90s cartoon legends we want back after Lilo & Stitch's return. Reload the nostalgia

India Today

23-05-2025

We're not crying, you're crying. Okay fine, we're all crying. Lilo & Stitch, the mischievous alien tale that made Ohana a household word, is getting the live-action treatment in 2025. And while some purists are side-eyeing the remake, most of us are screaming into our pillows out of sheer nostalgia.We're living in a world of remakes, reboots, and reimaginings, but not all of them hit where it matters- the heart. With the 2025 return of Lilo & Stitch in a live-action avatar, it's a reminder that some cartoon characters weren't just animated, they were emotionally animated.advertisementThey made us laugh, cry, and believe in everything from friendship to flying cars. In a time of doomscrolling, hyper-edits, and AI-generated chaos, these characters deserve a comeback, not just to entertain a new generation, but to remind us millennials of what pure, pixel-powered joy felt like.
The world doesn't just need content, it needs comfort. And what's more comforting than a cartoon hug from your childhood?But that got us thinking, if Stitch gets a second chance to wreak adorable havoc, what about the other animated icons we grew up with? The ones that shaped our humour, fuelled our snack binges, and made us believe the remote control was a sacred artifact.IF LILO & STITCH CAN RETURN, SO CAN THESE ICONS:Here's our ultimate wish list of cartoon characters that need to be resurrected, reimagined, and rebooted, because these legends still live rent-free in our heads.advertisement1. COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG
Image: Wikimedia commons
It was the OG horror-comedy show before Stranger Things. We had this pink paranoid pupper living in 'Nowhere'. Courage faced demonic cats, haunted mattresses, and cursed amulets, every night was a psychological thriller.Why it needs a comeback: With today's VFX and horror trends, Courage could finally get the terrifying visuals he deserves. Give him a Guillermo del Toro treatment, and we're sold.2. TOM AND JERRY
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
The eternal cat-and-mouse chase that somehow never got old. No dialogue, just pure slapstick chaos, visual comedy, and surprisingly deep emotional arcs, if you were paying attention.Why it needs a comeback: We've rebooted them before, but never with heart. Think 2D animation meets Pixar emotions, a reboot where Tom and Jerry still don't talk, but finally get the emotional redemption arc they deserve.advertisement3. NODDY
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
Our favorite wooden boy with a bell on his cap and a red-yellow car was the unofficial ambassador of Toyland diplomacy. Every episode was a polite negotiation between friends, enemies, and that slightly shady goblin duo.Why it needs a comeback: In a world of loud chaos, Noddy's quiet curiosity and conflict-resolution skills deserve a Gen Alpha upgrade. Picture a Studio Ghibli-style Toyland, soft pastels, life lessons, and tea with Big Ears. Wholesome, reloaded.4. OSWALD
(Image: Youtube)
A blue octopus with a bowler's hat and the patience of a monk, Oswald's world was a calm oasis of slow-paced joy. Every tiny adventure felt like a meditation app with legs.Why it needs a comeback: In our hustle-burnout loop, we need Oswald more than ever. A reboot could be a gentle, animated mindfulness series; no villains, just vibes. Pair it with lo-fi jazz and you've got a preschool Ted Lasso.advertisement5. BOB THE BUILDER
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
Yes we can! And yes, we did, build memories brick by brick with Bob, Wendy, and the whole machine crew. It was teamwork, trust, and toolbox-level problem-solving.Why it needs a comeback: Today's kids are coding robots, not just fixing fences. A new-age Bob could teach sustainability, smart tech, and empathy-led design thinking. Also, we miss Scoop's unhinged optimism.6. ED, EDD N EDDY
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
They were the kings of junkyard entrepreneurship. This chaotic trio turned cardboard boxes into rocket ships and scammed the entire neighbourhood for jawbreakers. Messy, loud, and endlessly creative, they were peak childhood mischief.Why it needs a comeback: A live-action series with a 'Home Alone' vibe could hit the nostalgia jackpot—slapstick, smarts, and suburban rebellion.advertisement7. THE POWERPUFF GIRLS
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
The OG feminist icons before it was cool. Made from sugar, spice, and Chemical X, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup fought monsters, went to school, and saved Townsville by 6 p.m.Why it needs a comeback: A proper live-action Powerpuff Girls that balances cute and kick-ass could inspire a new generation of girls to wear capes over pajamas.8. JOHNNY BRAVO
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
He was the himbo we didn't know we needed. With a pompadour higher than your future and confidence levels that defy gravity, Johnny was the clueless but lovable flirt.Why it needs a comeback: Cast someone like Chris Hemsworth and throw in a self-aware, woke twist? Comedy gold. Bonus points for Elvis-inspired dance breaks.9. KIM POSSIBLE
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
advertisementShe was always mission-ready and mid-exam. Kim juggled cheerleading, algebra, and saving the world, with a pager and a mole rat. She was every multitasking teen's role model.Why it needs a comeback: In a tech-savvy 2025 world, imagine her using AI, smartwatches, and drones, all while dealing with finals. Ron Stoppable still forgets his pants. Some things never change.10. DEXTER'S LABORATORY
(Image: Wikimedia commons)
Dexter was our favourite boy genius. He was an introverted nerd who had a secret lab, a mind too big for his tiny body, and a sister who could dismantle it all with glitter.Why it needs a comeback: A modern-day Dexter battling AI gone rogue? He could be the next 'Black Mirror' meets 'Spy Kids' hero.WHY 90S CARTOONS WERE NEVER JUST CARTOONSThese shows weren't 'just for kids.' They shaped how we see friendship, fear, fun, and even failure. In a world that now moves at hyper-speed, maybe it's time we returned to these slow-burn joys, one live-action reboot at a time.So yes, Lilo & Stitch might be coming back, but we've got our eyes (and childhood hearts) set on the rest of the gang too.Hollywood, if you're listening, we have the nostalgia, we have the fanbase, and we have the memes. Let's make it happen.