List of films based on television programs
This is a list of television programs that were later adapted into feature films.
Programs with films that are prequels, sequels, or based upon the series
Pilot episodes released as feature films
s that were soon or later adapted into feature films for either a release or re-release to movie theaters or direct-to-video.| Series | Title | Release | Notes |
| 77 Sunset Strip | Girl on the Run | October 10, 1958 | Pilot initially briefly shown as a "feature film" in one Caribbean theater in order for the studio to cheat Roy Huggins of television series creator rights. |
| The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius | Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius | December 21, 2001 | Original unaired pilot, "Runaway Rocketboy", expanded and remade into a feature film. |
| Aladdin | The Return of Jafar | May 20, 1994 | The film is a sequel to the 1992 animated film |
| The Amazing Spider-Man | Spider-Man | September 14, 1977 | |
| The Asphalt Jungle | The Lawbreakers | August 15, 1961 | |
| Battlestar Galactica | "Saga of a Star World" | July 8, 1978 May 18, 1979 | Pilot re-edited into a theatrical release in the UK and international territories, in order to recoup its high production costs, and in the US a year later after the series' original cancellation that same year. |
| Buck Rogers in the 25th Century | Buck Rogers in the 25th Century | March 30, 1979 | Pilot released theatrically as a standalone film when no networks picked it up. |
| Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | The Adventure Begins | August 8, 2000 | |
| Gargoyles | The Heroes Awaken | January 31, 1995 | |
| Lilo & Stitch: The Series | Stitch! The Movie | August 26, 2003 | The film overall was the backdoor pilot to the homonymous series. |
| Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series | The First Face-Off | April 8, 1997 | |
| The New Addams Family | Addams Family Reunion | September 22, 1998 | |
| Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | August 15, 2008 | |
| Temple Houston | The Man from Galveston | 1963 | |
| The Three Musketeers | Knights of the Queen | 1954 | |
| Power Rangers | Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie | March 28, 1997 | The film overall takes place between Zeo and Turbo. |
| Twin Peaks | "Pilot" | April 8, 1990 | Pilot released as a film in Europe. |
| Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse | The Scarface Mob | 1959 1962 | Pilot of The Untouchables re-edited into a film for theatrical release. |
Many other series have released pilots or edited multi-part episodes as films overseas, including The Greatest American Hero and The X-Files.
Failed pilots
Some feature films began as a pilot for a TV series that was not picked up by any networks; most of these many failed pilots have been aired as television films.- 1994 Baker Street: Sherlock Holmes Returns
- The Adventures of Pollyanna
- Adventures of the Queen
- The Alpha Caper
- Annihilator
- Atlantis: Milo's Return
- The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire
- Band of the Hand
- Bates Motel
- Battles: The Murder That Wouldn't Die
- Beyond Witch Mountain
- Body Bags
- Belle's Magical World
- Call Her Mom
- Call to Danger
- Captain America
- Captain Scarlett
- Chamber of Horrors
- The Cherokee Trail
- The City
- The Clone Master
- Code Name: Diamond Head
- Conspiracy of Terror
- Cover Girls
- Cruel Intentions 2
- Dead on Target
- Delta County, U.S.A.
