Special Report
25 Best TV Shows Getting Rebooted
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Television programming is never a sure thing. Every year, networks try out a new lineup of shows, eager to see which ones audiences tune in for and can be extended for another season and which ones are losing fans and can be banished to the graveyard of canceled programs.
Nobody is perfect, however, and programming executives are no exception. Canceled shows are frequently brought back to air for a number of reasons, including audience demand or corporate belief that there is more money to be made on network-owned intellectual property. These reboots are sometimes continuations of the original storylines, presented in multiple episodes or one-off films, and sometimes they’re brand new takes on the original shows’ basic premises.
To determine the best TV shows getting rebooted, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on Internet Movie Database user ratings and Wikipedia page views of the original shows.
Click here to see the 25 best TV shows getting rebooted.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
25. Amazing Stories
> Original run: 1985-1987
> IMDb rating: 7.5/10
> Revival status: In production at Apple
A reimagining of Steven Spielberg’s 1980s anthology series “Amazing Stories” is currently in production. The series is being developed by Apple and is expected to debut on the company’s much rumored upcoming video-streaming platform.
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24. Party of Five
> Original run: 1994-2000
> IMDb rating: 6.8/10
> Revival status: Pilot ordered by Freeform
Television channel Freeform announced a pilot order of this reboot in September 2018. While the original series told the story of five siblings who lost their parents in a drunk-driving accident, the updated version will follow five siblings whose parents are deported to Mexico.
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23. The Jetsons
> Original run: 1962-1963
> IMDb rating: 7/10
> Revival status: In development at ABC
According to ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey, a live-action reboot of the classic cartoon is in the development stage at the network. The series is being executive produced by Robert Zemeckis, who directed films such as “Back to the Future” and “Forrest Gump.”
22. Kim Possible
> Original run: 2002-2007
> IMDb rating: 7.2/10
> Revival status: Movie in development at Disney Channel
The Disney Channel will reboot the beloved animated series that ran from 2002 to 2007 as a live action movie that’s slated to be released in 2019. America’s favorite teen cheerleader and part-time crime fighter will be played by Sadie Stanley .
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21. Æon Flux
> Original run: 1991-1995
> IMDb rating: 7.8/10
> Revival status: In development at MTV
Female assassin Æon Flux returns to the small screen — and to her original home at MTV through its new production unit, MTV Studios. Only now it will be shot as a live-action series.
20. Roswell
> Original run: 1999-2002
> IMDb rating: 7.5/10
> Revival status: Ordered to series by The CW
The alien drama that aired from 1999 to 2002 will see most of the original cast return. It is set to debut mid-season in 2019 on The CW as “Roswell, New Mexico.” Still adapted from Melinda Metz’s “Roswell High” novels, the reboot takes place 10 years after high school.
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19. ALF
> Original run: 1986-1990
> IMDb rating: 7.4/10
> Revival status: In development at Warner Bros.
Centered on the cat-eating Alien Life Form, aka ALF, the sitcom ran for four seasons, from 1986 to 1990. It is now in the early stages of development at Warner Bros. Television.
18. Top Boy
> Original run: 2011-2013
> IMDb rating: 8.2/10
> Revival status: Premiering on Netflix in 2019
Ten new episodes of “Top Boy” are on tap, delivering the third season of the crime drama. The show will launch in 2019 and run on Netflix with Drake as executive producer.
17. Miami Vice
> Original run: 1984-1990
> IMDb rating: 7.5/10
> Revival status: In development at NBC
Rumors of a “Miami Vice” reboot began in 2017. Vin Diesel and his production company, One Race Television, is to produce the show under a deal with Universal Television. Word is that the cop drama would air on NBC during the 2018-2019 season.
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16. The L Word
> Original run: 2004-2009
> IMDb rating: 7.6/10
> Revival status: In development at Showtime
“The L Word” follow-up series has been in development at the Showtime Networks for about a year now. The show, about a group of lesbians in West Hollywood, will again feature Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig, and Leisha Hailey.
15. Animaniacs
> Original run: 1993-1998
> IMDb rating: 7.9/10
> Revival status: Received two season order from Hulu
The popular animated series about a trio of siblings — the Warner brothers, Yakko and Wakko, and sister Dot — has already been ordered for two seasons and will appear on Hulu. The series will be co-produced by Amblin TV and Warner Bros. Animation, with Steven Spielberg returning as executive producer, for a 2020 release.
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14. Rugrats
> Original run: 1990-2006
> IMDb rating: 7.5/10
> Revival status: Received order from Nickelodeon
The popular children’s cartoon from the 1990s is getting a reboot — and then some. Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures have signed on for 26 episodes animated series as well as a live-action movie with a 2020 release date.
13. Tales of the City
> Original run: 1993-2001
> IMDb rating: 8.7/10
> Revival status: Received order from Netflix
Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City” will get 10 new episodes for Netflix with Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis to reprise their roles. The fourth installment, slated for 2019, is a Working Title Television and NBCUniversal International studios co-production.
12. Profit
> Original run: 1996
> IMDb rating: 8.7/10
> Revival status: In development
Antihero drama “Profit,” which originally had a mere four episodes on Fox in 1996, is being developed by director/producer Tawnia McKiernan. The show is about a young executive who is not above blackmail, extortion, and murder to get what he wants.
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11. The Munsters
> Original run: 1964-1966
> IMDb rating: 7.9/10
> Revival status: In development at NBC
NBC said in 2017 it was planning a reboot of the monster comedy classic, with Late Night host and Saturday Night Live grad Seth Meyers on board as executive producer. The sitcom, which originally ran from 1964 to 1966 in California, switches coasts, with the family landing in Brooklyn, New York, struggling to fit in.
