When animated television shows grow big, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if it gets a cinematic adaptation. Even if a series feels like it can’t get any better, with bigger budgets and focused attention, the production quality of a movie typically outshines its predecessor.
So, what are the best examples of this?
1. The End of Evangelion
Release date: July 19, 1997
Genre: Action, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Drama
Country of Origin: Japan
Directors: Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki
The End of Evangelion acts as an alternate ending to its televised counterpart—therefore, to avoid spoiling the entire series, I’ll propose the premise of Neon Genesis Evangelion as a whole. If you’re itching to watch the movie, but don’t want to commit to several episodes, Death & Rebirth is a movie that summarises the show for you.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a sci-fi mecha anime, set 15 years after a calamitous event set the world off its axis. It stars Shinji Ikari, a teen boy who has been tasked to operate an Evangelion to fend off Angels. Evangelions are biomechanical mechs and Angels are shapeshifting, regenerative and destructive beings. The show alludes to both Taoic and Abrahamic religions, alongside philosophical and psychological ideas to explore human motives.
2. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Release date: September 1, 2001
Genre: Neo-noir, Space Western, Action, Sci-fi
Country of Origin: Japan
Director: Shinichirō Watanabe
The Cowboy Bebop movie stands well on its own—you don’t need much knowledge from the show and it’s spoiler-free. Just like the series, the movie is set in 2071 in a universe where humans inhabit nearby moons and planets instead of a ruined Earth. The film surrounds the same set of protagonists—a group of bounty hunters who travel through the solar system on the spaceship Bebop.
The cinematic screening of Cowboy Bebop kicks off around the start of Halloween on Mars. Faye, a member of the crew, encounters an explosion that sets off a violent disease on the Martians. This event causes the government to set a hefty bounty on the culprit's head—which the passengers of the titular ship aim to earn. If neo-noir space western is a string of subgenres you’d enjoy, Cowboy Bebop and its series will be right up your alley.
3. The Simpsons Movie
Release date: July 26, 2007
Genre: Comedy, Action, Satire
Country of Origin: USA
Director: David Silverman
The Simpsons Movie is yet another film that doesn’t require much context before viewing. It’s a comedy based on the famed sitcom The Simpsons, following the titular family the same. The movie was chock-full of celebrity cameos and brands had endorsed elaborate marketing strategies. Where the latter included 7/11 temporarily changing its storefront to match The Simpsons’ fictitious mart. With fanciful ploys and a solid fanbase, there’s little left to wonder why the movie was a box-office hit.
This comedy starts off with Green Day—featuring the voice acting of the members themselves—teaching their audience about pollution. The crowd jeers and tosses trash onto stage, foreshadowing the town’s demise. Not long after, Homer pollutes Springfield with waste mostly from his pet pig, causing the area to be sealed off in a comically large glass dome.
4. Futurama: Bender’s Big Score
Release date: November 27, 2007
Genre: Comedy, Sci-fi, Action
Country of Origin: USA
Director: Dwayne Carey-Hill
Based on the animated series Futurama, Bender’s Big Score is a sci-fi comedy. It can be standalone—but you may want to watch the show first to avoid any spoilers. The television show centres around Fry, a human who was suspended in time for 1000 years. Once awoken from Fry’s cryogenic sleep, he stumbles across a galactical delivery company called Planet Express, where he meets the mutant Leela and the robot Bender. The three make up the main cast, where Fry is the protagonist—but in Bender’s Big Score, it’s evident where the shift in focus is on.
This animated movie adaptation surrounds a faulty Bender, who had been infected with a virus by three scamming, alien invaders. The trio force Bender to time travel to the past to steal ancient—and valuable—artifacts from Earth, including a doomsday device. With the convoluted mess that is time travel and doppelgangers, this film’s premise is optimal for comedy.
5. Haikyuu!!: The Dumpster Battle
Release date: February 16, 2024
Genre: Action, Sports, Comedy
Country of Origin: Japan
Director: Susumu Mitsunaka
This adaptation requires you to watch all four seasons of its show first—so if you like volleyball, anime or both, get to binging. Arguably one of the most beloved sports anime, Haikyuu!! concerns a small built teen named Hinata, who’s determined to achieve greatness in a sport where height is critical. He’s a student at Karasuno, as well as a member of its volleyball team.
The Dumpster Battle refers to the match between Karasuno and Nekoma—each school representative of crows and wildcats respectively. Both animated film and series adaptation of Haikyuu!! deal with themes of resilience, friendship and individuality. With heartfelt moments and thrilling matches, this volleyball anime resonates with the hearts of many.
Conclusion
This list doesn’t include every single movie adaptation of a series—otherwise, this list would exponentially grow. It’s a form that won’t be dying off anytime soon, whether they be spin-offs or sequels.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
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