Filmmakers work hard to create fictional worlds that audiences can immerse themselves in and think about for days after the first viewing. Some of these fictional worlds are ones we want to return to again and again.
Projects like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fargo, and Westworld have proven that there are movies that have enough lore and creative fuel to be expanded and turned into gripping shows with the potential to run for many episodes.
So in our reality, where streaming platforms are quickly conquering the content scene, studios should definitely look to older and underrated fictional universes for new source material.
Here are five films we would love to see adapted into series.
Dark City (1998)
Alex Proyas' sci-fi neo-noir is set in a nightmarish world where mysterious pale men in trench coats control everything from reality to the identities and memories of its inhabitants. Audiences loved the movie, but felt it left a lot of lore and mystery unexplored.
The film's universe could be the perfect basis for not only a retelling of John Murdoch's story, but the creation of an anthology series focusing on its various aspects and characters.
World War Z (2013)
The movie inspired by Max Brooks' beloved zombie novel didn't do enough to honor the source material. As a result, it ended up being a rather generic post-apocalyptic film. The world it created, however, offers a chance to fix that mistake and make a series that stays true to the anthology nature of the book.
Now that The Walking Dead is finished, the niche seems open.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
Another superhero series, you might ask? Well, this would not be your average Marvel or DC project. Bringing famous literary and film characters together in a steampunk world to solve a Moriarty-created mystery could be a refreshing take on the genre, full of hilarious Easter eggs and nods to pop culture.
Daybreakers (2009)
A sci-fi horror set in a fictional world overrun by vampires who hunt down and farm the remnants of the human race, Daybreakers had an exciting concept. However, the execution was somewhat substandard and left the audience wanting more. All in all, the film feels like a perfect pilot for the show that is still waiting to be made.
The Cell (2000)
Tarsem Singh and Mark Protosevich's psychological thriller gets too little mention in pop culture conversations. The idea of using experimental technology to get inside the minds of serial killers to find clues to unsolved crimes is brilliant and would work great as a unique police procedural. Just think of all the visuals a show like this could offer!