Franchises are as powerful as they are unpredictable. These days, sequels, remakes, and spin-offs have become the norm, and usually, they're a pale echo of the original. But every so often, one of these recycled stories doesn't just match expectations, it surpasses them.
From sharp, sophisticated sitcoms to deeply moral origin stories, a fresh take on a wedding classic, and a much smoother heist story, when done properly, this reinvention can often become a bigger hit than the original. This list examines why each do-over or offshoot earns a seat at the top of the franchise hierarchy.
Cheers (1982) - Good Original Series
Cheers premiered in 1982, and although it struggled at first, the sitcom eventually found its audience. Although the story, set in the titular Boston bar, centered on the relationship between Sam Malone and Diane Chambers, it also thrived on the witty banter and workplace camaraderie of its supporting cast (Norm, Carla, Cliff, and others). While Cheers remains a foundational sitcom, Frasier built on that legacy with elevated wit, psychological nuance, and refined character arcs, making the spinoff feel like an evolution rather than just a continuation.
Frasier (1993) - Better Spinoff Series
Frasier Crane, the licensed psychiatrist we first met in Boston's Cheers, gets his own radio talk show in Seattle when he relocates in the Cheers finale. Aptly titled Frasier, the series explores his relationships with his equally refined, but neurotic, brother Niles, his blue-collar father Martin, and his colleague Roz and employee, Daphne. Primarily set in Frasier's posh apartment, the sitcom is filled with razor-sharp, highbrow humor about family dysfunction, ego, and class. The show also has far more emotional and intellectual depth than Cheers.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - Decent Original Film
The 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer film follows Kristy Swanson as Buffy Summers, a fashion-obsessed, valley girl cheerleader whose life revolves around shopping and school dances until a mysterious man named Merrick tells her she's destined to fight the forces of darkness. Initially resistant, Buffy gradually accepts her calling when vampires begin to infiltrate her social circle. The response to the movie was mixed due to its superficiality and tonal misfires. Today, the movie is seen as a novelty which, while historically important, lacks mythic scope and relatability.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) - Iconic Reboot Series
After being largely unsatisfied with the film, Joss Whedon turned his source material into the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series that premiered in 1997. Rather than a satirical teen comedy, Buffy became a serialized feminist forward saga about a teenage slayer and her friends battling demons and vampires, while navigating the ups and downs of high school life. The show pioneered season-long "big bad" arcs, blending standalone monster episodes and deeper mythology in a way that helped usher in the modern era of prestige television storytelling.
Breaking Bad (2008) - Great Original Series
Breaking Bad chronicles the life of high school chemistry teacher Walter White. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Walt decides to partner with his former student, Jesse Pinkman, to cook and sell crystal meth to secure his family's future. This life choice sets off a chain of moral decay, violence, and collapse. Due to its dramatic premise and unforgettable supporting characters (like Skyler, Hank, Saul, Gus, and Mike), the series established itself as one of television's masterpieces, a transformational, larger-than-life tragedy of ambition gone wrong.
Better Call Saul (2015) - Excellent Spinoff Series
Better Call Saul takes us to 2002, where Saul Goodman still went by his real name, Jimmy McGill. Working as a struggling public defender with hustler dreams, Jimmy slowly morphs into the morally flexible lawyer seen in Breaking Bad. The series carefully builds Jimmy's evolution through his fraught relationships with his brother Chuck, girlfriend Kim Wexler, and side characters like Mike and Howard. Loaded with moral ambiguity and dark comedy, the series is a study of ambition and ethical erosion, which culminates in a tragic arc that rivals that of its predecessor.
Father of the Bride (1950) - Fine Original Film
The 1950 Father of the Bride is a classic old Hollywood comedy that explores a father's whirlwind of emotions as he comes to terms with his daughter's sudden engagement. Told as a flashback, the story follows Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy), a successful middle-aged lawyer, as he recalls the moment his daughter Kay casually announces over dinner that she is engaged. The news shakes Stanley to his core. While his wife Ellie immediately springs into wedding-planning mode, Stanley is reluctant to accept that his little girl is growing up.
Father of the Bride (1991) - Hillarious Film Remake
At the time, the 1991 Father of the Bride remake re-imagined the story for contemporary audiences, adding physical comedy, sharper dialogue, and an emotional arc rooted in modern family dynamics, making the new version feel livelier. Steve Martin plays George Banks, a loving but overwhelmed father who is dreading his daughter's wedding. As Annie excitedly prepares for her big day, George spirals into full-on panic, losing his grip during a meltdown at the grocery store. The film plays out as a light-hearted domestic comedy about letting go and family bonds.
Ocean's 11 (1960) - Lacking Original Film
The 1960 Ocean's 11, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., is more of a vibe than a fully realized film. The plot loosely follows 11 World War II veterans who plan to rob five Las Vegas casinos on New Year's Eve, but the story takes a backseat to Rat Pack banter and mid-century cool. The film spends large chunks of time lingering on lounges, tuxedos, and Vegas nightlife, with far less focus on heist intricacies. It's a movie made more for fans of its stars than fans of storytelling, as it desperately lacks structure.
Ocean's Eleven (2001) - Competent Remake Film
The 2001 version of Ocean's 11 takes the premise of a Las Vegas casino heist and transforms it into a masterclass in ensemble filmmaking. With George Clooney and Brad Pitt leading the cast, the film assembles a team of 11 specialized criminals to rob three casinos on the same night. What could've been a flashy caper turns into a tightly choreographed ballet of strategy and spectacle, involving tech geniuses, disguises, and elaborate misdirection that keeps you guessing until the final twist. Unsurprisingly, the film became one of the most successful remakes of all time.
Where To Watch The Movies And TV Shows That Are Better Than The Originals Online
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