There were dozens of excellentscience fiction TV showsthat premiered in the 1990s, but some did not get the attention they deserved, or they failed to capitalize on a great premise, and these six series would be perfect for a modern-day reboot. In an era where the nerds have conquered the pop-culture space, science fiction still remains one of the last bastions of fiction that’s for the true lore-heads, cult heroes, and passionate fans who are willing to stick with something long after casual viewers have moved on to something else.
Look at anylist of the top science fiction TV showsin recent years, and you’ll see superhero shows, horror series, and, of course,Star Wars, but outside those blended genres and exceptions that prove the rule, straight science fiction TV shows are still for the hardcore fans. Plenty of great science fiction shows have come and gone, andthe 1990s were a particular hotbed of shows with interesting ideas and great casts that have since been lost to time.Reboots are ever popular, and these series would make great revival series in the 2020s.
Slidersran for five seasons, moving from Fox to Sci-Fi Channel (now “Syfy”) for season 4 and on. The series follows a group of adventurers who utilize a wormhole to jump, or “slide” to parallel universes. Due to an accident with their universe-traveling technology, they are unable to determine their next destination, and the show follows them jumping from random universe to random universe, trying to make their way back home.
Jerry O’Connell and John Rhys-Davies starred through seasons 4 and 3, respectively, but the quality of the show waned over the years, leading to a big cast shakeup. However,the premise is still incredibly strong, and a reboot could easily pair some of the old actors of the show with some new faces for a rollicking adventure that also asks some probing psychological questions about reality, free will, and determination.
The Sentinelwas a 1990s science fiction TV series that premiered in 1996 and ran for four seasons. The series stars detective Jim Ellison (Richard Burgi), a former US Army Ranger who spent 18 months in the Peruvian jungle, developing hyperacute senses while he was there. Jim comes to learn that he has become a “Sentinel”, a figure from ancient Peruvian tribes who were granted powers to protect their villagers. Jim uses his powers to protect his home of Cascade, Washington.
Notably, the series was canceled after the third season, which ended on a major cliffhanger and Jim’s life in the balance. A passionate fan campaign convinced the network to bring the series back for one final season. With a fanbase that invested,The Sentinelcould find a warm welcome with a reboot, and the unique plot would be sure to attract new viewers as well.
Based on the 1987 Stephen King novel of the same name,The Tommyknockersappeared on ABC in 1993 as a two-episode miniseries. One of King’s stranger stories,The Tommyknockers, is set in a Maine town where the residents fall under the influence of a mysterious object that is found buried in the woods. While the series is concerned with the otherworldly technology and its effects, the story is more about what happens to a town when they collectively grow apathetic towards one another and obsessed with their own devices.
The series was only two episodes, but could very easily be turned into a six- or seven-episode miniseries.
The series was only two episodes, but could very easily be turned into a six- or seven-episode miniseries. This feels like it would be right in the wheelhouse of ashowrunner like Mike Flanagan, who has already developed some Stephen King adaptations. With the newItminiseries on its way,It: Welcome to Derry, the appetite for new Stephen King stories is still there.
Animorphswas a popular series based on the also popular Scholastic book series of the same name by K. A. Applegate that premiered in 1998 and lasted for only two seasons, but had an impact that made it seem like it ran for much longer. The series follows a group of teenage humans who obtain the ability to transform into any animal they touch, a power which they use to battle a secret alien invading force that seeks to subjugate Earth.
Animorphsstars Shawn Ashmore, who would later appear in two superhero franchises:X-Menas Bobby Drake/Iceman andThe Boysas Lamplighter.
Despite being a show aimed at younger audiences,Animorphswas filled with heavy themes such as war, trauma, PTSD, and even torture. It would be a frighteningly relevant TV series in the modern era, and the improvement in the effects over the last quarter-century would help improve one of the crucial aspects of the show that hasn’t aged well.
The 1991Land of the Lostis itself a reboot of the more popular 1974 TV series, which was also adapted into a 2009 movie starring Will Ferrell. The 2009 film was much more adult than either of the series, which were both intended for children. A reboot could split the difference and be a show for all age groups. The series follows the Marshall family, who are trapped in an alternate universe inhabited by creatures from all time periods, past and future.
There are plenty of storylines to plumb, and many TV shows andmovies are exploring multiversesand parallel universes, making this a great time to dive back into the series. In fact, just a few days before the writing of this article, it was announced thatNetflix is finalizing a deal with Legendary to remakeLand of the Lost.
Sleepwalkers features a fantastic cast, including Bruce Greenwood and Naomi Watts as Dr. Nathan Bradford and Kate Russell, respectively. The sci-fi TV show premiered on NBC in 1997, and though nine episodes were made, only two episodes aired before it was canceled. Sleepwalkers follows a team of researchers who, through the use of technology, enter the dreams of psychiatric patients to diagnose their problems.
David S. Goyer, the writer of movies like Man of Steel, Batman Begins, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and creator of TV shows like The Sandman and Foundation, also created Sleepwalkers. It’s an intriguing premise for a1990s science fiction TV show, and if Goyer, Watts, and Greenwood suddenly announced they were interested in reviving the show, I think most streamers and networks would immediately jump at the chance to work with the acclaimed actors and showrunner.
