A whole generation of kids grew up watching Rugrats, and now a whole new generation will have the same chance. Nickelodeon is bringing the talkative toddling tykes back for more episodes. A Rugrats reboot is on the way, and Nickelodeon isn't holding back on getting the show going. The new season of Rugrats is already in production. Here's what we know so far.
Rugrats scored an order for 26 episodes, which seems to indicate that Nickelodeon has no doubts that the reboot will be a hit. No premiere date has been announced just yet, and the voice actors who will bring the beloved characters to life in the new series are still shrouded in mystery. The good news for fans of the original who plan to tune in for the nostalgia factor (or show their own kids) is that there will be plenty of familiar faces. Rugrats will bring back Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Phil and Lil DeVille, and Angelica Pickles. New characters will debut as well.
Like other animated shows to get the reboot treatment, Rugrats will likely look quite different than it did in its early days. Animation has come a very long way since the show debuted in 1991. Although the clarity of the animation did increase over the nine seasons that aired off and on from 1991 to 2004, even the best-looking episodes of the original run will likely pale in comparison to what can be produced in 2018. That said, the new Rugrats could have a familiar feel. The Wrap reports that original Rugrats creators Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain will return as executive producers. Interestingly, this news comes almost exactly two years after Klasky chatted the idea of more Rugrats.
Normally, I would say that there's no guarantee of any reboot's success, as there's never any saying for sure that audiences are ready to see a certain show come back. Even the biggest success stories can fall apart. Still, my money is on Rugrats doing quite well for Nickelodeon. The network's interim president and Viacom chief operating officer Sarah Levy has glowing words for the new take on the old show:
Rugrats is hands-down one of the most celebrated cartoons in TV history, and we are thrilled for a whole new audience to meet these iconic characters in brand-new adventures. What was true in 1991 when the original show premiered is still true today: kids are fascinated with the world of babies. We can't wait for today's kids to meet Tommy, Chuckie and pals.
Honestly, as long as Reptar -- and preferably Reptar on ice -- is involved, I'm fine with Nickelodeon bringing back a show I loved as a kid. As it turns out, the Rugrats kids aren't only coming back on the small screen. A film is happening as well, and it should be a big departure from the original series. It will be a live-action movie featuring some CGI characters, which... should be interesting. I assume the babies will be CGI and hopefully the movie will be able to avoid any creepy uncanny valley situations, but we'll have to wait and see. Maybe the CGI means Reptar is on the way! I really can't emphasize the importance of Reptar enough.
There may be a bit of a wait before any new Rugrats action. The movie is intended for a November 13, 2020 debut, and the show could take even longer. Only time will tell. For some upcoming (and adult) viewing options, check out our summer TV premiere schedule.
