Let’s get honest for a moment: Hollywood loves a good remake or reboot. In this day and age, there’s arguably not a single film or TV show that isn’t up to be remade or rebooted. Given the excitement with which we anticipated remakes like Jumanji, Tomb Raider and It — all of which have either hit theaters or have dropped some thrilling trailers — it’s only natural to wonder about other planned remakes and reboots. Better still, you might be jonesing to refresh your memory on what the original films and TV shows were like.
Well, if you find yourself in need of a refresh and you happen to have younger ones who are clamoring to get in on the remake goodness, why not just have a movie night with the entire family? It’s certainly easy enough to scoop up a DVD or stream these family-friendly originals, and it’ll give you a fun reason to spend some quality time together.
If there’s one way to prepare for the onslaught of new Hollywood remakes and reboots, then this is definitely the way you want to do it.
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‘Rugrats’
Image Credit: Amazon A Rugrats revival is officially in the works!
“Rugrats is hands-down one of the most celebrated cartoons in TV history, and we are thrilled for a whole new audience to meet these iconic characters in brand-new adventures,” said Sarah Levy, COO of Viacom Media Networks and interim president of Nickelodeon. “What was true in 1991 when the original show premiered is still true today: kids are fascinated with the world of babies. We can’t wait for today’s kids to meet Tommy, Chuckie and pals.”
The Rugrats movie is slated to be released Nov. 13, 2020.
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‘The Twilight Zone’
Image Credit: CBS Photo Archive Word on the street is that CBS boss Leslie Moonves wants to bring back the hit sci-fi TV series from the early 1960s, The Twilight Zone, according to Deadline. Best of all, additional reporting says that the show would be shown on the CBS All Access streaming platform and that Get Out director Jordan Peele is on board to help give new life to the series through his production company, Monkeypaw.
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‘Veronica Mars’
Image Credit: The CW In late October 2017, Veronica Mars star Kristen Bell voiced a decided to get a limited series revival of her cult hit detective show on its feet. According to TV Line, Bell recently revealed she and Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas had been working on ways to bring the show back, to which she added "[a]nd this time around we’re not going to ask the audience to pony up for anything," referencing the crowdfunded movie made in 2014.
Thomas additionally shared this information about what a revival would look like in January of this year: "Kristen and I both want to figure out some way we could do a six-episode Veronica Mars mystery. If I were a betting man, I bet that it will happen. I just don’t know when it will be."
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‘Bad Boys’
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures In October 2017, it was announced on TV Line that a possible Bad Boys spinoffwas in the works for TV and it would star Gabrielle Union. Union play Syd in Bad Boys II alongside Martin Lawrence and Will Smith back in 2003. She's currently attached to star in the series, but no plot details were given at this time, but chances are high it will follow Syd's continuing work in the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
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‘Roswell’
Image Credit: Twentieth Century Fox Deadline recently announced that the hit WB teen dramaRoswell would be returning to our TV screens in the near future, but this time around there would be a crucial change to the plot. Deadline's report says that this reimagining of Roswell will be a hourlong drama (versus an entire series order) and will "reflects the realities of its location in a state bordering Mexico."
As far as a plot goes, the hourlong reboot will follow closely to the Roswell High book series by Melinda Metz. Here's Deadline's plot summary: "After reluctantly returning to her tourist-trap hometown of Roswell, NM, the daughter of undocumented immigrants discovers a shocking truth about her teenage crush who is now a police officer: He’s an alien who has kept his unearthly abilities hidden his entire life. She protects his secret as the two reconnect and begin to investigate his origins, but when a violent attack and long-standing government cover-up point to a greater alien presence on Earth, the politics of fear and hatred threaten to expose him and destroy their deepening romance."
Interesting right? Development is still in the early stages, so keep an eye on this reboot as it develops.
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‘Blue Crush’
Image Credit: Universal Studios NBC is turning the movie that made every teen girl want to learn how to surf in 2002 into a TV show.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, who exclusively broke the news, the reimagined Blue Crush will tell a story of "female empowerment and ambition in the world of Hawaii's North Shore. In the wake of a tragic accident, a surfer works to revive her career and bring pride to a local community threatened by commercialism and dangerous surf politics. Even in paradise, you never know what chaos is brewing inside the barrel."
The drama is currently being written by Hannah Schneider (Reign), but I for one cannot wait. -
‘Hocus Pocus’
Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios It was confirmed in September 2017 that the Sanderson sisters will officially return in a Hocus Pocus reboot. Set to air on the Disney Channel, the remake that was often whispered about is finally coming out. Treat yourself to the original Hocus Pocus, which is easy to find on Amazon for as low as $5.
