As the "first family of goth," The Addams Family was created by cartoonist Charles "Chas" Addams as an inversion to the "ideal" American Dream. The characters premiered in a 1938 cartoon strip in The New Yorker. The family includes parents Gomez and Morticia, children Wednesday and Pugsley, in-house workers, and extended family members Thing, Grandmama, Cousin Itt, Uncle Fester, and Lurch. A TV show featuring the mysterious and spooky clan first aired in 1964, and their popularity has only continued to grow.
The family's resonance with multiple generations of fans is evident in the multimedia adaptations popping up almost every decade. Each one adds something new to the Addams Family heritage while keeping in line with the lowbrow satire of the manicured lawn and white picket fence Addams captured in his original cartoon strips.
Read on to see how we've ranked all The Addams Family adaptations, including animated and live-action, TV and film — which ones we think should stay in the grave and which ones will live forever.
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12. The New Addams Family (1998–1999)
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The New Addams Family is the most disposable of all the property's iterations. Featuring a cast of relative unknowns, it also dragged back John Astin (Gomez on the original '60s series), this time portraying Grandpapa Addams in a glorified cameo that brought nothing new to the historic franchise.
The Canadian remake had a surprising 65-episode run and even a Game Boy Color video game based on it. One of the few bright spots was a return to the family's love of horror and gore, harkening back to the tone of the original comic strip. The success of the various remakes is often due to the caliber of the ensemble cast, and given this version had few familiar faces beyond Astin, it was ultimately underwhelming, lacking the solid scares of the older iterations.
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11. The Addams Family Fun House (1973)
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For a family that thrives on the strange and surreal, a musical variety show around the Addamses might have been too bizarre even for them. The idea never materialized beyond an unsold pilot, which aired on various channels from 1973 to 1974. Comedy bits included a dance party, musical numbers, and blue-screen gags such as the front door being opened to reveal a film of a man parachuting through the air.
While perhaps chuckle-worthy at the time, these jokes feel flat today. The humor of the Addams family has succeeded best when they are placed in contrast against "normal" society, not through physical comedy, cheap special effects, and improvisation. This adaptation failed not because of its cast or themes, but because it veered away from the sitcom format that made it so unique. That said, The Addams Family Fun House is still somewhat significant in retrospect for linking to the history of the Addams' potential Hispanic heritage, as this iteration was one of the first to cast a Latina — Puerto Rican American actress Liz Torres — to portray the Addams matriarch, Morticia.
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10. The Addams Family (1973)
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The first cartoon adaptation of The Addams Family lacked the chilling charm of the live-action TV series. Produced by Hanna-Barbera Studios, the show's dark humor and environment were toned down for a younger audience, created for the Saturday morning cartoon slot. While the 1960s black-and-white TV adaptation charted the family into its best and most well-known format, this cartoon returned the family to 2-D origins — and its softer tone is better enjoyed in The New Yorker cartoon strip.
Perhaps this version is best remembered for having a 10-year-old Jodie Foster voicing Pugsley, a gender-swapping performance that was certainly ahead of its time in 1973. The animated series also diverted from the live-action show's format by having the family on a road trip across the country, stopping at various cities where their dark sensibilities would clash against the boring ethos of Middle America.
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9. The Addams Family: The Animated Series (1992–1993)
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Building off of the success of the 1991 live-action feature film, Hannah-Barbera produced this animated reboot of The Addams Family, which ran for two seasons in the early-'90s on ABC. The cartoon featured legendary voice actors like Jim Cummings as Lurch, Rip Taylor as Uncle Fester, Carol Channing as Granny Frump, and John Astin returning from the original black-and-white television show to voice Gomez. The show also gave the Addamses a rival family to contend with, the Normanmeyers, who, as their surname suggests, wanted the creepy Addams clan out of their town.
Aimed at children, this series is the most accessible and watered-down version of the ghoulish family. Unfortunately, the show failed to bring anything new to the table or build upon what previous iterations had done. It relied too heavily on a rinse-and-repeat plot formula where the family encounters an issue they need to overcome collectively, which is neatly wrapped up by the end of the episode. It came across as a cash-in on the popularity of the live-action film, but failed at entertaining at the same level given the lack of dark tone, personality, and edginess that makes the family so unique.
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8. Halloween With the New Addams Family (1977)
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This seasonal made-for-TV special is an extension of the 1960s live-action show, with many original cast members, such as John Astin and Carolyn Jones (Morticia on the '60s show), returning. Halloween With the New Addams Family came out 11 years after the original series was canceled, meaning it was the first time viewers saw this specific cast in color, marking a dramatic change from the Addams' trademark black-and-white aesthetic.
