Top 10 Best Cartoon Revivals
#10: “Animaniacs” (2020-23)
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In the early 90s, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot entertained kids (and kids at heart) with a slapstick cartoon variety show. The show, which was produced by Steven Spielberg and featured a wide array of guest characters, was quite beloved. And so, when Hulu announced a revival in 2020, fans were cautiously optimistic. Luckily, the show’s endearing chaos was left intact, as was the stellar animation style and voice acting. In short – they didn’t mess up the charm of the original. The show was also great at poking fun at current events, giving contemporary issues some good old fashioned “Animaniacs-style” lampooning!
#9: “ThunderCats” (2011-12)
“ThunderCats” centers around a bunch of “catlike humanoid aliens” from the planet Thundera. And that premise, along with some cool character designs, was enough to captivate kids of the 80s. When the show made a comeback some twenty-plus years later, fans raved over the more sophisticated tone. While the original was quite campy, this new iteration went darker and told some intricate stories. There was also plenty of action and a fair share of humor thrown in. Unfortunately, the series didn’t last, and the Cartoon Network gave the property another go in 2020. Let’s just say the results were not as good.
#8: “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” (2010-13)
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Since 1969, Scooby-Doo and CO have been solving mysteries and taking part in all manner of delightful hijinks. And even though there have been countless iterations, including movies and spin-offs, one revival stands above the rest. “Mystery Incorporated” gave the property a slight mature makeover while adding a serialized story to the mix. The overarching conspiracy was a nice touch, as was the increased character development. Yep, the gang was no longer given one-note personalities. And so, the series proved popular among fans and critics alike. If only all the “Scooby-Doo” shows shared the same quality…
#7: “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” (2018–20)
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When it comes to Netflix’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” there are many layers to its resurrection/spin-off timeline. You see, the show is a revival of the 1985 cartoon “She-Ra,” which itself was a spin-off of “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” – a show based on the popular toy line. And while He-Man has seen his own share revivals, “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” is especially lauded for its representation in animation. The show’s writing is also top notch, as is the voice work. Add in some exquisite animation and you’ve got a rebirth worthy of the most powerful woman in the universe!
#6: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012-17)
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Like others on this list, the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” have seen their fair share of revivals. Afterall, the 80s cartoon was a bonafide worldwide phenomenon! And while there are plenty who enjoyed the darker 2003 cartoon version of the turtles the most, it’s the 2012 “CGI series” that takes the pizza cake. For one, it served up a perfect mix of serious stories and lightheartedness that we have grown accustomed to with our heroes in a half shell. This mix made the program accessible to, well, everyone. Yep, young and old alike could get what they wanted out of this Ninja Turtles series, leaving no fan unfulfilled.
#5: “X-Men ‘97” (2024-)
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When it was announced that Disney was reviving the much beloved “X-Men: The Animated Series,” fans were understandably ecstatic. The 90s cartoon was celebrated for tackling intricate storylines (often ripped from the Marvel comics) and delivering them with nuance and heart. Plus, it had a pretty bad-ass opening theme song! Could the revival live up to the original? The consensus has so far been overwhelmingly “yes.” “X-Men ‘97” picks up where the original left off and has taken some interesting turns in both story and character development. The animation style and overall designs have been revitalized, but the nostalgia still rings high. Plus, the rockin’ theme remains intact!
#4: “Transformers Prime” (2010–13)
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Released during the onslaught of Michael Bay’s live action “Transformers” films, “Transformers Prime” gave us a more mature take on the franchise. It also served as a love letter to the franchise as a whole – paying homage to what came before it. We were also given a welcome focus on character development – not to mention some pretty cool battle sequences. The CGI animation was also eye catching, giving the whole thing a superb glossy shine. “Transformers” has certainly seen its share of *ahem* transformations, but for our money, “Transformers Prime” is the revival to beat all others!
#3: “DuckTales” (2017-21)
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The nostalgia is high with this one. For fans of a certain age, the mere mention of “DuckTales” instantly conjures up a smile – not to mention a humming of the show’s iconic theme song. Lucky for us, the new adventures of Scrooge McDuck and his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie proved to be equally fun! The series smartly kept the charm and comedy of the original. It also managed to add new characters and mysteries, modernizing the premise in the process. The animation is gorgeous, and the voice acting is excellent. This revival made us so happy, we too wanted to take a dive into a vault of gold coins!
#2: “Beavis and Butt-Head” (2022-)
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What can we say, Mike Judge’s “Beavis and Butt-Head” works in any era! The 90s series was a mega hit on MTV, introducing the world to the crude, rude and downright hilarious behavior of the intellectually challenged titular characters. They even got a major motion picture in 1996! The show was revived briefly in 2011 where it also tickled audiences’ funny bones. When Paramount+ rebooted “Beavis and Butt-Head” once more in 2022, critics and fans couldn’t help but praise the idiotic duo’s latest antics. The “so dumb it’s smart” humor was once again on point, and Judge added some clever modern updates to the series.
#1: “Family Guy” (1999-2002; 2005-)
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It’s easy to forget, but the “Family Guy” we know and love today is a straight up revival. You see, when it premiered in 1999, “Family Guy” suffered poor viewing numbers. And so, the Seth MacFarlane animated series was given the axe following its third season. But, as fate would have it, massive “TV on DVD” sales led Fox to revive the series, greenlighting new episodes in 2005. With no end in sight, the adult animated series continues to bring big ratings and big laughs to the network. The animators, voice cast, and writers seemingly have the wacky world of Quahog down to perfection. And all we can say is, “we’re lucky there’s a Family Guy.”
What animated series do you think nailed their revival? Would you like to see another cartoon brought back? Let us know in the comments below.
