10 Major TV Show Reboots Coming in 2026, Ranked by How Exciting They Are

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As a TV reviewer, I’m already looking ahead to 2026, and it’s shaping up to be huge! We’re not just getting a ton of brand new shows and the return of some favorites, but a massive wave of reboots. Seriously, they’re digging deep – we’re talking shows from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and the 2000s all getting a fresh look. I’ve got the list, and it’s a trip down memory lane – and a preview of what’s to come!

Several exciting new shows are based on previously popular movies, giving them a fresh take on television. Overall, this list has a lot to offer fans, so we’ve decided to rank the shows based on how much excitement they deserve.

10. Little House on the Prairie

Last year, Netflix revealed plans to revive Little House on the Prairie, and recent cast photos suggest it’s moving forward. This new series is expected to draw more heavily from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books than the original CBS show did. Rebecca Sonnenshine is the showrunner and executive producer, and Trip Friendly—the son of one of the original series’ producers—is also an executive producer.

Alice Halsey, Luke Bracey, Crosby Fitzgerald, and Skywalker Hughes will play the Ingalls family – Laura, Charles, Caroline, and Mary, respectively. Jocko Sims, Warren Christie, Wren Zhawenim Gotts, Meegwun Fairbrother, and Alyssa Wapanatâhk are joining the show as regular cast members. Additionally, Xander Cole, Barrett Doss, Mary Holland, Michael Hough, Kowen Cadorath, Thosh Collins, Maclean Fish, and Rebecca Amzallag will appear in multiple episodes as recurring characters.

The show’s revival is already causing a lot of political debate, with many commentators claiming it’s been unnecessarily updated to appeal to current social trends. However, considering how dated the original series is, and the often-negative nature of online discussions, we’re not expecting much from this reboot.

9. The ‘Burbs

This new version of the 1989 film, originally directed by Joe Dante (known for Gremlins), follows a couple who move to the husband’s old neighborhood and uncover long-held secrets. The original movie featured stars like Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher. This reboot stars Keke Palmer (from Nope), Jack Whitehall (known for Disney’s Jungle Cruise), Mark Proksch (What We Do In The Shadows), Paula Pell (SNL, 30 Rock), Kapil Talwalkar (Night Court reboot), along with returning actors like Justin Kirk, Haley Joel Osment, and RJ Cyler.

This movie was a darkly humorous mystery centered around eccentric neighbors in a typical suburban setting. Now, Peacock is reimagining the idea as a TV show, and it will be fascinating to see their take on it. With Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and Palmer on board as executive producers, viewers can anticipate plenty of unexpected turns.

8. Bewitched

The upcoming remake of “Bewitched” is a sweet love story about Samantha, a witch, and Darrin, a human, who fall in love instantly. However, their relationship won’t be easy. They’ll need to overcome their families’ objections, deal with cultural differences, and find a way to unite their very different worlds.

The series appears to be a thought-provoking story about the complexities of modern blended families. It’s being developed by Judalina Neira, known for her work on shows like The Boys and Daisy Jones and the Six, and Doug Robinson, who is also an executive producer.

7. Elle (Legally Blonde)

Amazon Prime Video and MGM Television are creating a TV series that tells the story of Elle Woods before the movie Legally Blonde. Called Elle, the show will be set in the 1990s and follow Elle during her high school years. Lexi Minetree will play Elle Woods, taking over the role from Reese Witherspoon. The series will also feature June Diane Raphael, Tom Everett Scott, Chandler Kinney, Amy Pietz, and James Van Der Beek.

At this point, Legally Blonde has become a cultural touchstone, and fans generally approve of the casting choices. With Reese Witherspoon as an executive producer and Caroline Dries (known for shows like Smallville and The Vampire Diaries) as a creator and showrunner, the reboot has strong leadership. It’s currently scheduled to come out in 2026.

6. Prison Break

Hulu will release a new Prison Break series in 2026. While it won’t continue the story of the original characters from the early 2000s, the show will take place in the same universe. Elgin James, known for Mayans M.C., is taking over as writer and showrunner, replacing Paul T. Scheuring. The main cast includes Emily Browning, Lukas Gage, Drake Rodger, Clayton Cardenas, JR Bourne, Georgie Flores, and Myles Bullock. Ray McKinnon, Margo Martindale, Donal Logue, Lili Taylor, and Sylvester Powell will appear in guest roles.

