Rugrats is one of the most iconic children’s shows to ever hit television. It was so popular that it spurned 3 films and a spinoff, Rugrats All Grown Up, and won four Daytime Emmys and six Kids’ Choice Awards. Now the babies are back and better than ever!
Nickelodeon has green-lit a reboot of the popular franchise with the original voice actors returning, including E.G. Daily (Tommy Pickles), Nancy Cartwright (Chuckie Finster), Cheryl Chase (Angelica Pickles), Cree Summer (Susie Carmichael), and Kath Soucie (Phil and Lil DeVille). The reboot comes 30 years after the original series premiered, but this time as a CGI re-imagination.
To celebrate the new series we’re taking a look back at some of the episodes from the original series that was the most memorable.
1.) “Chuckie’s Wonderful Life”
The episode that mimicked the popular Christmas film gave Chuckie an insight into what life would be like if he had never been born.
2.) “Reptar on Ice”
Anyone that grew up in the ’80s or ’90s remembers going to watch Disney on Ice. Following the popular phenomenon, the babies go to watch their favorite dinosaur fall in love and destroy a city on ice.
3.) “The Inside Story”
One of the most iconic episodes is when Chuckie swallows a watermelon seed and the babies have to travel inside of him to retrieve it. Angelica however has different plans to water the seed and make it grow.
4.) “The Box”
Every child knows the amazing possibilities that can come from a simple cardboard box. This episode explores just that as each baby finds a different adventure in a box.
5.) “What the Big People Do”
The babies learn what life has in store for them when they transform into adults and have to spend their day working their different jobs.
6.) “Rebel Without a Teddy Bear”
When Tommy turns to the dark side and rebels against his parents, he gets help from his cousin Angelica to help him become bad.
7.) “Meet the Carmichaels”
Who can forget the episode that introduced us to Susie Carmichael? Tommy’s parents help as the new family moves in.
8.) “Mirrorland”
After Phil and Lil tell Tommy and Chuckie about the world on the other side of the mirror the two decide to explore it and figure out the customs there.
9.) “Visitors From Outer Space”
The babies are abducted by aliens, who strike an eerie resemblance to their family. They try to find a way to escape while Angelica makes a deal of her own that lands her in an even bigger predicament.
10.) “A Rugrats Passover”
The most iconic episode of all time has to be this holiday episode. While most shows often go for the popular Christmas episode, the Rugrats explored Passover. Tommy’s other grandfather Boris tells the babies the story of the holiday, explaining its importance. It gave viewers a look into a holiday and religion they often don’t see on television.
These are only 10 of the many amazing and influential episodes.
The original series was written with such heart and amazing writing, it gave children a show that taught them about various scenarios and lessons in a way that didn’t talk down to them. We can only imagine what the new series has in store for us.
The new series will be premiering in 2021 on Paramount+.