- Dr. Strange
- Earth II
- Earth Star Voyager
- Ellery Queen: Don't Look Behind You
- Exo-Man
- Fear No Evil
- Fireball Forward
- Fluppy Dogs
- The Fuzz Brothers
- Generation X
- Genesis II
- The Georgia Peaches
- Goodbye Charlie
- The Hanged Man
- Hell Ship Mutiny
- Hellinger's Law
- Hollywood Confidential
- The Hunted Lady
- In Like Flynn
- Incident on a Dark Street
- International Airport
- The Invisible Woman
- The Judge and Jake Wyler
- Justice League of America
- Justin Case
- Key West
- The Killer Who Wouldn't Die
- The Lone Ranger
- Longarm
- Lum and Abner Abroad
- Madame Sin
- The Man Who Fell to Earth
- The Man with the Power
- The Mark of Zorro
- Men of the Dragon
- Mulholland Drive
- Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Nightmares
- Nightside
- The Norliss Tapes
- The Orphan and the Dude
- Partners in Crime
- Party Wagon
- Planet Earth
- Poor Devil
- Popeye Doyle
- The Questor Tapes
- The Raiders
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes
- The Return of the World's Greatest Detective
- Ride the High Iron
- Rooster
- Sabu and the Magic Ring
- The Saint in Manhattan
- Savage
- Scruples
- Search for the Gods
- The Secret War of Jackie's Girls
- The Sheriff and the Astronaut
- Shoot Out at Big Sag
- Shooter
- Sidekicks
- Spectre
- Star Command
- Strange New World
- Tales of Robin Hood
- Tarzan and the Trappers
- Tex and the Lord of the Deep
- They Call It Murder
- Time Travelers
- The Trackers
- Travis McGee
- True Grit: A Further Adventure
- Wolfshead: The Legend of Robin Hood
- Wonder Woman
- Ultraman: The Adventure Begins
- The Underground Man
- The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy
- The Young Country
- Yuma
- ''Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century''
Television films
Pilots
Some television films have functioned as pilots or backdoor pilots for a subsequent TV series, but most of them start off as the first regular episode of a series overall.Before main run of show
First episode proper
Reunion films
Many American TV series have had TV films, usually filmed five or more years after the run of the original series, which reunite the cast of the series for a new plot. In some cases, there has been an entire string of such films, including for the detective shows Perry Mason, The Rockford Files,, and Hart to Hart. In at least one case, with the 1988 Get Smart reunion film Get Smart, Again!, the success of the TV film eventually led to a brief 1995 revival of the series.There have also been many television reunion specials, in which some or all of the original cast is brought together for interviews and clips.
Specials
Television series that have had standalone episodes as films, from continuations and resolutions of storylines through expanded installments with similar miscellaneous purposes, and specials based on their respective characters and elements for alternative reasons of otherwise.| Series | Title | Airdate | Notes |
| The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius | The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour | May 7, 2004 | |
| The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius | "Win, Lose and Kaboom!" | July 9, 2004 | |
| The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius | "Attack of the Twonkies" | November 11, 2004 | |
| The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius | When Nerds Collide | January 16, 2006 | |
| The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius | The Jerkinators | July 21, 2006 | |
| All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series | An All Dogs Christmas Carol | November 17, 1998 | Released straight to video. |
| Archie's Weird Mysteries | The Archies in JugMan | November 3, 2002 | Fifth installment of the TV film series DIC Movie Toons. |
| As Told by Ginger | "Season of Caprice" | July 7, 2001 | |
| As Told by Ginger | "Far from Home" | August 9, 2003 | |
| As Told by Ginger | "Butterflies Are Free" | June 13, 2004 | |
