How do you do, fellow kids? If you’re a young Millennial or Gen Z, you might be looking at all these recently-announced '80s reboots and wondering just what the heck is going on. zWho are “the first wives” and why did they form a club? And what the heck is Dune?We hear you and we’d like to help with a handy dandy guide to all the reboots, revivals, reunions and “continuations” happening in this, the year 2020. Stop quietly nodding along when your slightly older friends start going on about the Practical Magic remake and actually contribute to the conversation with your new-found '80s, '90s and early '00s pop culture knowledge.You’re welcome.
DUNE (1984)
OG Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen and Francesca Annis.What’s going on: Waaay in the future (the year 10,191, to be exact), a boy from a royal family is tasked with protecting the most valuable substance in the galaxy—a spice that extends life—on the desert planet of Arrakis, AKA “Dune.” Space and desert hijinks ensue. What you need to know: Based on the 1965 sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, the 2020 remake features a stellar modern cast including Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Jason Momoa and Oscar Isaac.
FIRST WIVES CLUB (1996)
OG Cast: Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker.What’s going on: Three college BFFs seek revenge on their ex-husbands after they’re all left for younger women. Ivana Trump also makes a cameo. What you need to know: Here’s the deal—the new so-called “First Wives reunion” is NOT a true reunion, though lovers of the OG may tout it as just that, because the core cast are reassembling. What’s happening is Goldie, Bette and Diane will appear in a new movie about three ex-wives of the same man who are forced to spend time together after his death. We’re expecting a white-suited dance number nevertheless.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986)
OG Cast: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin.What’s going on: In this wild ride that blurs the lines of horror, musical and comedy, a down-and-out florist gains local fame with his rapidly growing plant… which feeds on human blood. Also, Steve Martin is a terrifying and abusive dentist.What you need to know: The 1986 film has a different ending from the original off-Broadway musical, so the ending to the new one will definitely be a surprise. Billy Porter is confirmed as the plant and Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton are rumoured to be involved in the reboot.[video_embed id='1908345']Chris Evans in talks for ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ remake[/video_embed]
WEST SIDE STORY (1961)
OG Cast: Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn. What’s going on: In 1960s NYC, Tony, a teen street gang’s second-in-command, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the rival gang’s leader. Singing, dancing, finger-snapping and death follows. What you need to know: The original film whitewashed Maria—who is Puerto Rican—when casting Natalie Wood but this time around the role will be played by Hollywood newcomer Rachel Zegler. Ansel Elgort plays Tony and Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the original, returns in a new role.
THE INVISIBLE MAN (1992)
OG Cast: Chevy Chase, Daryl Hannah, Sam Neill.What’s going on: H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel has been adapted for TV and film countless times but the 1992 movie (Memoirs of an Invisible Man) is probably the most well-known. In all iterations, a man is turned invisible through advanced science and then proceeds to use the power for good or evil. What you need to know: The 2020 reboot reimagines the story as horror and stars Elisabeth Moss as a woman who flees an abusive relationship and is then hunted by her former partner after he fakes his death and becomes invisible. A sequel, The Invisible Woman, is already in the works.[video_embed id='1911371']‘The Invisible Man’ twits the 1993 classic into a whole new movie[/video_embed]
FANTASY ISLAND (1977-1984)
OG Cast: Ricardo Montalban, Hervé Villechaize.What’s going on: A mysterious Mr. Roarke and his assistant Tattoo welcome guests to Fantasy Island where they can live out their wildest dreams, which rarely go as intended.What you need to know: The 2020 horror-comedy stars Michael Peña as Mr. Roarke and Lucy Hale, Maggie Q and Jimmy O. Yang as visitors to the island.[video_embed id='1901237']Lucy Hale weighs in on a possible ‘Fantasy Island’ sequel[/video_embed]
THE SECRET GARDEN (1993)
OG Cast: Kate Maberly, Maggie Smith, John Lynch.What’s going on: A spoiled girl moves to her uncle’s isolated estate after her parents’ death and learns the error of her selfish ways as she makes friends and then discovers a secret magical garden. What you need to know: Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel has been adapted for the screen several times, rarely straying from her original story. The 2020 version stars Colin Firth (who appeared briefly in the 1987 TV movie), Julie Walters and newcomer Dixie Egerickx.
