7 TV Reboots That Actually Worked

Refreshing old stories for television has consistently been a hit, offering creatives a chance to reinvent characters, relationships, and storylines to deliver something contemporary and exciting. Regrettably, not every TV reboot hits the mark, serving as evidence that this isn’t always effective. However, there are numerous examples of successful TV series reboots that have truly outshone their originals in many aspects.

In recent times, some TV reboots have fallen short of expectations, such as Charlie’s Angels, Charmed, Bel-Air, and Melrose Place, to name a few. They struggled to capture the essence of their original versions when attempting to modernize and update their characters and narratives. Yet, there are numerous shows that have mastered this art, giving these franchises a fresh start and sometimes outperforming their predecessors, running for multiple seasons across years, and attracting new fans to their tales.

7) Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009)

The initial run of Battlestar Galactica, airing from 1979 to 1980, introduced us to the sprawling human civilization of the Twelve Colonies, where a united group sought the legendary 13th colony, Earth. A revamp of this series took place 23 years later in the form of a three-hour miniseries, evolving into a four-season television reboot. This reboot garnered significantly more popularity than its precursor, appealing to a broader audience and receiving higher ratings. The reboot delved deeper into this expansive franchise, culminating in a shocking finale – one of the most significant plot twists in TV history.

6) Lost in Space (2018-2021)

Originally airing from 1965 to 1968 for three seasons, “Lost in Space” was a science fiction adaptation of the 1812 novel “The Swiss Family Robinson,” which tells the story of immigrants whose ship veers off course and leads to their shipwreck. The 2018 Netflix reboot of “Lost in Space” updated the visual effects and acting, giving the classic sci-fi tale a fresh look after 50 years. Despite its imperfections, reimagining this timeless space saga served as an excellent means to introduce new viewers to the captivating story behind “Lost in Space,” specifically focusing on Will Robinson’s journey into this lively new cosmic realm.

5) 12 Monkeys (2015-2018)

12 Monkeys, the TV series that debuted in 2015, didn’t just retell the story of the 1995 film with Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt, but rather took the concept from the movie and expanded it into a more extensive narrative. The show presented James and Cassie, portrayed by Aaron Stanford and Amanda Schull, in a series of challenging adventures that offered a deeper context and more action than the original film. This reimagining earned 12 Monkeys critical acclaim and proved to be a longer-lasting success compared to its cinematic predecessor.

4) The Tick (2016-2019)

Ben Edlund persistently continues his passion for The Tick. Originating from Edlund’s mind in 1986, this unique superhero character has seen life on screen through a 2001 miniseries starring Patrick Warburton and a more recent reboot in 2016 with Peter Serafinowicz in the lead role. Unlike traditional superhero stories, The Tick is a blend of humor, satire, intelligence, and emotional depth that manages to hit the right notes where other superhero projects have fallen short. Despite receiving critical praise, The Tick was unfortunately cancelled after only two seasons. However, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Edlund will attempt to revive this character again sometime down the line.

3) Roots (2016)

It’s understandable if you didn’t catch the 2016 revival of the 1977 miniseries, as it aired on History Channel and had a relatively modest budget. Adapted from Alex Haley’s 1976 novel, Roots is an essential story that follows Kunta Kinte (played by Malachi Kirby), a Mandinka man from The Gambia in the 18th century who is captured and transported to the Colony of Virginia. This miniseries garnered widespread critical acclaim, with special recognition given for its adherence to the original production and the acting talents of Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Laurence Fishburne, among others. If you haven’t watched Roots, you’re missing out on a significant viewing experience.

2) Westworld (2016-2022)

The television series “Westworld,” which aired on HBO from 2016 to 2022 and spanned four seasons before being cancelled prior to its planned fifth and final season, is a modern reimagining of the 1973 movie by the same name. Directed by Michael Crichton, author of “Jurassic Park,” the original film was successful, but HBO’s “Westworld” series took that success to unprecedented levels. The show’s gripping intensity, tension, and thought-provoking storyline about artificial intelligence made it a must-watch. Although later seasons were too much for some viewers, many consider the first season of “Westworld” one of the greatest episodes in TV history, demonstrating that this was indeed a story worth revisiting.

1) The Office (2005-2013)

Initially, Greg Daniels’ “The Office” closely mirrored Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s UK series which aired from 2001 to 2003. However, as it developed its unique identity and moved away from the original show’s narrative, “The Office” transformed into one of the most beloved and successful TV shows ever made. Spanning nine seasons, this sitcom catapulted stars like Steve Carell and John Krasinski to stardom and accomplished a feat few shows manage – providing a fitting conclusion. It is widely regarded as one of the strongest TV reboots out there.