From the recent return of The Kardashians on Hulu to the revival of Frasier on Paramount+, reboots have become a regular occurrence in television programming over the last few years. The reboot has sparked a wide range of critical and audience reception; some critics found the return of these sitcoms to adjust well to changing times, while other series may have struggled to adapt.
However, regardless of how critics may feel, many of these series revivals seem to succeed, whether it's for nostalgia alone or new fans who have come on board. It's safe to assume that the TV reboot will only continue. Therefore, the following ten series from the 2000s, all of which have yet to be revived, are the most deserving of a revisit according to Ranker!
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Two and a Half Men
Chuck Lorre's 12-season-long CBS sitcom ran from September 2003 to February 2015. The show was wildly successful commercially, winning 9 Emmy Awards, including two wins for Jon Cryer. Cryer co-starred with Charlie Sheen for the first eight seasons, before Sheen was replaced by Ashton Kutcher for the final four seasons.
The series finale of Two and a Half Men contained a meta concept in which Charlie Sheen was expected to make a final appearance, though ultimately he did not. A future season of the series would likely center on Alan Harper (Cryer), who is the only character to remain a series regular for the duration of the run. The show could pick up where Alan's storyline left off, depicting his marriage with Lyndsey and his continued friendship with Walden.
Castle
The hit ABC procedural following the collaboration and romance between homicide detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) and novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillian) was canceled after eight seasons. The unlikely partnership of the two lead characters and their growing feelings for one another created an exciting dynamic among audiences and made one of the most popular dramedies on TV.
The final episode of Castle contains an abrupt time jump to seven years in the future after both Beckett and Castle survive getting shot. In the show's final moments, the two leads are seen eating breakfast with their three children. A revival could either explore the seven years in between or it could begin in the present and show the work-family balance Castle and Beckett have as they raise their children.
The Sopranos
The classic HBO drama series following the Tony and Camila Soprano (played by multiple-time Emmy winners James Gandolfini and Edie Falco) became famous for its open-ended finale, with the fate of Tony Soprano left unconfirmed. The landmark cable series has managed to maintain its popularity fifteen years after that finale, so a reboot is never out of the question.
The subject of what a reboot of The Many Saints of Newark, was released in 2021 starring Michael Gandolfini as a young Tony Soprano. A spinoff series could explore more of Tony Soprano's younger adulthood, with the finale culminating at the beginning of the original program.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer lasted seven seasons, while its spinoff series Angel ran for five seasons.
Buffy was lauded for constantly subverting gender stereotypes during its original run. According to the BBC, its legacy shows a significant impact on the artistry of television, with Buffy considered as one of several shows that influenced the subsequent age of Peak TV. Although several attempts at a movie adaptation have been made, a limited series could yield fascinating results, given where television has gone since the show's initial premiere.
Parks and Recreation
Greg Daniels and Michael Schur followed up their work on The Office with another commercially successful mockumentary series: the NBC sitcom indelible characters in addition to Leslie Knope. The series would also introduce audiences to Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, and more.
The Parks and Rec cast reunited for a one-time-only pandemic special that got fans and audiences excited about what a reboot could look like in 2022. Leslie Knope's undying optimism for a better future was always infectious and the subject of some great comedy, given the cynicism of the characters around her. This could make for even greater comedy in a more politically divisive climate, which would allow the writers to create biting social commentary.
Malcolm in the Middle
The single-camera Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle was one of the few family sitcoms of the early 2000s to not feature a laugh track. The series followed a middle-class family led by Lois (7-time Emmy nominated Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal (Bryan Cranston), whose son Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) has a genius-level IQ.
Muniz has grown up since the show's initial run, and it could be fascinating to see Malcolm's life as an adult. Furthermore, Jane Kaczmarek lost every single one of her Emmy nominations, and a reboot could be a perfect opportunity to see her finally accept well-deserved recognition for her Breaking Bad, and it could be difficult to bring this highly sought-after actor back to the show.
Kim Possible
It's been 15 years since the original run of Disney Channel's animated program about a teenage superhero, her lovable sidekick Ron, and his pet naked mole-rat. Kim Possible ran for four seasons, spawned two successful Disney Channel original movies, and received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Animated Program.
Kim Possible has maintained a devoted fanbase, and there was even a live-action made-for-television movie adaptation in 2019. However, after a 15-year hiatus, audiences might enjoy a reboot in which Kim has grown up with the age of time. Perhaps an interesting take on a reboot could involve Kim raising a daughter of her own and ing on her gifts.
The Big Bang Theory
The second Chuck Lorre series on this list also boasted a run of 12 seasons. Young Sheldon, which recently wrapped its fifth season on CBS. The original sitcom starred Jim Parsons (in a role that won him 4 Emmy Awards), Johnny Galecki, and Kaley Cuoco.
The cast of The Big Bang Theory has gone on to achieve multiple successful solo projects, from Parsons's work on stage and screen to Cuoco's recent success as the star and executive producer of HBO Max's The Flight Attendant. The continued presence and success of these cast in other projects signal genuine interest audiences have in these actors. From a business standpoint alone, it would be foolish not to explore where Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny are now.
Friends
If the recent reunion special on HBO Max were any indication, producers and executives would be doing everything in their power to get the Central Perk gang back together, though this time, for a real reboot of the original series. Friends lasted 10 seasons on NBC and won numerous accolades, including the Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series and Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Jennifer Aniston.
Thanks to the streaming revolution, Friends is one of those rare sitcoms that has seen many generations of fans fall in love with the six main cast . After twenty years, there are many potential avenues to explore: Are Rachel and Ross still together for good? How are Monica and Chandler as parents? Does Phoebe still perform those crazy songs at Central Perk? Nothing would make fans happier than a peek at the lives of these six characters in 2022.
The Office
According to Ranker, the number one greatest show from the 2000s that has yet to get the TV reboot treatment is the American adaptation of The Office, developed by Greg Daniels. The workplace mockumentary sitcom lasted 9 seasons and aired over 200 episodes. The series has also received strong viewership beyond its original run after having been available to stream on Netflix and now on Peacock.
Although Steve Carell left the original series after seven seasons, a potential reboot in which Michael Scott returns could be a compelling inciting incident. The Office has always excelled at engaging character dynamics, so there is no question whether or not fans will tune in. Although there are no currently announced plans for a reboot, one has to wonder how Michael Scott and the employees at Dunder Mifflin would respond to the ever-evolving work culture of the last several years!