SAVED BY THE BELL (1989-1992)
OG Cast: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Elizabeth Berkley, Tiffani Thiessen, Lark Voorhies.What’s going on: A group of teen friends navigate life at Bayside High School in Palisades, California. What you need to know: Lopez, Berkley and Gosselaar are officially returning for the 2020 revival which will pick up at Bayside High years later when Gosselaar’s Zack is Governor of California.
GOSSIP GIRL (2007-2012)
OG Cast: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Kristen Bell.What’s going on: Based on Cecily von Ziegesar’s early 2000s novel series, the show focuses on the drama-filled lives of “it girl” frenemies Serena and Blair at an Upper East Side boarding school. The series is narrated by a mysterious omniscient blogger voiced by Kristen Bell. What you need to know: Millennials likely caught the original series, so this is more of a Gen Z FYI. The new cast (which skews a little younger) is officially set and producers want to be clear this it's a “continuation” rather than a true reboot to leave room for the OG cast to make appearances.
PARTY OF FIVE (1994-2000)
OG Cast: Neve Campbell, Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Lacey ChabertWhat’s going on: The five Salinger siblings (ranging in age from one to 24-years-old) figure out how to raise themselves and run the family restaurant after their parents are killed in a car accident.What you need to know: The reboot brings the series into 2020 by focusing on the Acosta siblings who are forced to take care of themselves in the United States after their parents are deported to Mexico.
THE WITCHES (1990)
OG Cast: Anjelica Huston, Jasen Fisher, Rowan Atkinson.What’s going on: Based on Roald Dahl's 1983 novel, a boy named Luke accidentally stumbles upon a witch conference while staying at a hotel with his grandmother. The witches catch and turn Luke into a mouse and he and his grandma must stop them before they do the same to more children. What you need to know: The new film isn’t expected until fall but it’s already got a stellar cast attached including Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci and Chris Rock. Also, expect some freaky makeup.
THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB (1995)
OG Cast: Schuyler Fisk, Bre Blair, Rachael Leigh Cook.What’s going on: Based on Ann Matthews Martin’s series, Kristy presides over the teen Baby-Sitters Club which is comprised of her six friends—Mary Anne, Dawn, Claudia, Stacey, Mallory and Jessi. The girls run their childcare operation while also dealing with the normal stresses of junior high in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.What you need to know: The reboot will air in the form of a Netflix series and though they haven’t shared the casting for the girls yet, Alicia Silverstone and Mark Feuerstein are set to play Kristy’s mom and stepdad.
HIGH FIDELITY (2000)
OG Cast: John Cusack, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet.What’s going on: Based on the 1995 Nick Hornby novel, a record store owner revisits past relationships as a means of coping with his recent breakup. What you need to know: In the new TV series (watch now on Crave), Rob ,the male record store owner is replaced with Rob, played by Zoe Kravitz, whose mother, Lisa Bonet, was coincidentally in the 2000 movie, who also goes over her past heartbreak with the help of Top-10 lists.
PRACTICAL MAGIC (1998)
OG Cast: Sandra Bullock, Nicole KidmanWhat’s going on: Based on Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel, sisters Sally and Gillian are part of a family of witches who are also under a curse that means any man they fall in love with will die. What you need to know: The new HBO series is a prequel to the Practical Magic story and is based on Alice Hoffman’s prequel novel. [video_embed id='1914454']BEFORE YOU GO: Shawn Mendes threw Camila a surprise Cinderella-themed bday party[/video_embed]
