9 Spinoffs and Reboots That Are Better Than the Original
Sometimes, a show becomes so successful that it spawns a reboot or a spinoff. Every so often, that reboot or spinoff is even better or more successful than the original. As we near peak TV spinoff/reboot, let's take a look at 9 such examples:
1. Frasier (1993-2004)
With all the success that Frasier saw in its 11-year run, it can be surprising to recall that the series was actually a spinoff of Cheers. (Frasier Crane wasn't even one of the O.G. Cheers cast members—he joined in the third season.) Of course, Cheers is a beloved classic sitcom, so the debate over which series is better can be a difficult one. However, if we're comparing Emmy wins and the series’ lasting impact, Frasier does get the edge—especially considering the forthcoming reboot, which is sure to bring the show back to the public discourse.
Related: Frasier Is In the Building! Everything to Know About the Frasier Reboot
2. Daria (1997-2002)
Daria was praised for its intelligent heroine who became a champion for left-of-center young millennial women. With its snappy dialogue and clever jokes, it can be shocking to remember that the series was actually a spinoff of a show that was known for its immature and raunchy heroes: Beavis and Butthead. That’s right, Daria Morgendorffer was originally a classmate of the infamous duo before the smart minds behind-the-scenes decided she deserved her own series. From there, Daria became an icon in her own right and even managed to find an audience that found the O.G. series… how do we say… unappealing? In fact, the show still holds up, with a planned reboot starring Daria’s friend Jodie, titled Jodie, in the works.
3. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
If you're coming up with a list of tough heroines, you would be remiss to leave Xena off of it. The character made her place in the pop culture lexicon with her fierce nature and iconic warrior cry, making a star of Lucy Lawless in the process. However, many are unaware that Xena was actually a spinoff of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, in which the character had a three-episode arc. The success of Xena surpassed that of its predecessor, running until 2001 while Hercules ended in 1999. Fans clamor for a reboot or continuation of the series to this day.
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4. The Simpsons (1989-Present)
As the longest-running animated series of all time, there are whole generations of adults who don’t even know of a time prior to The Simpsons. However, who remembers when the show was simply a series of animated shorts included as part of The Tracey Ullman Show, which ran for four seasons? The success of The Simpsons has so surpassed that of the original series that housed it that you’d be hard-pressed to find a person who hasn’t seen at least one episode. In fact, the show and its characters are so essential to the annals of pop culture that their iconic catchphrases and plots are frequently referenced in other media—with no explanation even required. Now that is a legacy!
5. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-Present)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit entered its 24th season this year, so it can be hard to remember that the series is actually a spinoff of the original Law & Order (unless you look at its title, of course). In fact, it has surpassed the original series’ episode and season count due to Law & Order’s hiatus when it was canceled after the 2009-2010 season, before being brought back for Season 21 in 2022. Detective Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay, is a cultural icon and her will-they-or-won’t-they romance with former partner Detective Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) is one of the longest-running ships currently on television.
6. Doctor Who (2005-Present)
The original Doctor Who was prolific enough, running for 26 seasons from 1963 until 1989 with a TV movie airing in 1996. However, the rebooted series, which began in 2005 and still runs to this day, has managed to eclipse the success of its predecessor. The revival has broken barriers by casting its first female doctor and lining up its first Black doctor for next season. It's also secured an audience worldwide, especially given the success of the series on streaming. The new series has been praised for its more charismatic doctors and scarier villains, which can make for more compelling viewing.
Related: Here's the Scoop on the New Doctor Who
7. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
The original Battlestar Galactica lasted only one season back in 1978. The remake had no problem surpassing the success of the original, with its four-season run and multiple Emmy wins. In fact, the series even earned prestigious Peabody Awards in 2005 and 2006. While the new series kept very little intact from the original, the spirit and basic plot is still the same. The remake was able to bring a whole new audience to science fiction, a genre once thought of as a niche, and that impact has lasted to this day.
8. Queer Eye (2018-Present)
While the original Bravo series, titled Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, caused a sensation when it aired, the 2018 reboot has managed to improve upon the original formula. Switching to helping anyone, not just straight men, the new Fab Five address not just the aesthetic issues in their candidate-of-the-episode’s life, but the emotional ones, too. That leads to often poignant—yet still fun and entertaining—episodes that hit harder than those of the original series. The new cast seeks to open hearts and find understanding, whereas the O.G. series began by just making clueless straight men more appealing to their romantic partners. As a result, the follow-up show has been able to have a much larger impact than its predecessor.
9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
It can be hard to remember that the 1992 *movie* Buffy the Vampire Slayer—not the 1997 show—was our first introduction to the beloved title character, but it was. The movie had a much campier tone than the series and failed to garner much recognition beyond a slight cult following, whereas the WB TV show had such a cultural impact that even college professors have covered it. The series was often praised for its storylines, performances and overall quality, and is still considered a classic to this day, earning new generations of fans with its streaming success. Even with the sad controversy that now surrounds Buffy creator Joss Whedon, the show itself still has its place among the best series of all time.
Next, I Don't Wanna Wait: 8 Unforgettable '90s Shows That Deserve a Reboot