Nostalgia is hugely popular right now, particularly in movies and TV. We’re seeing a lot of older shows and movies being revisited, with creators trying to recreate the feelings those original works gave us. This has led to many reboots of classic TV series – some, like the new version of Queer Eye, have been quite successful, while others, such as the continuation of Roseanne as The Conners, have had mixed results.
Sometimes, shows that are brought back after a long break don’t last very long. Despite people’s fondness for the original series, these revivals often get cancelled. Here are 7 television reboots that didn’t make it – and one of them, in particular, was really promising and deserved a longer run.
7) Roswell, New Mexico
It’s up for debate whether The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico was a true reboot of the original WB series Roswell, or simply a new take on the Roswell High book series. Both ideas have merit, but because the show featured actors from the original, I’d consider it a reboot. Roswell, New Mexico, which premiered in 2019 and lasted four seasons, was a relatively successful revival. The story centers on Liz Ortecho (Jeanine Mason), whose life changes when she discovers her teenage crush is actually an alien—the daughter of undocumented immigrants who protects his secret. As they reconnect, they face increasing danger, realizing a larger alien presence exists on Earth after a violent attack.
Critics had varying opinions on the show, but it attracted a dedicated fanbase. The reboot distinguished itself from the original by incorporating current political and social topics, and cleverly used ‘90s song titles for each episode, offering a fun nod to the past. While it was eventually cancelled, it proved to be one of The CW’s more successful reboots and developed a loyal following.
6) Saved By the Bell
The original Saved By the Bell was a hugely popular teen show on NBC in the 1990s, so it made perfect sense that a revival would be part of Peacock’s launch in 2020. The reboot, set 26 years after the original series ended, aimed to appeal to a new generation – Gen Z – by featuring both fresh faces at Bayside High and the return of beloved original cast members as their adult selves, offering something for everyone.
Despite getting good reviews, the Saved By the Bell reboot wasn’t renewed for a third season. Although the show improved in its second season, viewership wasn’t high enough to continue, and it was ultimately cancelled.
5) That ‘90s Show
Following in the footsteps of popular ‘90s sitcoms, That ‘70s Show received a sequel series, That ‘90s Show, which premiered on Netflix in 2023. Similar to the Saved By the Bell reboot, the new series introduced a fresh group of teenage characters while bringing back some original cast members for a “next generation” storyline. That ‘90s Show centers around Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, who spends the summer with her grandparents in Point Place, Wisconsin, and forms a new circle of friends reminiscent of her parents’ group.
The show received a mixed reaction when it first came out, but it got much better in its second season, similar to how Saved By the Bell improved over time. Sadly, even with those improvements, Netflix decided to cancel the series and the show didn’t last.
4) The X-Files
After a 14-year hiatus, Fox revived The X-Files in 2016, bringing back David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Mulder and Scully. The return of this iconic sci-fi horror series generated a lot of excitement, and rightfully so—the original nine seasons are considered classics. While seasons 10 and 11 received mixed reactions (with season 11 being better received), Gillian Anderson confirmed that season 11 would be her last. Despite an open-ended finale, her departure effectively ended the series—at least for now.
3) Heroes Reborn
I remember when Heroes first hit TV in 2006 – it was a genuine sensation! The idea of everyday people suddenly discovering they had superpowers really captured the public’s imagination. Sadly, the show lost its way after that incredible first season and was cancelled after four seasons in 2010. But the original series clearly made a lasting impact, because NBC decided to bring it back in 2015 with Heroes Reborn. The revival introduced a whole new generation of powered people, while also bringing back a few characters we already knew and loved.
The new series, Heroes Reborn, aimed to feel connected to the original Heroes without simply retreading old ground or acting as a direct sequel. While it looked more polished than the first series, it relied too much on dramatic storylines and was ultimately short-lived, consisting of only 13 episodes plus a few online extras.
2) Quantum Leap
The 1990s sci-fi series Quantum Leap centered on Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who traveled through time, inhabiting the bodies of different people. As part of a mysterious project, Sam would ‘leap’ into the past and try to correct mistakes in people’s lives, with guidance from his friend Al. Throughout the series, Sam hoped to eventually leap back to his own time. In 2022, NBC revived the show with a new series. This time, the story follows Dr. Ben Song, who finds himself in a similar situation – leaping into the past to change events.
The recent reboot of Quantum Leap received a mixed response from critics, though it quickly gained a dedicated following. Despite this, the show was cancelled after only two seasons. One positive takeaway from the reboot, even with its early cancellation, was that it offered viewers a more optimistic conclusion compared to the original series.
1) iCarly
The 2021 revival of iCarly stood out from most reboots. It successfully brought back much of the original cast and continued the story in a way that respected and built upon the original series, appealing to longtime fans instead of trying to attract a completely new audience. This approach proved popular, with the show—starring Miranda Cosgrove—receiving positive reviews and a good response from viewers. It performed well enough to run for three seasons on Paramount+.
Despite positive reviews and a dedicated fanbase, the original iCarly ended after three seasons, which was a huge letdown for viewers. The recent revival of the show was starting to build momentum, and its third season ended with a cliffhanger that hinted at a fourth season. Sadly, the show was cancelled, leaving many storylines unfinished and fans wondering what might have been if this successful reboot had continued.
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2026-01-15 21:12