7 ’90s Fox Kids Animated Shows That Need a Reboot in 2026

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If you were a kid in the 90s, you probably don’t forget Fox Kids and TGIF – they were the highlights of every week’s TV schedule. While TGIF had some great shows too, we’re taking a look back at Fox Kids and picking out 7 cartoons that deserve a fresh start in 2026.

5. Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot

Frank Miller is known for many famous works, but one you might not remember is his comic series, Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, created with Geof Darrow. It was also adapted into a Fox Kids TV show that aired for two seasons in 1999.

The show centers on Big Guy, a powerful robot suit controlled by Dwayne Hunter. When Quark Industries builds Rusty, a robot with true artificial intelligence, to take Hunter’s place, Rusty ends up as Big Guy’s less experienced partner. Despite being a bit unpolished, the series was charming and had a lot of promise that a modern update could really bring out.

4. Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century

Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century was another lesser-known show from the Fox Kids block. It featured the iconic detective and his robot sidekick, Watson, as they hunted for a clone of their arch-nemesis, Moriarty.

This series offers a surprisingly sophisticated take on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, balancing suspenseful scenes with witty conversations between Holmes, Watson, and Inspector Lestrade. Existing fans of Sherlock Holmes will likely enjoy this version, and the futuristic setting breathes new life into the franchise. While the computer graphics are a bit dated, they still effectively create a high-tech atmosphere, and with updated visuals, a potential revival could be truly impressive for fans.

3. The Tick

It’s hard to think of a show that better captures the spirit of Fox Kids than The Tick. It perfectly blended clever humor with wildly imaginative superhero adventures. The show is full of unique and memorable characters, but the real heart of it lies in the hilarious relationship between The Tick and Arthur.

The Tick is consistently funny, showing its superhero trying to navigate everyday life. What really makes it special, though, are the wonderfully strange villains – like Chairface Chippendale and The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight – who each get a chance to be the focus. Even with so many superhero options available, The Tick always felt unique and original, and it would be fantastic to see a new animated series take off.

2. Animaniacs

Of all the shows on this list, only Animaniacs has been brought back before. It returned in 2020 and lasted for three seasons, though the revival wasn’t without its challenges.

The reboot brought back some classic characters like Yak, Wakko, and Dot, alongside Pinky and the Brain, but many fan favorites were either absent or only made brief appearances. Characters like Slappy and Skippy Squirrel, Chicken Boo, Bobby, Squit, Pesto, The Mime, and Buttons and Mindy were largely missing. Even Pinky and the Brain’s new version wasn’t universally loved. If the show continues, bringing back more of the original cast would be a major improvement, as long as it can strike a good balance between its wild humor and relevant social commentary.

1. Spider-Man: The Animated Series

With the recent return of X-Men: The Animated Series as X-Men ’97, fans are still hoping to see another classic ’90s Marvel cartoon make a comeback: Spider-Man: The Animated Series. While the comic book version has been revived, a new TV series or continuation hasn’t happened yet, despite strong demand.

This series successfully introduced classic Spider-Man stories to a new generation of viewers, and it perfectly captured the personalities of both Spider-Man and his famous villains. Reviving the show would be a smart move, and continuing the story where it left off, similar to what happened with the X-Men series, would likely be a successful approach.

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2026-06-10 05:40