- Plenty of iconic TV shows are set to be remade or rebooted in the coming months and years.
- From classics like “Northern Exposure” to newer shows like “Gossip Girl,” the next few years will see lots of new versions of iconic series.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
If a bunch of the new shows coming to TV this year sound familiar, there’s a reason why. You’ve seen them before in some way, shape, or form.
From beloved family comedies and cartoons to the revival of ’90s reality series, more than 30 shows are getting new lives on cable networks and streaming services.
Keep reading to see all of the reboots, revivals, and spin-offs you can expect to see make a comeback in the next few years.
“Blue’s Clues & You” (Nickelodeon)
Premiere date: November 11, 2019
Reboot of: Nickelodeon's kid show, "Blue's Clues," from the '90s.
What it's about: New host Joshua Dela Cruz will help puppy Blue solve mysteries by spotting three blue paw prints.
"High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" (Disney Plus)
Premiere date: November 12, 2019
Continuation of: "High School Musical" (the 2006 TV film)
What it's about: "High School Musical" the series will take a pretty meta approach to the now-iconic 2006 Disney film of the same name. Focusing on a group of students at East High (the famed setting of "High School Musical" the movie) who put on a production of "High School Musical" (complete with iconic songs like "Breaking Free"), the series will star newcomers like Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo.
"Mad About You" (Spectrum)
Premiere date: November 20, 2019
Reboot of: "Mad About You," which aired on NBC in the '90s for seven seasons.
What it's about: On the Emmys red carpet last year, original creator Paul Reiser told Variety he recently discussed bringing back the show. Original stars Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser are set to reprise their roles, despite some initial reluctance.
"Animaniacs" (Hulu)
Premiere date: 2020
Reboot of: "Animaniacs" cartoon that aired for five seasons in the '90s on WB.
What it's about: The cartoon will, once again, follow the misadventures of the Warner siblings, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, who live on the Warner Bros.' lot. Steven Spielberg will return as executive producer.
"Frasier"
Premiere date: There are currently only talks about bringing the show back.
Revival of: "Frasier," which aired on NBC for 11 seasons.
What it's about: Kelsey Grammer told the Press Association in August 2018 he has discussed the idea of bringing his character back to television, but he's not sure he wants to do it.
"Sister, Sister"
Premiere date: In talks.
Reboot of: "Sister, Sister," which aired for six seasons across ABC and The CW.
What it's about: Twins, who grew up apart, start spending time together after a chance run-in. Jackée Harry, who starred as the mom on the original show told Steve Harvey in January a reboot was happening.
"Alf"
Premiere date: In early stages with Warner Bros. TV.
Reboot of: The '80s show "Alf," which starred an extraterrestrial who lived with a middle-class family on Earth.
What it's about: It's not clear whether or not a new series would follow the same alien or a different one. According to TVLine, Warner Bros. is searching for a writer for the reboot.
"Designing Women" (ABC)
Premiere date: TBD; currently in early stages of development.
Reboot of: '90s sitcom "Designing Women"
What it's about: The original show followed four women working at a design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Original creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason will be working on the show, according to Deadline.
"Lizzie McGuire" (Disney Plus)
Premiere date: TBD (likely sometime in 2020, since filming hasn't started)
Reboot of: Disney Channel's series, "Lizzie McGuire."
What it's about: Hilary Duff is set to reprise her role as the lead star, but the character will be 30 years old and living in New York City. There aren't too many details yet, but Duff recently said that Lizzie will be an apprentice for an interior designer and engaged to a chef.
"Bewitched" (ABC)
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: ABC sitcom "Bewitched," which aired on ABC from 1964 to 1972 starring Elizabeth Montgomery as a witch, Samantha.
What it's about: The new take on the classic would feature an interracial family with a young, black single mom who is also a witch who marries a mortal. The show is from "Black-ish" creator Kenya Barris and writer/producer Yamara Taylor.
"Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (Disney Plus)
Premiere date: TBD
Revival of: "Star Wars: The Clone Wars"
What it's about: Disney surprised fans at San Diego Comic-Con in July when it announced 12 new episodes of the beloved animated series will be released on the company's upcoming streaming service, Disney Plus. The show was canceled in 2013 after Disney purchased Lucasfilm the year prior.
You can watch the announcement trailer here.
"Party of Five" (Freeform)
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: "Party of Five," which aired on Fox for six seasons.
What it's about: According to Freeform, the show will be a "modern reimagining" of the original show which starred Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, and Lacey Chabert.
"Conan the Barbarian" (Amazon)
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: "Conan the Barbarian," the movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger
What it's about: The show will focus on the books, which follow Conan as he travels the world searching for his place within it. "Colony" co-creator Ryan Condal and "Game of Thrones" director Miguel Sapochnik are working on it.
"The Jetsons" (ABC)
Premiere date: TBD
Spin-off of: The animated "Jetsons" cartoon series.
What it's about: The series will be a live-action version of the classic animated sci-fi series set in the future and will be filmed in front of a live audience. It will be executive produced by Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future").
"Daria and Jodie" (MTV)
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: MTV's '90s show "Daria," which ran for five seasons.
What it's about: The show will revolve around the "Beavis and Butt-Head" character, Daria Morgendorrfer and her friend Jodie Landon "taking on the world today." It may not air on MTV.
