Some films make perfect sense as TV series, but most of these will leave you scratching your head.
"Freddy's Nightmares" (1988-1990)
Based on: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Why it was a strange choice: Horror on TV is always a tough sell, especially when it's as dark and gruesome as the Nightmare on Elm Street series. People don't want to invite Freddy into their homes every week.
What made it weird: But there was very little Krueger in this show, despite the title. Instead, Freddy's Nightmares became an anthology series, with Freddy introducing the stories. He had nothing better to do, apparently.
Image by Warner Bros.
"Ferris Bueller" (1990)
Based on: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Why it was a strange choice: The movie is about one extraordinary day in a young man's life. Who cares what Ferris does with the rest of his week?
What made it weird: The series decided to go meta and offer the real Ferris Bueller, who condemned the film adaptation of his life and even destroyed a cardboard cut-out of Matthew Broderick. You know, the only actor who could make that dick Ferris charming.
Image by CBS
"Beetlejuice" (1989-1992)
Based on: Beetlejuice (1988)
Why it was a strange choice: The Beetlejuice character in the movie is malevolent and creepy, which doesn't exactly translate well to a kids' cartoon.
What made it weird: The show dropped just about everything from the film and chose to focus on Beetlejuice's friendship with young Lydia Deetz. So, yes, it's about a 14-year-old girl and her BFF, a dead guy who died during the Black Plague.
Image by Warner Bros.
"Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" (1973)
Based on: Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)
Why it was a strange choice: The movie is about a foursome. You can't do that on television — especially not in 1973.
What made it weird: Nothing about the original movie screams "sitcom," which is probably why this show flopped so hard. All of the content was toned down, so the only "sexual liberation" on display here is seriously repressed.
Image by Columbia Pictures Television
