10 ’90s Reboots & Revivals, Ranked — Which Was Your Favorite? (POLL)
The ’90s were a great time for television, so it’s no wonder that networks and streaming services have turned to some of those shows for reboot and revival inspiration.
Whether it’s shows featuring original cast members like Fuller House and The Conners or a new spin on an old story such as Bel-Air and Party of Five, there’s a reason these newer versions have become recent comfort TV. Below, we’re ranking some of TV’s most memorable ’90s reboots and revivals of late.
But we also want to hear from you, let us know which reboot or revival is your favorite in the poll, below, and sound off in the comment section. And stay tuned for more fun throwback content surrounding your favorite ’90s series.
10. Rugrats
Nickelodeon‘s former animated hit got the revival treatment in 2021 with Paramount+‘s streaming series. Still following the imaginative adventures of Tommy Pickles and pals, the revival takes on a bit of a new look that hasn’t exactly won over old fans as the formerly 2-D animation gets the computer animation treatment.
9. Murphy Brown
After the show’s 10-season run concluded in 1998, the series following the titular newswoman played by Candice Bergen returned in 2018. Sadly, it was a short run as the revival aired one season before it was canceled. Even still, the show brought back plenty of familiar faces, fresh characters, and guest stars like Hillary Clinton.
8. Saved by the Bell
Viewers were brought back to Bayside High to follow a whole new group of teens taking of life’s challenges, some more than others. The reboot revolved around a shift in the student body at Bayside as students from a nearby low-income high school were welcomed into the affluent Pacific Palisades’ wealthy school. The Peacock series followed the dynamic between these new kids and their spoiled counterparts. Several of the original show’s stars were also featured including Mario Lopez, Elizabeth Berkley, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen, and Lark Voorhies.
7. And Just Like That...
HBO Max‘s Sex and the City revival sequel series may have been a streaming hit, but some interesting choices for the characters have led to mixed fan reactions. Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis all returned in their series leading roles, but without Kim Cattrall‘s Samantha Jones in the mix, And Just Like That… doesn’t give us quite the warm and fuzzy feels as the original show.
6. Girl Meets World
Disney Channel‘s reboot of Boy Meets World shifted focus from Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) to his and Topanga’s (Daniel Fishel) daughter Riley (Rowan Blanchard). Kicking off in 2014, Girl Meets World was among one of the first ’90s reboots to appease audiences as it ran for three seasons on Disney Channel. The kids’ show also welcomed back fan-favorite stars like Rider Strong, Will Friedle, and Mr. Feeny himself William Daniel.
5. Will & Grace
Originally running for eight seasons on NBC from 1998 to 2006, Will & Grace returned for more shenanigans beginning in 2017. The revival ran for three seasons before concluding in 2020 after some behind-the-scenes conflict. In order to return, the show also had to retcon the original run’s ending which included a flash-forward.
4. Party of Five
Freeform‘s 2020 reboot of the ’90s hit put a modern spin on the classic story. Rather than leaving five children orphaned, the reimagining saw the Acosta kids’ lives turned upside down when their parents are taken in by ICE and deported to Mexico, leaving them to figure out their next steps in life without them. Running for a single season, this emotional drama deserved more love than it got.
3. Roseanne/The Conners
Returning in 2018 after more than 20 years off-air, the Roseanne revival debuted on ABC with all of the original stars including the other Becky, played by Sarah Chalke. After an off-color remark was made by lead star Roseanne Barr, though, the actress was booted from the show as ABC rebranded the revival, The Conners. Admittedly, without Barr onscreen, the show’s chemistry is a bit different but no less delightful as the cast carries on the TV family’s story by tackling timely issues.
2. Bel-Air
Peacock went edgy with this dramatic take on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘s plot, reimagining the sitcom for a new audience. The genre shift may throw off some of the original show’s fans, but with Will Smith on board as an executive producer, there’s enough of a connection to entice viewers old and new. Jabari Banks leads the show as Will, a teen who is sent to live with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air.
1. Fuller House
Perhaps one of TV’s most notable ’90s reboots, Fuller House debuted on Netflix in 2016 and ran for five seasons on the streamer, ending its run in 2020. Despite the series bringing back several of its original stars, it’s more of a reboot than a revival as the story shifts focus to D.J. (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), Kimmy (Andrea Barber), and their young families with occasional appearances from the original Full House grown-ups.
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J
None of them. To be honest, I only watched one of these reboots, and it's as if, in the intervening years, the actors lost the ability to act. The original was so good... how could the actors have gotten WORSE at it??