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‘Aladdin’
Image Credit: Walt Disney Pictures Aladdin will be getting the remake treatment with a new live-action film starring Will Smith as Genie and Power Rangers star Naomi Scott as Jasmine. Watch the magic of the Disney original before the live-action version comes out by scooping up the DVD from Amazon for $11.
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‘Hellboy’
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures The devilish comic book hero is getting the big-screen treatment once more in the planned Hellboy reboot. If your older kids are into all things comics and can handle the intensity, then you should definitely watch the 2004 original. Grab the DVD from Amazon for $11.
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‘The Lion King’
Image Credit: Walt Disney Pictures Jungle Book director Jon Favreau has made sure to line up a cast par excellence for his live-action Lion King remake. With Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and James Earl Jones (the original Mustafa!) on board, this remake will surely be a hit. But before you watch the new one, delight in the film that started it all. Get a copy for around $18 on Amazon.
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‘Duck Tales’
Image Credit: Amazon This is not a drill: Ducktalesis getting a fancy new reboot in the form of a new cartoon series for Disney XD. But before that happens, show your kids how good cartoons used to be with old episodes of the original. Appropriate for all ages! (Amazon, $10)
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‘Muppet Babies’
Image Credit: Amazon A Muppet Babies reboot is officially on its way — production has reportedly already started at Disney Junior, and the show is expected to hit the airwaves sometime in 2018. A special Muppet Babies3-Disc box set does exist, but is unavailable on Amazon. But, there are a few VHS tapes on sale! Appropriate for all ages.
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‘Dumbo’
Image Credit: Amazon Tim Burton is directing a live-action Dumbo for Disney. No word if the remake will be mostly CGI like The Jungle Book remake, but with Burton behind the camera, you can bet it's going to have a much darker tone than the original. Appropriate for ages 3 and up. (Amazon, $10)
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‘Rocko’s Modern Life’
Image Credit: Amazon Another old-school cartoon that's getting the movie reboot treatment is Rocko's Modern Life. One of the more crazy cartoons out there, Rocko's Modern Life will return for a one-hour TV movie for Nickelodeon. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. (Amazon, $20)
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‘Stuart Little’
Image Credit: Amazon With plans of a Stuart Little reboot at Sony, now is a perfect time to revisit the original books and the charming 1999 live action/CGI mix movie. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. (Amazon, $8)
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‘Hey Arnold’
Image Credit: Amazon Hey Arnoldis coming back for a two-part TV movie that will act as a special finale to the series. So, if you were unsatisfied with the cartoon's ending, now's your chance to show it to your kids and watch a proper ending together. The special is set to premiere on Nickelodeon in 2017. Approrpiate for ages 5 and up. (Amazon, $32)
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‘Inspector Gadget’
Image Credit: Amazon In 2015, Netflix produced an Inspector Gadget television show reboot, with brand new computer animated graphics. And, rumor has it there is also a live-actionInspector Gadget movie in the works, though it is still in the very early stages. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. (Amazon, $16)
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‘Sister Act’
Image Credit: Amazon Sister Actwent from a Whoopi Goldberg-starring comedy to a hit Broadway musical. There are no official plans to bring it to television, but a girl can hope! Appropriate for ages 10 and up. (Amazon, $19)
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‘The Chronicles Of Narnia’
Image Credit: Amazon The Chronicles of Narnia franchise is getting a reboot. With three movies already released by Disney, the last in 2010, filmmakers are going forward with a reboot. However, instead of going back and adapting the same three C.S. Lewis books — The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader — this new franchise will be skipping directly to the fourth book in the series, The Silver Chair. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. (Amazon, $10)
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‘Labyrinth’
Image Credit: Amazon Reports of a Labyrinth reboot/sequel emerged at the beginning of 2016 following star David Bowie's death, but little has been heard about the project since. With a Labyrinth sequel on the horizon, now is a perfect time to introduce a new generation to the insane '80s classic. Appropriate for ages 9 and up. (Amazon, $9)
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‘High School Musical’
Image Credit: Amazon It's official: the High School Musical franchise is expanding, and the long awaited High School Musical 4 is finally happening. While Disney tried to plant seeds for a fourth film after the release of the third HSM film in 2008, it never really got off the ground. Now, almost 10 years later, Disney is finally going forward with the project, this time with a brand new cast. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. (Amazon, $10)
