Animated series have the power to enhance any narrative and storyline. When an animated series is created using a movie as the source material, it offers limitless creative freedom.
The success of the movies adds to the intrigue of these animated series. These animated series often serve as extensions of the cinematic universe. It delves deeper into established characters. It explores untold backstories that go beyond the original movie.
The transition from live-action to animated series presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges as well. For the viewers, animated spin-offs offer a chance to revisit beloved characters and worlds that they already love. So, let’s dive right in.
Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
7 Must watch animated series that were adopted from live action movies
1) Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous

Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous is an intriguing animated series that viewers have enjoyed right from the very start. Though it is designed for a younger audience, it is equally intriguing for people who have loved the Jurassic World movie that was released in the year 2015.
Once in a lifetime experience turns haywire when dinosaurs break free from their containment chambers and start to attack the visitors. Things around the island quickly go from exciting to terrifying.
The diverse group of teenagers starts to rely on one another. They have to survive through the dangers of the park. These kids face numerous dangers as they navigate through the treacherous jungles. This animated series truly raised the bar for the dinosaur franchise.
2) Rambo: The Forces of Freedom (1986)

Almost everyone has watched the iconic movie franchise featuring Sylvester Stallone. Since the release of the live-action movie, First Blood, in the year 1982, it has captured the hearts of viewers all around the world.
This animated series has done a commendable job of adapting from the movie and the book. The animated series took the core idea of Rambo being a super soldier and reinvented his character in the form of a leader of an elite team.
The task of the elite team was to operate all around the world. Colonel Trautman was the commander of this team. This team would go all around the world to fight against an evil terrorist organization.
This animated series understood the idea and appeal of action figures and adventures for kids. Rambo was not a lone wolf anymore. He had his own team. Each of the members of his team was equipped with a unique set of skills. This allowed for more varied missions and teamwork.
This worked well and gained immense popularity. Rambo would disarm his enemies and outsmart them. The animated series also leaned into the sense of global adventure.
As a result, it became a source of pure escapism for the viewers. This animated series found its own set of viewers by offering fun, adventure-filled, and action-packed entertainment.
3) Police Academy: The Animated Series (1988)

This animated series holds a special place in the hearts of the viewers. The Police Academy film series has been an integral part of many viewers. So, when an animated series adapted from the film series was released, it became quite popular among the viewers.
The main reason behind this animated series being such an intriguing one is because of the way it has captured the spirit of the original Police Academy movies. The animated series brought forth all the major characters that the viewers loved.
Larvell Jones with his sound effects, Carey Mahoney, Zed McGlunk, Hightower, and so many more. The known faces truly added to the intrigue, but one cannot deny that the animated version was able to add to the overall absurdity and push the boundaries of slapstick comedy in this series.
An animated series meant the freedom to add exaggerated physical comedy, outlandish scenarios, and an even more over-the-top approach to the activities by the police.
The animators truly embraced the cartoon medium. It allowed an enhanced creative freedom. Police Academy: The Animated Series worked because it understood the source material.
This animated series was able to translate the core appeal. It added to the creativity and provided consistent entertainment.
4) Jumanji (1996)

Sometimes, certain movies are so good that you wish there were more to it. Well, this is exactly the case for the Jumanji movie. It was fresh and unique and quickly captured the hearts of the viewers.
The animated series of Jumanji is the perfect example of an animated series that did the adaptation from the live-action movie just right. In the animated series, Judy and Peter find themselves trapped inside a game.
Every episode is not just about surviving in the jungle but also about navigating the dangers and mysteries of Jumanji itself. This allowed the animated series to bring a new perspective. It truly felt like an endless adventure.
The animation style of this animated series was also quite good, especially if we consider the year it was released. It was able to capture the wild and untamed nature of Jumanji.
The animation style was also able to effectively create an immersive and often suspenseful atmosphere for the viewers. This animated series evolved through the source material, blossoming into something even more intriguing.
This animated series truly proved that sometimes going animated is the best way to keep a great story rolling forward.
5) Roughnecks: Starship Trooper Chronicles (1999)

Roughnecks: Starship Trooper Chronicles stands out as an intriguing animated series because of its source material. The movies have been an integral part of the viewers, hence they made the animated series even more interesting.
The animated series understood the essence of the constant fight against the alien bugs. The animated series was also not shy in the depiction of the brutal realities of war. The intense and often grim combat sequences have been shown in a nuanced manner.
Viewers enjoyed this aspect. There is a real sense of danger in this animated series, which might not be the case for many other kids' animated series. It adds to the overall entertaining factor of the series.
The character development in the animated series is also intriguing. We see loyalty, sacrifice, and the psychological toll of war in the series. It adds a layer of maturity to the animated series.
The lore of the Starship Troopers universe has also been expanded in this animated series. It explored the strategic complexities of intergalactic war. This allowed the series to feel fresh rather than rehashed.
The animation style was also quite impressive. It created a visually distinct and epic feel to the battles.
6) Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

This list would be incomplete without this animated series, which created a huge uproar amongst Star Wars fans right after it was released. It is truly a perfect adaptation of the Star Wars world.
This animated series took the vast and exciting world that was introduced in the movies to the next level. This animated series also made it accessible and enjoyable for fans of all ages. We get all the key characters, such as Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and many others, in this animated series.
The characters faced numerous battles, but it was not the only intriguing factor. The moral dilemmas faced by the characters are enjoyed by the viewers throughout. The character development of Anakin Skywalker was a bonus.
Obi-Wan Kenobi getting more screen time, added to the overall intrigue of this animated series. The storytelling of this series is also very interesting. Some of the episodes are filled with action sequences, while others delve deep into the political intrigue.
The animated series faithfully produced the sound effects, which added to the established aesthetic of this franchise. This animated series truly felt like an integral part of the Star Wars franchise.
7) The Real Ghostbusters (1986)

The Real Ghostbusters is not just a cartoon adaptation of the movie, but so much more. This animated series became a phenomenon, especially in terms of world-building and character development.
The core concept of the four paranormal investigators busting ghosts has been taken to the next level. The writing consistency of this animated series is truly top-notch. It has the perfect balance of humor and genuinely scary moments.
This adds to the overall intrigue of the show. Dark themes and frightening antagonists made the victories of the Ghostbusters feel earned. These monsters weren’t just goofy monsters.
Many of the ghosts had compelling backstories that the viewers enjoyed. The character designs were unique. The animation stood out considering the time it was released.
This animated series was a passionate extension of the movie’s concept. It captured the spirit of adventure, humor, and scientific curiosity that made the movie great and amplified the factor for the series.
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