Cartoons from our youth are sacred, but fresh ideas are running low, meaning some of our favorites are returning whether we like it or not. These shows are meant to take us back to our childhood… or destroy our memories, depending on how you look at it. Here’s what to watch with the little ones in your family and the shows for us “kids at heart” to look forward to:
Hey Arnold The Jungle Movie (November 2017)
Arnold returns to the small screen with a big adventure! He and his class win a trip to San Lorenzo, but Arnold is solely on a quest to find his missing parents. At last, we discover if Arnold’s parents are alive & learn his last name, and find out if Helga ever confesses her love for Arnold. With so many call-backs to the original show, it’s absolute nostalgia heaven giving the show a chance to return with a full season. Nickelodeon is capitalizing on beloved ’90s Nicktoons with favorites such as Rocko’s Modern Life, The Wild Thornberries, and cult-classic Invader Zim scheduled for TV Movie returns next year.
The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2017)
Bus, do your stuff! Kate McKinnon takes on the role of our favorite kooky teacher –The new Miss Frizzle — in the Netflix sequel series. The OG Frizzle has retired and passes the keys on to her younger sister. Although the look is different, most of the students and the educational core of the show remain. Buckle up and let a animated high-tech bus take you on science-filled adventures. You’re never too old to learn … or refresh your memory.
Duck Tales (2017)
Disney has revamped their classic Mickey cartoons and are now giving a new spin on another fan favorite, Duck Tales. Premiering on the original show’s 30th anniversary, Scrooge McDuck reunites with Donald and his three nephews, leading to new action-packed & treasure-filled adventures. The new edition brings on an all-star cast: Ben Schwartz, Bobby Moynihan, Kate Micucci, Lin Manuel Miranda, David Tennant and more!
She-Ra (2018)
It was just announced that Netflix has teamed up with Dreamworks Animation on six original series to be released next year. One of the six is our 1986 “Princess of Power,” She-Ra! According to Netflix, the show will be “an epic and timely tale that celebrates female friendship and empowerment.” Can’t wait to see our heroine with unicorn sidekick “Swift Wind” kick some 2018 ass. (Now, if only Jem and the Holograms could get the reboot it deserves… The movie doesn’t count.)
Powerpuff girls (2016)
Speaking of girl power … Our favorite superhero sisters, The Powerpuff Girls, returned to Cartoon Network last year with a fresh, new look and all-new voices. This revival even gave us a fourth powerpuff, Blisstina “Bliss” Utonium, during a 5-part special. Fans of the original have been vocal with their criticisms. However, the reboot has the sugar, spice, everything nice, and Chemical X that its predecessor always had.
Animaniacs (Rumored 2018)
Hellooo Nurse! Our favorite weirdos trapped in the Warner Brothers tower may be unleashed once again. After the success of Netflix streaming, the Stephen Spielberg-produced cartoon is in talks for a comeback. There are so many possibilities with Yakko, Wakko, and Dot and all of the amazing characters that came with it (Pink and the Brain, Slappy Squirrel, and Mr. Skullhead) Not to mention, the possibility of more original songs like “Nations of the World.”
Carmen Sandiego (2019)
Carmen Sandiego has been in hiding, and in a couple years we may find her. This 20-episode reboot starring Gina Rodriguez won’t only be about where Ms. Sandiego is. The new show will focus on who she is and why she became a thief extraordinaire. As long as they keep her iconic red coat and hat with the amazing acapella theme song, I’m on board.
The Jetsons (Pilot 2017)
What is happening here?! The classic 1960s Hanna-Barbera show is going to become a multi-cam sitcom. Taking the animation element out of The Jetsons sounds like a disaster, but having Back to the Future director, Robert Zemeckis, and Gary Janetti of Family Guy attached could turn things around. Fingers crossed this will eventually lead to inventions that help get us ready in the morning.
Muppet Babies (2018)
Because we need more tiny versions of our favorite Muppets, Disney Junior is bringing back our precious Muppet Babies. All of our favorite characters (Fingers crossed for Nanny) are set to return with an entirely new computer-generated look. There have been so many new movies and TV shows since the show ended in 1991, so the pop culture references for the babies to spoof are endless.
King of the Hill (In Talks)
If we’ve learned anything from Fox’s animated programming, it’s that the shows never end and if they do, fans will bring them back. After 13 seasons and the show’s end in 2009, Fox is hoping to bring King of the Hill back to their Sunday night line-up. Both show creators, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, are interested in bringing the show back in today’s climate, but unsure when it can happen with their busy schedules. (And with Brittany Murphy’s passing, what would become of Luanne?)
