When it comes to nostalgia, there are many theories as to how it affects us emotionally and is reflected in the media we consume. One such theory is nostalgia operates on a series of cycles, meaning people will inevitably long for cultures/intellectual properties that existed 20 to 40 years prior.
In the past decade, for instance, there were many cinematic adaptations/reboots of TV shows and movies that came out in the 1990s and ‘80s. But this wasn't the first instance of the cycle in effect, as there was a slew of movies in the ‘90s that were based on TV shows from the 1960s.
The Addams Family (1991)
While most people may be familiar with the catchy jingle, The Addams Family franchise actually has an interesting history. Originally, it began with New Yorker cartoons in the 1930s followed by a live-action television show adaptation in 1964.
Centered on the titular macabre family, this show eventually inspired a live-action movie in 1991. Despite a troubled production, The Addams Family was financially successful and arguably started the trend of ‘90s movies adapting 1960s shows.
The Fugitive (1993)
Like M*A*S*H, The Fugitive TV series is better known for its finale than the rest of the show. Running four seasons in the mid-‘60s, it told the story of a wrongfully convicted man trying to find his wife’s actual killer while being hunted by the law.
Then in 1993, a film adaptation came out starring Harrison Ford as the title character. It was not only financially successful but also critically acclaimed.
The Beverly Hillbillies (1993)
While certain '60s shows such as The Addams Family have stood the test of time, others like The Beverly Hillbillies arguably haven’t. Premise-wise, it’s about an Appalachian family who move to Beverly Hills after striking oil and becoming rich.
This results in a clash of dated cultures, yet the show has nine seasons and even a film adaptation in the ‘90s. While the film did moderately well, the critics didn’t like it.
The Flintstones (1994)
Among the cartoons created by Hanna-Barbera, The Flintstones is one of its most successful, having arguably influenced The Simpsons and Family Guy. Since its debut in 1960, there have been numerous spin-off shows and even two live-action films.
The first of these was simply titled The Flintstones and was released in 1994. Starring John Goodman and Rick Moranis, the film was financially successful even though critics felt it wasn’t true to the cartoon.
Mission: Impossible (1996)
At the height of the Cold War, there were many spy-themed movies and shows. One of the popular ones was Mission: Impossible, which was about covert agents overthrowing different bad guys.
Though the Mission: Impossible movies share the same premise, they don’t have the same characters from the original show. Even the first Mission: Impossible movie had only one character from the show, and while it was successful, the film wasn’t liked by everyone.
Lost In Space (1998)
For its time, the original Star Trek series was quite progressive by having a multi-ethnic cast of characters and thoughtful science-fiction stories. The original Lost in Space show, by contrast, was more campy and less thought-provoking.
Even though the Netflix reboot isn’t perfect either, it’s arguably better than the Lost in Space movie from 1998. Panned by critics, the movie made a decent amount of money but not enough for a sequel.
The Avengers (1998)
Not to be confused with the Marvel superhero team, The Avengers was a ‘60s British TV show about secret agent John Steed and the women who assisted him. The most famous of these female agents was Emma Peel, who became a feminist icon.
But while the show lasted six seasons, The Avengers movie didn’t fare so well. Released the same year as the Lost in Space movie, it was both a critical and financial bomb.
My Favorite Martian (1999)
A classic fish-out-of-water story, the My Favorite Martian television show was about a humanoid alien who crash-lands on Earth and reluctantly stays with a human for the time being. Released during the mid-1960s, it had three seasons and an animated spinoff in the ‘70s.
Then in 1999, a live-action film adaptation came out starring Christopher Lloyd as "The Martian." While the movie didn’t do well, it is nostalgically remembered.
Wild Wild West (1999)
Before steampunk became more widely known, there were several movies and TV shows that utilized elements from the genre. One such show was Wild Wild West, which ran during the 1960s.
Essentially James Bond meets The Lone Ranger, the show was about two Secret Service agents foiling bad guys using disguises and gadgets. One might think a ‘90s film adaptation of Wild Wild West starring Will Smith would be a hit, but sadly it wasn’t.
The Adventures Of Rocky & Bullwinkle (2000)
While The Adventures Of Rocky & Bullwinkle just missed out on being a '90s movie, it was just close enough to make the cut for this article. If nothing else, it was in development during the '90s.
Prior to The Flintstones, there was another cartoon series that appealed to adults and children known as The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends. Like a variety show, it consisted of several short cartoons featuring different characters.
The ones most people remember involved the titular squirrel and moose outsmarting spies from the Soviet Union. Yet when a live-action film adaptation came in 2000, it didn’t make much money and got a mixed critical mixed reception.