In 2025, reboots, remakes, and re-imaginings of just about everything dominate popular culture and family viewing screens. Reboots can be a good way for franchises to introduce characters and concepts to new audiences. For example, the original 1980s Transformers cartoon may not hold today’s kids’ attention, but creating an updated show like BotBots brings them into that universe in a fresh way.
The best shows derived from previous shows include many similar factors. Modern stories, updated characters, and new settings, yet also the familiarity of the well-known brand. There can also be differences between what’s considered a “reboot,” “remake,” or “re-imagining.”
A remake usually tells a similar story to the original, but with a more contemporary setting and some twists that creators hope will improve the story for modern audiences. Reboots often use similar character or place names, but tell different stories with updated characters. Re-imaginings can go in completely different directions from the source material, for better or worse. Any of these can start fresh from the beginning, or be a sequel or prequel to the original.
While the dominance of reboots, remakes, and reimaginings can yield mixed results, some have reinvigorated long-forgotten properties and given new life to stagnant characters and ideas. Here are 15 cartoons that have received new or continuing treatments kids absolutely love.
Transformers: BotBots (2022-present)
(Ages 2–6)
Where To Find It: Netflix
Taking the cue from the original series, BotBots features a cast of robots that turn into everyday objects to hide from humans. Instead of cars and planes, though, these BotBots are small enough to transform into sneakers, burgers, shopping carts, and just about anything else in their home —a bustling mall. The BotBots try to keep themselves a secret, but a Mall security guard is onto them, and hilarity ensues.
Why Kids Love Transformers: BotBots: Most Transformers shows are full of adventure and action, but also pretty darn serious. Sure, there are moments of comedic relief and some of the characters are less dreary than others, but for the most part it’s war, fighting, and action (Rescue Bots being a notable exception. BotBots is the polar opposite of all that. It is a lighthearted show that balances humor and action while embracing the sillier side of robots that turn into things. Its 2D CGI animation is the perfect vehicle (no pun intended) for slapstick comedy and playful silliness, making it a fun and easy-to-digest entry into the Transformers universe for younger kids.
Blue’s Clues & You! (2019–present)
(Ages 2–6)
Where To Find It: Nickelodeon / Paramount+
In 1996, a blue dog came to save us all by playing games that let kids figure things out through logic, fun, and patience. Hosted by the absolute gem of a human, Steve Burns, Blue’s Clues became a staple for kids of that time. It broke the 4th wall and made kids feel like they were really playing with Blue and Steve (and later, Joe). Fast forward to 2019, and Blue had gotten a significant update!
Why Kids Love Blue’s Clues & You: Blue’s Clues & You! Stars Steve and Joe’s cousin, Josh, who now takes care of Blue. The reboot keeps things simple: the show’s mechanics are pretty much the same, but the animation and colors are much smoother. It’s more contemporary, with smartphones and video calls, and the new host, Josh, brings a very warm, musical energy to the show. It’s hard not to get caught up in figuring out Blue’s Clues, even for adults. Blue’s Clues & You also produced Blue’s first big-screen adventure, Blue’s Big City Adventure.
Chip ’n Dale: Park Life (2021–present)
(Ages 2–6)
Where To Find It: Disney+
While the classic Rescue Rangers (and the way-better-than-it-had-any-right-to-be 2022 film with John Mulaney and Andy Samberg) are what most people think of when they think of Chip ‘n’ Dale, Disney has reinvented the chipmunks for a new generation. Park Life follows Chip and Dale as they get into silly situations in a city park. The nonverbal show relies entirely on physical comedy and goofy sound effects to get kids laughing.
Why Kids Love Chip ‘n Dale: Park Life: Park Life is closer to Tom and Jerry than Rescue Rangers, but kids love the slapstick antics and modern animation style. The show is very appealing to preschoolers because its simplicity allows them to get lost in the silliness. Kids learn to read expressions, and Park Life’s silly stories make it accessible and appealing both to preschoolers and international audiences.
