In recent years, there has been a trend of rebooting classic cartoons, bringing back beloved characters and storylines for a new generation of fans. However, not all of these reboots have been met with open arms. In fact, some have been met with fierce criticism and even hatred from the very fans they were intended to please.
Sometimes the reboots try to take the show in a completely different direction, alienating original fans. Others try to recreate the original show and follow the exact same formula, but they fail to capture the spirit of the original show. Despite this, some reboots can be good in their own right, but others are just plain awful.
10 Loonatics Unleashed (2005-2007)
Loonatics Unleashed tried to take the classic Looney Tunes characters in a totally different direction. The series takes place in the far future, and the main characters are descendants of the original Tunes who gained superpowers.
The show aimed to be a more serious action-oriented show that incorporated some humor. However, many fans thought the action direction detracted from the humor that made Looney Tunes so popular. If the show had been its own unique idea, it might have worked.
9 The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2017-2020)
Netflix took a bold move and created The Magic School Bus Rides Again, a reboot of the classic educational animated series, The Magic School Bus. Many fans of the original show felt like this reboot was an attack on nostalgia.
The simplistic art style was a point of contempt for many fans and the decision to replace the original Ms. Frizzle. While she made a brief appearance, Ms. Frizzle was replaced by her younger sister. While the show has done well, many can't let go of the original.
8 Teen Titans Go! (2013-Present)
Fans of the original Teen Titans show were in an angry uproar when Cartoon Network put out the reboot Teen Titans Go! They tried to bring back the beloved characters in a more comedic format, but it was met with criticism from fans of the original series.
The reboot was aimed at younger audiences, but this approach seriously hampered the show's ability to cover important topics that the original did so well. Fans also bemoaned the new character designs that were much more childish than the original.
7 Quack Pack (1996)
In an attempt to reboot the classic DuckTales, Disney created Quack Pack. This version of the show focused more on Donald's three nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. However, Donald's nephews are a bit older in Quack Pack.
The show tried a little too hard to connect with a new generation. The nephews are into stereotypically "cool" things like rock music, pulling pranks, and getting money. This left them feeling bland despite being updated from their earlier selves. Quack Pack only ended up lasting for one season.
6 Speed Racer: The Next Generation (2008-2013)
Speed Racer: The Next Generation rebooted the classic Speed Racer from the 60s. It took place several years after the original series and focused on the children of the original Speed. Speed Jr. enrolls in a race academy to become the world's greatest racer and compete with his brother X.
The new characters introduced felt like a cheap rip-off of the originals, including the brother character X just like the original. Next Generation attempted to bring in some of the original characters, but some, like Trixie, were given completely different roles, and the show seemed to have lost the spark of the original.
5 The New Adventures of He-Man (1990)
The New Adventures of He-Man was a 90s reboot of the classic animated series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The series was originally meant to be a continuation, but due to the studio closing, a new story was created, which put He-Man in space.
Some fans felt that the updated tone and humor failed to capture the epic and action-packed spirit of the original. The new setting caused the series to feel completely disconnected from its roots. Although the animation quality was slightly better than the original, the character designs left much to be desired.
4 Pre-School Daze (2005)
While nearly every 90s kid has a soft spot in their heart for Rugrats, the same can't be said for Pre-School Daze. Although closer to a spin-off than a reboot, Pre-School Daze followed Angelica Pickles during her time in preschool.
Since Angelica is often the least favorite of the Rugrats cast of children, it is no surprise the show didn't do well. Not to mention that the animation style for Pre-School Daze looks like a poor knock-off of the original show.
3 The PowerPuff Girls (2016-2019)
The PowerPuff Girls 2016 reboot reimagined the classic animated series of the same name. The reboot aimed to bring back the beloved characters and storylines for a new generation of viewers, but it was met with criticism from fans of the original.
The new PowerPuff Girls was severely hurt due to the decision to use different voice talents for the characters instead of using the original voice actors. Some fans felt that the new characters and storylines didn't live up to the original, especially when looking at the action sequences.
2 Ren and Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon (2003)
Ren and Stimpy "Adult Party Cartoon" was an "extreme" reboot of the classic animated series, The Ren And Stimpy Show. This reboot aimed to bring back the quirky characters and absurd humor in a more adult-oriented and vulgar format.
Many felt that the updated animation style and explicit themes took away from the innocent and quirky charm of the original series. Most of the jokes went too far in their attempt to be edgy. Ultimately, the series was pulled off-air about a month after premiering and only aired three episodes.
1 Velma (2023-Present)
HBO Max was not afraid to meddle with a beloved classic like Scooby-Doo, and it caused them to create Velma. The show was supposedly a reboot of the popular series, but it missed the mark by a long shot. The biggest complaints are the lack of Scooby and the fact that none of the characters seem like the originals.
Since the characters are so different, there is a theory among some critics that the show was not meant to include the Scooby-Doo characters originally. Despite having a critic score of 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, at the time of writing, Velma only has an audience score of 7%.