<strong>Then: </strong>"Jem," the 1980s cartoon series about battling all-girl rock bands, was a cult hit. <strong>Now:</strong> "Jem and the Holograms" arrives in theaters Friday, directed by Jon Chu. Jem's not the only animated '80s star who's being brought back to life for a new generation.
'Jem' —
Then: "Jem," the 1980s cartoon series about battling all-girl rock bands, was a cult hit. Now: "Jem and the Holograms" arrives in theaters Friday, directed by Jon Chu. Jem's not the only animated '80s star who's being brought back to life for a new generation.
Universal Pictures
<strong>Then: </strong>"Jonny Quest" was much beloved to generations of TV viewers, thanks to many animated reboots since the 1960s (and the popular Adult Swim parody "Venture Bros.").<strong> Now: </strong>Robert Rodriguez is set to direct a live-action movie.
'Jonny Quest' —
Then: "Jonny Quest" was much beloved to generations of TV viewers, thanks to many animated reboots since the 1960s (and the popular Adult Swim parody "Venture Bros."). Now: Robert Rodriguez is set to direct a live-action movie.
Hanna Barbera/Time Warner/Cartoon Network
<strong>Then:</strong> More than 30 years ago, Hallmark introduced its color-loving character Rainbow Brite. <strong>Now: </strong>The young heroine who entertained a generation of kids in the '80s is returning as part of an animated original series on Feeln, an on-demand service.
Rainbow Brite —
Then: More than 30 years ago, Hallmark introduced its color-loving character Rainbow Brite. Now: The young heroine who entertained a generation of kids in the '80s is returning as part of an animated original series on Feeln, an on-demand service.
From Feeln
<strong>Then: </strong>In the '80s, the Transformers were best known as the awesome robots that could turn into cool cars -- and had a TV show to match. <strong>Now: </strong>Michael Bay has taken the toy line and transformed them into formidable live-action box office giants.
'Transformers' —
Then: In the '80s, the Transformers were best known as the awesome robots that could turn into cool cars -- and had a TV show to match. Now: Michael Bay has taken the toy line and transformed them into formidable live-action box office giants.
Paramount Pictures
<strong>Then: </strong>Remember playing with American hero G.I. Joe? This was another classic action figure that also came with his own animated cartoon. <strong>Now: </strong>Everyone who grew up with the toy soldier saw him brought to life with 2009's live-action "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."
'G.I. Joe' —
Then: Remember playing with American hero G.I. Joe? This was another classic action figure that also came with his own animated cartoon. Now: Everyone who grew up with the toy soldier saw him brought to life with 2009's live-action "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."
Paramount Pictures
<strong>Then:</strong> The late '80s introduced a cartoon crew of lovable warrior turtles who ate pizza like most kids wish they could (as in all day long, every day of the week). <strong>Now: </strong>They're mammoth creatures brought to life by CGI that also like to hit on Megan Fox.
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' —
Then: The late '80s introduced a cartoon crew of lovable warrior turtles who ate pizza like most kids wish they could (as in all day long, every day of the week). Now: They're mammoth creatures brought to life by CGI that also like to hit on Megan Fox.
Paramount Pictures
<strong>Then: </strong>"The Smurfs" was the kind of cartoon that could keep an '80s kid captivated for hours, despite the fact that episodes could include a lesson and always ended the same way, with the nefarious Gargamel defeated once again. <strong>Now: </strong>They're still small and blue but are more liable to be found running around New York accompanied by Neil Patrick Harris.
'The Smurfs' —
Then: "The Smurfs" was the kind of cartoon that could keep an '80s kid captivated for hours, despite the fact that episodes could include a lesson and always ended the same way, with the nefarious Gargamel defeated once again. Now: They're still small and blue but are more liable to be found running around New York accompanied by Neil Patrick Harris.
Sony Pictures Animation
<strong>Then:</strong> Before getting hooked on "Chip N Dale: Rescue Rangers," most kids in the mid-'80s were huge fans of the chubby-cheeked trio of brothers that starred in "Alvin and the Chipmunks." <strong>Now: </strong>The chipmunk bros have been upgraded with CGI and now appear at the movies, where they do their best takes on Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
'Alvin and the Chipmunks' —
Then: Before getting hooked on "Chip N Dale: Rescue Rangers," most kids in the mid-'80s were huge fans of the chubby-cheeked trio of brothers that starred in "Alvin and the Chipmunks." Now: The chipmunk bros have been upgraded with CGI and now appear at the movies, where they do their best takes on Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
20th Century Fox
<strong>Then: </strong>The tales of Penny and her bumbling inspector dad were always good for a laugh and a few "wow" moments at Inspector Gadget's toys. <strong>Now: </strong>Matthew Broderick played the inspector in 1999's live-action take on the cartoon.
'Inspector Gadget' —
Then: The tales of Penny and her bumbling inspector dad were always good for a laugh and a few "wow" moments at Inspector Gadget's toys. Now: Matthew Broderick played the inspector in 1999's live-action take on the cartoon.
Disney
<strong>Then: </strong>Strawberry Shortcake and her group of deliciously named friends were some of the sweetest characters of the '80s. Like Rainbow Brite, the character was spun off a greeting card to include TV movies and toys. <strong>Now: </strong>You can find the new version of Strawberry Shortcake on Hub's "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures."
'Strawberry Shortcake' —
Then: Strawberry Shortcake and her group of deliciously named friends were some of the sweetest characters of the '80s. Like Rainbow Brite, the character was spun off a greeting card to include TV movies and toys. Now: You can find the new version of Strawberry Shortcake on Hub's "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures."
Hub Network
<strong>Then: </strong>The My Little Pony line of tiny horses inspired a "collect them all" mentality that was so intense it inspired TV series and a movie. <strong>Now: </strong>The My Little Pony love has shifted from the toys to Hub's "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." And instead of a fan base made up primarily of young girls, the new "My Little Pony" series has a really vocal adult male contingent -- a.k.a. "bronies."
'My Little Pony' —
Then: The My Little Pony line of tiny horses inspired a "collect them all" mentality that was so intense it inspired TV series and a movie. Now: The My Little Pony love has shifted from the toys to Hub's "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." And instead of a fan base made up primarily of young girls, the new "My Little Pony" series has a really vocal adult male contingent -- a.k.a. "bronies."
Hub Network
<strong>Then: </strong>Bill Cosby introduced his imaginative "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" in 1972, but the cartoon was such a staple that it ran all the way up through 1985, making sure more than one generation was very familiar with Fat Albert's iconic introduction. <strong>Now: </strong>A live-action movie tried to recreate "Fat Albert's" magic in 2004 with Kenan Thompson but didn't succeed.
'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids' —
Then: Bill Cosby introduced his imaginative "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" in 1972, but the cartoon was such a staple that it ran all the way up through 1985, making sure more than one generation was very familiar with Fat Albert's iconic introduction. Now: A live-action movie tried to recreate "Fat Albert's" magic in 2004 with Kenan Thompson but didn't succeed.
20th Century Fox