The Forgotten ’80s Twilight Zone Reboot That’s Just as Good as the Original

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The show “The Twilight Zone” serves as a source of inspiration for many imitators. Shows like “The Outer Limits” and “Black Mirror” have adopted its twist-ending format, giving it their unique spins. It’s no wonder then that some reboots of “The Twilight Zone” have emerged. What’s surprising is that the reboot that most closely resembles the essence of the original “Twilight Zone” is also the least remembered. This series isn’t available in high definition, isn’t streaming online, and is likely unfamiliar to anyone born around the 21st century or later. We are referring to the ’80s revival of “The Twilight Zone.

In contrast to the modern “Twilight Zone” revival led by Jordan Peele, the ’80s series didn’t rely on nostalgia from the original to market itself. Immediately setting itself apart, the ’80s version introduced a fresh logo and theme music (composed by the Grateful Dead surprisingly). However, if you imagine an updated, bold “Twilight Zone” tailored for MTV viewers, you won’t find that here.

The ’80s Twilight Zone Recruited Icons of the Era

In contrast to the original, the ’80s version of The Twilight Zone maintained a similar tone but introduced fresh stories penned by highly respected science-fiction authors like Harlan Ellison and George R.R. Martin before his Game of Thrones fame. Notably, esteemed film directors such as Wes Craven (of Scream) and William Friedkin (The Exorcist) were also involved in this revival, giving life to these new Twilight Zone adventures. Regardless of your feelings about the ’80s remake, The Twilight Zone boasted an impressive lineup of talent behind it.

1985 marked the premiere of a revamped “Twilight Zone” with the episode titled “Shatterday.” This story was written by Ellison, directed by Craven, featuring Bruce Willis in a leading role. The spine-tingling narrative about a man who unintentionally dials his own phone number and contacts an alternate version of himself set the stage for many episodes, although it’s worth noting that not all subsequent episodes quite reached these heights.

The first season also showcased stories from renowned authors such as Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke. Acting talents like Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Martin Landau, Danny Kaye, Jonathan Frakes, Frances McDormand, Adrienne Barbeau, and others graced the screens in various episodes of this season.

Among the standout episodes in this series are “A Small Propensity for War,” a story about an extraterrestrial race that may annihilate Earth due to mankind’s proclivity towards violence, or lack thereof. Another notable episode is “Gramma,” which delves into Lovecraftian horror and is considered one of the superior Stephen King adaptations. Although some episodes were inspired by the original “Twilight Zone,” they chose not to replicate popular favorites such as “To Serve Man” or “Time Enough at Last.” Instead, they opted to give a unique twist to lesser-known gems, like “Dead Woman’s Footwear,” a gender-swapped adaptation of “Dead Man’s Shoes” featuring Helen Mirren.

The ’80s Twilight Zone Evaded Cancellation for Years

For two seasons, “The Twilight Zone” aired on CBS. A third season was manufactured in Canada specifically to increase the episode count for syndication. Despite this, the show faced continuous timeslot and format adjustments, which made it challenging for “The Twilight Zone” to retain an audience. Regrettably, just like its contemporary “Star Trek,” “The Twilight Zone” ultimately fell due to the limited appeal of social commentary delivered via intelligent science fiction.

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that even the original “Twilight Zone” didn’t quite capture the thunderous applause CBS had hoped for. The network, in its wisdom or perhaps impatience, attempted to pull the plug on the show not once, but twice during its initial run. After a valiant five-season struggle, they eventually succeeded in their endeavor. Given that the original “Twilight Zone” was cut short due to low ratings, one might wonder what prospects the revival had.

Regrettably, unfortunately, you won’t find the ’80s version of The Twilight Zone on any streaming platforms at present, and it seems unlikely that this will change soon. The series was initially filmed on film but later converted to video for editing purposes, resulting in poor image quality. Additionally, a lack of interest has led to the show living in obscurity. However, there are still methods to watch it.

The full collection of this series can be purchased on DVD at roughly $30. However, it’s worth noting that the image transfers aren’t great due to the original poor quality, and there aren’t many special features included. Nonetheless, if you harbor any fond memories of VHS tapes, the image quality might not deter you from buying it.

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2025-05-17 21:10