As for the (somewhat underwhelming) plot, the Halloween special mostly centers around the family's gothic abode being robbed by thieves posing as fake Gomez and Morticia. In this case, fans of the original show are better off rewatching old episodes, as this special delivers a mediocre story line easily surpassed by standout episodes of the original TV series.
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7. The Addams Family 2 (2021)
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The success of the 2019 animated film spawned this sequel, which brought back the talented voice cast reprising their roles — minus Finn Wolfhard as Pugsley (Javon Walton does the voice instead). The story takes on a similar approach as the 1973 animated series, as it sees the Addamses leave their haunted mansion, embarking on a vacation to become closer. The family trip is also an attempt by Gomez (Oscar Isaac) and Morticia (Charlize Theron) to overcome fears that Wednesday (Chloë Grace Moretz), somehow, might have been switched at birth.
Throughout the haunted hijinks, the film mines the familiar territory of finding your family and fitting in. Though bordering on cliché cookie-cutter fan service, the plot at times stays fresh through the macabre tone and gothic characters of the Addamses. While it breaks little ground from its live-action counterparts, the talented voice cast and crisp, lively animation make it an easy watch for families looking to introduce their kids to the ghoulish gang. In the end, The Addams Family 2 succeeds with gorgeous animation despite its simple plot, as well as with engaging vocal performances. Hey, it's for the kids, after all.
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6. The Addams Family Reunion (1998)
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This direct-to-video film, disconnected from any previous adaptation, boasts another solid cast of actors: Tim Curry as Gomez, Daryl Hannah as Morticia, and veteran character actors Estelle Harris and Ed Begley Jr. in supporting roles. The 1990s saw the highest concentration of Addams Family media, with an assortment of films, television shows, and animated series premiering. Family Reunion was a reboot of sorts to the feature films of the early-'90s, as producers decided against another sequel after the death of Raul Julia, who had previously portrayed Gomez. Meanwhile, viewers had gotten used to the iconic chemistry between Julia and Anjelica Huston as Gomez and Morticia, making it difficult for the newcomers to leave their mark. Curry, in particular, is well known for portraying villains (1975's The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1990's It, 1992's FernGully: The Last Rainforest), but doesn't always strike the right balance as the lovable patriarchal oaf. Here, his dark sense of humor fits into the Addams clan's legacy, and he plays the role with gusto, as he does every performance. But Gomez's character has always been one of the lighter personalities in the family, meaning Curry may shine too brightly here, and not enough to elevate the rest of the film.
This one-off adaptation also lacks the budget and familiarity of the previous films, so it relies on amping up the "weirdness" of the Addamses in contrast to modern, conservative society. That mashing of cultures has always been at the heart of the family's story, but this iteration could have leaned on subtlety to drive that point home with a better script and a bit of restraint. Addams Family plots rarely matter, and this one utilizes a simplistic formula of an outsider looking to steal the Addams' fortune, only to be thwarted by the family's love of revenge and each other. While the plot is tired, the eclectic cast of character actors makes it worth a watch, though it's by no means the best of the bunch.
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5. The Addams Family (2019)
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Once again, what a cast! Along with Oscar Isaac stepping into the role of Gomez, Charlize Theron as Morticia, Finn Wolfhard as Pugsley, and Chloë Grace Moretz as Wednesday, The Addams Family animated film, in a bit of perfect casting, enlisted Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester. The well-known stars brought acting chops and recognizable voices without veering away from the previous film's dark humor. It had been more than 20 years since the last Addams Family reboot, introducing the clan to a new generation of viewers mostly unaware of their artistic history. Which is great, because the secret to a successful Addams adaptation has always been how well it walks the line between its dark sensibilities and themes of family and being yourself — and this iteration does both.
In addition, the soundtrack features a bevy of pop and rap stars like Snoop Dogg, Migos, and Christina Aguilera to appeal to a younger, hipper demographic. Production on a reboot started in 2010 but toiled in development hell until the CGI version was greenlit. But the wait paid off, as the film reignited the characters' popularity, though some critics were less than thrilled with its homage to the celebrated franchise.
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4. Wednesday (2022–present)
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The Netflix adaptation series focuses on the eldest child, Wednesday, this time played by Scream's Jenna Ortega. By casting the Hispanic Ortega and Luis Guzmán as Gomez, the show connects the family to their supposed Spanish origin, which has long been debated. (The family's Spanish ancestry was even hinted at in the episode "Art and the Addams Family" on the original black-and-white TV series.) In addition, Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday in the 1991 feature film adaptation and its sequel, returned to the franchise as Marilyn Thornhill, a teacher at Wednesday's new school, Nevermore Academy. This level of fan service elevated the series by bringing back the most memorable actor and character from the early-'90s films. It also gave Ricci the opportunity to officially pass the torch of the iconic Wednesday to Ortega. Furthermore, the Addams gang is made up of Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley, Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester, and Victor Dorobantu's hand as Thing.