"Rugrats" (Nickelodeon)
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: Nickeoldeon's hit '90s animated series, "Rugrats."
What it's about: In July, Paramount announced the popular Nickelodeon cartoon series featuring Tommy Pickles and Angelica will get a 26-episode reboot. A movie is also planned for 2020.
"Supermarket Sweep"
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: Game show "Supermarket Sweep."
What it's about: The game show has pairs compete to run around a supermarket on a timed scavenger hunt to find particular grocery items to win a grand prize. It was first announced in October 2017, and Leslie Jones of "Saturday Night Live" was recently revealed to be the host.
"The Many Saints of Newark"
Premiere date: TBD
Spin-off of: "The Sopranos"
What it's about: The movie will be a prequel to the HBO series set during the Newark riots that took place in the '60s.
"The Babysitter's Club" (Netflix)
Premiere date: TBD
Revival of: "The Babysitter's Club" (a TV show-turned movie, based off the books by Ann M. Martin)
What it's about: The series will be based on the books, which follow five adolescent girls as they start their own babysitting business and grapple with issues facing modern teens.
"Penny Dreadful: City of Angels" (Showtime)
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: "Penny Dreadful"
What it's about: The reboot moves the action of the previous series (which was canceled after three seasons) from Victorian London to 1930s Los Angeles, hence the title. According to TV Guide, the setting of the reboot is "steeped in Mexican-American folklore and social tension" and will focus on a cast of characters - some of whom are connected to powerful deities like Santa Muerte or the devil.
"High Fidelity" (Hulu)
Premiere date: TBD
Remake of: "High Fidelity" (1995)
What it's about: The film will be made into a TV series for Hulu, and will feature Zoë Kravitz as a record store owner who's obsessed with pop culture and music. Kravitz's mom Lisa Bonet starred in the original, which featured John Cusack as the record store owner.
"Amazing Stories" (Apple Plus)
Premiere date: TBD
Reboot of: "Amazing Stories" (1985-1987)
What it's about: Much like the original, the reboot will feature horror, fantasy, and sci-fi tales directed by some of Hollywood's biggest directors.
"Nash Bridges" (USA)
Premiere date: TBD
Revival of: "Nash Bridges" (1996 - 2001)
What it's about: The original show focused on an inspector, Nash Bridges, who worked in the San Francisco police department's special investigations unit, along with his partner, Joe Dominguez. Even though the revival still seems to be a ways off, it's likely to contain similar themes.
"Northern Exposure" (CBS)
Premiere date: TBD
Revival of: "Northern Exposure" (1990-1995)
What it's about: The revival is a continuation of the original show, and would see Dr. Joshua Fleischman, the protagonist of "Northern Exposure," returning to Alaska for a funeral.
"Gossip Girl" (HBO Max)
Premiere date: TBD (likely spring 2020, when HBO Max officially launches)
Reboot of: "Gossip Girl" (2007-2012)
What it's about: The reboot will pick up eight years after the events of the original series, and will follow a "new generation of New York private school teens" as they "are introduced to the social surveillance of Gossip Girl," according to the official summary for the series. Expect plenty of commentary about the affects of social media on teen life.
"Grease: Rydell High" (HBO Max)
Premiere date: TBD (likely spring 2020, when HBO Max officially launches)
Reboot of: "Grease" (1978)
What's it about: Per Entertainment Weekly, the "Grease" reboot show "reimagines the global smash hit movie with some characters you already know, and a whole lot more you will soon meet," and is "set in and around the world of Rydell High," the setting for most of the original 1978 film. The show will focus on "the peer pressures of high school" and "the horrors of puberty," and will still be set in the 1950s.
"Dune: The Sisterhood" (HBO Max)
Premiere date: TBD (likely spring 2020, when HBO Max officially launches)
Sequel to: "Dune" (1984) and the upcoming 2020 film
What it's about: With a remake of the 1984 film (based on Frank Herbert's 1965 novel) coming out next year, HBO Max's new series "is designed to co-exist" with the upcoming film, according to Deadline. But where the new film will portray the efforts of Paul Atreides to maintain his family's control over the planet Arrakis, the "Dune" series will focus on an enigmatic order of women - the Bene Gesserit - who serve as trusted advisers and companions to many in the "Dune" universe.
"The Boondocks" (HBO Max)
Premiere date: TBD (likely spring 2020, when HBO Max officially launches)
Reboot of: "The Boondocks" (2005 to 2014)
What it's about: The new show will be a continuation of the original series, and will focus on Robert "Granddad" Freeman and his two grandsons as they move to a new community and struggle to fit in.
"Practical Magic" (HBO Max)
Premiere date: TBD (likely spring 2020, when HBO Max officially launches)
Prequel to: "Practical Magic" (1998)
What it's about: According to Vogue Australia, the new series will be a prequel to the beloved 1998 film, and will focus on "three siblings as they realize that they're actually descended from witches."
"Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai" (HBO Max)
Premiere date: TBD (likely spring 2020, when HBO Max officially launches)
Prequel to: "Gremlins" (1984)
What it's about: The animated prequel will focus on the origins of the shopkeeper, Mr. Wing, who was featured in both the original movie and the 1990 sequel.