John Wick is the latest franchise to spin-off with the upcoming Ballerina. So, that got us thinking about what some of our favourite spin-offs are across both film and television. You know what that means... yes, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Spin-offs. Considering we've already done a prequel list, we've omitted those titles from inclusion here.
Each writer ranks their top 15 releases 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 LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
The Lego Batman Movie stands out as an animated spin-off that, in my view, may be truer to the character it focuses on than the live-action films. It broke through the pervading superhero fatigue as a shining example of a comic book movie that balances serious and silly. It’s hilarious and full of hysterical gags, but respects the source material, satirising the Batman universe and his character in a way that highlights his loneliness in a surprisingly emotional way while also lovingly making fun of his signature angst. The Lego animation enables impressively vibrant and imaginative visuals, and the way the characters move, like real mini-figures brought to life, adds to the comedy and charm. It also benefits from the genius casting of Will Arnett as the titular character, whose moody, solitary Batman ultimately is what makes this spin-off so enjoyable for adults and children alike. - Katie
4. PEACEMAKER
When it comes to the Bitesize Top Five, I usually refrain from ranking recent movies and series because I want to give things time to breathe before I anoint them with superlative praise. However, in the case of Peacemaker, I can’t deny that it’s a near-perfect spinoff even if it dropped in 2022. It’s a terrific blend of tremendous action, raunchy hilarity, and layered pathos. More importantly, it expands DC’s cinematic universe — something Warner Bros. has long struggled with — in ways that no one expected from a series this irreverent, all while demonstrating the best way to use John Cena’s physique, perfect comedic timing, and willingness to do just about anything. In fact, it was so good that it resulted in Warner Bros. giving James Gunn the keys to the kingdom. And that theme song? It’s still my ringtone. - Quentin
3. THE PENGUIN
Having The Penguin on this list after only a year might have you saying, “woah woah woah, take it easy sweetheart.” But honestly, it doesn’t take long to recognize the show’s greatness, especially after Colin Farrell’s disappearing act as the show's titular character in The Batman left you wanting to see and hear his Oswald Cobb accent as much as humanly possible. The Penguin is the rare IP television show that doesn’t lean on its recognition to succeed, instead using it to lift tremendous performances and brilliant writing. If Cristin Milioti wasn’t named Sofia Falcone, she still would capture your full attention alongside Farrell’s Penguin, and the fact that non-comic-book lovers could watch this show with as much enthusiasm as The Sopranos or Breaking Bad shows just how well this spin-off landed. - Amarú
2. THE SIMPSONS
No matter what generation you’re in, whether you first caught it during its golden years or during its supposed decline in quality, you very likely grew up with The Simpsons. Considering that it’s currently 36 seasons deep into its run with at least four more to come, it’s safe to say that’ll continue to be the case for new generations too. One could say that it’s easily the most successful spin-off ever, having originated as a series of recurring shorts on Fox’s The Tracey Ullman Show. Designed to be shown before and after commercial breaks, the reaction to Matt Groening’s crudely animated cartoons proved so positive amongst viewers that producer James L. Brooks decided to adapt it into its own series for the network. A few pitches later, and the rest is history as its satire on all aspects of American life created a brand like no other, which includes a feature-length movie (my first full exposure to the world of Springfield, incidentally), a few theatrical shorts (including the Oscar-nominated The Longest Daycare), several tie-in video games, and much more. The day The Simpsons and its impact on culture ends is the day the world ends, and even with how things are going these days, I’m not counting on the latter happening any time soon. - Bode
1. CREED
In a sea of legacy sequels and spinoffs, I'll always stand by the idea that Creed is the gold standard. Like many, I presume, when I first heard about a Rocky spinoff about Apollo Creed's (Carl Weathers) son, my first instinct was, "oh, brother!" In my defence, I had no clue just how unstoppable director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan were. Creed does everything right, plain and simple. It builds off the legacy of the originals while never prying off your nostalgia, crafting its own legacy in the process with new characters and its own sense of primal boxing glory. The highs are high, the emotions hit, it's fierce, and everything is earned. Creed is a masterwork of modern blockbuster cinema, and I can't imagine the bar getting any higher than this. - Adriano
HONORABLE MENTIONS
BORAT
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW
GEN V
FRASIER