The ’90s were a golden era for television, with shows that defined a generation and created some of the most iconic moments in pop culture. With today’s trend of revamping classic series, there’s no shortage of nostalgia waiting to be mined. Some ’90s TV shows are simply begging for a modern reboot—either to bring their beloved characters back into the spotlight or to give them a fresh twist for new audiences. Here are nine shows that deserve another shot on the small screen.
9. Are You Afraid of the Dark?
- Why It Needs a Reboot: This show was a rite of passage for kids who loved scaring themselves silly on Saturday nights. The stories were spooky, imaginative, and just the right amount of terrifying. A reboot could bring back the Midnight Society with new members who share modern ghost stories, urban legends, and creepy tales set in today’s world.
- Reboot Idea: Are You Afraid of the Dark?: The New Tales – The Midnight Society is now a group of teenagers who use social media to share their frightening stories. The tales could incorporate tech-based horror, like haunted video games or eerie experiences with smart home devices.
8. In Living Color
- Why It Needs a Reboot: Before Chappelle’s Show and Key & Peele, there was In Living Color, the edgy sketch comedy show that launched the careers of stars like Jim Carrey, Jamie Fox and the Wayans brothers. The show’s fearless approach to satire and cultural commentary would be perfect for today’s climate, tackling everything from social issues to pop culture absurdities.
- Reboot Idea: In Living Color 2023 – Bring back some of the original cast to mentor a new generation of comedians, giving the show a mix of nostalgia and fresh perspectives. Each episode could focus on hot-button issues or parodies of the latest trends.
7. Family Matters
- Why It Needs a Reboot: The Winslow family and their nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel provided laughs, life lessons, and heartfelt moments throughout the ’90s. Bringing back Family Matters could give us a fresh take on the modern American family, with Urkel’s wild inventions now incorporating today’s technology. Picture him building robots, working on smart home gadgets, or trying to invent the next big app.
- Reboot Idea: Family Matters 2022 – The Winslows face modern-day issues, from social media pressures to family dynamics, while Urkel is now a successful inventor whose tech creations don’t always work as intended. The reboot would offer a fresh look at what it means to be a family in today’s world, capturing the humor and heart that made the original so beloved.
6. Home Improvement
- Why It Needs a Reboot: Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor and his family brought laughs and heartfelt moments to countless households, but we never got to see what happened after the show ended. Did Tim continue his career in DIY TV? Did his sons follow in his footsteps? A reboot could bring back the original cast, focusing on Tim’s grandchildren learning the ropes of home improvement (and, of course, making a lot of mistakes along the way).
- Reboot Idea: Home Improvement: Generation Renovation – Tim has retired from television, but his kids and grandkids decide to launch a YouTube channel in his honor. Naturally, the Taylors struggle to balance old-school DIY with the demands of modern digital content creation.
5. Seinfeld
- Why It Needs a Reboot: It was the show about nothing that meant everything to ’90s sitcom fans. Seinfeld captured the absurdity of everyday life, turning mundane experiences into hilarious episodes. Imagine how Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer would navigate modern-day New York, complete with smartphones, social media, and dating apps. The reboot could keep the original cast in their iconic roles but age them up, showing how they’ve handled (or failed to handle) the world’s shift into the digital age.
- Reboot Idea: Seinfeld: The New Normal – The gang is back, older but still as clueless about the world as ever. The reboot could explore how they deal with modern quirks like social media oversharing, virtual reality, subscription services, and the never-ending parade of lifestyle trends. The humor would stay true to the show’s original style, capturing the absurdity of modern life.
4. Sliders
- Why It Needs a Reboot: Sliders was one of the most underrated sci-fi shows of the ’90s, following a group of travelers who “slid” between parallel universes. Each world presented a different version of reality, offering endless possibilities for exploration. In a reboot, the show could dive deeper into modern-day issues by imagining how alternate worlds handled different historical events or technological advancements. The storytelling potential is still limitless, and it’s a great time to bring back a show that truly played with the concept of “what if.”
- Reboot Idea: Sliders: New Worlds – A new generation of sliders stumbles upon the technology, only to discover that the original team went missing years ago. Their mission is not only to explore these alternate realities but also to find the original team and uncover a conspiracy that spans multiple dimensions.
3. Friends
- Why It Needs a Reboot: The recent Friends reunion proved that there’s still a massive appetite for stories about Monica, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe. While the original cast might not be suited to play young singles anymore, a reboot could reintroduce the series with new characters who bring a fresh vibe to the classic setting.
- Reboot Idea: Friends: The Next Generation – A group of 20-somethings moves into the same iconic New York apartment building, forming a new circle of friends. The show could explore how young adults navigate friendships, dating, and career challenges in today’s tech-driven world, giving a fresh spin to the relatable themes that made the original a hit.
2. The X-Files
- Why It Needs a Reboot: Though The X-Files had several revival seasons, there’s still room for a reboot that takes the show’s classic premise in new directions. Today’s world of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and advanced technology could give Mulder and Scully some fresh material to work with. Imagine them investigating cases involving deepfake videos, artificial intelligence, or even alien technology surfacing on the dark web.
- Reboot Idea: The X-Files: Next Gen – A young pair of FBI agents, both skeptical and curious, take on cases that defy explanation. With a rebooted Mulder and Scully, the show could explore new mysteries connected to current technological fears, unexplained phenomena, and evolving conspiracies, while still retaining the suspenseful atmosphere that made the original iconic.
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Why It Needs a Reboot: Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a trailblazer for its mix of supernatural drama, witty dialogue, and the portrayal of a strong female lead. Its themes of empowerment and overcoming personal struggles are still relevant, and a reboot could introduce Buffy’s legacy to a new audience while giving the series a contemporary twist.
- Reboot Idea: Buffy Reborn – A new Slayer arises in a different part of the world, while an older Buffy serves as a mentor from a distance. The reboot could blend the show’s classic humor and action with modern issues like online harassment, mental health struggles, or facing fears in an increasingly chaotic world. Buffy’s timeless fight against evil would continue, but with a fresh perspective on the challenges of today..
What do you think? Did we miss any ’90s classics that deserve a reboot? Which show on this list would you want to see come back, and how would you reimagine it for today’s world? Share your thoughts, favorite memories, or even your own reboot ideas in the comments below! Let’s keep the ’90s nostalgia alive and see what creative twists you can come up with.