darryl
1. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
It says a lot when each individual team member's top list includes almost every movie from a singular franchise (I’ll bet you two slow-motion doves you can guess which one didn’t make it). But, honestly, Mission: Impossible may be one of the most consistent franchises in movie history. It doesn’t just rely on the crazy stunts and insane action, but casts well-acted ensembles and builds memorable worlds that get grander (and arguably better) with every film. While I’m personally partial to M:I3 due to Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s scary brilliance, I can’t wait to see if Dead Reckoning usurps that crown. - Amarú
HONORABLE MENTIONS
SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM
WAYNE'S WORLD
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Photo Credits: Photo 1, 4, 5 - Paramount Pictures; Photo 2 - Columbia Pictures, Photo 3 - Warner Bros