We’re seeing a lot of movie and TV remakes lately, and while some are great, there are a few that just weren’t necessary. Instead of coming up with fresh ideas, some studios are choosing to revive older shows for today’s audiences. While certain classic concepts might benefit from a new look, the eagerness to rely on established names leads to some unnecessary reboots – and these seven shows are prime examples.
7) Bel-Air
Among all the shows mentioned, Bel-Air stands out – surprisingly, it’s actually a well-made remake. The first season came out in 2022, and you wouldn’t immediately recognize it as a reimagining of anything. Bel-Air is a serious, dramatic series, but it’s based on the popular 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. While no one seemed to be requesting a darker, more realistic version of the show – including the iconic Carlton dance – someone at Peacock decided it was a good idea.
Surprisingly, the new show Bel-Air is actually quite good. While it’s different from the original, Bel-Air successfully reimagines the core idea in a fresh way. It proves that remakes can be excellent, even when they aren’t requested. Unfortunately, that’s not usually the case.
6) The Powerpuff Girls
Craig McCracken’s The Powerpuff Girls is a Cartoon Network classic, notable for being a highly successful animated superhero show that didn’t originate from a comic book. Unfortunately, the 2016 reboot didn’t fare as well. It’s widely considered one of Cartoon Network’s worst shows, receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews. The remake’s concept is also strange – it’s hard to understand why anyone would want a show that had been off the air for almost twenty years to return with poorer animation and constant, outdated meme references.
As a big fan of the original Powerpuff Girls, I have to say the 2006 anime remake, Powerpuff Girls Z, is surprisingly the most respectful adaptation. It wasn’t quite as brilliant as the show I grew up with, but people definitely liked it more than the 2016 attempt. And you know, The CW even tried a live-action version back in 2020, but sadly, it never actually made it to air.
5) Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a highly acclaimed anime known for its beautiful visuals and character designs. Unfortunately, the 2021 live-action adaptation on Netflix didn’t live up to the original, receiving negative reviews for failing to capture the unique style and atmosphere of the animated series.
The show didn’t last past its first season, largely because viewers didn’t like it. But this is part of a larger trend of Netflix adapting anime into live-action. The Death Note movie is a prime example of how these remakes can go wrong, while the One Piece series shows they can also be successful.
4) Charlie’s Angels
Even though the original Charlie’s Angels series shows its age, the franchise has continued long after it ended in 1981. It’s known for the movies released in 2000, 2003, and 2019. Years after its peak popularity, ABC tried to revive the show with a new TV series in 2011. However, the reboot received negative reviews and low viewership, and was canceled after just four episodes.
3) Thundercats Roar
It might be surprising to learn that The Powerpuff Girls isn’t the only Cartoon Network show to get a remake. ThunderCats Roar is an even more drastic change. It took the classic, action-packed 80s cartoon ThunderCats and reimagined it as a comedy with a completely different look and feel. Many fans consider Roar a significant downgrade from the well-received 2011 remake, and were left confused by the new direction.
2) Saved by the Bell
The 2020 version of Saved by the Bell is unusual because it’s both a reboot and a continuation of the original series. It features characters from the 1980s and 90s show as the parents of a new group of high school students. While the original Saved by the Bell was a hit in its time, it hasn’t aged well. Although fans still love the characters, the show’s simple premise—friends going to high school—suggests the remake was primarily intended to capitalize on the show’s established popularity.
1) The Bionic Woman
The 2007 television series The Bionic Woman was a reboot of the original show from the 1970s. That earlier series had started as a spin-off of The Six Million Dollar Man. NBC’s decision to remake The Bionic Woman was considered strange, and the new version quickly became known as one of the most critically panned TV remakes ever made.
The remake of The Bionic Woman received negative reviews, with critics pointing to weak acting, uninspired plots, and a failure to capture the fun, over-the-top spirit of the original. Many felt the original series, with its straightforward premise, didn’t need updating, but NBC moved forward with the remake anyway, and it proved to be unsuccessful.
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2025-12-29 16:13