In an era where original content is highly sought after, the recent success of ‘Freakier Friday’ has reignited a passion for sequels to beloved childhood movies. While remakes might be facing fatigue, seeing familiar characters return with their original actors offers a unique sense of healing and nostalgia. If you’re feeling the sequel bug, here are 8 throwback movies that deserve a modern-day resurgence.
1. Life Size
The 2000 classic ‘Life Size,’ starring Lindsay Lohan and Tyra Banks, captured hearts with its story of a doll coming to life. With Lohan experiencing a career renaissance and Banks remaining a prominent figure, a sequel where Eve navigates adulthood could offer poignant commentary on preserving our sense of whimsy. Imagine the chemistry revisited!
2. Twitches
Tia and Tamera Mowry brought Black girl magic to the screen in ‘Twitches’ and ‘Twitches Too.’ These films empowered a generation to believe in their intuition. A new installment featuring the original twin witches, perhaps raising magical daughters of their own, would be a powerful and healing experience for fans and the actresses alike.
3. Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
More than just a Disney Channel movie, ‘Zenon’ was a cultural phenomenon that inspired dreams of space-faring futures. Kirsten Storms and Raven-Symoné embodied Y2K futurism, an aesthetic audiences would love to see revived. A sequel featuring Proto Zoa’s futuristic space concerts would be a millennial fever dream come true.
4. The Cheetah Girls
Few Disney Channel movies had the cultural impact of ‘The Cheetah Girls.’ Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Sabrina Bryan offered music, fashion, and valuable lessons on friendship. While a third installment exists, bringing all four original stars back for a true ‘Cheetah Girls 3’ would be a healing moment for fans, especially with Missy Elliott potentially producing the soundtrack.
5. Bring It On
This cheerleading classic masterfully blended comedy, competition, and commentary on cultural appropriation. With numerous iterations, it’s time for a sequel featuring the original cast, Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union. Seeing them return as rival coaches would be legendary, especially with both actresses still at the top of their game.
6. Roll Bounce
Set in the late ’70s, ‘Roll Bounce’ was a stylish, soulful roller disco comedy starring Bow Wow, Meagan Good, and Nick Cannon. With a resurgence of roller skating culture, a sequel with the original cast passing down the tradition to a new generation, set to both classic and modern tracks, would be incredibly exciting.
7. Get a Clue
Before becoming a household name, Lindsay Lohan starred alongside Brenda Song in this early 2000s Disney Channel spy mystery. The film was a cult favorite for its incredible fashion. A modern remake or sequel, imagining the characters as adults in New York sporting couture, would be a fashion lover’s dream.
8. John Tucker Must Die
This teen comedy offered sharp wit and a culturally relevant message about female solidarity. Starring Jesse Metcalfe, Brittany Snow, Ashanti, Sophia Bush, and Arielle Kebbel, the film’s themes of sisterhood over rivalry translate perfectly to modern times. A sequel where John Tucker faces his past with the women he wronged would be a satisfying conclusion.
Which of these throwback movies do you most want to see get a sequel? Let us know your picks in the comments below!