10. Rocko’s Modern Life
> Original run: 1993-1996
> IMDb rating: 8/10
> Revival status: Premiering on Nickelodeon in 2018
Nickelodeon’s “Rocko’s Modern Life,” about a wallaby adjusting to American life, has completed production on a one-hour animated special, “Rocko’s Modern Life: Static Cling,” that is expected to air on the network in 2018. In the special, Rocko comes back to Earth after many years in space and experiences yet another re-adjustment.
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9. Daria
> Original run: 1997-2002
> IMDb rating: 8.1/10
> Revival status: In development at MTV Studios
MTV will bring back “Daria,” which ran from 1997 to 2002, but intends to reinvent it as “Daria & Jodie,” two best friends, though Jodie is popular at school, while Daria is not. Grace Edwards, who wrote “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “Inside Amy Schumer,” will write the show, which is in development.
8. Invader Zim
> Original run: 2001-2004
> IMDb rating: 8.3/10
> Revival status: In production at Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon brings back “Invader Zim” as a made-for-TV 90 minutes movie and in 2-D, titled “Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus!” The alien continues on his quest for world domination… with predictably poor results.
7. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
> Original run: 2008-2014
> IMDb rating: 8/10
> Revival status: Received order from Disney
Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming service will bring back the animated series with 12 new episodes. These episodes may mark the end of the Clone Wars story, as alluded to by Dave Filoni, who oversees the project.
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6. Young Justice: Outsiders
> Original run: 2010-2013
> IMDb rating: 8.7/10
> Revival status: In production at Warner Bros. Animation
“Young Justice,” which ran on the Cartoon Network’s DC Nation block from 2010 to 2013, gets a third installment as “Young Justice: Outsiders,” which will premiere in 2019. The show centers on teenage superheroes, and episode 1 involves meta-human trafficking and a new intergalactic threat.
5. Psych
> Original run: 2006-2014
> IMDb rating: 8.4/10
> Revival status: Movie sequel in development, currently on hold
Fans of the hit show will be thrilled to know that Universal Cable Productions and USA Network plan a movie sequel to the 2017 film, “Psych: The Movie.” At present, the project is on hold due to scheduling conflicts of the show’s main actors, James Roday and Dule Hill, but interest remains.
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4. Deadwood
> Original run: 2004-2006
> IMDb rating: 8.7/10
> Revival status: Received order from HBO
Fans awaiting the return of “Deadwood” will be interested to know that HBO received a tax credit to the tune of $4 million, signaling a strong commitment to revive it — in movie form. Casey Bloys, president of HBO, said the next installment of “Deadwood” would start production in October 2018 with the potential for a 2019 release.
24/7 Wall St.3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
> Original run: 1997-2003
> IMDb rating: 8.2/10
> Revival status: In development
The beloved series, which ran from 1997 to 2003, is in the very early stages of development for a reboot. Gary Newman, chairman and CEO of Fox Television Group, confirmed the talks. It’s also known that original series creator Joss Whedon will serve as executive producer.
2. The Sopranos
> Original run: 1999-2007
> IMDb rating: 9.2/10
> Revival status: Script in development at New Line Cinema
The highly acclaimed American crime drama series is getting a prequel movie that dates back to the 1960s, specifically during the Newark riots when African Americans and Italian-Americans in New Jersey were in great conflict. New Line purchased the script written by David Chase, creator of “The Sopranos,” and writer Lawrence Konner, with the working title, “The Many Saints of Newark.”
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1. Prison Break
> Original run: 2005-2017
> IMDb rating: 8.4/10
> Revival status: In development at Fox
Fans will be thrilled to know that Fox Network President Michael Thorn confirmed that “Prison Break,” season 6, is in the very early stages of development. Fox Chairman and CEO Gary Newman noted that the new season would likely not have a new cast.
Detailed findings:
Many rebooted shows have been off the air for over 20 years. NBC’s sitcom “ALF” was canceled in 1990. The original run of “The Munsters” came to an end in 1966. Both of these programs will be reintroduced this season. Those too young to be familiar with these shows will know them for the first time in their updated approaches as their original sitcom formats may not be relevant to today’s viewers.
Other rebooted shows ended more recently. Realizing there is still significant demand for these shows, networks have made the financially sounds decision to resurrect them. After the popular detective series “Psych” was canceled in 2014, the USA network released “Psych: The Movie” in 2017. Producers have returned to the property again in order to develop a sequel to the film, thanks largely to audience enthusiasm.
Fox also refused to let the popular drama “Prison Break” permanently end. After concluding in 2016, the network quickly revived the series as “Prison Break: Resurrection.” Now Fox plans to bring back the show, in some form, yet again.
Notably, nine of the 25 best shows getting rebooted are animated series. Shows like “Daria,” “Rugrats,” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” are far less subject to issues such as aging actors, which restrict many live action shows from being rebooted. This is also the reason that many rebooted series hire all new casts.
Methodology:
To determine the 25 best TV shows getting rebooted, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on the original show’s IMDb rating, the number of IMDb user reviews, and daily average Wikipedia page views for the two years starting September 18, 2016. Television reboots of movies were not considered, however television shows that are being rebooted as movies were. To be considered, a show must either be in active development with a network or scheduled to premiere in the coming year. While most of these shows have not been on the air for decades, a few are considered reboots because they completed the ordered season without being renewed and were renewed for another season later on.
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