19 TV Reboots and Continuations Totally Worth Watching

Sharing is caring!

The entertainment industry has often been compared to the Wild West, particularly when it comes to television. Determining what type of content audiences prefer, which time slot to air it, and which platform to use can take time and effort.

So, it’s no surprise that Hollywood sometimes returns to the same well, hoping to strike gold again. Many of these attempts to cash in on nostalgia fail horribly, but some are genuinely good shows that build on what the original series left behind. We’ve searched this long list for the best reboots.

1. The Twilight Zone

Jordan Peele took a massive risk when he decided to narrate the reboot of one of the most influential TV programs of all time. Entertainment critics and fans regard The Twilight Zone as a nearly perfect show that changed how the world views television programming.

The reboot attempts to tackle modern issues of inequality in a similar vein to the original series, with varying success. While competing with the original series is impossible, the reboot puts forth a solid effort that deserves a watch. Both seasons of the reboot are available on Freeview.

2. Lost in Space

One of the most iconic quotes from the 1960s TV show Lost in Space is “Danger, Will Robinson!” but many people today are unaware of its origins. Although the sci-fi drama series only lasted three seasons, it influenced the majority of1970s and 1980s sci-fi productions.

Netflix rebooted the show in 2018 for a new generation of fans. The series improved upon the original with modern effects and a more progressive storyline. The series lasted three seasons and was streamed on Netflix.

3. Battlestar Galactica

An argument can be made that Battlestar Galactica is the most significant television reboot ever. The reboot has been so successful that many fans don’t even realize it reimagines a 1970s TV show.

Battlestar Galactica achieved this feat by taking a more dramatic approach than its original version. Including modern special effects also helped since the sci-fi premise relies heavily on futuristic technology.

4. Doctor Who

Many cite Doctor Who as the longest-running TV show to date. But the series ended in 1989 and was rebooted 16 years later. This reboot took the show in new directions and provided an edgier vibe that fits our modern era.

Doctor Who is a constantly evolving show that challenges viewers’ expectations. The 2024 season will act as another reboot for the iconic show. Actor Ncuti Gatwa’s first season will be titled season one to reflect this change.

Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.

5. American Idol

Many people don’t know that American Idol was canceled at one time. The hugely successful show has been such a staple of American television that it’s always been here. But after its run on Fox from 2002 to 2016, the series was canceled before being picked back up by ABC in 2018.

The reboot removed some of the original show’s harder edges and focused more on a sense of community. This approach worked well for the show, which still enjoys healthy viewership each year. American Idol plays on Hulu.

6. The X-Files

The X-Files defined a decade of television and inspired many of the great shows of the 2000s with its monster-of-the-week format. Not only that, but it’s also partly responsible for making nerd culture cool on television.

The 2016 reboot gets criticized for not holding up to the original show, but that would have never been possible. If viewed as a stand-alone series, The X-Files is a great drama that deserves our attention.

7. Duck Tales

It isn’t typical for a reboot to be considered better than its source material. But that’s just what happened with the 2017 Duck Tales. This version of the series won over fans by improving on the original and making bold plot decisions.

Duck Tales is also full of fan service and Disney lore that sends fans down the rabbit hole searching for answers. The series lasted three seasons on Disney Plus.

Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.

8. Queer Eye

Bravo wouldn’t have reached such a high level of success without its flagship show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. This show worked as a melting pot between queer and straight fashion that became a staple in many family homes.

The Queer Eye reboot keeps many of these aspects while focusing more on diversity and inclusion. The reboot is in its ninth season on Netflix.

9. The Conners

If you can put aside the Roseanne Barr controversy, the reboot of Roseanne is a quality sitcom. The Conners picks up where the original Roseanne left off in 1997, minus its leading matriarch. This was a considerable risk on ABC’s part.

Still, the show’s working-class dynamic and chemistry among the original cast worked to pull in audiences. Watch The Conners on Hulu and Apple TV.

10. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

The original Sabrina the Teenage Witch entertained a generation of viewers with its campy humor and whimsical storyline. Netflix decided to tell the story differently when rebooting the show in 2018.

This new version offers audiences a darker, more adult version of the teenage witch and her exploits. This change in tone worked, and the series enjoyed success during its four-season run. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina plays on Netflix.