The original show started strong with a really interesting premise, but like many ambitious TV series, it lost momentum as it went on. Still, the series…

5. Baywatch

We’re excited for the new Baywatch to come out! If you don’t understand that reference, you might not remember watching the original series in reruns during the 90s and 2000s. Actress Lara Olsen (known for Reign and the 90210 reboot) is leading the revival, and it seems like the show will go back to its roots: focusing on lifeguards training new recruits, dealing with beach emergencies, and navigating their personal lives.

What made the original show so enjoyable was its willingness to go in unexpected and often bizarre directions with each episode and season. It mixed action, crime drama, and even tackled serious topics – though sometimes clumsily – alongside a constant cycle of romantic relationships that eventually felt repetitive. Hopefully, the new version will find a better balance and be more consistently funny on purpose.

4. A Different World

The 1980s sitcom The Cosby Show was incredibly popular, which allowed its creators to launch a spin-off series called A Different World. The spin-off initially followed Cliff Huxtable’s oldest daughter, Denise, as she went off to college at the fictional Hillman College, a historically Black college or university (HBCU). Eventually, the show shifted its focus to the college and its students, and Denise’s character left the show.

The upcoming continuation of the series will center on Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert-Wayne, the original show’s main couple, and their daughter, Deborah. Deborah is now heading to Hillman College, which will be a very different place than it was in their day. A Different World was a groundbreaking sitcom for African American representation in the 90s, and the return of several original stars – including Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, and Merrick McCartha – is generating a lot of excitement. This differs from the Bel-Air reboot, which reimagines the Fresh Prince story with a completely new approach.

3. Scrubs

Before shows like The Office redefined TV comedy, Scrubs offered a hilarious contrast to the often serious world of medical dramas such as ER and Grey’s Anatomy. The show’s success was largely due to its incredibly talented cast – including Zack Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes – and they’re all set to reprise their roles. With the original cast reuniting and some fresh comedic faces joining them, fans have every reason to be excited about the Scrubs revival.

2. Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair

Malcolm in the Middle was a truly innovative show for the 2000s. It stood out for its realistic, yet funny, portrayal of the struggles faced by working-class families – families who were beginning to realize their children might not have better lives than their parents. The show also perfectly captured the changing times, marking a transition between Millennial and Gen Z perspectives.

The beloved series Malcolm in the Middle is returning with a new installment, Life’s Still Unfair, streaming on Hulu and Disney+ in April. The original cast – including Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, Jane Kaczmarek as Lois, Bryan Cranston as Hal, Christopher Masterson as Francis, Justin Berfield, and Emy Coligado – will all reprise their roles. The story picks up roughly 19 years after the original ended, with Malcolm now happily raising his daughter, Leah, with his girlfriend, Tristan, and intentionally keeping his distance from his family. However, his parents, Hal and Lois, insist on his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary, forcing him to reconnect and bringing the familiar chaos back into his life.

The original actors are returning for a brief, four-episode season, and the story now follows Malcolm as he navigates life in middle age – it’s something fans will be really excited about!

1. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a prime example of a show that started as a niche favorite and blossomed into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. The original 1992 movie wasn’t successful, and its creator, Joss Whedon, wasn’t happy with how it turned out. When given the chance to adapt it into a TV series, he jumped at the opportunity. The show’s lasting influence is clear now: Buffy was an early sign of the shared universe concept, creating the “Buffyverse” with its spin-off, Angel. It also played a key role in the rise of strong female leads in the early 2000s, alongside popular shows like Xena: Warrior Princess, Charmed, and Alias, as well as cult favorites such as Dark Angel and La Femme Nikita, and films like Kill Bill.

After ending its original run on television, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has remained incredibly popular through things like toys, books, comics, and video games. The new series, a continuation and reimagining of the original, is happening without the involvement of its creator, Joss Whedon, following public controversies. However, a big surprise for fans is that original star Sarah Michelle Gellar will be returning to her iconic role as Buffy in New Sunnydale, and she’s preparing to fight vampires with both her wit and newfound physical strength.

A new installment of the series will introduce Nova, played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong (known from Star Wars: Skeleton Crew), as the next vampire slayer. Original slayer Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, will mentor her. The cast also includes Faly Rakatohavana (Unprisoned), Ava Jean (Law & Order: SVU), Sarah Bock (Severance), Daniel Di Tomasso (CSI: Vegas), Jack Cutmore-Scott (Frasier), Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio), Merrin Dungey (The Lincoln Lawyer), Audrey Hsieh (Found), Audrey Grace Marshall (The Flight Attendant), and guest star Kingston Vernes (The Survivor). Chloe Zhao (Eternals) is directing the first episode, and Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, writers from Agents of SHIELD, are writing the series. This revival is one of the most eagerly awaited TV events of 2026.

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2026-01-10 22:16