| As Told by Ginger | "The Wedding Frame" | November 23, 2004 | Released straight to video. |
| Arthur | "Arthur's Perfect Christmas" | November 23, 2000 | |
| Arthur | "Arthur, It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" | September 1, 2002 | |
| Arthur | "D.W. and the Beastly Birthday" | May 29, 2017 | |
| Arthur | "Arthur and the Haunted Tree House" | October 23, 2017 | |
| Arthur | "The Rhythm and Roots of Arthur" | January 20, 2020 | |
| Arthur | "An Arthur Thanksgiving" | November 16, 2020 | |
| Arthur | "Arthur's First Day" | September 6, 2021 | |
| Avatar: The Last Airbender | "Sozin's Comet" | July 19, 2008 | |
| The Banana Splits Adventure Hour | The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park | November 25, 1972 | Aired as part of The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie. |
| The Beachcombers | A Beachcombers Christmas | 2004 | |
| Ben 10 | "Ben 10 vs. the Negative 10" | March 9, 2008 | |
| Bewitched | Tabitha and Adam and the Clown Family | December 2, 1972 | Aired as part of The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie. |
| Big Time Rush | Big Time Movie | March 10, 2012 | |
| The Bugs Bunny Show | Bugs Bunny's Easter Special | April 7, 1977 | |
| Camp Lazlo | Where's Lazlo? | February 18, 2007 | |
| Captain Future | Kareinaru Taiyoukei Race | December 31, 1978 | |
| Care Bears | Care Bears Nutcracker Suite | December 10, 1988 | |
| Case Closed | The Disappearance of Conan Edogawa: His History's Worst Two Days | December 26, 2014 | |
| Case Closed | Episode One: The Great Detective Turned Small | December 9, 2016 | |
| CatDog | CatDog and the Great Parent Mystery | November 25, 2000 | |
| ChalkZone | "The Big Blow-Up" | August 6, 2004 | |
| Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers | Rescue Rangers to the Rescue | September 11–15, 1989 | Five-part storyline. |
| City Hunter | The Secret Service | January 5, 1996 | |
| City Hunter | Goodbye My Sweetheart | April 25, 1997 | |
| City Hunter | Death of the Vicious Criminal Ryo Saeba | April 23, 1999 | |
| Codename: Kids Next Door | "Operation: I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S." | January 21, 2008 | The special overall was the series finale. |
| Columbo | Season 10 | December 9, 1990 – January 30, 2003 | |
| Death Note | Relight: Visions of a God | August 31, 2007 | |
| Death Note | Relight: L's Successors | August 22, 2008 | |
| Dennis the Menace | Cruise Control | October 27, 2002 | Fourth installment of the TV film series DIC Movie Toons. |
| Dexter's Laboratory | Ego Trip | December 10, 1999 | |
| Digimon | Digital Monster X-Evolution | January 3, 2005 | |
| Dragon Ball GT | A Hero's Legacy | March 26, 1997 | |
| Dragon Ball Z | Bardock – The Father of Goku | October 17, 1990 | |
| Dragon Ball Z | The History of Trunks | February 24, 1993 | |
| Drake & Josh | "Really Big Shrimp" | August 3, 2007 | |
| DuckTales | Catch as Cash Can | November 2–5, 1987 | Four-part storyline. |
| DuckTales | Time Is Money | November 24, 1988 | |
| DuckTales | Super DuckTales | March 26, 1989 | |
| Dynasty | "The Titans" | November 13, 1985 | |
| The Facts of Life | The Facts of Life Goes to Paris | September 25, 1982 | |
| The Facts of Life | The Facts of Life Down Under | February 15, 1987 | |
| The Fairly OddParents | "Abra-Catastrophe!" | July 12, 2003 | |
| The Fairly OddParents | "Channel Chasers" | July 23, 2004 | |
| The Fairly OddParents | "School's Out! The Musical" | June 10, 2005 | |
| The Fairly OddParents | "Fairy Idol" | May 19, 2006 | |
| The Fairly OddParents | "Fairly OddBaby" | February 18, 2008 | |
| The Fairly OddParents | "Wishology" | May 1–3, 2009 | Three-part storyline. |
| Family Ties | Family Ties Vacation | September 23, 1985 | |
| The Famous Jett Jackson | Jett Jackson: The Movie | June 8, 2001 | |
| The File of Young Kindaichi | "The Last Opera House Murders" | November 12, 2007 | |
| The File of Young Kindaichi | "Vampire Legend Murder Case" | November 19, 2007 | |
| Flight 29 Down | The Hotel Tango | August 25, 2007 | |
