8 "Iconic" '90s TV Shows That Deserve A Reboot

1. The Nanny

Few '90s sitcoms had the charm, humor, and unforgettable style of The Nanny, which starred Fran Drescher as Fran Fine.

The series followed her unexpected journey as she went from being a fired makeup saleswoman to the live-in nanny for the wealthy Sheffield family. With her thick Queens accent, flashy outfits, and quick-witted personality, Fran quickly won over the hearts of the Sheffield children and, eventually, Maxwell Sheffield himself.

The Nanny is a nostalgic favorite that still entertains (and influences fashion) to this day. Plans for a reboot series were reportedly shelved in early 2024, but there's still hope for a movie in the future.

2. Family Matters

Steve Urkel, the nerdy and accident-prone neighbor played by Jaleel White, stole the show in Family Matters. It's safe to say that anyone who ever watched the sitcom can recall his famous catchphrase, "Did I do that?"

Family Matters portrayed the life of the Winslow family, led by Carl Winslow, a police officer, and his wife, Harriet. It balanced heartfelt moments against laugh-out-loud comedy, thanks to Steve, and a reboot could arguably win over modern audiences again with the right mix of nostalgia and new energy.

3. Living Single

Living Single was a groundbreaking sitcom for its time that captured the joys (and struggles) of being single in '90s New York. It centered around six single friends, Khadijah, Synclaire, Max, Regine, Overton, and Kyle, and the all-Black cast brought much-needed representation to prime-time television.

Given how challenging it still is to navigate the dating pool, a new iteration of Living Single would feel more relevant than ever. What made this show such a hit was the mix of humor, romance, and sharp dialogue that kept viewers waiting for new episodes every week. A fresh take could include the same New York brownstone setting but with new characters and updated careers.

4. Wings

Nowadays, workplace comedies like The Office and Parks and Recreation are entertainment staples. Wings helped begin this fascination with workplace-based shows. It focused on two estranged brothers, Joe and Brian Hackett, who started an airline in Nantucket known as Sandpiper Air.

It checked all the boxes, featuring quirky coworkers and the unpredictable adventures of running a niche business. Now could be the perfect time for a reboot, given the lasting popularity of workplace-oriented TV shows, and center around a new small-town airport with the same sharp humor.

5. My So-Called Life

This show captured the emotional turmoil of adolescence by following Angela Chase, a 15-year-old who lived in a Pennsylvania suburb. It authentically explored the highs and lows of being a teen, like navigating crushes to dealing with family expectations, in a way that really resonated with viewers.

My So-Called Life only lasted for one season, but in today's world, a reboot couldn't be more timely. Modern teens are facing even more pressures amidst social media scrutiny and online bullying, so a new iteration could tackle more modern teenage problems.

6. Eerie, Indiana

Kids' horror shows that strike the right balance between chilling and entertaining are hard to come by, but Eerie, Indiana, did just that. This series followed Marshall Teller and his family as they moved to the bizarre town of Eerie, where supernatural occurrences ran rampant.

The show delivered Twilight Zone-style mysteries with a kid-friendly twist, and while it was short-lived, Eerie, Indiana, still left a lasting impact. Today, a reboot that mixes humor, suspense, and mystery could serve as the perfect gateway to the horror genre for younger generations.

7. Seinfeld

As a self-proclaimed "show about nothing," Seinfeld truly left a lasting mark. Viewers couldn't get enough as they watched the everyday absurdities that Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer got themselves into.

However, the show's finale divided fans after the group landed in jail for their selfish antics. And ever since Seinfeld ended in 1998, people have continued wondering what happened to the gang next and if they just returned to their petty ways.

The actors behind the famous fictional friends, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards, could reunite for a refreshed (but still cynical) take on modern life that every Seinfeld fanatic would tune in for.

8. Dawson's Creek

Finally, Dawson's Creek was a teen drama that captivated audiences for six whole seasons. It highlighted coming-of-age struggles, won the hearts of Millennials everywhere, and launched the careers of its young stars.

Rather than a complete remake, a next-generation sequel could feature the kids of the original characters. This setup would introduce a fresh cast who grapples with modern adolescence while still offering glimpses into the lives of the original Dawson's Creek cast.