:
The Movie is a heavily expanded, one-shot episode of a TV series usually meant for theatrical distribution. Often times the film will be used to further the storyline of the show (see
Myth Arc). However, usually there are other motivations for this, generally involving
green slips of paper going into the pockets of film executives from the hard-working fanbase of a show. Although not always, The Movie tends to be an
Ur Example or two to three hour long summary of the series or franchise in question, as well.
This trope primarily dates from before DVD, and occurred a lot during the 80s and early 1990s. A cinematic feature was considered much more important for a particular series or franchise at the time, than it would be now; although it can still sometimes occur. Although not always,
The Movie tends to be a death knell for the franchise in question, as well.
Not all movies are
The Movie; compare
Non-Serial Movie and
The Film of the Series. See also
Made-for-TV Movie, and note that not
all examples of
The Movie are theatrical. (A
Reunion Show, for instance, will often take the form of a movie.) Most anime movies, for example, are either
non-serial adventures or the
Arc or
Myth Arc of the entire series compressed into the space of two hours. The latter frequently requires an
Alternate Continuity to pull this off.
Frequently, The Movie will decide to raise the stakes (often changing the dynamic of the original work) so it can be a
Big Damn Movie. It can also act as the
Grand Finalenote or a Series Fauxnale, should they make sequels. There is also the
Compilation Movie.
If it's a series' first attempt at making one, it might even be called some variation of
Title: The Movie. You know, in case you didn't realize.
For the inverse, a series based off a movie, see
Recycled: The Series.
If you came here from a link in the
Literature section of a page, see
The Film of the Book and
go back and correct the link. Then
take a drink.
Examples are sorted according to the original source.
Examples with their own subpages:
Other examples
Comic Books
- Zipi y Zape: One in 1981, which almost nobody in Spain remembers today.
Fan Works
Music
