Fans of television love to go back to their younger years to feel that nostalgia. Shows for kids have always found subtle ways to aim towards adults, and now with constant reboots, it’s possible. Fans of shows like iCarly and That’s So Raven found success in their reboots with the main characters as adults.
But what would happen if there were more fan-favorite kid shows featuring the children stars, but all grown up? There are a few that might get people’s attention and a few that no one would see coming. Which children’s show would make the best revival?
Kim Possible (2002 – 2007)
Kim Possible is centered around a teenage girl who, aside from being a typical high school student, fights villains from evil. Fans know this series all too well because of its iconic villains and of course Kim’s, quirky best friend, Ron.
This show would be great as an adult version because fans could see what evil Kim would face next. Viewers also waited for the relationship between Kim and Ron to bloom, so they might want to know how that worked out. Overall, there is a lot of potential to make mature decisions with the plotlines and overall arcs in this series.
Zoey 101 (2005 – 2008)
Back in 2005, Zoey 101 aired on Teen Nick. It was a simple, yet sweet show about a boarding school with a group of wacky friends and the kids of chaos they get themselves into. Zoey was the main character and she often was the words of wisdom for her friends who found themselves in different scenarios that teens face.
This show would be interesting for fans to see now because there were so many characters, and viewers would want to know what everyone is up to. Will the topics take a darker turn? Will there be more drama in the relationship department? Most likely. It could be a fun twist to have the same character in an apartment building and watch as they deal with real-life, adult issues this time.
Phil Of The Future (2004 – 2006)
Phil Of The Future is one of the few underrated Disney Channel shows. It followed the lives of the Diffy family as they time-travel to the year 2004 from 2121. Phil Diffy is a high school student who befriends Keely Teslow as he tries to navigate this time period. The cast of Phil Of The Future has since found themselves in many other roles.
This series was fun with an interesting sci-fi twist. It would be fun to watch how Phil and his family have adjusted and if any changes have been made in the future. Any similar forward time travel-based series would be interesting with all the world events happening in recent years.
Wizards Of Waverly Place (2007 – 2012)
This series followed the lives of the Russo family, who lived in NYC and owning a sandwich shop. The twist, of course, was that Alex Russo, played by Selena Gomez, and her siblings, were training to be wizards. The series featured one of Selena Gomez’s many great TV roles and took many turns as the characters experienced supernatural events, while also having one of the best theme songs on Disney Channel.
Wizards Of Waverly Place would be a good adult show now because of the current popularity of supernatural series. A new series could focus on heavier topics, which would be more interesting. The comedy in this show was always there and it could remain that way, but for a mature audience.
Danny Phantom (2003 – 2007)
Danny Fenton was just a normal kid until he spent way too much time in his parent’s laboratory and caused a chemical reaction that led him to be half-human half-ghost. He spends his time hiding the fact that he hunts ghosts while also trying to be a normal teenager.
Danny Phantom was a great kids’ show and considered one of the best Nicktoons of all time by Ranker. It was a fan favorite on Nickelodeon and could thrive as an adult show. It could be much grittier with better special effects, especially if they turned this cartoon into a live-action version.
Codename: Kids Next Door (2002 – 2008)
This Cartoon Network show was about a group of seemingly normal 10-year old kids who secretly meet in a treehouse and band together to get out of situations placed on them by adults.
It would be interesting and hilarious to watch these kids as adults, trying to get out of more adult situations or away from other adult enemies. The characters would be able to do more and it would come across as more relatable to the adult who used to watch the show as a kid.
The Amanda Show (1999 – 2002)
Fans will remember this Nickelodeon series because of its odd humor and wacky skits. It starred Amanda Bynes and other comedic actors, never took itself too seriously, and came out on top with its performances, which was quite rare for a kids’ show.
The Amanda Show would be a fun watch, just as it was when it first appeared on the kids-centered channel. It could be even funnier with its real-life skits, almost similar to SNL, but different in its own way.
Lizzie McGuire (2001 – 2004)
The Disney Channel series was pretty popular and well-received from fans. It followed the life of a teenage girl named Lizzie. She was average and relatable, while the show highlighted her quirky family and embarrassing moments.
The series was supposed to be rebooted but ultimately didn’t happen. It would have been great to watch Lizzie and her friends as adults and the show could have had something special, just like the original. Fans of the series who are adults now could have related to Lizzie’s adult journey.
Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide (2004 – 2007)
This show was about Ned Bigby and his friends as they navigate middle school. Essentially, Ned breaks the fourth wall by teaching the audience what not to do and basically survive the trial and tribulations of life at school.
Fans of the series have been very adamant about a possible revival for this series in which Ned Bigby teaches adults how to survive adulthood. It would be great for fans to get insight into Ned and his friends’ lives while watching them also deal with adult issues that people could relate to.
