10 Popular TV Shows With Unnecessary Movies
TV Shows like Teen Titans, Scooby-Doo, and The Flintstones are popular with audiences, but their respective movies added little to their stories.
TV shows become popular through their creativity and relatable characters. Whether they revamp a tried and true formula or craft a completely new story, some series in recent years have undeniably become household staples. On the other hand, some of their spinoff movies leave much to be desired. Some movies are direct additions to a series, such as Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo.
10Drake & Josh
Drake & Josh is one of Nickelodeon's best comedies, and it still holds up remarkably well today. While the performances of Drake Bell and Josh Peck could make nearly anything hilarious, the show's TV movies fell majorly flat.
In Drake & Josh Go Hollywood, the film takes on a more serious tone. Drake and Josh wind up as hostages in an elaborate financial scheme that seems completely out of left field for the series. The plot didn't allow for as many comical antics as audiences were used to. Furthermore, in Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh, the boys must make good on a promise to give a family the best Christmas. These movie installments ultimately felt too random to add anything of substance to the show.
9Teen Titans
With a TV movie created with the same animation and beloved cast of characters, Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo had promise. Unfortunately, the film lacks much of what fans loved about the original Teen Titans series. In this feature, the Titans journey to Tokyo after Titan Tower is attacked.
While it's mildly interesting to see these heroes explore the streets of Japan, its plot feels very run-of-the-mill. Most importantly, it lacks the series' most prominent villain, Slade Wilson. Moreover, Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo doesn't tie up any loose ends in the series, other than making Robin and Starfire a couple. But this was something that could have easily been done in the show.
8The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly Oddparents is a magical Nickelodeon adventure and one of the network's most iconic shows. The series has multiple TV movies that are creative and entertaining, but its made-for-TV live-action movie completely misses its mark.
A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner! focuses on an older Timmy, played by Drake Bell, who has fallen in love with Tootie, played by Daniella Monet. The decision to make this film live-action takes away from the show's essence, as its humor is based on cartoonish slapstick. While the film tries its best to recreate the show's charm with CGI animation, the whole production feels clunky and unworthy of its original version.
7Inspector Gadget
Inspector Gadget perfectly captures the cozy feeling of a Saturday morning cartoon. With silly slapstick, an enjoyable main character, and a menacing villain, this series was excellent for both children and adults. Its live-action movie, however, doesn't come close to capturing the inventiveness of the original cartoon.
One of the main complaints of the Inspector Gadget feature-length film is the awkward performance of Matthew Broderick, who plays Inspector Gadget. For many fans of the original cartoon, the acting and directing feel off, and the story has little to do with the themes of the show. In the series, Gadget's niece Penny would always find a way to solve the day secretly without claiming any of the credit. In the movie, however, her role is completely swept under the rug, which feels unwarranted.
6Looney Tunes
When fans think of Looney Tunes characters in a feature-length film, many automatically go to Space Jam and its sequel. While these movies are entertaining enough, there is another film based on these beloved characters that feels even more unnecessary, and that's Looney Tunes: Back in Action.
This film combines both live-action humans and CGI animation of the Looney Tunes characters fans know and love. But the original show's slapstick and charm take a backseat to the film's overly complicated heist, featuring secret agents and a special diamond. Watching Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duffy do their thing is always enjoyable, but when the bland human characters take over, many viewers might be wondering why this movie was even made.
5The Flintstones
The Flintstones is an innocent Saturday morning-style cartoon that thrives on the simplicity of its plot and characters. That's why it is so odd for it to have a feature-length film, especially as it has a premise that doesn't warrant one. That movie is The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.
The entire story is a chaotic mess with a foundation that bizarrely seems to stem from ridiculous puns with rocks. Some fans of The Flintstones might find it entertaining to see new interpretations of Fred, Wilma, Betty and Barney. Even so, to put these familiar characters in a full-length film feels drawn out and unneeded. There are only so many times audiences can listen to puns about Bed Rock before they get the gist.
4Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
A TV series as popular as Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! is bound to get several film adaptations. While most of its made-for-TV animated movies are enjoyable enough, the Scooby-Doo characters were also brought to life through live-action. It is these particular installments that fall flat.
Scooby-Doo in 2002 and its sequel Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashedfollow the same characters fans know and love, without the same mysterious charm. While Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! teems with cartoonish gimmicks and one-liners, this formula doesn't work as well with actual humans. Not to mention, in these film adaptations, Scooby is portrayed by a CGI puppet with animation that is distractingly outdated.
3Tom & Jerry
Audiences have enjoyed the classic cat-and-mouse antics of Tom & Jerry for generations. But time and time again these iconic characters have unsuccessfully tried to be adapted to various movie formulas.
Tom & Jerry's slapstick works best in short, fast-paced segments. That's why full-length films such as Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory feel outdrawn and bizarre, especially since the characters are plunged into a different universe. The most recent adaptation that hasn't sat right with fans is the 2021 live-action version of Tom and Jerry. This movie focuses more on the story's bland human characters than it does its starring duo, leading fans to wonder why it even exists
2Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir is a wildly successful animated superhero show worldwide. With five seasons under its belt and more to come, the series continually captures viewers' hearts with its seemingly unlimited creativity. Its full-length film, Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie, however, leaves much to be desired.
The film focuses on the origin story of Ladybug and Cat Noir, something that has already been revealed in the show. The entire plot is a retread of the series with a few deviations. One addition that fans were divided on was the inclusion of musical numbers with a different voice actor singing for Marinette. While the film boasts gorgeous animation, it doesn't need to exist, especially since it only serves as an alternate reality to what's already been done.
1Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Armbinder is one of Nickelodeon's most beloved properties to date. With fans around the world still referencing the series and its characters, it has undoubtedly made a monumental impact on younger generations. That's why its live-action film, The Last Armbinder feels like a slap in the face.
The film, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, tries to cram an entire season's worth of content into one feature-length production. The development of the characters suffers dramatically, as the main plot is taken over by an avalanche of exposition. With a perfectly good series already created, the addition of a movie that adds nothing new is entirely unwarranted.
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