Hollywood is full of failed reboots, but maybe that’s because they’re rebooting the wrong things. Many of these shows were simply ahead of their time or failed to find an audience amidst network decisions and scheduling errors, but the golden age of streaming and niche content makes this the perfect moment to revisit these lost gems.

After nuclear attacks fragment the US, a small town fights to survive. The show’s loyal fanbase sent thousands of pounds of peanuts to CBS to protest its cancellation. Given our modern concerns about societal collapse, a reboot is timely.

This Terminator spinoff was smarter than expected and had strong performances. With Terminator always trying for a big-screen comeback, maybe the franchise’s future is on the small screen instead.

A gated community of supernatural beings hiding in plain sight—vampires, werewolves, witches, oh my! The Gates had a strong premise and deserves a darker, more serialized reboot.

This fun, flashy dramedy followed the security team at a high-end casino. With modern Vegas bigger than ever—and the rise of cybercrime—this setting is ripe for a stylish comeback.

A global blackout causes society to collapse. While the original suffered from uneven writing, the core idea is compelling. A grittier, grounded reboot could explore survivalism and technological dependence.

A detective lives in two realities—one where his wife died, one where his son did. It was mind-bending and emotionally rich. A reboot could dive deeper into the psychological toll of dual existence.

Before Heroes, there was The 4400, a shows that sees people who disappeared over decades return with strange powers. It had scope, mystery, and social commentary. A reboot could explore post-pandemic parallels and government control.

Joss Whedon’s second entry on this list, Dollhouse explored identity and memory through “actives” who could be programmed with different personas. Its ideas are more relevant than ever in today’s AI age.

The TV follow-up to the Bradley Cooper movie had an intriguing setup, but CBS canceled it after one season. In a world increasingly interested in cognitive enhancement, this premise is worth revisiting.

A vampire detective in modern-day Los Angeles—what’s not to love? Moonlight came before the vampire craze took off. A reboot now could blend supernatural noir with urban romance.

Aliens slowly take over a small Florida town after a hurricane. This eerie slow-burn sci-fi drama could thrive in the current prestige horror boom led by shows like The Haunting of Hill House.

This underappreciated time-travel show had great performances and intriguing moral questions. A reboot could enhance the temporal mechanics and explore new consequences of time meddling.

A high-stakes political thriller with aliens and global conspiracies, this series collapsed under its own weight. But its bones were strong, and a well-paced reboot could turn it into the next Manifest.

A wrongfully imprisoned detective returns to the force with a Zen outlook and a thirst for justice. Damian Lewis led this underrated gem, which deserves a second chance as a meditative crime drama.

A team of people with unique neurological gifts tackled covert threats. This show was Syfy’s answer to X-Men, and a reboot could deliver even more compelling character drama and smarter worldbuilding.

Tim Roth starred as a human lie detector based on real psychological science. With misinformation and digital manipulation in the spotlight, this concept could evolve to explore deepfake and AI-enhanced deception.

A found-footage supernatural thriller that felt like Lost meets Paranormal Activity, this show had atmosphere in spades. A reboot with tighter writing and better pacing could revive its spooky potential.

A mysterious teenage boy with no bellybutton and supernatural intelligence—this series left many questions unanswered. A reboot could explore genetic engineering and transhumanism themes with new depth.

God gives a teenage girl missions disguised as everyday acts. This spiritual drama asked deep questions and could find new resonance in today’s uncertain world, especially if updated with current moral dilemmas.

A futuristic cop drama with Karl Urban and a robot partner, this show had promise but was axed prematurely. AI ethics and human-robot relationships make this concept even more relevant today.

This Canadian police procedural focused on a tactical unit handling high-stakes crises. With today's conversations about policing and mental health, a reboot could approach these themes with nuance and tension.

A man with the ability to impersonate any profession while on the run from a mysterious organization—this thriller had so much potential. A reboot could add a cyber-espionage twist for a modern audience.

This teen witch drama was canceled after one season, but had a rich mythos ripe for expansion. A return to the small screen could see better character development and lean into darker magical themes.

Aaron Sorkin’s behind-the-scenes drama of a sketch comedy show had sharp writing and an incredible cast. A reboot could reflect today’s polarized media environment and the evolving entertainment industry.

This kid-friendly supernatural show was a forerunner to Stranger Things. With its X-Files-for-teens vibe, a modern reboot could be both nostalgic and fresh for Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences.

An iconic teen drama that launched Claire Danes' career, it ended too soon. A reboot could follow Angela Chase’s adult life or focus on a new teen facing today’s social media-fueled adolescence.

Eliza Dushku starred in this supernatural procedural where she relived days to prevent deaths. With a tighter script and modern twists, a reboot could give this promising premise the treatment it deserves.

This HBO drama blended the supernatural with Depression-era mysticism. While complex and slow-burning, it left fans wanting more. A reboot could finish its story or reboot its mysterious mythology entirely.

This high-concept sci-fi drama explored what happens when the world blacks out for two minutes and sees the future. A reboot could refine the pacing and delve deeper into the philosophy of fate vs. free will.

A young woman begins receiving cryptic messages from inanimate objects—what’s not to love? This whimsical drama was short-lived but had plenty of creative room for expansion and deeper mythology.

This comic book-style adventure show was full of heart and nerdy humor. A reboot could lean into meta commentary and genre parodies, appealing to fans of shows like The Umbrella Academy or Doom Patrol.

While HBO wrapped things up with a movie in 2019, there's still room for more gritty storytelling in the violent, lawless West. A serialized reboot could explore new characters or pick up where the film left off.

A compelling time-travel drama canceled far too soon, Journeyman had strong performances and intriguing plots. A reboot could explore new temporal rules and ethical dilemmas with updated storytelling techniques.

Despite critical acclaim, this buddy detective drama was overlooked by viewers. A reboot could revive its charm with a new cast while preserving its emotional core and noir tone.

This sharp satire of corporate culture was brilliant but underwatched. With today’s workplace absurdities, a reboot could deliver even more biting humor and relevance.

This visually whimsical mystery series about a pie-maker who can resurrect the dead was ahead of its time. Its quirky charm and clever writing would thrive in today’s streaming landscape.

A sci-fi Western starring Bruce Campbell, this quirky and clever show never got the love it deserved. Its blend of humor, steampunk, and old-school adventure could be perfect for today’s genre-hungry audiences.

James Cameron’s dystopian series starring Jessica Alba had a gritty cyberpunk edge that still resonates. A modern take could amplify its themes of surveillance, corporate control, and biotechnology.

This coming-of-age comedy-drama captured teenage life with raw honesty and humor. Despite critical acclaim, it was cut short. A reboot could explore the same characters as adults or introduce a new generation of freaks and geeks.

Joss Whedon’s cult-favorite space Western was canceled after just one season, but its passionate fanbase never faded. With today's appetite for serialized, character-driven sci-fi (à la The Mandalorian), Firefly is primed for a triumphant return.