8 TV Shows That Failed — And the Animated Version You’ll Love
From budget constraints to wooden acting, many TV shows struggled to bring their ambitious visions to life. We explore which ones could’ve shined — and possibly survived — as animated series instead.
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| TV Shows That Should’ve Been Animated (And How That Would’ve Saved Them) |
Ever Watched a Show and Thought “This Would Be Better as a Cartoon?”
You’re not alone.
TV history is full of live-action series that had amazing concepts but poor execution. Often, the limitations came down to things like budget, casting, visual effects, or direction — things that could be reimagined with freedom and flair in animation.
This isn’t about wishing everything looked like Rick and Morty or BoJack Horseman. It’s about understanding why certain ideas work better when you’re not limited by the rules of reality.
Let’s dive into 8 shows that should have been animated — and exactly how that could have changed their fate.
1. “Terra Nova” (2011)
The Premise
Time travel. Dinosaurs. A dystopian Earth. Sounds like a hit, right?
But “Terra Nova” never lived up to its epic sci-fi premise — mostly due to stiff acting, bloated budget, and underwhelming CGI.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- Animated dinosaurs wouldn’t feel cheap or clunky
- Stylized world-building could explore alien-like fauna and flora
- Character designs could be more expressive and genre-appropriate
Animated Version: Think Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
2. “The Shannara Chronicles” (2016–2017)
The Premise
Based on Terry Brooks’ high-fantasy novels, the show had all the makings of a fantasy epic — but its CW-style aesthetics and casting fell flat.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- The rich lore and magical battles would shine in stylized animation
- Avoids the uncanny “teen soap meets Tolkien” vibe
- World-building becomes far more immersive
Animated Version: A hybrid of Castlevania and Arcane visuals
3. “Inhumans” (2017)
The Premise
Marvel’s Royal Family on the Moon. The comic was legendary. The show? Not so much.
“Inhumans” was plagued by budget issues, bad wigs, and zero chemistry.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- Characters like Medusa and Lockjaw require visual imagination
- An animated Black Bolt could actually convey emotion without dialogue
- Cosmic Marvel works best when not tethered to realism
Animated Version: Done right, it could rival What If…? in scope and design.
4. “Ghost Whisperer” (2005–2010)
The Premise
Jennifer Love Hewitt helped ghosts “cross over” while managing a shop. It was popular, but often unintentionally cheesy.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- Stylized ghosts and afterlife scenes could enhance the emotional depth
- Avoids melodramatic acting with more subtle, symbolic visuals
- Flexible tone: can shift between eerie and heartfelt
Animated Version: Think Coraline meets Over the Garden Wall
5. “Powerless” (2017)
The Premise
Set in the DC Universe, this comedy followed a group of normal folks in a superhero insurance company. Clever idea — awkward execution.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- Superhero antics are easier (and cheaper) to animate
- Quirky tone fits well with exaggerated character designs
- More creative freedom for superhero cameos and absurd scenarios
Animated Version: A workplace comedy in the vein of Harley Quinn meets The Office
6. “Revolution” (2012–2014)
The Premise
What if all the electricity in the world just… stopped? A high-concept thriller that started strong, then fell apart due to inconsistent writing and awkward pacing.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- Could visualize power struggles and “energy-relics” in a stylized way
- Less reliance on awkward practical effects
- More dynamic action sequences and emotional depth
Animated Version: Picture a Studio MAPPA production with Attack on Titan-level energy
7. “Moonlight” (2007–2008)
The Premise
A vampire P.I. falls in love with a mortal woman. Cancelled after one season, despite a cult following.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- Gothic-noir aesthetic suits stylized animation
- Vampire transformations and flashbacks could be visually lush
- Would stand out in the crowded supernatural drama genre
Animated Version: A noir take like Batman: The Animated Series meets Castlevania
8. “Another Life” (2019–2021)
The Premise
Space travel, alien tech, and first contact. Sadly, Another Life was dragged down by soap-opera drama and bland visuals.
Why Animation Would’ve Saved It
- Cosmic horror elements would have more room to shine
- Characters could be reinvented with better pacing and design
- Sci-fi scenes wouldn’t be limited by FX budgets
Animated Version: Sci-fi anime energy like Psycho-Pass or Ergo Proxy
Why This Happens: The Animation Advantage
Animation removes limitations. Here’s what it allows for:
| Challenge in Live Action | Animation Advantage |
| Bad special effects | Visual freedom and polish |
| Budget limitations | Cost-effective worldbuilding |
| Bad acting | Voiceover fixes & control |
| Overly “serious” tone | Easier tonal experimentation |
Some shows are simply too ambitious to work in live-action without massive investment or perfectly cast actors. Animation gives creators control over mood, movement, and even metaphors.
Final Word: Reimagine the Medium
This isn’t a knock against live-action storytelling. But if animation had been the first choice for some of these shows, they might have:
- Lasted longer
- Found a loyal fanbase
- Received critical acclaim
Animation isn’t just for kids — it’s a storytelling powerhouse that saves many great ideas from becoming mediocre reality.
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