11. Beavis and Butthead

Back when MTV was known for its edgy comedy shows, Beavis and Butthead reigned supreme as the king of fart jokes. This iconic show came from the unique mind of Mike Judge, who’d later go on to make shows like King of the Hill.

After a failed attempt to reboot the show in 2011, Paramount Plus revived it in 2022, and a new generation of viewers has accepted it. The series works because it stays true to the crass humor that made it famous in the first place. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

12. And Just Like That

Sex and the City was a pop culture phenomenon still cherished by many today. The series was so popular that it created two films and a short-lived spin-off titled The Carrie Diaries. But this wasn’t enough to keep fans satisfied.

Luckily, HBO was happy to fulfill fans’ desires and created And Just Like That in 2021. Set 11 years after the finale of Sex and the City, And Just Like That shows audiences how the original cast navigates life in the city in their 50s. The series currently has two seasons available on Max.

Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.

13. Wipeout

During its run time from 2008 through 2014, Wipeout was one of the most-watched game shows on network television. Fans adored this show for its wacky hijinks and unrivaled comedy. After the series was canceled in 2014, Wipeout remained popular on sites such as YouTube.

This popularity convinced TBS to reboot the show with new hosts, John Cena and Nicole Byer. Fans have praised the reboot for staying true to what made the show fun in the first place, mainly people getting hurt in funny positions. The Wipeout reboot is still airing on Max.

14. Will and Grace

This series is regarded as influencing the acceptance of LGBTQ individuals during the early 2000s. Will and Grace was one of the first sitcoms to feature openly gay characters attempting to navigate a complicated world.

Some have criticized the reboot for not adapting to the modern era. But others love that the series stayed close to its roots and is still full of the charm that made them fall in love with it in the first place. The Will and Grace reboot is on Prime Video and Hulu.

15. Futurama

Futurama has been revived several times, more than most television shows. The show has jumped platforms, been canceled and re-released, and is working on another reboot. The original series aired on Fox, where it lasted four seasons.

Each iteration of Futurama builds upon the last. The adage that “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” seems to hold for the series, which has 11 seasons and plays on Hulu.

16. Community

Before Rick and Morty, Dan Harmon entertained the world with the hit sitcom Community. But after a dip in viewership during its fourth season, NBC replaced Dan Harmon with David Guarascio and Moses Port. This caused a shift in the show’s tone that fans call the “gas leak year.”

Harmon returned for season five, but the damage was already done, and Community got canceled. Luckily, fans gained some closure after Yahoo! Screen picked up the series and created its final season.

Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.

17. Family Guy

Considering its enduring popularity, it’s surprising that Family Guy has been canceled in the past. After failing to get success in its initial three seasons, Fox canceled the iconic show in favor of other comedy programs.

Luckily for creator Seth McFarland, Family Guy gained a cult following through DVD sales, which convinced the network to return the series for another try. Although not loved by everyone, the series has continued to sustain a healthy following and is a common source of pop culture influence.  

18. Twin Peaks: The Return

David Lynch’s hit show Twin Peaks has been described as a surreal murder mystery. But that’s the least of what the show has to offer. Following the series ending in 1991, fans were granted two movies before the eventual reboot in 2017.

The reboot tries to tie up some of the loose ends left behind by the original story. Whether it accomplishes this goal is up to interpretation, as Twin Peaks’ story arc is intentionally hard to follow.

19. Cobra Kai

Depending on who you ask, Cobra Kai is either a reboot or a continuation of the iconic 1980s action franchise The Karate Kid. Regardless of how you categorize it, Cobra Kai has become a massive hit since its release in 2018.

Cobra Kai is so beloved because of its iconic 1980s cheese, but that doesn’t detract from its entertainment value. Stream it now on Netflix.

10 Actors Perfectly Cast for Their Character Roles

Many movies are cast with actors that are decent fits. They can even be great because the actor does an excellent job adapting to the role. However, there are some movies where the fit is just so perfect that you could not imagine the movie being a success if they had chosen anyone else.

10 Actors Perfectly Cast for Their Character Roles

11 Vampire Movies That Will Make You Thirst for More

Sometimes, we just love to watch a favorite vampire movie, one of the ones that never get old. It piques our imagination with the unknown story of two teenagers fighting for their love, the incredible and creepy scenes, and the bloodsucking classics.

If you’re looking to get a good rest and watch vampire movies all day, look no further than this list!

11 Vampire Movies That Will Make You Thirst for More