12 Forgotten Cartoons That Were Based On Live Action Movies

BRB, Netflixing Friday: The Animated Series.

1. Friday: The Animated Series

Network: MTV2

Original run: June 24, 2007 – July 8, 2007

Plot: A cartoon loosely based on the popular Friday films (OK, the popular first Friday film). The series did have the involvement of Ice Cube's production company, Cubevision, and it also brought back the best character from the series, Smokey (obviously sans Chris Tucker voicing).

The series only lasted for eight episodes.

Friday: The Animated Series intro

2. Rambo: The Force of Freedom

Via frankshemanpage.net

Network: Syndicated

Original run: Sept. 15, 1986 – Dec. 26, 1986

Plot: Based on the Rambo films, well minus the over-the-top violence, blood, and gore. Also, this Rambo did not appear have any nipples or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

So really it was Rambo, with a G.I. Joe makeover. But the series did have a pretty intense intro.

Rambo: The Force of Freedom intro:

3. Dumb and Dumber

Via jumpedtheshark.co.uk

Network: ABC

Original run: Oct. 28, 1995 – Feb. 3, 1996

Plot: Based on the successful 1994 film of the same name, the series followed the continued misadventures of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, and their pet beaver. The show was cancelled after 13 episodes.

The series was one of three animated TV shows based on Jim Carrey films, the other two, Ace Ventura and The Mask, enjoyed much more successful runs.

Dumb and Dumber intro:

4. Godzilla: The Series

Network: Fox

Original run: Sept. 12, 1998 – April 22, 2000

Plot: The series picked-up directly after the events of the infamous (read: terrible) American-produced Godzilla movie.

The series featured a new Godzilla -- a single hatchling that survived the events of the movie – that helps the humans fight against new monsters.

Godzilla: The Series intro:

5. Jumanji

Via usa.istreamguide.com

Network: UPN

Original run: Sept. 8, 1996 – March 11, 1999

Plot: Based on the very popular 1995 film of the same name, the series ran for three seasons as part of UPN Kids block. While it did not feature Robin Williams reprising his role as Alan -- it did feature Ed Asner, Dabney Coleman, Cathy Moriarty, and Tim Curry in recurring guest-voice roles.

Jumanji intro:

6. The Karate Kid

Network: NBC

Original run: Sept. 9, 1989 – Dec. 16, 1989

Plot: Mr. Miyagi and Daniel abandoned the karate tournament circuit and headed on adventures around the world, in search of sacred shrine.

The Karate Kid intro:

7. Back to the Future: The Animated Series

Via fanpop.com

Network: CBS

Original run: Sept. 14, 1991–Dec. 26, 1992

Plot: The series takes place after the events of Back to the Future Part III, and featured a slew of whole new time traveling adventures of Marty McFly and the Brown family: Doc, his wife Clara, their sons Jules and Verne.

Sadly, Michael J. Fox did not reprise his role of Marty, but Mary Steenburgen did reprise her role as Clara and Christopher Lloyd appeared as Doc in the live-action wraparound segments; he was voiced by Dan Castellaneta (the voice of Homer Simpson) in the animated segments.

Back to the Future: The Animated Series intro:

8. Little Shop

Network: Fox

Original run: Sept. 7, 1991 – Nov. 30, 1991

Plot: Based on the musical film Little Shop of Horrors (which itself is based on musical, which is based on a 1960 Roger Corman movie) the series revolved around Audrey Junior, who was now a friendly plant -- that could also rap!

For obvious reasons the violence of the original source was toned down

Little Shop intro:

9. RoboCop: The Animated Series

Network: Syndication

Original run: Oct. 1, 1988 – Dec. 17, 1988

Plot: The series was the first animated series based on the film, the second, RoboCop: Alpha Commando, aired 10-years later.

RoboCop was also adapted into a short-lived live-action TV series in 1994.

RoboCop: The Animated Series intro:

10. The Wizard of Oz

Network: ABC

Original run: Sept. 8, 1990 – Dec. 1, 1990

Plot: Dorothy and Toto return to OZ after the Wicked Witch of the West is resurrected by the flying monkeys. The series was based on the 1939 film and incorporated some of the music.

The Wizard of Oz intro:

11. Police Academy: The Series

Network: ABC

Original run: Sept. 10, 1988 – Sept. 2, 1989

Plot: A toned version of the classic Steve Guttenberg films.

Also, the amazing theme song comes courtesy of the Fat Boys.

Police Academy: The Series intro:

12. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures

Network: CBS (season 1) and Fox (season 2)

Original run: Sept. 15, 1990 – Nov. 16, 1991

Plot: The further misadventures of everybody's favorite time-traveling slackers. The show was eventually cancelled in favor of Fox's live-action series, that did not star Keanu Reeves or Alex Winter -- which is probably why it never caught on and was cancelled after one season.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures intro: