The‘90sare often regarded as a golden era for children’s television. Kids around the world eagerly awaited the weekend to indulge in their Saturday morning TV routines. At the same time, the ’90s saw the launch of several major children’s TV channels that became cornerstones of childhood entertainment, including Cartoon Network, Fox Kids, and Disney Channel UK.
With so many networks vying for the next big hit, a number of iconic shows emerged,becoming cultural touchstonesand defining an entire generation. Classics likeThe Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,Rugrats,Pokémon,SpongeBob SquarePants,The Powerpuff Girls, andSabrina the Teenage Witchcaptured the hearts of fans.
However, not everything from that time achieved lasting success. From animated spin-offs of blockbuster movies to one-of-a-kind but short-lived original concepts, these forgotten gems, while once shaping our childhoods, have since been overshadowed and faded into obscurity.
10’Pepper Ann' (1997 - 1999)
Pepper Ann
At the time of its release,Pepper Annwas considered groundbreaking. It was the first Disney animated television series created by a woman. The show followed the life of its bespectacled titular character as she navigated the ups and downs of early adolescence at Hazelnut High School.
Pepper AnnReached a Natural Conclusion
AlthoughPepper Annwas never officially “canceled,” after five seasons, the writers felt they had brought the character’s journey to a natural close, having told all the stories they wanted to about her coming-of-age experience. Reruns continued to air until 2008, before the show quietly faded into obscurity—until its entire 65-episode run was reintroduced on Disney+.
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9’Flash Forward' (1995 - 1997)
Flash Forward
Flash Forwardfollows the lives of two lifelong teenage friends and neighbors as they navigate the ups and downs of eighth grade. Seen as a life-changing experience by the two friends, they deal with new friends, new experiences, and new expectations they must come to terms with.
Disney Was in an Experimental Phase with Its Original Programming
Considered one of the first Disney Channel Original Series,Flash Forwardwas quietly retired after just 26 episodes.The show’s relatively short lifespanwas not unusual for Disney during this time, as they were still testing the waters with original programming. WhileFlash Forwardwas praised for its relatable characters and humor, it ultimately struggled to capture a large enough audience, leading Disney to discontinue its production.
8’Miami 7' (1999)
In the late ’90s, pop group S Club 7 achieved significant success in the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, and the United States. With 11 top ten singles in the UK, their success was enough to greenlight a children’s TV show.Miami 7followed the group as they moved to Miami in hopes of making it big in the States.
Miami 7 Was the First in a Series of S Club Shows
Aired on CBBC in the UK and Fox Kids Network in the US,Miami 7was a moderate success among younger audiences, who enjoyed its blend of comedy, music, and drama. Following its success, the series was followed by several spin-offs, includingL.A. 7andHollywood 7, until the group disbanded in 2003.
7’James Bond Jr.' (1991 - 1992)
James Bond Jr.
When thinking about James Bond’s ‘90s era, most will remember the big-screen outings ofPierce Brosnan in critically acclaimed movieslikeGoldenEyeandTomorrow Never Dies.Few will think of the short-lived animated TV series based on Bond’s son—and for good reason.
The Show Failed to Live Up to Its Big-Screen Counterparts
Despite initial interest due to its strong IP connection, the show struggled to maintain high viewership and received mixed reactions. Some praised it for bringing something fresh to the franchise and broadening its appeal to a younger audience, while others found it uninspired and unoriginal. Ultimately, the series was canceled after just one season and has been overshadowed by virtually everything else in the franchise.
6’Mummies Alive!' (1997 - 1998)
Mummies Alive!
Mummies Alive!was an action-packed adventure series that revolved around a young boy named Presley, who is the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian prince now living in modern-day America. He is protected by a group of ancient mummies resurrected to safeguard him from the evil sorcerer Scarab.
Mummies Alive!’s Dedicated Fanbase Wasn’t Enough to Keep It on Air
Despite generally positive reviews and a dedicated fanbase during its short run, the show struggled to maintain strong enough viewership to stay on the air. It faced tough competition from a plethora of popular alternatives at the time, includingPokémon,Batman: The Animated Series,andAnimaniacs.
