45 Ways Your Favorite TV Shows and Movies Changed Over Time

As time went on, some of these shows and franchises became unrecognizable
45 Ways Your Favorite TV Shows and Movies Changed Over Time

Father Time is an unstoppable force. He didn’t wait for us, our hairlines or these movies and shows. Hollywood may have thought it was important enough to slow him down, but as its many goo-injected faces have shown us, Father Time keeps on chuggin’ along anyway. These movie franchises and TV shows know that better than anyone. They started as one thing and evolved into something totally different as the years went on. 

They were lucky enough to survive as long as they did, but like those goo-injected faces, some didn’t age very well at all.

Star Wars

Star Wars Then VS. Now The reluctant mentor While Obi-Wan was more than willing to train a young Luke, Luke ends up becoming the opposite of his mentor and refuses to train Rey. Mark Hamill himself had doubts about Luke's dark turn, but eventually came around. CRACKED.COM

Leprechaun

Warwick Davis stars in WARWICK SHIEK TANGI STICKY DAVIS MAHMUD-BEY MILLER FINGAZ 75% of the eight films of the Leprechaun LEPRECHAUN franchise, including BACK 2 THA HOOD Leprechaun 4: In Space, Leprechaun in the Hood and Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha Hood. Не was later replaced by WWE's Hornswoggle and, just, another dude. CRACKED

Happy Days

HAPPY DAYS The Fonz FIRST EPISODE LAST EPISODE STARRING CRACKED.COM Jukebox Silent side- punching, character. shark jumping, Just there nun kissing for flavor. runaway fan favorite.

Superman IV

Failed Sequels J Eh:00 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace When has anyone ever said, The fourth one was the best? A mainstay of worst comic book movies ever lists, it was such a failure that it killed live- action Superman movies for almost 20 years. CRACKED

Shaft

Failed Sequels Shaft (2019) Shaft failed to pass the baton. Samuel L. Jackson's Shaft in 2000 was a critical and financial success, but in 2019, his return was outdated and unnecessary, and lost almost $15 million. CRACKED

Hellraiser

Horror Classics Then vs. Now Hellraiser What started as two classic movies devolved into nine further sequels of descending quality. Still, 2000's Inferno was a half-decent straight-to-video sequel... and that's pretty much it, until the 2022 remake by David Bruckner comes out. CRACKED.COM

Basic Instinct

Failed Sequels Basic Instinct 2 A lot changed in 14 years. Back in 1992, the original set the bar in the erotic thrillers genre. But that had long cooled by 2006, so the sequel was behind the times of the standards set by the original. CRACKED

Terminator

Failed Sequels Terminator: Dark Fate We must go back and stop this movie from happening! Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and James Cameron reunited to take things too far. This sequel quickly states that the entire mission of the original two films was all for nothing. CRACKED

The Matrix

Failed Sequels PC PO K IN e The Matrix Resurrections A movie not even its creator wanted. Almost 20 years after the trilogy, co-creator Lana Wachowski came on board reluctantly, and it showed. Fans noticed the self-deprecating themes, and it kind of tarnished the trilogy. CRACKED

Universal Soldier

The Jean-Claude Van Damme/Dolph Lundgren Universal Soldier series is a continuity nightmare but, perhaps uniquely in the straight-to-video sequel world, the more UNDER THEIR OWN COMMAND recent ones are the best - JEAN-CLAUDE DOLPH VAN DAMME LUNDGREN UNIVERSAL SOLDIER the seventh DAY OF RECKONING SCOTT ADKINS - (and final to date), Day of Reckoning, is genuinely awesome. CRACKED

Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones Then vs. Now From old-school adventuring to a sci-fi B-movie The tone of the Indiana Jones movies has been quite consistent (ок, except for Crystal Skull's goofier sci-fi comedy moments). Raiders was old-school adventuring with a modern twist. Temple was straight- up horror, with a Die Hard-like final hour of action. And The Last Crusade returned to the Raiders template, but with a lighter tone, CRACKED.COM

Halloween

Halloween Then vs. Now From the first to the last The first film is, drum roll please, 1978's Halloween. We have nothing to add to almost five decades of discourse about this movie, it just rocks, watch it. 2022's Halloween Ends is meant to finish the saga, putting an end to Laurie Strode's five terrifying encounters with the Shape. CRACKED.COM

Ralph Malph

CRACKED HAPPY DAYS RALPH MALPH Не originally dated cheerleaders and dressed more hip. In only the 4th episode of Season 1, he lost his slight Fonzie-esque traits and became the nerd he'd be for the next 250 episodes.