| The Flintstones | A Flintstone Christmas | December 7, 1977 | |
| The Flintstones | Little Big League | April 6, 1978 | |
| The Flintstones | The Flintstones Meet Rockula and Frankenstone | October 30, 1979 | |
| The Flintstones | I Yabba-Dabba Do! | February 7, 1993 | |
| The Flintstones | Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby | December 5, 1993 | |
| The Flintstones | A Flintstones Christmas Carol | November 21, 1994 | |
| Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends | "Good Wilt Hunting" | November 23, 2006 | |
| Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends | "Destination: Imagination" | November 27, 2008 | |
| Galaxy Express 999 | Kimi wa Senshi no You ni Ikirareru ka!! | October 11, 1979 | |
| Galaxy Express 999 | Eien no Tabibito Emeraldas | April 3, 1980 | |
| Galaxy Express 999 | Kimi wa Haha no You ni Aiseru ka!! | October 2, 1980 | |
| Garfield and Friends | Garfield: His 9 Lives | November 22, 1988 | Adaptation of the homoynous 1984 book. |
| Goof Troop | "Goof Troop Christmas: Have Yourself a Goofy Little Christmas" | November 26, 1992 | |
| The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Wrath of the Spider Queen | July 6, 2007 | |
| The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Underfist: Halloween Bash | October 12, 2008 | The film was a failed backdoor pilot to a proposed spin-off series. |
| Groovie Goolies | Daffy Duck and Porky Pig Meet the Groovie Goolies | December 16, 1972 | Aired as part of The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie. |
| Hajime no Ippo | Champion Road | April 18, 2003 | |
| The Huckleberry Hound Show | The Good, the Bad, and Huckleberry Hound | May 15, 1988 | Sixth installment of the syndicated TV film series Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10. |
| iCarly | iGo to Japan | November 8, 2008 | |
| Ikkyū-san | Ōabare no Yancha-hime | August 25, 1980 | |
| I'll Fly Away | Then and Now | October 11, 1993 | |
| The Incredible Hulk | "Married" | September 22, 1978 | |
| Inspector Gadget | Inspector Gadget's Last Case | October 6, 2002 | First installment of the TV film series DIC Movie Toons. |
| Inspector Gadget | Inspector Gadget's Biggest Caper Ever | September 6, 2005 | Released straight to video. |
| Justice League | "Starcrossed" | May 29, 2004 | |
| Kenan & Kel | "Two Heads Are Better Than None" | July 15, 2000 | |
| Kimba the White Lion | Jungle Taitei: Yūki ga Mirai wo Kaeru | September 5, 2009 | |
| Kinnikuman | Kessen! Shichinin no Seigi Choujin vs Uchuu Nobushi | April 7, 1984 | |
| Knight Rider | Knight Rider 2010 | February 13, 1994 | |
| Kobo, the Li'l Rascal | Kobo-chan Special: Matsuri ga Ippai! | September 15, 1994 | |
| Kobo, the Li'l Rascal | Kobo-chan Special: Yakusoku no Magic Day | September 15, 1998 | |
| Lilo & Stitch: The Series | Leroy & Stitch | June 23, 2006 | The film overall was the series finale. |
| The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams | The Capture of Grizzly Adams | February 21, 1982 | |
| Little House on the Prairie | Look Back at Yesterday | December 12, 1983 | |
| Little House on the Prairie | The Last Farewell | February 6, 1984 | |
| Little House on the Prairie | Bless All the Dear Children | December 17, 1984 | |
| The Littles | Liberty and the Littles | October 18 – November 1, 1986 | Three-part storyline; aired as episodes 96–98 of ABC Weekend Special. |
| The Lone Ranger | The Lone Ranger Story | February 12, 1955 | |
| Lupin the Third | Lupin III TV Special | April 1, 1989 – present | |
| Madeline | My Fair Madeline | November 17, 2002 | Seventh installment of the TV film series DIC Movie Toons. |
| Maison Ikkoku | The Final Chapter | February 6, 1988 | |
| Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer | The Return of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer | April 18, 1986 | The third film led to The New Mike Hammer. |
| Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer | Murder Takes All | May 21, 1989 | The fourth film was the final installment of the Stacy Keach television series. |
| My Gym Partner's a Monkey | "The Big Field Trip" | January 14, 2007 | |
| My Gym Partner's a Monkey | "Animal School Musical" | May 25, 2008 | |
| My Life as a Teenage Robot | "Escape from Cluster Prime" | August 12, 2005 | |
| The Naked Brothers Band | "Battle of the Bands" | October 6, 2007 | |
| The Naked Brothers Band | "Sidekicks" | January 21, 2008 | |
| The Naked Brothers Band | "Polar Bears" | June 6, 2008 | |
| The Naked Brothers Band | "Mystery Girl" | October 18, 2008 | |
| The Naked Brothers Band | "Operation Mojo" | November 22, 2008 | |
| The Naked Brothers Band | "Naked Idol" | March 14, 2009 | |
| The Naked Brothers Band | "The Premiere" | April 11, 2009 | |
| Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide | "Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs & Weasels" | June 8, 2007 | |
| The New Adventures of Flash Gordon | Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All | August 21, 1982 | Originally conceived and produced as an animated television film, it was later reconfigured into an animated TV series; after the aforementioned cartoon show version ended in 1981, the originally intended feature-length film eventually made it to television in 1982. |
| Oishinbo | Kyūkyoku Tai Shikō, Chōju Ryōri Taiketsu!! | December 11, 1992 | |
| Oishinbo | Nichibei Kome Sensō | December 3, 1993 | |
| One Piece | One Piece TV Special | December 20, 2000 – August 25, 2018 | |
| Peanuts specials | A Charlie Brown Celebration | May 24, 1982 | |
| Peanuts specials | It's an Adventure, Charlie Brown | May 16, 1983 | |
| Peanuts specials | You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown | November 6, 1985 | Adaptation of the homoynous 1967 stage musical. |
| Peanuts specials | Snoopy! The Musical | January 29, 1988 | Adaptation of the homoynous 1975 musical. |
| Peanuts specials | It's the Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown | September 27, 1988 | |
| Pokémon | Mewtwo Returns | December 30, 2000 | Direct sequel to Pokémon: The First Movie. |
| Pokémon | The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon | October 13, 2006 | |
| Police Story | "A Cry for Justice" | May 23, 1979 | |
| Police Story | "Confessions of a Lady Cop" | April 28, 1980 | |
| Police Story | "The Freeway Killings" | May 3, 1987 | |
| Popeye the Sailor | Popeye Meets the Man Who Hated Laughter | October 7, 1972 | Aired as part of The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie. |
| Rocket Power | "Race Across New Zealand" | February 16, 2002 | |
| Rocket Power | "Reggie's Big Break" | July 19, 2003 | |
| Rocket Power | "Island of the Menehune" | July 16, 2004 | |
| Rocket Power | "The Big Day" | July 30, 2004 | |
| Rugrats | Tales from the Crib: Snow White | September 6, 2005 | |
| Rugrats | Tales from the Crib: Three Jacks and a Beanstalk | September 5, 2006 | |
| Sabrina: The Animated Series | Sabrina: Friends Forever | October 6, 2002 | Second installment of the TV film series DIC Movie Toons. |
| Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Sabrina Goes to Rome | October 4, 1998 | |
| Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Sabrina Down Under | September 26, 1999 | |
| Sally the Witch | Majo ni Natta Yoshiko-chan | January 1, 1990 | |
| Sally the Witch | Haha no Ai wa Towa ni! Aurora no Tani ni Kodamasuru Kanashimi no Majo no Sakebi! | December 24, 1990 | |
| Scooby-Doo | Scooby Goes Hollywood | December 23, 1979 | |
| Simon & Simon | "Pirate's Key" | January 20, 1983 | |
| The Six Million Dollar Man | "The Bionic Boy" | November 7, 1976 | |
| The Six Million Dollar Man | "The Thunderbird Connection" | November 28, 1976 | |
| The Six Million Dollar Man | "The Lost Island" | January 30, 1978 | |
| Soreike! Anpanman | Minami no Umi o Sukue! | August 26, 1990 | Aired as the last animated installment on Nippon TV's 24 Hour TV "Love Saves the Earth" program. |