Inspector Gadget (2015–2018)
(Ages 2–6)
Where To Find It: Netflix
The bumbling Inspector Gadget gets a CGI update here, as he works with his niece Penny and loyal dog Brain to foil the plans of the dastardly Dr Claw and his M.A.D. organization. Gadget travels the world saving the day (intentionally and unintentionally) through sheer luck and silliness, while Penny and Brain make sure he stays on track.
Why Kids Love Inspector Gadget: The original Inspector Gadget was a classic (you’re humming the theme song right now, aren’t you?), but it became very dated. This reboot brings Gadget into the modern era, with drones and smartphones among his gadgets, along with helicopter hats. The stories are faster-paced but straightforward, and Penny and Brain are more than just sidekicks, each being a more well-rounded character.
The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2017–2020)
(Ages 6–11)
Where To Find It: Netflix
This reboot of the classic educational show stars Kate McKinnon as Ms Frizzle, the younger sister of Miss Frizzle of the original series. Like her sister, Ms Frizzle takes her students on field trips aboard the magic, transforming school bus. The colorful cast of kids traverse science and education literally inside and out, learning all they can and solving problems on the bus.
Why Kids Love The Magic School Bus Rides Again: The meat and potatoes of the Magic School Bus remain here, in that the show follows the same formula as the original. However, the science and technology are more up to date and the animation style is much more modern. Digital literacy, STEM, and current scientific understanding are all presented in adventures so fun that kids barely know they are learning.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the TMNT (2018–2020)
(Ages 6–11)
Where To Find It: Nickelodeon / Netflix
The Ninja Turtles are never far from our hearts (or screens) and have undergone several reboots and reimaginings over the years. One could argue that the first TMNT cartoon of the late 80s was, in fact, a reboot of the dark and gritty comic book. No matter, though, as the Rise of TMNT brings Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo to a new generation with updated jokes and an anime style that kids love.
Why Kids Love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the TMNT: Rise of the TMNT gives viewers Turtles who are much younger than in some other portrayals. The show is at heart about four brothers learning to work together. The show also deviates from the original’s sci-fi elements, introducing magic and mysticism into the Turtles’ fight to save New York City. This, along with very stylized, sleek designs, completely refreshes the Turtles, making them accessible and relatable to today’s kids.
My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021–present)
(Ages 6–11)
Where To Find It: Netflix
The latest My Little Pony show is interesting as it’s a reboot of a previous reboot, the 2D series “Friendship Is Magic.” A New Generation has ties to that show, but is set in a future time, so for the most part, it stands alone. New star and Alicorn Sunny Starscout brings magic back to Equestria and reunites Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns who have been living in fear of each other.
Why Kids Love My Little Pony: A New Generation: A New Generation moves from the 2D animation of Friendship is Magic into complete 3D CGI, which honestly only makes it more adorable. The stories, songs, and style are much more cinematic, and they embrace diversity, inclusion, and friendship. It also has some hilarious moments that are sure to give adults subtle chuckles.
Carmen Sandiego (2019–2021)
(Ages 10–15)
Where To Find It: Netflix
Carmen Sandiego started as a CD-ROM-based computer game, became a TV show, launched the best theme song in the world (with the singers Rockapella having the best hair in the world), and now returns to TV for a new generation of kids. Carmen is a Robin Hood-type character who steals from the criminal organization V.I.L.E. and returns the items to their rightful owners, all over the world.
Why Older Kids And Teens Love Carmen Sandiego: Not only do kids get a subtle geography lesson while watching Carmen Sandiego, but the reboot adds a backstory and serialized episodes to make Sandiego less of a mysterious figure than she was in the original series. Carmen has much more emotional depth and is a much more interesting protagonist as she traverses the globe and works through moral dilemmas and spy intrigue.
DuckTales (2017–2021)
(Ages 10–15)
Where To Find It: Disney+
One of my personal favourites, DuckTales, gets an imaginative reboot of the 1987 series. The familiar cast of Scrooge McDuck and his grand-nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, are all there along with Uncle Donald and Launchpad McQuack. The update series explores the McDuck family legacy with modern characters and globe-trotting adventures.
