Reboots. Revivals. Returns.
The best TV reboots and revivals of all time — and the worst
We've ranked 23 notable TV reboots from worst to best based on Rotten Tomatoes critic scores.
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It's hard to classify the craze of TV shows being brought back to life. Some return with all-new casts and storylines, and others pick up exactly where the original show left off as if nothing happened.
But as the new "Roseanne" and other reboots before it have proven, they can be a hit with audiences and critics alike. Even though "Roseanne" was canceled in May after star Roseanne Barr tweeted a racist remark, it premiered in April to over 18 million viewers.
Reboots can also be duds, though.
Business Insider looked at 23 notable TV reboots and ranked them worst to best, based on how well they did with critics (using critic scores from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes).
We based the ranking on the average of the reboot's available season critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes — most only had one season. We also included the average critic score for the original series, when available, for comparison. In the case of ties, the reboot with the higher audience score came out on top.
Below are 23 notable TV reboots, ranked worst to best by critics:
23. "MacGyver" (2016-present on CBS)
Critic score of reboot: 26%
Original series run: 1985-1992 on ABC
What critics said: "
22. "Fuller House" (2016-present on Netflix)
Critic score of reboot: 33%
Original series run ("Full House"): 1987-1995 on ABC
What critics said: "
21. "90210" (2008-2013 on The CW)
Critic score of reboot: 43% (Audience score: 35%)
Original series run ("Beverly Hills, 90210"): 1990-2000 on Fox
What critics said: "
20. "Heroes Reborn" (2015-2016 on NBC)
Critic score of reboot: 43% (Audience score: 57%)
Average critic score of original: 71%
Difference: -28%
Original series run ("Heroes"): 2006-2010 on NBC
What critics said: "
19. "Prison Break" (2017 on Fox)
Critic score of reboot: 53% (Audience score: 77%)
Critic score of original series: 68%
Difference: -15%
Original series run: 2005-2008 on Fox
What critics said: "
18. "Dynasty" (2017-present on The CW)
Critic score of reboot: 53% (Audience score: 85%)
Original series run: 1981-1989 on ABC
What critics said: "
17. "24: Legacy" (2017)
Critic score of reboot: 59%
Critic score of original: 88%
Difference: -29%
Original series run ("24"): 2001-2010 on Fox
What critics said: "Maybe this isn't the time for stereotypes and gunfire. The original 24 came along at precisely the right time, in late 2001. Maybe this 24 should try again later." — Tom Long, Detroit News
16. "American Idol" (2018 on ABC)
Critic score of reboot: 68%
Original series run: 2002-2016 on Fox
What critics said: "
15. "V" (2009-2011 on ABC)
Critic score of reboot: 71%
Original series run: 1984-1985 on NBC
What critics said: "
14. "The X-Files" (2016-present on Fox)
Critic score of reboot: 72%
Critic score of original: 74%
Difference: -2%
Original series run: 1993-2001 on Fox
What critics said: "
13. "Arrested Development" (2013 on Netflix)
Critic score of reboot: 75% (Audience score: 78%)
Critic score of original: 87%
Difference: -12%
Original series run: 2003-2005 on Fox
What critics said: "
12. "Dallas" (2012-2014 on TNT)
Critic score of reboot: 75% (Audience score: 92%)
Original series run: 1978-1991 on CBS
What critics said: "
11. "Star Trek: Discovery" (2017-present on CBS All Access)
Critic score of reboot: 82% (Audience score: 56%)
Critic score of original: 78%
Difference: +4%
Original series run ("Star Trek"): 1966-1969 on NBC
What critics said: "
10. "Roseanne" (2018 on ABC)
Critic score of reboot: 82% (Audience score: 68%)
Original series run: 1988-1996 on ABC
What critics said: "
9. "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" (2016 on Netflix)
Critic score of reboot: 85%
Original series run ("Gilmore Girls"): 2000-2006 on The CW
What critics said: "
8. "Will & Grace" (2017-present on NBC)
Critic score of reboot: 86%
Original series run: 1998-2005 on NBC
What critics said: "
7. "Hawaii Five-O" (2010-present on CBS)
Critic score of reboot: 87%
Original series run: 1968-1980 on CBS
What critics said: "
6. "The Tick" (2016-present on Amazon)
Critic score of reboot: 90%
Original series run: 2001-2002 on Fox
What critics said: "
5. "Twin Peaks: The Return" (2017 on Showtime)
Critic score of reboot: 94%
Average critic score of original series: 93%
Difference: +1%
Original series run ("Twin Peaks"): 1990-1991 on Showtime
What critics said: "
4. "Queer Eye" (2018 on Netflix)
Critic score of reboot: 96%
Original series run ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"): 2003-2007 on Bravo
What critics said: "
3. "Battlestar Galactica" (2005-2009 on SyFy)
Critic score of reboot: 97%
Original series run: 1978-1979 on ABC
What critics said: "
2. "One Day at a Time" (2017-present on Netflix)
Critic score of reboot: 98%
Original series run: 1975-1984 on CBS
What critics said: "
1. "Samurai Jack" (2017 on Adult Swim)
Critic score of reboot: 100%
Original series run: 2001-2004 on Cartoon Network
What critics said: "The way that a show like this ends is less of a problem than the sad knowledge that we won't witness any more from it. At the close of all his years, Jack has found an honorable way home." — Melanie McFarland, Salon