Terror TV: 5 horror films that would make great television

The FacultyCourtesy of Dimension Films

While several horror remakes and reboots are quite great in their own right, there are many benefits to exploring material on television networks or streaming platforms. Our list includes five films, reasons we think theyd work well on TV and some potential ideas for their long-term success.

Lets get to it, shall we?

The BurbsCourtesy of Imagine Entertainment and Universal Pictures

The Burbs is a comfort movie if there ever was one. In typical Joe Dante fashion, the director blends satirical humor and accessible horror elements in ways that appeal to a broad audience or should have, rather. Though it featured immensely talented and popular cast members such as Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern and Corey Feldman, the film was only a modest success at the worldwide box office, bringing in just under $50 million.

The Burbs has since gained a well-deserved cult following, most of who would hate to see Dantes film rebooted in any capacity, but the material would undeniably lend itself well to a television series. The suburban setting, quirky characters and dark humor against a sunny backdrop are among details that bring to mind Netflixs successful sitcom Santa Clarita Diet, which just dropped its third season on the streaming service.

The tone of Santa Clarita Diet isnt too far off from that of The Burbs, so its success would essentially be a foregone conclusion. Add a likable cast to play fun characters, much like its film counterpart, and present those central characters with a mystery and potential threat to their suburban neighborhood. Its a recipe that couldnt possibly go wrong, even if youre a die-hard fan of the original.

The FacultyCourtesy of Dimension Films

Kevin Williamson was the god of 90s teen entertainment. In that decade alone, he developed and penned the first two Scream movies (a property that has already been explored on television), created a pop culture phenomenon in Dawsons Creekand wrote the screenplays for I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Faculty.

Young adult horror and mysteries are still all the rage in 2019, with shows such as Riverdale andChilling Adventures of Sabrina (among others) enjoying a great amount of success. The Lost Boys, a staple of teen-involved 80s horror, already has a television series in development, and The Faculty would be a wise choice to follow suit.

The idea is a simple one: cast a bunch of teens to portray all high school types and center their lives around a school-based alien invasion. While the film is a 90s favorite, utilizing the TV or streaming format would allow more time for the viewer to become attached and invested in the characters while representing modern teens, diverse cultures, and an updated way of life.

It would also pave the way for more twists or in-depth villain motivation, have more of an opportunity to expand beyond the school in future seasons and really play up the drama of being an alienated teenager among your peers. As is commonplace with Kevin Williamsons genre work, it would also present a chance for the property to give nods to famous horror films and hide fun Easter eggs for the scary movie crowd.

Excerpt from:
Terror TV: 5 horror films that would make great television