Why Older Kids And Teens Love DuckTales: The rebooted DuckTales expands on the original and introduces new characters like Della Duck. It tells serialized stories with sharp writing that have much more emotional depth, while retaining the fun and adventure of the original. It also ties together aspects of several other Disney Afternoon shows, making it a centerpiece of their shared universe.
Tiny Toons Looniversity (2023–present)
(Ages 10–15)
Where To Find It: Max
In 1990, Tiny Toon Adventures was on my TV screen every afternoon. This reboot puts Babs and Buster Bunny (actual relations this time) at Acme Looniversity, where Looney Tunes legends instruct them in the finer points of cartoon silliness.
Why Older Kids And Teens Love Tiny Toons Looniversity: Unlike the original, which was something of an anthology, Tiny Toons Looniversity uses serialized, episodic storytelling to tell emotional stories laced with comedy. It leans more on heart and friendship than on wackiness, creating a very character-driven show —but don’t worry! The laughs are still abundant.
Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020–present)
(Ages 10–15)
Where To Find It: Max / Cartoon Network
Speaking of those Looney Tunes legends, their slapstick and silly adventures continue in new shorts. These new tales are fast-paced and exciting, but faithful to the tone and nuttiness of the 40s and 50s cartoons.
Why Older Kids And Teens Love Looney Tunes Cartoons: What’s exciting about this reboot to an animation geek like me is that the new shorts are all done in traditional, hand-drawn animation, making these shorts feel much more authentic than the previous CGI attempts at a reboot. Not only is the humor classic, but it doesn’t feel dated and is more of a love letter to the classics we all cherish.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018–2020)
(Ages 14+)
Where To Find It: Netflix
The original 1985 He-Man spin-off was a great show, but like a fine wine, age has allowed a rebooted She-Ra to take things to the next level. In the reboot, Adora is a soldier in the armies of the evil HORDE. She finds a magic sword that transforms her into She-Ra, and she leads a rebellion against her former masters.
Why Teens Love She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: The depth of storytelling in the updated She-Ra is a real departure from the original’s campiness, and the show embraces a feminist theme and strong LGBTQ+ representation. The characters are layered and flawed, and the adventures look better than ever with modern animation techniques.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation (2021)
(Ages 14+)
Where To Find It: Netflix
Speaking of He-Man, the show got a major update under the pen of filmmaker Kevin Smith. The reboot has a twist: the first half centers on Teela, who is on a quest to revive He-Man and restore magic to Eternia. Impatient fans took issue with this, but I thought it was an excellent way to retell the characters’ origins.
Why Teens Love Masters of the Universe: Revelation: The show has a darker tone and is serialized. It expands the He-Man lore in significant ways and, frankly, makes it a lot less goofy. With Teela at the center, new fans have someone to experience it all through, and longtime viewers will enjoy the appearance and new treatments of the rest of the cast as well.
Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016–2018)
(Ages 14+)
Where To Find It: Netflix
The premise of the new Voltron is pretty much the same as the original. Five space explorers discover robotic lions that can merge to form the giant Voltron, defender of the universe. They work through the difficulties of team dynamics as they battle the evil forces of Emperor Zarkon (who I think was my boss at a gas station for a while).
Why Teens Love Voltron: Legendary Defender: The updated animation goes a long way to making this reboot palatable for modern viewers. It has deeper characters and tells more compelling tales that all build towards a big crescendo. DreamWorks produced the reboot and replaces monster-of-the-week episodes with high-stakes, big-robot drama.
Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (2020–2021)
(Ages 14+)
Where To Find It: Netflix
Let’s wrap up where we began with the recent update of Transformers. The total opposite of BotBots, the War for Cybertron trilogy is a dark and gritty retelling of the Transformers Saga. It takes place long before Optimus and company arrive on Earth and explores the brutal civil war between the Autobots and Decepticons.
Why Teens Love Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: The animation in this update is absolutely flawless. It’s much less about selling toys and more about political and moral dilemmas as people switch sides and loyalties are tested. It takes the campy toys from the original and completely re-imagines them as players in an epic space tragedy.