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‘Footloose’
Image Credit: Amazon Full disclosure: there was a remake of Footloose released in 2011 starring Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormland, but that doesn't mean it won't get a revival in the form of a live musical. (Yes, there is a musical of Footloose, and, yes, it is performed in high schools everywhere.) Footloose would be perfect for a live TV production. And, on the off chance it's not revived/rebooted any time soon, Footloose is still mandatory viewing for anyone hoping to grasp the true joy of Kevin Bacon. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. (Amazon, $5)
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‘Bye Bye Birdie’
Image Credit: Amazon Get the 1963 film adaptation of Bye Bye Birdie before Jennifer Lopez stars in a live Bye Bye Birdie production for NBC in 2017! It's a bit different than the original musical, but their version of "The Telephone Hour" is easily one of the best sequences in film history. Appropriate for ages 11 and up. (Amazon, $9)
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‘Little Women’
Image Credit: Amazon In 2015 there was talk of a Little Women reboot television series for a young adult audience. The show has yet to shoot a pilot, and the future of the project is unclear. But, we'll always have the original book by Louisa May Alcott, and the classic 1994 movie. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. (Amazon, $10)
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‘She’s All That’
Image Credit: Amazon Rumors swirled of a She's All Thatreboot in 2015, but unfortunately it was just talk. However, the amount of buzz and excitement surrounding that rumor might have just sparked some ideas for movie executives. I don't think any of us would be surprised to see a new version of She's All That coming our way. Appropriate for ages 13 and up. (Amazon, $6-10)
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‘The Mask of Zorro’
Image Credit: Amazon Zorro, the epic swordsman, is heading back to the big screen. Following in the footsteps of the 1998 movie, The Mask of Zorro starring Antonio Banderas, a new movie, Z, will follow Zorro's heroic adventures, this time with Gael Garcia Bernal in the titular role. Appropriate for ages 13 and up. (Amazon, $7)
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‘West Side Story’
Image Credit: Amazon West Side Story isn't going to be the next live television production, but fans might get something even better: a Steven Spielberg remake. Maybe this time, filmmakers will avoid whitewashing some of the cast… Appropriate for ages 13 and up. (Amazon, $8)
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‘Little Shop Of Horrors’
Image Credit: Amazon There's been a lot of rumors about a Little Shop of Horrorsreboot — Jake Gyllenhaal even performed in a special production in New York City. Sadly, moves to bring the musical back to the big screen have yet to come to fruition. If they can't make it to the big screen, then I think we can expect Little Shop of Horrors Live within the next few years. Appropriate for ages 11 and up. (Amazon, $9)
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‘Charlie’s Angels’
Image Credit: Amazon Elizabeth Banks has set her directing sights on a Charlie's Angels reboot. One can only expect that Banks will put a modern, feminist spin on the original television show. Appropriate for ages 13 and up. (Amazon, $34)
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‘Clue the Movie’
Image Credit: Amazon 20th Century Fox is reportedly developing a new Clue movie inspired by the popular boardgame. No word on whether or not it will be a remake of the 1985 cult classic Clue: The Movie, or an original story. Appropriate for ages 13 and up. (Amazon, $6)
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‘Fame’
Image Credit: Amazon The original Fame movie has been adapted, rebooted and revived in various ways since its release in 1980, and now it's about to get another one. A Fame tv show reboot is currently being developed at Lifetime with So You Think You Can Dance's Nigel Lythgoe producing. Appropriate for ages 13 and up. (Amazon, $8)
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‘Cry Baby’
Image Credit: Amazon The rock 'n' roll musical about a crying bad boy set in the 1950s is bound to be adapted as a live musical production. Cry-Babyis an offbeat story from director John Waters that's just strange enough to become a cult classic, i.e. everything Hollywood loves in a reboot. Appropriate for ages 17 and up. (Amazon, $7.04)
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‘A Star Is Born’
Image Credit: Amazon Judy Garland's 1954 film A Star is Born is a classic for a reason. Yes, there are other versions of the musical — Barbra Streisand starred in one released in 1976 — but, let's face it: there's no one like Judy Garland. Make sure to show A Star is Born to your kids before the Bradley Cooper-directed and Lady Gaga-starring one is released in 2017. Appropriate for ages 17 and up. (Amazon, $15)
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‘The Craft’
Image Credit: Amazon The witches are back! 20 years after The Craft hit theaters, Sony is going forward with a sequel that will take place 20 years after the original film. It's unclear whether or not the film will actually star The Craft's original cast, or make it about a new generation of witches. Appropriate for ages 17 and up. (Amazon, $9)
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