Added by jay-jay on 28 Jun 2010 12:35

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50 Best Television Adaptations of all time!

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Decade: Rating: List Type:

2978

7.6

7.9

Star Trek (2009)

Critics Consensus: Star Trek reignites a classic franchise with action, humor, a strong story, and brilliant visuals, and will please traditional Trekkies and new fans alike.

jay-jay's rating:

2051

7.2

7.8

The Fugitive (1993)

Critics Consensus: Exhilarating and intense, this high-impact chase thriller is a model of taught and efficient formula film making.

487

7.4

In the Loop (2009)

Critics Consensus: In the Loop is an uncommonly funny political satire that blends Dr. Strangelove with Spinal Tap for the Iraq war era.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

3603

6.4

7.3

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan... (2006)

Critics Consensus: Jagshemash! Borat gets high-fives almost all-around for being offensive in the funniest possible way. Part satire, part shockumentary, Borat stars Sacha Baron Cohen as the gleefully sexist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic title character on a cross-country trek to learn more about our strange nation; along the way he dredges up the seamy underbelly of American prejudice and ignorance. Now the cat is out of the bag, what will Cohen do for an encore?

866

7.1

7.6

Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

Critics Consensus: First Contact contains enough enjoyable moments to appeal to non-Star Trek fans.

1736

7.1

7.6

Traffic (2000)

Critics Consensus: Soderbergh successfully pulls off the highly ambitious Traffic, a movie with three different stories and a very large cast. The issues of ethics are gray rather than black-and-white, with no clear-cut good guys. Terrific acting all around.

900

7.5

7.7

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Critics Consensus: Considered by many fans to be the best of the Star Trek movies, Khan features a strong plot, increased tension, and a sharp supporting performance from Ricardo Montalban.

4171

6.6

7.3

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Consensus: The Simpsons Movie contains the hearty laughs, biting satire, and honest portrayal of an American family that makes the show so popular. And it boasts slicker animation and polished writing that hearkens back to the show's glory days.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

1732

6.8

7.6

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!... (1988)

Consensus: The Naked Gun is chock full of gags that are goofy, unapologetically crass, and ultimately hilarious.

697

7.2

7.6

The Muppet Movie (1979)

Consensus: The Muppet Movie, the big-screen debut of Jim Henson's plush creations, is smart, lighthearted, and fun for all ages.

742

6.7

7.1

State of Play (2009)

Consensus: A taut, well-acted political thriller, State of Play overcomes some unsubtle plot twists with an intelligent script and swift direction.

2257

7.6

7.9

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Consensus: Too over the top for its own good, but ultimately rescued by the cast's charm, director John Landis' grace, and several soul-stirring musical numbers.

1961

6.6

Wayne's World (1992)

Consensus: An oddball comedy that revels in its silliness and memorable catch phrases, Wayne's World is also fondly regarded because of its endearing characters.

740

7.2

7.3

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Consensus: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is perhaps the lightest and most purely enjoyable entry of the long-running series, emphasizing the eccentricities of the Enterprise's crew.

574

7.1

7.2

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)

Consensus: The Undiscovered Country is a strong cinematic send-off for the original Trek crew, featuring some remarkable visuals and an intriguing, character-driven mystery plot.

1958

7.5

7.8

Serenity (2005)

Consensus: Snappy dialogue and goofy characters make this Wild Wild West soap opera in space fun and adventurous.

jay-jay's rating:

2332

7.7

7.8

The Untouchables (1987)

Consensus: Slick on the surface but loaded with artful touches, Brian DePalma's classical gangster thriller is a sharp look at period Chicago crime, featuring excellent performances from a top-notch cast.

jay-jay's rating:

6.8

6.5

Pennies from Heaven (1981)

Consensus: A complicated little musical, Pennies from Heaven is a dazzling, tragic spectacle.

2400

7.1

7.7

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

Consensus: Its jokes are profoundly bold and rude but incredibly funny at the same time.

678

6.7

6.6

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

Consensus: Though it may be short on dazzling special effects, The Search for Spock is still a strong Star Trek installment, thanks to affecting performances by its iconic cast.

1943

6.5

6.8

Addams Family Values (1993)

Consensus: New, well-developed characters add dimension to this batty satire, creating a comedy much more substantial than the original.

2529

6.2

6.9

Mission: Impossible III (2006)

Consensus: Fast-paced, with eye-popping stunts and special effects, the latest Mission: Impossible installment delivers everything an action fan could ask for. A thrilling summer popcorn flick.

934

6.3

6.8

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)

Consensus: Beavis and Butt-Head Do America is unabashedly offensive, unapologetically stupid, and unexpectedly funny.

1388

6.8

7.1

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)

Consensus: Surreally goofy and entertaining for both children and their parents.

1013

6.5

7.1

Maverick (1994)

Consensus: It isn't terribly deep, but it's witty and undeniably charming, and the cast is obviously having fun.

