'Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair' & 5 Other Requels That Are Worth Your Time
Requels are everywhere right now. And no, that's not just another industry buzzword someone made up five minutes ago. It's a useful term for shows that act as both a reboot and a sequel. That means they continue a story while still being easy to jump into if you've never seen the original. No deep dives, no catching up on five seasons you missed in 2003. You can just press play.
There's a pretty obvious reason studios keep making them. They come with a built-in audience and are bound to trigger the feel-good nostalgia vibes. There's also the curiosity factor. People will want to know what their favorite old characters are like now. But requels only succeed when they balance that familiarity with something new. Otherwise, they just feel like reruns with better lighting.
That's also why the good ones tend to do really well. They hit two audiences at once: People who grew up with the originals, and people discovering them for the first time on streaming. With platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ making them so easy to find, it's not surprising they keep popping up. This list offers some insight into the requels that are totally worth your time.
Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair is a reboot of 2000's Malcolm in the Middle, which followed Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), a gifted kid navigating life in a very dysfunctional family led by Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal (Bryan Cranston). The new show follows an adult Malcolm who is living a happy life with his daughter and girlfriend after distancing himself from his parents and siblings.
But when his parents' 40th wedding anniversary approaches, Malcolm has to introduce his new family to the chaos he grew up in. Since it will likely include a reflective aspect to the story, the premise feels like a continuation that understands its characters rather than just revisiting them. If you enjoy messy, character-driven comedies like 2009's Modern Family, this will feel very familiar.
Prison Break: Resurrection is a reboot of Prison Break, which followed Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), a man who deliberately gets imprisoned to break his brother Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) out. The new series begins seven years after Michael's supposed death, with whispers that he may still be alive in Yemen's infamous Ogygia Prison.
The conspiracy and subsequent prison break plans put him and Lincoln in danger. Alliances are tested as the story ventures into new territory. Resurrection features more intensity than the original, though it doesn't try to reinvent the formula too much, which works in its favor. It's dramatic, excessive, and consistently engaging. It's ideal if you're into fast-paced thrillers like 24 (2001).
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air requel is a little different from the 1990 flagship sitcom, which followed Will (Will Smith), a street-smart teen adjusting to life with his wealthy relatives, including his Uncle Phil (James Avery) and cousin Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro). Billed as a drama series, Bel-Air takes the same premise and puts a more serious spin on it.
The story follows Will (Jabari Banks) and his new life in Bel-Air, which feels completely unfamiliar to him. His relationships with the Banks family are the same, but there is a bigger focus on themes like belonging and the tension between two very different lifestyles. It's a great choice for viewers who prefer dramas like All American (2018).
Frasier is a reboot of 1993's Frasier, which followed the titular Dr. Crane (Kelsey Grammer), who moved from Boston to his hometown of Seattle to take a job as a radio psychiatrist, while dealing with his complicated relationships with his father and brother. The reboot begins with Frasier moving back to Boston to be closer to his son, Frederick (Jack Cutmore-Scott).
Although the city is familiar, Frasier has to manage the challenges that come with age and a new job. The series is slightly more introspective than the original, which fits where the character is in life. The humor is still rooted in clever dialogue and character dynamics. It's ideal for anyone who enjoys smart shows like 2017's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Everybody Still Hates Chris is a reboot of 2005's Everybody Hates Chris, which chronicled the life of a teenage Chris Rock (Tyler James Williams) growing up in a sketchy Brooklyn neighborhood in the 1980s. The animated reboot picks up right after the original series finale. Each episode focuses on his daily struggles with school, family, and even a few bullies.
The biggest difference between Everybody Still Hates Chris and the original is that the reboot has a more slapstick feel due to its animated format. But it still delivers on the observational comedy that made the original work so well, making it a continuation that respects its roots. It's a great pick for anyone who likes stories with humor and a slight edge, like Everybody Loves Raymond (1996).
Scrubs is a reboot of 2001's Scrubs, which followed J.D. (Zach Braff) and his fellow interns as they learned how to survive both medicine and adulthood at Sacred Heart Hospital. The new series sees J.D. return to his old place of work, where he unexpectedly takes on a new role alongside former colleagues, like his best friend Turk (Donald Faison), and a fresh batch of interns.
The new version of Scrubs keeps the original's tone intact, but without trying to recreate it scene-for-scene. The humor still swings between absurd and serious-adjacent, often in the same moment. And the emotional arcs tend to work best when they're understated rather than overly dramatic. It's a great choice for anyone who enjoys workplace comedies like Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013).