| Soreike! Anpanman | Kieta Jam Oji-san | February 21, 2000 | |
| Space Battleship Yamato | Yamato: The New Voyage | July 14, 1979 | The film overall takes place between the second and third series. |
| SpongeBob SquarePants | SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis | November 12, 2007 | |
| SpongeBob SquarePants | SpongeBob's Truth or Square | November 6, 2009 | |
| Star vs. the Forces of Evil | "The Battle for Mewni" | July 15, 2017 | |
| Star Wars: Droids | "The Great Heep" | June 7, 1986 | |
| Stitch! | Stitch and the Planet of Sand | June 16, 2012 | |
| Stitch! | Perfect Memory | August 7, 2015 | |
| Strange Days at Blake Holsey High | "Conclusions" | January 28, 2006 | |
| The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | "The Suite Life Goes Hollywood" | April 20, 2007 | |
| The Sullivans | The John Sullivan Story | August 5, 1979 | |
| Superman: The Animated Series | The Batman Superman Movie: World's Finest | October 4, 1997 | |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | "Planet of the Turtleoids" | August 31, 1991 | |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Turtles Forever | November 21, 2009 | The film overall was the series finale. |
| Tenjho Tenge | The Past Chapter | March 30, 2005 | |
| ThunderCats | "Mumm-Ra Lives!" | September 17, 1987 | |
| Top Cat | Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats | March 20, 1988 | Fifth installment of the syndicated TV film series Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10. |
| Touch | Miss Lonely Yesterday | December 11, 1998 | |
| Touch | Cross Road | February 9, 2001 | |
| The Twilight Zone | Rod Serling's Lost Classics | May 19, 1994 | |
| Unfabulous | "The Perfect Moment" | October 7, 2006 | |
| Urusei Yatsura | Haru da, Tobidase! | March 31, 1982 | |
| Victorious | iParty with Victorious | June 11, 2011 | Crossover with iCarly. |
| Voltron | Fleet of Doom | September 10, 1986 | |
| The Wild Thornberrys | "The Origin of Donnie" | August 18, 2001 | |
| Wizards of Waverly Place | The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex | March 15, 2013 | |
| Wonder Woman | "The Return of Wonder Woman" | September 16, 1977 | |
| Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum | Xavier Riddle and the Secret Movie: I Am Madam President | March 16, 2020 | |
| Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl! | Yawara! Special - Zutto Kimi no Koto ga | July 19, 1996 | |
| The Yogi Bear Show | Yogi's First Christmas | November 22, 1980 | |
| The Yogi Bear Show | Yogi's Great Escape | September 20, 1987 | First, fourth and tenth installments of the syndicated TV film series Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10. |
| The Yogi Bear Show | Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce Goose | November 22, 1987 | First, fourth and tenth installments of the syndicated TV film series Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10. |
| The Yogi Bear Show | Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears | November 20, 1988 | First, fourth and tenth installments of the syndicated TV film series Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10. |
| The Yogi Bear Show | Yogi the Easter Bear | April 3, 1994 | |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues | March 13, 1993 | |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Young Indiana Jones and the Scandal of 1920 | April 3, 1993 | |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Young Indiana Jones and the Phantom Train of Doom | June 5, 1993 | |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Young Indiana Jones and the Hollywood Follies | October 15, 1994 | |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Young Indiana Jones and the Treasure of the Peacock's Eye | January 15, 1995 | |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Young Indiana Jones and the Attack of the Hawkmen | October 8, 1995 | |
| The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles | Travels with Father | June 16, 1996 |