Helmed by macabre maestro Tim Burton, this spinoff obviously stands out from the Addams adaptation canon by putting Wednesday center stage, this time as a schoolyard detective at an academy for monstrous pupils, where she uses her budding psychic abilities to solve the murders perpetuated by a mysterious creature. And so far, critics and viewers alike are reveling in this fresh take on a pop culture favorite, as it debuted at No. 1 on Netflix and has become one of the most-watched English language series in the streamer's history. Wednesday has also drawn praise for Ortega's Emmy-nominated performance, as she manages to carry her character's torch in all the necessary ways (that foreboding gaze, a less-is-more comedic timing) while also making Wednesday her own.
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3. The Addams Family (1991)
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The first film adaptation of the Addams Family boasts an excellent ensemble cast of A-list actors. Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston play the gothic patriarch and matriarch roles with unmatched passion, whispering sweet nothings in the moonlight (many related to death). Having two award-winning actors of their caliber — along with Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, Christina Ricci in her first (and perhaps, the most culturally iconic) turn as Wednesday Addams, and Judith Malina as Grandmama — elevates the film to one of the best movie versions of the horror-loving family. Julia and Huston build upon the passion-filled chemistry of John Astin and Carolyn Jones while adding an extra layer of gravitas with their acting chops. The film also gives each major and minor family member a chance to shine, especially character actor Carel Struycken (Twin Peaks' ominous giant/"Firefighter"), perfectly cast as the lovable butler, Lurch. The film also excels at building the spooky spectacle of the clan's castle, which squeaks and squirms with a life of its own, full of hidden rooms and mysterious history.
Improved special effects at the time made for the best portrayals of some of the family's most unusual members, like Cousin Itt and Thing, which were depicted by early (and often crude) special effects in previous iterations. But it's the chemistry of the cast, each expertly selected, that brings a heightened level of authenticity and portrayal to the titular family. Many old TV shows were revived during the '90s — including The Beverly Hillbillies, Dennis the Menace, and Leave It to Beaver — but none were as entertaining or well-cast as this one.
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2. Addams Family Values (1993)
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The sequel to the beloved 1991 film has a more straightforward plot, which feels more in line with the Addams family's unique ability to walk the line between horror and comedy. Uncle Fester falls in love, although his bride-to-be (Joan Cusack) turns out to be a serial killer out for murder — and Fester's inheritance. The film is a bit cheesier than its predecessor, but gets by on the talent of its ensemble and the genuine wit of its script. Cusack is at her huckster best as the film's antagonist, but Addams Family Values is a star vehicle for Lloyd, who is the quintessential Uncle Fester in the eyes of most present fans. The film is able to focus more on his lovesick bachelor as the main character because of the indelible performance from Lloyd, who never lets his Igor-like Fester come off as a one-note caricature.
Meanwhile, the film's standout subplot centers on Wednesday (Ricci) and her brother Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) being forced to attend a summer camp where their gore-loving outsider ways clash with the "normie" campers. This narrative is far more interesting than the central story line, and Wednesday's subsequent popularity might have inspired producers of the namesake Netflix series to create a vehicle around her.
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1. The Addams Family (1964–1966)
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The first-ever adaptation of The Addams Family set the blueprint for the various versions we would see throughout the decades. As Gomez, Astin brought a sophisticated, playboy essence to the family patriarch, adding a lusty undertone between him and Jones' Morticia unseen on television at that time. Innovative and transgressive for its era and genre, the show was a far departure from the original black-and-white comic strip. It's one of the most iconic series of the 1960s, aptly encapsulating the tone and torment embedded in the source material.
Before the Addams family's first TV adaptation, there was nothing else like it. It premiered just a mere few days before The Munsters, another monsterish family sitcom (which also had a film reboot premiere on Netflix around the same time as Wednesday). But still, Addams was first, and, when it premiered, it deconstructed the white-washed nuclear family portrayals that were par for the course for viewers (and, sadly, are often still today). The show pushed the boundaries on how women were portrayed, as more than just dutiful objects, and instead as independent-thinkers, passionate, pessimistic individuals. Come for the spooky laughs, and stay for a fantastic cast, sharp and witty dialogue, and crisp black-and-white cinematography. Also, who could forget the finger-snapping theme song?
