15 Memorable TV Adaptations That Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist
Stories that begin on the page already come with built-in expectations, and television has become the place where those expectations get tested most.
Longer runtimes allow novels, comics, and even video games to breathe, giving characters room to complicate, relationships time to deepen, and world-building space to feel lived-in.
Adaptations can still stumble, especially when fans arrive protective and loud, yet the best ones find a fresh rhythm instead of chasing a scene-by-scene replica.
Casting choices, production design, and writing all have to align, because one weak link can flatten an iconic story. When it works, the result feels like a second life for something already beloved, with new images and performances shaping how audiences remember it.
1. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
George R.R. Martin’s massive fantasy novels seemed impossible to film, but HBO made it happen.
Dragons soared, battles raged, and viewers around the globe became obsessed with the fight for the Iron Throne.
Political intrigue mixed with magic created something television had never seen before.
Sure, the final season sparked debates, but the journey changed TV forever.
2. Watchmen (2019)
Alan Moore’s groundbreaking graphic novel got a bold reimagining that nobody expected.
Instead of just retelling the comic, this series jumped forward in time, tackling racism and police brutality head-on.
Regina King delivered a powerhouse performance that anchored the show’s ambitious storytelling.
Superheroes became a lens for examining America’s darkest historical moments. Critics praised its courage to expand rather than simply copy the source material.
3. The Expanse (2015–2022)
Space operas usually feel cheesy, but this adaptation of James S.A. Corey’s novels brought serious science to the screen.
Realistic physics, political tension between Earth, Mars, and the Belt created a future that felt genuinely possible.
Characters grew across seasons as mysteries unfolded across the solar system.
After Syfy canceled it, fan campaigns convinced Amazon to rescue the show.
4. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017–present)
Margaret Atwood’s chilling dystopia hit differently when it premiered in 2017.
Suddenly, a story written decades earlier felt uncomfortably relevant, sparking conversations about women’s rights everywhere.
Elisabeth Moss brought fierce determination to Offred’s struggle for survival and freedom.
Red robes and white bonnets became symbols of resistance in real-world protests.
Though emotionally heavy, the show refuses to look away from uncomfortable truths about power and control.
5. Big Little Lies (2017–2019)
Liane Moriarty’s mystery novel became an all-star showcase of talent.
Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, and Laura Dern brought complicated mothers to life against stunning Monterey backgrounds.
What started as a murder mystery evolved into an examination of domestic abuse, friendship, and secrets.
Beautiful cinematography contrasted sharply with the darkness lurking beneath perfect surfaces.
6. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Chess might sound boring for television, but Walter Tevis’s novel became Netflix’s most-watched limited series.
Anya Taylor-Joy mesmerized as Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy battling addiction while dominating a male-dominated world.
Period details transported viewers to the 1960s, from fashion to Cold War tensions.
Every match felt like an action sequence, proving any subject becomes thrilling with the right storytelling.
7. The Umbrella Academy (2019–present)
Gerard Way’s comic about dysfunctional superheroes translated perfectly to Netflix’s quirky sensibilities.
Born on the same day to random women, these adopted siblings have powers but zero ability to get along.
Time travel, apocalypses, and family drama collide in the most entertaining ways possible.
Elliot Page and the ensemble cast bring humor to dark situations. Unlike typical superhero shows, this one cares more about emotional baggage than saving the world.
8. The Witcher (2019–present)
Andrzej Sapkowski’s Polish fantasy novels finally got the budget they deserved.
Henry Cavill’s passion for the source material shows in every sword fight as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter navigating a morally gray world.
Magic, political schemes, and destiny intertwine across multiple timelines that initially confused viewers. Once you figure out the timeline jumps, though, the storytelling clicks beautifully.
9. His Dark Materials (2019–2022)
This beloved trilogy deserved better than the 2007 movie attempt. HBO and BBC joined forces to properly adapt Lyra’s journey across parallel universes, complete with daemons and armored bears.
Stunning visual effects brought animal companions and subtle knives to life convincingly.
Themes about religion, growing up, and free will remained intact, unlike previous adaptations.
Fantasy fans finally got the faithful version they’d been waiting years to see.
10. Locke & Key (2020–2022)
A comic series mixed family drama with supernatural horror in the most creative ways.
After their father’s murder, three siblings discover magical keys in their ancestral home that unlock incredible powers and dangerous secrets.
Each key does something different, from leaving your body to opening portals to other dimensions.
Though toned down from the comics’ darker moments, the show captured the emotional core perfectly.
11. The Magicians (2015–2020)
Lev Grossman’s novels asked: what if Hogwarts students dealt with real adult problems?
Brakebills University teaches magic, but depression, relationships, and existential crises don’t disappear just because you can cast spells.
Dark humor balanced genuinely emotional moments as characters faced gods, alternate timelines, and their own demons.
Musical episodes became unexpected highlights, showcasing the cast’s surprising talents.
12. Sharp Objects (2018)
This psychological thriller became an eight-episode masterclass in tension.
Amy Adams played a journalist returning to her toxic hometown to cover murders while battling her own self-destructive tendencies.
Every frame dripped with Southern Gothic atmosphere, from the oppressive heat to family secrets.
Patricia Clarkson delivered chills as a mother whose love feels more like poison.
The finale’s reveal hits like a punch, leaving viewers stunned and disturbed.
13. Hannibal (2013–2015)
Harris’s novels got a visually stunning makeover that treated horror like high art.
Mads Mikkelsen brought terrifying elegance to Hannibal Lecter, making viewers almost forget about Anthony Hopkins’s iconic portrayal.
Food photography became nightmare fuel as gorgeous meals hid disturbing ingredients.
The relationship between Hannibal and Will Graham created psychological tension that kept audiences captivated.
Though canceled too soon, these three seasons remain some of television’s most beautifully disturbing work.
14. American Gods (2017–2021)
A complex novel about gods living in modern America became a visual feast.
Old deities from various mythologies struggle for survival as new gods of technology and media gain power. Surreal imagery and bold storytelling choices made every episode feel like a fever dream.
Behind-the-scenes drama affected later seasons, but the first season especially captured Gaiman’s unique vision.
15. Sherlock (2010–2017)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories got a brilliant modern update.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman brought Holmes and Watson to 21st-century London, swapping telegrams for text messages while keeping the core mysteries intact.
Clever visual effects showed deductions appearing on screen like thought processes made visible.
Each episode felt cinematic, treating classic cases with fresh perspectives. The show made being smart cool again, inspiring countless imitators but never quite being matched.
