It’s Sunday morning, and the thought of heading to the couch for the family TV session is making you feel a little queasy. But, are you ready to give it another go? If you are, then “Rugrats” by Paramount Pictures will be the perfect option. The new version of the TV series, which was created in 1991, is a reboot of the classic cartoon.
This year, Paramount re-launched the long-running animated series The Rugrats, which was first broadcast in 1991. The series has been reimagined for the 21st century, with each episode focusing on the characters as they grow up over the course of the show—as if they were still living in the ‘90s. It’s an interesting idea, but one that’s been done before, most notably in The Simpsons, where the children of the dysfunctional Evergreen Terrace family are now grown up and living in Springfield.
The babies are back!
Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Susie, Angelica, and even Cynthia return in Nickelodeon’s Rugrats reboot which will be available to stream on Paramount+ on Thursday, May 27.
The original cartoon became a flagship show for Nickelodeon when it originally launched in 1991, and to think it’s been around for 30 years really makes me as a 90s kid feel my age!
If you’re interested in catching up on all of the original episodes, you’re in luck! Rugrats: The Complete Series is now available to purchase on DVD and is also available to stream on Paramount+ (along with the rest of the classic Nickelodeon catalog).
Before I screened the first several episodes of the Rugrats reboot, I was sure to go back and study up on some of the original episodes. It had been years since I had watched them, but all the memories came flooding back as soon as I heard that iconic theme song, saw those 90s title card graphics, and saw the cute, adventurous, and mischievous babies.
Is The Rugrats Reboot As Good As the Original Cartoon?
As a 90s kid, I was excited to hear one of my favorite childhood cartoons was coming back, but, admittedly, I was a little skeptical when I heard the show would lose it’s hand-drawn cartoon animation in exchange for updated CG-animation.
All-in-all, I did like the new look (and I realize it’s somewhat inevitable that any cartoon reboot is turned into CG-animation). I really do love the texture and dimension that this style adds to the characters, the backgrounds, and really the entire scene.
I love the texture that is added to the character’s hair… but that texture contrasts greatly against some of the bald-headed babies. While Chuckie, Susie, Didi, and even Spike have new, eye-catching appearances with the added hair and fur textures, Tommy, Phil and Lil tend to stick out due to their lack of texture on their bald heads. These characters don’t have much hair to give extra texture to, and because of that, those three main characters can appear a little jarring next to the others.
That being said, the show is absolutely worth watching if you’re a fan of the original. Yes, you should expect some additional changes to the characters, but that’s not a bad thing.
Modern Updates Found in the Rugrats Reboot, Starting with The Opening Credits
Right from the start of the show, the Rugrats introduction music and chaotic scene holds true to the original cartoon, but you’ll notice a few updates!
Instead of a monster-sized vacuum with long tubes, Chuckie is riding a small, round vacuum that looks like a Roomba.
Forget the large box TV – that’s a thing of the past – the Pickles’ living room now has a flat screen TV (paired with video games, of course).
Grandpa Lou is no longer sleeping on the job in the recliner, he’s still distracted, but he’s now doing Yoga!
Stu Pickles’ robotic cat invention is still there, and it even looks similar to the original.
And don’t worry, the babies still squirt their parents with a bottle of milk at the close of the scene. Classic.
Original Voice Actors Return to Bring the Babies Their Iconic Voices
Arguably one of the most memorable parts of the Rugrats show are the voices of the babies, and many of the original voice actors have returned for the Rugrats reboot, including:
- E.G. Daily as Tommy Pickles
- Cheryl Chase as Angelica Pickles
- Cree Summer as Susie Carmichael
- Kath Soucie as Phil and Lil DeVille
- Nancy Cartwright as Chuckie Finster
My Recommendation
Whether you’re a fan of the original cartoon or introducing your kids to the show for the first time, the Rugrats reboot on Paramount+ is definitely worth watching.
It’s the perfect combination of nostalgia from the original 90s show — from Chuckie telling himself he’s “a big, brave dog” when we faces his fears to Angelica carrying around her worn-out Cynthia doll — but it’s also paired with modern updates — like Didi being a blogger, Stu loving video games, and Grandpa Lou trying out dating apps!
The show is fun, the characters are lovable, and all-in-all the updates to the show make it more relatable.
Stream the new Rugrats series on Paramount+ starting on Thursday, May 27.
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