5’Biker Mice From Mars' (1993 - 1996)
Biker Mice From Mars
Based on the outrageous premise of three anthropomorphic, motorbike-riding mice fighting against villainous forces on Mars,Biker Mice from Mars' unique blend of sci-fi action, rebellious attitude, and raucous humor garnered a strong and dedicated fanbase between 1993 and 1996.
The Show Faced Stiff Competition
The lifespan of a children’s TV show isn’t always long, often due to children growing up quickly, leaving the show less appealing to the next generation. In the case ofBiker Mice from Mars,new shows likePower Rangersbegan to dominate, causing its viewership to dwindle, which ultimately led to its cancellation in 1996. Despite having a small cult following that remembers the show fondly for its fun, punk-rock attitude, it seemed to fade into obscurity. However, there have beenrumblings of a reported revival—so, watch this space.
4’Round the Twist' (1990 - 2001)
Round the Twist
Round the Twistis a quirky and beloved Australian children’s series that was just as funny and bizarre as it was spooky and tense. Based on the books by Paul Jennings and airing from 1990 to 2001, it followed the outrageous adventures of the Twist family, who lived together in a coastal lighthouse.
While it certainly bore similarities to showslikeAre You Afraid of the DarkandGoosebumps,Round the Twistset itself apart with its quirky, offbeat charm and surreal humor. It has been reported that, due to being an independent production, it relied on various sources of funding, including the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, which wasn’t always easy to secure. After a successful run of over a decade, the show’s writers felt it had run its natural course and brought it to an end.
3’Ghostwriter' (1992 - 1995)
Ghostwriter
First airing in 1992,Ghostwriterrevolves around a group of Brooklyn-based kids who band together to form their own mystery-solving detective agency. The team has an unusual advantage, though, as they’re aided by a ghost who communicates with them via an old typewriter.
Several Attempts at Rebooting the Show Have Been Made
The original series, which ran on PBS between 1992 and 1995, was a critical hit and was praised for its original premise, realistic setting, and ethnically diverse cast. The brand expanded into magazines, computer software, and even teacher’s guides. The show was broadcast in 24 countries worldwide, but despite its popularity, it was abruptly canceled when the BBC pulled out of funding.
CBS aired a reboot,The New Ghostwriter Mysteries,but the show was canceled after one season due to low ratings. In the summer of 2006, the show was brought back yet again, this time as a radio show on BBC School Radio. Since then, little has been heard about the series as it slowly faded into obscurity. Seemingly out of nowhere, the show was revived and brought back to Apple+ with a new cast and new stories. It was a hit with critics, scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, before once again vanishing like a ghost from our television screens.
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Absurd in the most enjoyable of ways,Big Bad Beetleborgsbrought a big, campy dose of silly fun to children’s entertainment. This live-action show followed the lives of three children who encounter a ghost in a haunted house, who grants them their wish of being transformed into their favorite comic book heroes—the Big Bad Beetleborgs. The catch? The comic’s supervillains have also been brought to life and are out to cause chaos. Using their newfound powers, the kids must protect the town.
The Tie-in Toy Line Failed to Meet Expectations
Like many other kids' shows of the ’90s,Big Bad Beetleborgsrelied heavily on merchandise revenue to sustain production costs. Competing with the likes ofPower Rangers, it struggled in toy sales, and Saban Entertainment ultimately made the decision to pull the plug on the show. Despite its quirky charm, it struggled with its identity as it tried to blend slapstick comedy with action and spooky themes. Ultimately, the show faded into relative obscurity, remembered (if at all) mostly as a fun childhood moment rather than a franchise with enduring relevance.
1’Eerie, Indiana' (1991 - 1993)
Eerie, Indiana
Eerie, Indianaaired on NBC from 1991 to 1993, lasting a total of only 19 episodes. Despite its short run, the show received critical acclaim and has since developed a cult following.Blending supernatural suspense and mysterywith a touch of the surreal and an undercurrent of dark humor, it’s no surprise that Joe Dante, the famed director of theGremlinsmovies, served as the show’s creative consultant.
An Ill-Fated Spin-off Was Released in 1998
After renewed interest in the series during the late ’90s, Fox Kids produced the spin-offEerie, Indiana: The Other Dimensionin 1998. Unfortunately, it was cancelled after one season. While the original show is still held in high regard and fondly remembered by those who grew up on it, for the most part, it has faded from public consciousness.
