After the success that follows a blockbuster movie, filmmakers often contemplate a TV spin-off. These projects give the franchise a new lease of life and entertain fans with bite-size narratives. A cartoon revival usually attracts a younger audience and some animated TV shows go on to become more popular than the movie they're based on.

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Animated spin-offs tend to keep entertaining traits and amusing characters — sometimes voiced by original cast members. The show can even take the franchise in a new direction, allowing writers to further develop the fictional world and experiment with additional characters. While not every spin-off is a hit, some animated shows based on movies impress viewers and create nostalgic memories.

10 An Ace Ventura: Pet Detective TV Series Followed On From The Movies

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective TV series

After both Ace Ventura: Pet Detective movies came out, an animated spin-off of the same name was created. Seth McFarlane was among the writers throughout the show's two seasons. The original actors didn't lend their voices to the show, but the protagonist's gravity-defying hair and loud Hawaiian shirts remained.

The cartoon is crammed with recurring jokes and familiar catchphrases. Cops, Aguado and Emilio, are featured in the series as well as Ace's disturbing landlord, Mr. Shickadance. Although the hilarious show isn't as popular as the movies, the franchise's wacky humor lives on as Ace bizarrely goes about his business searching for missing animals with his pet monkey, Spike.

9 Jumanji Received An Animated Adaptation In The 1990s

Jumanji the animated series with Peter, Alan, and Judy

A cartoon version of Jumanji came out one year after the original movie. The animated series retained the three main characters and the mysterious board game responsible for their dangerously immersive adventures. Judy and Peter often bicker in the cartoon, but their personalities are timider in the 1995 movie. However, Alan Parrish resembles Robin Williams' demeanor and is portrayed by Bill Fagerbakke, the man behind Patrick Star.

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The dark fantasy cartoon exhibited creepy animation which was often out of proportion. But these imperfections didn't hinder the show's success, becoming popular with many viewers who were fans of the film. The animated series Jumanji lasted for 3 seasons and carried the franchise into the 21st century.

8 The Ghostbusters Released A Spin-Off At The Peak Of Its Popularity

Slimer, Winston, Venkman, Stantz and Spengler in The Real Ghostbusters animated series

The Real Ghostbusters was released after the first movie, at the peak of its popularity. The all-star cast didn't voice their animated counterparts, and their appearances differed slightly, but the characters' personalities remained. The spin-off allowed the show's writers to experiment with paranormal villains and terrifying monsters which led to some insane plots.

The show's 7 seasons feature references to pop culture — including the Ghostbusters movie it's based on — engaging younger viewers, adults, and fans of the franchise. The animated series paved the way for a second Ghostbuster movie and influenced another animated series, Extreme Ghostbusters.

7 The Mummy TV Series Takes Place After The Second Movie

Someone shoots a laser in The Mummy animated series

The Mummy TV series is set in 1938, five years after The Mummy Returns. Alex O'Connell has the manacle of Osiris magically attached to his wrist, and he travels the world with his parents and uncle in search of the scrolls of Thebes to break the curse, all the while running from Imhotep and his evil doings.

The cartoon retains the theme of mild horror with a dash of mystery and the Egyptian supernatural. The Mummy is action-packed and full of captivating characters and dangerous adventures. The cheesy jokes from Rick O'Connell remind viewers that the light-hearted animation is for children and the series focuses on Alex and his naive curiosity. Often seen on the Saturday morning cartoon lineup, The Mummy cartoon is nostalgic for many.

6 The Legend Of Tarzan Is One Of Disney's Best Spin-Offs

Tarzan and Jane from The Legend of Tarzan cartoon

Disney has made a handful of series which continue from their classic movies — such as Hercules, Timon & Pumbaa, and The Little Mermaid. The Legend Of Tarzan is considered by Disney fanatics to be one of the better spin-offs, and takes place after the 1999 film. In the cartoon, Jane and her father can talk with Terk and Tantor which allows for interaction between all the main characters who work together to overcome the harsh realities of the jungle.

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The Legend Of Tarzan sets the scene with an engaging theme song consisting of African drums, catchy lyrics, and Tarzan's iconic jungle call. The show has voice actors than the movie, but they do a terrific job. With action-packed narratives which are funny and exciting, the entertaining cartoon borrows aspects and characters from the original stories written by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

5 The Mask: Animated Series Features Big Band Music And Slapstick Humor

The Mask animated series cover

After Jim Carrey starred in The Mask, Stanley Ipkis and his dog Milo returned in an animated TV series. When Stanley wears the mask, he becomes wild and unpredictable and possesses some crazy abilities. Fans of the movie also know Ipkis enjoys watching cartoons. With this in mind, it made sense for the lively protagonist and his mystical mask to receive their own animated series.

The Mask: Animated Series features other characters seen in the movie, such as Mrs. Peenman, Peggy Brandt, and Stanley's therapist Dr. Neuman. The show's creators retained the big band music which sums up the franchise's character. The slapstick humor also appealed to younger viewers.

4 The Penguins Of Madagascar Pull Off Dangerous Feats

The Penguins Of Madagascar TV Series

The Penguins of Madagascar came out shortly after Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The quartet of espionage-wannabes consists of Kowalski, Rico, and Private who are led by their captain, Skipper. On their adventures, the flightless birds pull off dangerous feats with limited intelligence and cheap engineering.

Each of the show's three seasons had a generous number of episodes which helped to bridge the gap between movie releases and kept the franchise alive. Like the Jimmy Neutron franchise, The Penguins Of Madagascar shared the same high-quality computer animation style as its movie counterparts. The spin-off's success helped the penguins got their own movie years later.

3 The Black Dynamite Spin-Off Encourages Fans To Watch The Movie

Black_Dynamite_Animated_Series

In the years that followed the 2009 movie, the Black Dynamite animated series was released featuring impressive guest stars and side-splitting narratives. Michael Jai White plays the righteous kung fu crime-stopper in both mediums. The show also gives minor roles to the likes of John DiMaggio, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, and Samuel L. Jackson.

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After the movie's poor performance at the box office, creating an animated spin-off was a risk. In the end, it paid off. With a little help from some big names, the quirky cartoon reached a wider demographic. The spin-off's outrageous humor enticed viewers and encouraged many to watch the original movie.

2 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Filled In A Few Gaps

Poster for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series

When the second Star Wars trilogy was well underway, the feature films gave audiences a brief glimpse at the three-year-long war. In 2008, Star Wars: The Clone Warsreleased just months after the animated movie — began filling in the gaps. The spin-off expanded on the major events which took place, from the Battle of Muunilinst to the Siege of Mandalore.

In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, viewers saw more of Count Dooku and General Grievous in action and better understood their antagonistic relationship. The animated series also focused on the missions of Anakin Skywalker and his padawan. These untold stories ran for more than a decade and attracted fans, new and old.

1 Men In Black: The Series Shows Jay In Training

Men In Black: The Series 1997

In the animated series that followed the first movie, the Men In Black return to protect the world against the scum of the universe. In Men In Black: The Series, Kay mentors an inexperienced Jay as they police aliens living amongst human civilizations. The spin-off features creatures and locations seen in the movie as well as important characters like Zed, Jeebs, and the Twins, Bweryang and Bob.

Viewers learned more about the protagonists' job in the slick cartoon and got a closer look at their day-to-day lives. The animated series represented the spirit of the movie and comics, further prolonging the sci-fi franchise with gripping storylines and perplexing aliens. The show had a cool intro and the end credits were accompanied by an instrumental version of Will Smith's song, "Men In Black."