TL;DR: Hollywood is currently obsessed with mining our childhoods for "newstalgia"—rebooting everything from the X-Men to Wonka. While it’s partly a corporate cash grab, it’s also a massive opportunity for you to connect with your kids over shared characters. Our top picks for reboots that actually respect the source material while being great for kids: X-Men '97, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
If you’ve walked through a Target or scrolled through Netflix lately, you’ve probably had a moment of "Wait, is it 1994 again?" Between the Barbie movie, the return of the Ghostbusters, and the constant stream of live-action Disney remakes, our kids are effectively growing up with the same "friends" we had.
This isn't a coincidence. Studios call it "IP" (Intellectual Property). In an era where a new YouTuber pops up every five seconds, it’s safer for a studio to bet $200 million on a character people already know than on something original.
But for us, it creates a unique "bridge." It’s the one time you don't have to ask your kid to explain why a toilet is singing or what "Ohio" means. You already know the characters; you just need to know if the new version is any good—or if it’s a soul-crushing disappointment.
The digital divide between parents and kids is real. Most of the time, we are chasing them into their world (Roblox, Minecraft, or whatever MrBeast is doing). Reboots flip the script. They bring the kids into our world, but with a modern "operating system" that fits their attention spans and values.
When you watch X-Men '97 together, you aren't just consuming content; you’re sharing a piece of your history. It’s a low-stakes way to build connection. Plus, let's be honest: watching a high-quality reboot is way more tolerable than sitting through another episode of some hyper-active "unboxing" channel.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized list of reboots based on your favorite 90s shows
Not all reboots are created equal. Some are brilliant reimaginings, and some are just Space Jam: A New Legacy—which, let’s be real, was basically a two-hour commercial for a server farm. Here is what is actually worth your family's time:
Ages 7+ This is arguably the best version of the Turtles ever made. Why? Because they actually cast teenagers to play the turtles. It feels messy, kinetic, and authentic to how kids actually talk today. It trades the stiff "cowabunga" vibes for a soundtrack and art style (think Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) that kids find incredibly cool.
Ages 10+ If you grew up with the Saturday morning cartoon, this will hit you right in the feels. It picks up exactly where the original left off but updates the animation and deepens the storytelling. Warning: It deals with some heavy themes like grief and social prejudice, so it’s better for the upper-elementary and middle school crowd.
Ages 5+ It’s not high art, but it is a perfect "gateway" movie. It captures the DNA of the Nintendo games perfectly. It’s colorful, fast-paced, and has enough Easter eggs to keep you busy while your five-year-old loses their mind over Bowser singing.
Ages 8+ The original movies were... not great. This series reboot stays much closer to the Percy Jackson book series by Rick Riordan. It’s a great example of a "modern update" that focuses on diverse casting and more realistic kid-dynamics while keeping the magic intact.
Ages 6+ In the gaming world, Nintendo is the king of newstalgia. They managed to take a 40-year-old 2D platformer formula and make it feel brand new. It’s the perfect game to play on the couch with your kids because it supports 4-player local co-op.
Check out our guide on the best Nintendo Switch games for family game night
When a character gets a modern update, it’s not just the graphics that change. Studios are also updating the social and emotional landscape.
- Emotional Intelligence: Modern reboots often give characters more depth. In the old days, a hero was just a hero. Now, characters like Sonic the Hedgehog talk about loneliness and needing a family. This is a win for parents—it gives you more to talk about than just "who won the fight."
- Diversity and Inclusion: You’ll notice that many reboots feature more diverse casts than the originals (see: The Little Mermaid (2023) or Annie (2014)). For kids today, this is just the norm. They don't see it as a "statement"; they see it as a reflection of their actual classrooms.
- Pacing: If you try to show your kid the original 1980s Transformers cartoon, they might get bored in six minutes. Modern reboots are edited for the "TikTok brain"—faster cuts, more humor, and less filler.
Just because you loved something at age seven doesn't mean the reboot is for seven-year-olds.
- The "Grown-Up" Reboot: Some reboots are aimed squarely at the adults who grew up with the show, not their kids. Wednesday is a great example. It’s a reboot of The Addams Family, but it’s much darker, more violent, and carries a TV-14 rating.
- The "Nostalgia Bait" Trap: Some shows, like Riverdale, take wholesome characters (Archie Comics) and turn them into gritty, sexualized dramas. Always check the rating before assuming "Archie" means "safe."
Read our guide on how to tell if a "teen" show is actually okay for your local middle-schooler
The goal here isn't to be the "back in my day" parent. Nobody likes that guy. Instead, use the reboot as a conversation starter.
- "What do you think of this version of [Character]?" Compare how they look or act now versus the "vintage" version.
- "Is this how kids at school actually talk?" (Especially relevant for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem).
- "Why do you think they changed [Plot Point]?" This helps develop media literacy—helping kids understand that stories are choices made by creators.
The "Newstalgia" wave is a gift for intentional parents. It’s a rare chance to meet your kids in the middle of the digital playground. While some of these reboots are just lazy attempts to sell toys, the best ones—like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom—are genuinely great pieces of media that you can enjoy just as much as they do.
So, lean into it. Grab some popcorn, fire up the Disney+ or the Nintendo Switch, and show them why you were so obsessed with these characters thirty years ago.
- Pick one "Bridge" show: Look at X-Men '97 or DuckTales (2017) for your next family watch.
- Check the Wise Scores: Before diving into a "dark" reboot, check our media page for Wednesday to make sure it fits your family’s boundaries.
- Play together: If your kid is into gaming, try Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It’s the ultimate "newstalgia" gaming experience.
Learn more about how to use media to build family connection