5 Bad TV Reboots That Nearly Ruined the Original Series’ Reputations

It is not uncommon for successful and popular television series to receive reboots, but some of these attempts have come dangerously close to tarnishing the legacy of the original masterpieces. While many of the best shows of all time had concluded with satisfying endings that left little room for continuation, their massive popularity often encourages studios and networks to try and breathe new life into them anyway. Revivals have become a divisive practice in the television industry, and while some like Doctor Who have succeeded, others proved so unnecessary and poorly executed that they cast a shadow over their predecessors.

Heroes Reborn (2015-2016)

The original run of Heroes was one of the defining superhero dramas of the 2000s, following ordinary people who discovered they possessed extraordinary abilities. When the miniseries Heroes Reborn arrived in 2015, it attempted to reunite viewers with this universe by introducing a new group of vigilantes facing a global catastrophe. Unfortunately, the revival failed to capture the quality of the main show due to undeveloped characters and convoluted storylines that felt rushed. It lacked the grounded tone that made the original so compelling, leading many fans to simply ignore its existence.

And Just Like That… (2021-Present)

Sex and the City was celebrated for being relatable, grounded, and direct, but its recent sequel series has struggled to maintain that reputation. The show reunited Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte as they navigated life in their 50s, but the absence of Samantha Jones was felt deeply by the audience. Criticism focused on the lack of meaningful character development, with many feeling that beloved characters like Miranda had actually regressed. Between nonsensical plot points and unlikable new additions to the cast, the series felt to many like a caricature of the show they once loved.

Charmed (2018-2022)

The original Charmed was a staple of the late 90s and early 2000s, focusing on the Halliwell sisters and their destiny as powerful witches protecting their community. The 2018 reboot followed a similar premise with a more diverse cast, but it was immediately met with controversy and accusations of colorism. Cast members from the original series publicly expressed their disapproval, creating a divide before the show even found its footing. Ultimately, the new version failed to bring anything fresh to the table, and the surrounding drama ended up hurting the brand of both series.

The X-Files (2016-2018)

As one of the greatest sci-fi shows in history, the announcement of an X-Files revival generated immense excitement among fans who wanted to see Mulder and Scully again. However, the new seasons, which aired years after the original 2002 finale, were largely considered a disappointment. Viewers found the writing to be convoluted and the beloved main characters often felt inconsistent or out of character compared to their original portrayals. While these new episodes are technically part of the official canon, many devotees choose to skip them entirely during rewatches.

Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019-2022)

This 90s classic was a gateway to horror for an entire generation of kids, famous for its anthology format where the “Midnight Society” told a different scary story each week. The modern reboot changed this successful formula by focusing on a single mystery arc that spanned an entire season, which fundamentally altered the show’s identity. Critics felt it lacked the grounded, campfire-style atmosphere of the original, trading believable scares for a more generic style. By abandoning the unique structure that made the Nickelodeon original so special, it failed to resonate with the nostalgia of older fans.

Which television reboot do you think was the biggest disappointment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.