1273

5.1

5.8

Brüno (2009)

Critics Consensus: Crude and offensive, but with ample cultural insights and gut-busting laughs, Bruno is another outlandish and entertaining mockumentary from Sacha Baron Cohen.

397

6.1

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000)

Consensus: When the Rugrats go to Paris, the result is Nickelodeon-style fun. The plot is effectively character-driven, and features catchy songs and great celebrity voice-acting.

210

5.6

The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)

Critics Consensus: A pleasant enough kids flick that adults may even enjoy.

4065

5.4

5.6

Charlie's Angels (2000)

Critics Consensus: The story and plot are nothing to write home about, but the movie has enough action and campy fun to entertain the skeptics.

503

6.5

Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)

Critics Consensus: The Twilight Zone: The Movie suffers from the typical anthology-film highs and lows; thankfully, the former outnumber the latter.

1673

5.4

6.1

Starsky & Hutch (2004)

Critics Consensus: Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson enliven a comedy comprising mostly of sight gags.

jay-jay's rating:

480

6.5

The Powerpuff Girls Movie

Critics Consensus: It plays like an extended episode, but The Powerpuff Girls Movie is still lots of fun.

977

6.5

The X Files: Fight the Future (1998)

Critics Consensus: Results may vary for newcomers, but fans of the series will enjoy its big-screen transition.

818

6.2

Jackass: Number Two (2006)

Critics Consensus: Better than any sequel to a movie of a television show has a right to be, Jackass: Number Two dares you not to laugh.

532

6.1

6.6

Edge of Darkness (2010)

Critics Consensus: For better and for worse, Edge of Darkness offers vintage Mel Gibson, working within the familiar framework of a bloody revenge thriller.

1104

5.8

6.2

Wayne's World 2 (1993)

Critics Consensus: The characters are still endearing, but the jokes in Wayne's World 2 are more hit-and-miss the second time around.

164

7.4

7.3

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)

Critics Consensus: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie may be thin and uneven, but it's hilarious in enough of the right spots to do the show's big-screen transition justice.

4461

6.6

7.1

Transformers (2007)

Critics Consensus: While believable characters are hard to come by in Transformers, the effects are staggering and the action is exhilarating.

jay-jay's rating:

3679

6.7

6.9

The Addams Family

Critics Consensus: The movie is peppered with amusing sight gags and one-liners, but the disjointed script doesn't cohere into a successful whole.

2742

5.6

6.1

Mission: Impossible II (2000)

Critics Consensus: Your cranium may crave more substance, but your eyes will feast on the amazing action sequences.

116

6.7

Strange Brew (1983)

Critics Consensus: Strange Brew is not without its rough patches, but it earns points just for having the chutzpah to attempt a booze-fueled take on Hamlet.

3936

6.6

7.2

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Critics Consensus: Full of special effects, Brian DePalma's update of Mission: Impossible has a lot of sweeping spectacle, but the plot is sometimes convoluted.

295

5.2

The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)

Critics Consensus: Though lightweight and silly, The Brady Bunch Movie still charms as homage to the 70s sitcom.

1172

6.3

6.7

The A-Team (2010)

Critics Consensus: For better and for worse, Joe Carnahan's big-screen version of The A-Team captures the superficial, noisy spirit of the TV series.

1225

6.2

6.9

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Critics Consensus: The slapstick antics of this sequel provide a few laughs, but fail to equal those of the original.

551

6.1

6.4

Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)

Critics Consensus: Although not terrible, the sluggishly paced Insurrection plays like an extended episode of the TV series.

1763

6.1

6.5

Get Smart (2008)

Critics Consensus: Get Smart rides Steve Carell's considerable charm for a few laughs, but in the end is a rather ordinary Summer comedy.

585

4.8

5.6

Josie and the Pussycats (2001)

Critics Consensus: This live-action update of Josie and the Pussycats offers up bubbly, fluffy fun, but the constant appearance of product placements seems rather hypocritical.

1039

7.3

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)

Critics Consensus: For better or worse, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is every bit as strange and twisted as you'd expect from David Lynch.

141

5.5

Strangers with Candy (2006)

Critics Consensus: Occasionally funny, but little more than a jumbled, overextended episode of the TV show. Still, Candy devotees won't be disappointed.

In the never-ending search for feature length ideas, one of the big screen's most bountiful wells has undoubtedly been the small screen. And with plenty of memorable films and movie franchises getting their roots from programs that we've enjoyed from the comforts of our own couches and Lovesacs, we thought it was time to take another look at the best films that made the jump from the living room to the cineplex.

Since the number of films with television roots can be overwhelming, we had to set some ground rules. We chose movies that are big screen adaptations of TV series, mini-series, or sketches, along with movies that include the series' principal cast members. We left out films that are fundamentally derived from other sources (so no Superman or Batman: The Movie this time around, as they are best known for their comic book roots), but have included others that are first and foremost remembered as television shows (The Addams Family).

So back away from the warm glow of your television set and prepare to dive into the climate-controlled comforts of your local theater as we countdown the 50 Best Television Adaptations of all time!
per rottentomatoes.com