5 Sci-Fi Franchises That Absolutely Need to Make a Modern Comeback

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Great science fiction ideas can be reimagined in countless ways. We’ve seen this with the 2004 reboot of *Battlestar Galactica*, and Denis Villeneuve’s recent *Dune* films (including *Blade Runner 2049*). Often, when franchises return, they don’t live up to the original and feel like studios are just trying to make money. But sometimes, a fresh perspective can truly revitalize an old story.

With technology advancing so quickly, ideas that once seemed like science fiction are becoming increasingly relevant. These popular stories have already been successful in movies, television, and games, but they still have a lot of potential. If studios handle them well, the five concepts below could become huge hits with today’s audiences.

5) Stargate

The sci-fi series *Stargate* was remarkably expansive, especially for its time. While Roland Emmerich’s 1994 film started it all, *Stargate SG-1* truly made it a hit, followed by the excellent *Stargate: Atlantis*. For ten years, viewers enjoyed watching Richard Dean Anderson as Jack O’Neill and Michael Shanks as Daniel Jackson explore bizarre alien worlds in a show known for its memorable standalone adventures.

In 2021, Amazon bought MGM, and ever since, people have been speculating about a potential new *Stargate* project. While the studio hasn’t said if it will be a movie, TV series, or a complete reboot of the franchise, a *Stargate* revival could be a big success for Amazon with a substantial streaming budget and could bring the beloved series to a new generation. Neill Blomkamp, the creator of *District 9* and a former 3D animator on *Stargate SG-1*, would be a strong creative force to lead the project.

4) Max Headroom

The *Max Headroom* franchise is ripe for a modern revival, especially now with the rise of AI influencers and deepfakes. Originally appearing in a 1985 TV movie, *Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future*, the character quickly became a pop culture hit in the UK. Actor Matt Frewer played the glitchy, digital host, going on to star in an American TV series and Coca-Cola ads. Though billed as the “world’s first computer-generated TV personality,” Frewer actually wore extensive makeup and prosthetics. What makes Max Headroom particularly relevant today is that he was a biting satire of the media-and that was *before* the media became the all-powerful force it is now.

Bringing back *Max Headroom* could ride the wave of 1980s nostalgia, much like the success of shows such as *Stranger Things*, and offer timely satire on today’s world. A reboot was reportedly in the works at AMC, with Matt Frewer – the original star – expected to reprise his role. Announced in 2022 with production from Elijah Wood’s SpectreVision, the project has since stalled, likely due to the recent Hollywood strikes. However, all the pieces are in place for a compelling new take on the series.

3) Tremors

The original *Tremors* wasn’t pure science fiction, but a fantastic ’90s B-movie that cleverly mixed creature horror, western themes, and comedy. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward starred as they battled massive, underground worms called Graboids. Though the film led to several sequels and a TV series, none of them quite matched the unique appeal of the first movie.

For years, fans have hoped for a new ‘Tremors’ movie, sparked by online rumors that Netflix was secretly working on a reboot. While those rumors turned out to be false, there’s now renewed optimism. The writers of the original films have recently obtained the rights and are actively trying to make a sequel happen. Many believe the core idea of ‘Tremors’ still works today, and a combination of updated visual effects and classic practical effects could deliver truly terrifying Graboids.

2) Babylon 5

J. Michael Straczynski’s *Babylon 5*, which aired from 1994 to 1998, was remarkably innovative for its time. It was one of the first shows to use a continuing, complex storyline – a technique that’s now common in high-quality television. The series followed the lives of the people working on the *Babylon 5* space station, and featured memorable performances, especially from Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari and Andreas Katsulas as G’Kar. The compelling, Shakespearean-style conflict between their characters drove much of the show’s narrative.

The biggest weakness of *Babylon 5* has always been its early computer-generated effects. While groundbreaking when it first aired in the mid-90s, the space battles now look quite old-fashioned. The 2023 animated revival helped, but a complete reboot with updated visual effects and well-known actors could finally bring *B5* to its full potential. Even simply upgrading the original footage to HD would attract a new audience. While some fans may prefer the original look, improving the CGI would significantly help revitalize one of science fiction television’s most complex and rewarding universes.

1) Terminator

The idea behind *The Terminator* – a robot assassin sent from the future to alter the past – remains incredibly popular and enduring. James Cameron’s 1984 film is a classic due to its simple, powerful story, and *T2: Judgment Day* is widely considered a fantastic sequel. However, subsequent films have struggled, becoming overly complex with their timelines or diminishing the importance of John Connor, who was central to the original movies, in favor of confusing and elaborate backstories.

James Cameron has hinted at revisiting the *Terminator* story several times, recently mentioning a possible focus on artificial intelligence, which could be a good direction if it respects the original films. A successful reboot would need to return to the basics – a straightforward threat and a story centered on human experiences. As *Alien: Romulus* demonstrated this year, audiences appreciate when franchises recapture what made them special. Instead of complicated plots, a new *Terminator* film should be a relentlessly paced story, much like the unstoppable machines at its heart.

Which sci-fi series do you want to see rebooted ASAP? Drop your thoughts in a comment below!

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2025-09-23 00:11