Many TV shows and movies today are based on successful or cult novels. While it's exciting for fans to see their favorite story on the small screen, adaptations can often leave other audiences feeling lost and confused. Although fantasy shows suffer the most from these issues, there are still other series that glaze over some of the book's information.

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This information might be key in the viewer's understanding of the protagonist. Whether it be because characters aren't introduced properly, exposition is skipped, or lore is unexplained, there are some shows that shouldn't be watched without reading the source material first.

8 Watchmen: A New Story In A Preexisting World

Sister Night, Looking Glass and the Police in Watchmen

Watchmen is a dark and brutal sequel to the graphic novel that follows Snyder's 2009 movie of the same name. Taking place 35 years after the events of the original Watchmen storyline, the show follows Angela Abar and various other heroes after the government has declared that all masked vigilantes should be treated as criminals.

Some band together to revolt and others aim to stop it before chaos ensues. Meanwhile, there is still the threat of the end of the world, which is caused by Dr. Manhattan. There is a lot of context behind the series which, if the viewer hasn't seen the Snyder movie or read the comics, will certainly be missing gravitas.

7 The Witcher: A Show Based On The Books And Games

Geralt in Netflix's The Witcher

Like Watchmen, The Witcher has a lot of context that viewers would certainly need if they haven't read the books or played the video games. While The Witcher is a great fantasy story, audiences will most likely miss the depth of Geralt's relationships with Ciri and Yennefer and his interactions with his other witchers such as Vesemir.

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Like any fantasy show, there is a lot of lore that explains the world of The Witcher, what the purpose of witchers is, and how magic works in their world. The show does not have enough time to explain this lore, and even if it did, it would omit much of the story.

6 Nightflyers: George R. R. Martin's Confusing Space Thriller

Poster of the cast of the TV show, Nightflyers

George R. R. Martin is a prolific writer who is most famous for his book series A Song Of Ice And Fire, which were adapted into Game Of Thrones. However, he has also penned several science-fiction works. Nightflyers follows the crew of the Nightflyer spaceship as they journey to the farthest reaches of space. Without having read the book, the show comes across as an odd combination of many sci-fi series and lacks the depth of the novella.

Having read the novella, audiences can understand the nuances of Nightflyers and the character motivations much better. As Martin's novella was released in 1980, Nightflyers was totally innovative. Although, without this context, the show is much like what audiences have already seen.

5 A Series Of Unfortunate Events: A Well-Known Children's Tale

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events cast - Sonny, Violet, Klaus, and Count Olaf

While Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events is a massively popular book series, many audiences might miss key context and character development if they have not read the books. The series is a much more successful adaptation of the novels than the 2004 movie that stars Jim Carrey.

Like any adaptation, there are important details that silver screen adaptations tend to miss from the books. A Series Of Unfortunate Events uses the narration as a crutch to use heavy exposition in scenes. This might cause the viewer to lose interest if they don't realize that the narration is part of Snicket's storytelling style.

4 Hannibal: A Gory Show Based On Thomas Harris' Novels

Poster of Hannibal (TV Show) cast

Based on the novel series by Thomas Harris, Hannibal was a hugely popular show with excellent acting and a dark setting. Without having read the books, viewers will miss out on most of the impact created by important characters, such as Will Graham and his relationship with the titular Hannibal Lecter.

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This is particularly important given that Hannibal takes place before the events of the novels and allows fans a chance to see Hannibal in his element before his arrest. Hannibal is not difficult to watch without having read the source material, but reading the books certainly lends to the viewing experience.

3 Shadowhunters: Young Adult Demon Hunting

Shadowhunters TV show cast

Shadowhunters gained a cult following after its premiere in 2016 and is based on Cassandra Clare's hugely successful young adult novel series, The Mortal Instruments. The show follows Clary Fray as she ventures to the Downworld in search of her missing mother. However, there is little exposition in the show beyond what Clary is and the world she finds herself in.

Many audiences may be disappointed by Shadowhunters' lack of depth and world-building. In the novels, there is extensive lore explaining the world of The Mortal Instruments. Without having read the books, audiences will likely be a little lost. The showrunners also made several changes in the show, taking away from the events of the books.

2 Patrick Melrose: A Mature Show Based On Real Events

Benedict Cumberbatch as Patrick Melrose

Patrick Melrose is a limited series that aired on Sky Atlantic in 2018. Based on the novels by Edward St Aubyn, Patrick Melrose follows the titular protagonist as he struggles with addiction, affluence, and childhood trauma. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Patrick and Hugo Weaving portrays his abusive father. With only five episodes, Patrick Melrose is not overly demanding but without having read the books, audiences might find it tedious.

Ultimately, the story is about a rich man navigating his life. The novels provide readers with rich details of Patrick's life and go deep into the psyche of a person who has experienced trauma and has no way of coping with it. Viewers must read the books to truly understand the show, rather than take it at face value.

1 The Stand: Another Stephen King Story Taken To Screen

Stephen King's The Stand in the TV adaptation

Many of Stephen King's novels and novellas have already been adapted into either movies or TV shows. Unfortunately, The Stand did not live up to expectations, mostly due to the fact that there was too much to tackle in one season. The show does have the same compelling premise as the novel but, due to lack of run time and poor adaptive writing, it misses much of the nuanced relationships and plot events that the book explores.

For example, the cause of the virus is somewhat glazed over in The Stand, yet the novel goes into deep detail to explain what it is and how it came to be. The Stand is a solid watch for those who have not read the book, but fans will best understand the plot if they read the novel before watching the show.