TL;DR: Your childhood is officially "vintage," and your kids are obsessed. From the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice resurgence to the return of Tamagotchis, the 90s aesthetic is dominating TikTok and Roblox. This isn't just about baggy jeans; it’s a massive cultural "vibe shift" toward an era that feels more "real" to kids growing up in a hyper-polished digital world.
Quick Links to the Retro Revival:
- The Big Movie: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Ages 10+)
- The Binge-Watch: X-Men '97 (Ages 8+)
- The Spooky Classic: Goosebumps (Ages 9+)
- The Tech Toy: Tamagotchi Uni (Ages 6+)
- The Game: Pokémon TCG Pocket (Ages 6+)
If you’ve walked through a Target lately and felt like you were back in a 1996 Delia’s catalog, you aren’t hallucinating. Our kids are deep into a 90s obsession, but they aren't experiencing it the way we did. To them, the 90s represents "the before times"—a mythical era of "analog cool" before everyone had a smartphone glued to their hand.
Gen Alpha (the current elementary and middle school crowd) is finding this content through two main pipelines:
- The Reboot Engine: Studios have realized that 30 and 40-somethings are the ones with the credit cards, so they are reviving our favorites to get us to watch with our kids.
- The "Aesthetic" Pipeline: On apps like TikTok and Instagram, "Y2K" and "90s Grunge" are massive search terms. Kids are buying wired headphones because they think they look "vintage" and "intentional."
This is a rare parenting win. Usually, we’re struggling to understand why they’re watching a toilet with a head in it (Skibidi Toilet), but right now, they actually want to talk about the stuff we liked.
Ask our chatbot for a list of 90s movies that actually hold up for kids today
Not every reboot is good. In fact, most of them are soulless cash grabs. But there are a few recent releases that actually capture the 90s spirit while appealing to modern kids.
Tim Burton actually pulled it off. This sequel managed to keep the weird, practical-effects feel of the original without feeling like a CGI mess. It’s currently a massive trend on Roblox, where kids are roleplaying as Lydia Deetz.
- Parent Note: It’s a bit "harder" than the original in terms of some gross-out humor, but if your kid can handle the 1988 version, they’re fine here.
This is arguably the best thing Marvel has put out in years. It picks up exactly where the 90s animated series left off. The animation is updated but keeps that Saturday-morning-cartoon grit.
- Why it works: It deals with heavy themes—prejudice, identity, politics—in a way that kids can actually digest. It’s a great bridge between "kid cartoons" and "adult drama."
The new series is more of a serialized teen drama than the "monster of the week" anthology we grew up with. It’s a bit like Stranger Things lite.
- The Verdict: It’s actually pretty good. It’s spooky without being traumatizing, though some of the body horror (looking at you, Slappy) might be a bit much for the under-8 crowd.
The 90s were the birth of the "digital companion," and that tech is seeing a massive resurgence in 2024 and 2025.
The egg-shaped plastic toy is back, but now it has Wi-Fi. Kids can take their Tamagotchis to the "Tamaverse" to meet other pets.
- The Screenwise Take: It’s a great "starter" device. It teaches responsibility (don't let the thing die) without the risks of a full smartphone. Just be prepared for the "it’s beeping at me in class" drama.
Pokémon never really went away, but the new mobile app has turned it into a 90s-style card-collecting frenzy again. It’s all about the "pack opening" experience—that hit of dopamine we used to get at the hobby shop, now on a 6-inch screen.
- The Risk: It’s designed to be addictive. The "daily free packs" are a classic engagement hook.
Check out our guide on how to manage in-app purchases in Pokémon TCG Pocket
You’ve probably heard your kid say something is "lowkey mid" or talk about "aesthetic" rooms. A lot of this is rooted in 90s nostalgia.
- Wired Headphones: Believe it or not, AirPods are "out" for a specific segment of Gen Alpha. Wired EarPods are "in" because they signify that you aren't "always on" or that you care about music quality (even if they’re just plugged into a dongle).
- The "Vibe": Kids are discovering 90s music through TikTok sounds. Don't be surprised if your 11-year-old starts blasting Nirvana or No Doubt.
Here is the "No-BS" warning: 90s PG is not 2025 PG.
If you decide to show your kids the "classics" that are trending right now, remember that the 90s were a wilder time for children's media.
- The Goonies has a surprising amount of swearing.
- Space Jam has some... interesting... character designs for Lola Bunny that wouldn't fly today.
- The original Beetlejuice features a scene in a "brothel" that you definitely forgot was there.
Before you hit play on a "nostalgic" movie night, do a quick vibe check. Our memories tend to filter out the stuff that makes us go "Wait, did they just say that?" in front of our kids.
Learn more about the difference between 90s ratings and today's standards
This 90s revival is a massive opportunity for Digital Bonding. Instead of fighting for their attention against an algorithm, join them in the nostalgia.
- The "Original vs. Reboot" Challenge: Watch the original X-Men and then the new X-Men '97. Ask them which animation they prefer. (Warning: They will probably say the new one looks better, and you will have to swallow your pride).
- The Tech Talk: Show them a photo of a "Beeper" or a "Discman." Explain that we couldn't skip tracks if we were walking too fast. It helps them understand that tech wasn't always this seamless—and that's okay.
- Physical Media: If you still have CDs or (gasp) Cassettes, show them. There is a tactile joy in physical media that kids are actually craving right now. That’s why vinyl is outselling CDs again.
The 90s are back because the world feels a little too "digital" and "fake" for a lot of kids. They are looking for something that feels authentic, even if it’s a version of authenticity created by a marketing department.
Whether it's playing Super Mario World on the Nintendo Switch Online service or wearing jeans that could double as a tent, lean into it. It’s one of the few times your "old person" knowledge is actually a social currency.
Next Steps:
- Host a Retro Movie Night: Start with The Sandlot or Mrs. Doubtfire.
- Check the Apps: If they’re asking for Tamagotchi Uni or Pokémon TCG Pocket, set up those parental controls first.
- Audit the Wardrobe: Prepare yourself for the return of the bucket hat. It's happening.
Ask Screenwise for a personalized 90s-style "Digital Detox" plan for your family