Reboot, remake, prequel, the sequel: these four words sound like a one-hit-wonder we can't seem to get out of our heads. It feels as if all of the creativity is dying out because big companies are trying to profit from our nostalgia. However, sometimes there is a genuinely good team behind those shows, so we strike gold and get to revisit some fond childhood memories in a new light. Therefore, join us for this top ten ride!

10. "The Magic School Bus"

If you were on Twitter around 2021, you've probably seen the discourse surrounding the 2017 "Magic School Bus" reboot. In "Magic School Bus Rides Again," we follow the same class as in the original cartoon. Still, this time it's taught by Ms. Frizzle's younger sister Ms. Fiona. The humor and plot of the show are in tune with the original, but people voiced concerns about some aspects.

The biggest one is that stylistically speaking, the animation looks more suited to a toddler or a presentation for a soulless corporate meeting (we think the Boss Baby would enjoy it most). All characters suffer from the same face syndrome, missing most of their ethnic features or unique characteristics. For a show as bizarre as "Magic School Bus" is, the lack of character in the animation is disheartening.

9. "Boy Meets World"

Everyone born in the 90s or early 2000s probably remembers the spectacle of "Boy Meets World" on ABC. This beloved show follows Cory Matthews through his everyday life from sixth grade through college. Alongside his friend Shawn, his romantic interest Topanga and his teacher Mr. Feeny, we watch as he juggles friendship, romance, and school.

In 2014, the show continued on Disney, following Cory and Topanga's daughter Riley and her friend Maya under the name "Girl Meets World." Yet, most fans tuning in for nostalgia's sake got bitterly disappointed. In Disney sitcom fashion, the show tried to be silly and profound and only partially succeeded. If you're a preteen that's never heard of BMW, you'll probably like GMW, but other than that, we don't recommend it.

8. "The Powerpuff Girls"

Since 1998 the lovable animated trio known as "The Powerpuff Girls" aired on the Cartoon Network. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are three kindergarteners with superpowers living in the town oh-so-creatively called Townsville. The girls fight different monsters and villains in each episode while dealing with mundane problems.

In August 2020, CW announced the live-action adaptation starring Dove Cameron, Chloe Bennet, and Yana Perrault. Reception on the Internet was neutral, although people were wary of yet another live-action adaptation of a beloved childhood series. Then, the behind-the-scenes dropped, and to call it terrible would be putting it lightly. There aren't enough words to convey our hatred towards it. While the project is still alive, don't be surprised if it gets canceled.

7. "Strawberry Shortcake"

Some characters are culturally significant across multiple generations. Strawberry Shortcake started as "the Girl with the Daisy" on an American Greetings card in 1972 but changed stylings and names until she became the dessert-inspired lady we know today. Later, she became a doll, and in the 1980s, multiple products and shows were introduced as she grew in popularity.

Numerous shows have been made and rebooted, but we recommend the 2003 edition as the best. The pastel color palette, the cute hats, and the adorable buildings, paired with the early 2000s aesthetic, make this iteration absolutely iconic. In comparison, all the newer versions appear soulless.

6. "Fairly OddParents"

Set in the fictional town of Dimmsdale, the show follows Timmy Turner, a kid neglected by his parents while his babysitter Vicky abuses him. Luckily, he gets two fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda, who grant him wishes. The show has gradually evolved, featuring multiple villains, plotlines, and characters. Its place in the nostalgic hall of fame is firmly set.

In March 2022, the first episode of the revived show "Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder" aired to the dismay of everyone that tuned in to watch it. Shamefully having extremely low grades on Google reviews and IMDb, everyone agrees that the show is not worth the watch. The fact that it's a live-action remake doesn't help.

5. "That's So Raven"

In 2003, "That's So Raven" aired on Disney for the first time, marking the start of a beloved childhood show. The show centers around Raven, an average teen in all aspects except one: she can see into the future. Alongside her friend Chelsea and Cory, she tries to navigate her everyday life and juggle it with this strange ability.

The show was revived in 2017 as "Raven's Home," and it picks up on Raven's life as a single mother. She raises her child with the help of Chelsea, but the plot thickens when her son starts exhibiting psychic abilities. The show, however, was poorly received. Most people were disappointed that Raven and Chelsea had too many or insufficient appearances. Thus, no one seemed to like it.

4. "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody"

"The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" is easily the most iconic show of our generation. The troublesome adventures that Zack and Cody get into in every episode are something we were raised on. Numerous memes sprung up from the show, some of which we quote to this day. Therefore, the lovable characters were perfect company throughout our childhood.

So it's no surprise that in 2008 Disney rebooted it as "Suite Life on Deck." The show had the exact same premise, only this time, all the characters were stuck together on a cruise ship where the kids were attending school. Combining the same characters, only their slightly grown-up versions, and the numerous crossovers they did was a massive success.

3. "Whose Line Is It Anyway"

"Whose Line" began as a British radio program, then moved to television, and ABC started making the American version in 1998. The show's host was Drew Carey, with performances by Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, and Wayne Brady alongside the guest. The show quickly became well-known for the witty banter between the host and the performers, among other things.

While the show stopped airing in 2007, CW picked it up again in 2013 with Aisha Tyler as its host. Despite the show keeping the same format, with the performers being given different prompts to improvise on the spot, the revival was still met with some backlash. Carey seemed to be a fan favorite, and no matter how well-capable Aisha was, she might never live up to the expectations of nostalgia-high fans.

2. "Doctor Who"

If you haven't heard of "Doctor Who" by now, you must live under a rock since this is one of the most beloved UK shows ever. It first aired in 1963 on BBC, and the original edition lasted until 1989. The fans couldn't get enough of this shape-shifting, time-traveling alien, so the series was revived in 2005.

The show's premise is quite simple: the main character, "The Doctor," belongs to the race of aliens called "Time Lords." He fled from his planet in a time-and-space-traveling machine called the TARDIS. Often picking up various companions, he journeys through space and time, fighting different monsters and aliens, always saving the day.

1. "iCarly"

"iCarly" is one of those shows that Gen Z grew up on. Everyone that watched anything from Nickelodeon was sure to tune in whenever "iCarly" was on. In many ways, this show marks the Gen Z experience, especially our connection to the Internet and consuming and sometimes creating content there. Carly's and Sam's road to fame might not be a universal experience. Still, their connection to the World Wide Web certainly is.

After it stopped airing in 2012, "iCarly" was revived in 2021 and premiered on Paramount+. The show picks up nine years after the end of the previous series, with its original main cast and some new faces. It made a smart move to make the show for its now-grown audience, with the level of maturity rising while having the same upbeat pacing as the original. These decisions made it one of the best children's shows revived.

Reviving a show is a double-edged sword. It can be lucrative for the networks to revive it. Still, if the show doesn't live up to the public's hype, everyone who worked on it loses a tremendous amount of respect. However, if they get a read on their intended audience and make something that will satisfy their needs, it's remembered as legendary.

What are some of your favorite revived shows? Which ones should have stayed dead?

Cover photo: Screenshot/YouTube