If we're honest, the reboot culture of the 21st century does make us feel old. It's wild to see the shows and films we loved as kids in the '80s and '90s suddenly get remade for a new generation. But at the same time, TV and movie reboots are fascinating to watch because they both transport us back in time and make room for advancing the story in important ways.
It's also refreshing to see that many modern reboots are taking care to diversify casts and storylines. Some previously all-white or all-male stories are now being told by Black or Hispanic actors, or women instead of men. And storylines have been elevated as well to be more progressive than they could necessarily be decades ago.
But even though some things have changed, these reboots still instantly take us back in time.
'The Baby-Sitters Club'
The second season of this charming Netflix show hits the streaming site on October 11, and we can't wait to watch. While it's very different from the 1990 TV show and 1995 film based on the beloved book series, it still does the source material justice. It just updated a few of the pop culture references to hit home with Gen Z.
'He's All That'
The 1999 Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook movie has been genderswapped for this Netflix reboot film. This time, TikTok sensation Addison Rae stars as the lead. She plays an influencer determined to take the most unpopular boy in school and turn him into the prom king. It didn't get great reviews (the gratuitous product placement didn't help), but it does make us nostalgic for the original.
'I Know What You Did Last Summer'
On October 15, Amazon is releasing a TV show based on the popular '90s horror movie I Know What You Did Last Summer. The plot follows a group of teens who are haunted by a deadly car accident that occurred on their graduation night — and the notion that perhaps they're going to be next.
'Punky Brewster'
Sadly, NBC's streaming service Peacock canceled the revival of this 1984 show after just one season, but it was nice to step into that world again for a few episodes. The reboot brought back the show's original lead, Soleil Moon Frye. Her character was trying to hack it as a single mother while her life was spinning out of control.
'Saved by the Bell'
While Punky Brewster got the ax at Peacock, the Saved by the Bell reboot was, well, saved. The show will return for a second season to continue exploring where our fave teens are today. The show follows a new class at Bayside High, but some of the OG Saved by the Bell gang makes plenty of cameos.
'Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.'
In the original Doogie Howser, MD, a young Neil Patrick Harris played a boy genius — so smart, he's a doctor at just 14. The new series, which streams on Disney+, follows a young female doctor instead: Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Lahela "Doogie" Kameāloha. Although the show has changed a few core things, it's got very similar vibes.
'The Wonder Years'
Instead of getting another all-white cast to make a reboot of The Wonder Years, the ABC reboot (which premiered on September 22) follows a Black family beginning in 1968. It's a chance to tell a whole new story to old and new fans alike. The reboot was directed by the series' original star, Fred Savage, so it should still maintain that core essence we all loved.
'Four Weddings and a Funeral'
Hulu took the iconic 1994 rom-com that starred Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell and stretched the story out over 10 episodes to tell a modern, fleshed-out version. The series takes notes and references from the original film, but it also stands on its own. That's just the genius of creator Mindy Kaling.
'The Craft: Legacy'
The 1996 film The Craft got a makeover in 2020 with the release of the reboot The Craft: Legacy. You can watch it on Hulu to see a new group of high school teens form a tightly woven coven of witches. It functions as both a sequel and a remake since it follows in the events of the original while featuring a new main cast.
'Little Women'
There have been many versions of this iconic story over the years — from the 1949 version that starred actresses Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh to the 1994 iteration that featured Winona Ryder and Christian Bale. The 2019 version showcases a star-studded cast who includes Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Emma Watson, and it was every bit as delightful to watch as its predecessors.
'Men in Black: International'
Men in Black: International is the first film in the popular franchise not to feature Will Smith since he began playing the character of Jay in 1997. Instead, the 2019 movie follows agents played by Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. Critics panned the film, but it has a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes among regular fans.
'The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers'
Emilio Estevez returns to the hockey coach role he originated in the 1994 Mighty Ducks film for this Disney+ reboot. The show also stars Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham as a mom who just wants to make sure her son's underdog hockey team stands a chance. It's perfect for fans of the original to watch as well as a whole new audience.
'First Wives Club'
The iconic 1996 film was reworked for a BET television show starring three Black women this time — Ryan Michelle Bathe, Jill Scott, and Michelle Buteau. The story is the same, with the plot revolving around three friends who band together after their marriages begin to fall apart. But with a new, more diverse cast comes the chance to present a fresh perspective. The show was recently renewed for a third season.
'Fuller House'
After five seasons, Netflix cancelled Fuller House, but at least fans got to enjoy it while they could. The reboot focused on the children from Full House — DJ, Stephanie, and Kimmy — but it also featured plenty of drop-ins from other iconic characters including Uncle Jesse, Joey, and Danny. Maybe one day the show will be rebooted into a Fullest House.
'Party of Five'
The 1994 version of Party of Five followed the Salinger siblings after their parents died in a car accident, leaving them on their own. The 2020 Freeform reboot explored what happened to a Mexican family of siblings after their parents were deported. Unfortunately, the reboot only lasted one season, but it was a unique twist on the beloved series.