The Walking Dead

THE WALKING DEAD Carol Peletier FIRST EPISODE LAST EPISODE CRACKED.COM Weapons Meek expert, medic, housewife, all-around domestic badass zombie abuse apocalpyse survivor. thriver.

Andy Dwyer

CRACKED PARKS & REC NDIAN ANDY DWYER In the pilot (and most of Season 1), Andy was a lazy, kind of unlikable slob. Because they loved Chris Pratt, Andy got the shoe-shine job in city hall, and became the funnier, more lovable fan favorite.

Golden Girls

GOLDEN GIRLS Sophia FIRST EPISODE LAST EPISODE CRACKED COM A one-note The iconic mood-killer, wise-cracking showing up old lady, 258 straight from her burned-down episodes and retirement home 3 spin-offs when Blanche is later. expecting a man.

Ned Flanders

CRACKED THE SIMPSONS NED FLANDERS Not all that devout, and kind of a jerk in pilot, he quickly became religion obsessed, and a kind-at-all-costs pushover. Не was deliberately changed to satirize the growing influence of Christianity in politics.

Kelly Bundy

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN Kelly Bundy FIRST EPISODE LAST EPISODE CRACKED.COM Quintessential Sharp and slutty dumb-dumb. rebellious, Had to endure but basically horny applause normal. breaks every time she entered.

Sheldon Cooper

CRACKED THE BIG BANG THEORY SHELDON COOPER In the pilot, the soon-to-be socially inept, borderline asexual being is making a deposit at a sperm bank, and is later described by his friend as an ass man.

Orange Is the New Black

Suz Orange is the New Black First line: Last line: I'm Sue. It's short I never prepared them for Suzy. for life on the outside. Of course they're doing drugs. Suz's transformation is best reflected in her first line - spoken to Piper, who she becomes obsessed with - to her last - spoken about the chickens whom she's started taking care of (in a slightly healthier fashion than she tried taking care of Piper). CRACKED.COM

Star Trek

CRACKED STAR TREK SPOCK In the original pilot, Spock smiles, giggles, shows emotional depth, and has a youthful energy. Не also looked quite different, and walked with a limp (at Gene Roddenberry's request).

Two and a Half Men

Worst TV Finales Two and a Half Men Charlie Sheen was absent for the last seasons after a public meltdown. Then, in the last episode, a Sheen stand-in returns home and is crushed by a piano, only for the real Chuck Lorre to say Sheen's Winning! catchphrase (and be crushed by a piano as well). Chuck Lorre CRACKED.COM

Dexter

CRACKED.COM Worst TV Finales Dexter Not only were fans supposed to deal with creepy incest storylines and Dexter getting away with (serial) murder, but the show ended in 2013 on a weird note, with him surviving a storm and rebuilding his life as a lumberjack. Nobody was satisfied with this ending, and it's not like the 2021 revival redeemed it either.

Shirley Feeney

CRACKED LAVERNE E & SHIRLEY SHIRLEY FEENEY In the first 2 episodes, Shirley has a thick Brooklyn accent (and sassy attitude). Wanting to appeal to the midwest, the show had her drop the accent and act more proper.

Game of Thrones

The North First line: Last line: In the name of The Queen in the Robert of the House North! The Queen in Baratheon, the First the North! The Queen of his Name. in the North! Game of Thrones The first line from the North is Ned Stark, Lord of the North, proclaiming judgment under the name of Robert Baratheon, then ruler of the Iron Throne. The last line out of a mouth of the North is everyone bowing to Sansa, new Queen of the North, with her brother on the Iron Throne. CRACKED.COM

Friends

FRIENDS CRACKED.COM With Ross & Rachel getting together for real this time, and Chandler & Monica deciding to raise their adopted twins in the suburbs, the finale aired on May 5th 2004. In all 10 seasons, viewership ranged from 20-30 million, but that tearful finale had 52.5 million.

Alexis Rose

Alexis Rose First line: Last line: They're taking our Love you. stuff. Schitt's Creek Alexis Rose's first and last lines reflect her and her families' transformation, from people who care all about stuff and appearances - her first line spoken into a phone - into a family who loves each other. CRACKED.COM

All in the Family

ALL IN THE FAMILY GRACKED.COM The groundbreaking comedy aired for 9 seasons before ending on April 8, 1979 with the usually gruff Archie expressing his love for Edith. For 5 seasons they averaged 20-21 million viewers, but that finale raked in 40.2 million.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy Buffy The Vampire Slayer First line: Last line: I'm up, Mom! She went from high school girl with her mom to savior of the world. Buffy's last actual line is Spike, but her telling silence when Willow asks her, What now? after her entire goal has been completed - that resonates more. CRACKED.COM

Die Hard (Yep, Again)

Die Hard Then vs. Now Location, location, location The first Die Hard movies have one location: first an office building, then an airport... And then the pattern was broken, with the third movie happening all over New York, the fifth one all over the U.S. and the fifth one in our nightmares (and Moscow). CRACKED.COM

House, M.D.

Gregory House House, M.D. First line: Last line: You see that? They I'm dead, Wilson. all assume I'm a How do you want to patient because of spend your last five this cane. months? House goes from worrying about being a patient to dying - with him either faking his death, as a way of reclaiming it, or with Wilson hallucinating him. Either way, the show ends with House reborn and on motorcycles with his buddy, riding off into the sunset. CRACKED.COM

Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld First line: Last line: Seems to me that Maybe we have. button is in the worst possible spot. Nothing's happened, nothing's changed, time is a flat circle. As fitting a show about nothing, the very first conversation in the entire show is repeated here at the end, with Jerry realizing just as the show fades to black. CRACKED.COM

The Fresh Prince

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1990-1996 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The original was hilarious and smart, so when the drama hit, it hit hard. Bel-Air is just grittiness for its own sake, a tonally monotonous, self-serious affair. Bel-Air 2022 CRACKED.COM

James Bond

James Bond Then vs. Now The Bonds 007 has been played by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. But a complete list must include David Niven, and also Barry Nelson, who played Bond on TV eight years before Dr. No. CRACKED.COM

Boy Meets World

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1993-2000 Boy Meets World The original show was a beloved coming-of-age story. While not as impactful, the spin-off was well received for maintaining the style, updating the problems and lessons, and including including Cory Matthews as the wisdom-imparting teacher. Girl Meets World 2014-2017 CRACKED.COM

Community

Jeff Winger Community First line: Last line: Abed. Nice to know Thank you. you and then meet you, in that order. His first line is a sarcastic response to Abed who tries to get too involved in his personal life, and his last line is to the study group as he thanks them all for changing his life, as they leave him. CRACKED.COM

Roseanne

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now POWER ANY WACC ACES 1988-1997 Roseanne Roseanne was a beloved sitcom, for some reason. The revival started off strong, until Roseanne Barr engaged in actual, real-life racism-so the show killed her off and morphed into The Conners. 2018 CRACKED.COM

Full House

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1987-1995 Full House The original show was kind of bland, but generally beloved for its sweetness and earnestness. The revival continued the blandness, only now trying raunchy humor, and no, it didn't work. Well, at least Bob Saget was cool. Fuller House 2016-2020 CRACKED.COM

Murphy Brown

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1988-1998 Murphy Brown For a hot moment in the '90s, Murphy Brown was the political comedy. The show was highly critical of politics, but at its best, also self-critical. The 2018 revival never went beyond, can you believe Trump is dumb and orange? It didn't stand a chance. 2018 CRACKED.COM

Die Hard (Again)

Die Hard Then vs. Now 1988 2007 From everyman to superhero In the first movies (especially the 1988 classic), John McClane is just a cop-a normal dude who gets beaten and is in pain. In the latter ones, he casually fights jets and survives falling from tall buildings. CRACKED.COM

Sex and the City

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1998-2004 Sex and the City Sex and the City was smart, groundbreaking, and way too white and straight even for the '90s. And Just Like That... took the path of chastising itself for not being woke enough, which made its concept of older white women learning about diversity just cringe. And Just Like That... 2021 CRACKED.COM

Twin Peaks

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1990-1991 Twin Peaks Predictably, David Lynch's foray into TV changed it forever. Then, in 2017, Lynch gave us something indescribable, not a direct continuatio, but a highly experimental, erm, show? Movie? 2017 CRACKED.COM

007

James Bond Then vs. Now CASINO ROYALE Ian Fleming Enter James Bond Secret Agent! From weird novels to huge franchise. 2'6 Starting in 1953, lan Fleming wrote 14 James Bond books (which are incredibly wilder than the movies). After 1962's Dr. No, the series of adaptations would slowly but steadily grow into the fifth highest grossing movie franchise ever. CRACKED.COM

The X-Files

TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1993-2002 The X-Files By the time the original run ended, the show had been declining for a while. The second movie sucked, and the revival was even worse. Its first season (the tenth) at least ended with the alien invasion we had been waiting for - except it was all just a vision. 2016-2018 CRACKED.COM

Die Hard

Die Hard Then vs. Now 1988 From grounded movies to... movies within movies? Maybe? Why does each subsequent Die Hard grow more far- fetched? OK, hear us out: What if 1 and 2 are John McClane's real life, while the rest are in-universe movies, with McClane playing himself? That's a dumb theory, you say? We disagree: It's an awesome theory. 2013 CRACKED.COM

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