On March 28, 2024, the series was removed from Paramount+ as part of a "strategic decision to focus on content with mass global appeal."[4] Premieres had already moved to the Nicktoons channel on March 14, 2024.
Premise
Apart from the setting update of the 2020s from the 1990s, the rebooted Rugrats remains the same as the original series, as it still focuses on the experiences of a courageous, adventurous one-year-old baby named Tommy Pickles and his group of playmates and other infants and toddlers.
Rugrats sports a vast array of secondary and tertiary characters.
The surviving voice actors of the titular "Rugrats" reprise their roles from the original series, though the adult roles from the original series have been recast, including Betty DeVille who was originally voiced by the returning Kath Soucie.[5]
In early September 2015, it was announced on Variety that Nickelodeon may "seek to experiment with retooled versions of classics" that could include Rugrats.[7] The following day, The Independent announced that "Rugrats could soon be back on our screens too."[8] In July 2016, it was revealed that Nickelodeon was in talks with Klasky Csupo and Paul Germain about a possible revival of the TV series.[9][10][11]
In late July 2016, Arlene Klasky stated that she would be willing to work on a revival of the series, along with co-creators Gabor Csupó and Paul Germain.[12][13] In October 2016, a Nickelodeon senior vice president stated in response to a fan question that Rugrats was among other shows being considered for revival.[14]
In mid-July 2018, it was announced that Nickelodeon had given a series order to a 26-episode revival of the series, executive produced by Klasky, Csupó, and Germain. In May 2020, it was announced that the revival series was delayed until 2021.[15]
In late February 2021, it was announced that the reboot would premiere on Paramount+ in late spring 2021.[1][2] A sneak peek was also uploaded to social media platforms. In March, an all-new cast for the parents were revealed.[5]
The reboot premiered on Paramount+ on May 27, 2021[3] and began airing on Nickelodeon on August 20, 2021.[16][17] A second batch of episodes was released on October 7, 2021.[16] Regular Nickelodeon airings began on February 25, 2022.[18]
On September 21, 2021, the series was renewed for a 13-episode second season.[19] The series has a holiday episode that was released on December 2, 2021.[20]
On July 21, 2022, it was announced that an additional 13 episodes had been ordered for season two, and that the series was renewed for a 13-episode third season.[21]
On March 16, 2023, it was announced that season two would premiere on April 14, 2023.[22]
Comparisons with original series
As a continuity reboot, the 2021 series has differences to the original 1991 series, some of which was done to accommodate the 30-year difference between the two. The character Betty DeVille was originally portrayed as a strong feminist woman with a "weak" husband in Howard. She is now portrayed as a lesbian, and Howard is absent.[23] Her voice actress, Natalie Morales, stated about the change that "anyone who watched the original show may have had an inkling Betty was a member of the alphabet mafia."[24]
Susie and the Carmichael family are already established as neighbors (as opposed to the 1991 series, when they debuted during its second season). Susie is also now two years old instead of three and is no longer able to talk to the adults.[25] Charlotte Pickles also is present from the beginning; in the 1991 series, she did not appear until the second season, being an unseen character up until then. Kimi Watanabe is now three and a half years old, and has already moved with her mother Kira from Paris to the United States by the time she meets the cast.[26] Kira and Chas meet in "Lucky Smudge", when it is revealed she won piano lessons he submitted for a raffle at a fair.[27]
Fluffy, the cat already long belonging to Drew, Charlotte, and Angelica by the time of its first appearances in the original series, is adopted in "Fluffy Moves In" during this series.[28]
Aaron Brewer, Bryan Newton & Dave Stone (directors)
Chuckie clogs up and subsequently destroys Grandpa Lou's old vacuum cleaner, leading the baby to take on the idea that he isn't afraid of anything. Unfortunately, Stu works with Lou to fix the vacuum, and it returns to terrorize him and the other Rugrats.Tommy's beloved teddy bear, Teddy, goes missing, and Angelica is enlisted to help snub out the suspect who stole it.
16
16
"I, Baby"
Joan Considine Johnson
Aaron Brewer, Bryan Newton & Dave Stone (directors)
Aaron Brewer, Bryan Newton & Dave Stone (directors)
Grandpa Lou and his friends participate in a yoga class taught by the former's girlfriend, Celeste, in which he consistently is flustered with and keeps messing up in front of. Meanwhile, Susie and co. play a game of spaceman at the playground, where Susie has to keep the crew safe from a space worm consuming members of the group one by one.Angelica receives a petunia from a kid named Bentley at her preschool as a token of appreciation, but the 3-year-old can't seem to comprehend its supposed value and throws it away. Chuckie grows attached to the flower, even giving it a nickname, "Daisy." When the kid at preschool says that he needs the flower back so Angelica can have a playdate with him, the latter continuously tries to bribe Chuckie to repossess it.
While Stu and Drew fight over how their cake for Grandpa Lou should look, the Rugrats gang prepare a fake wedding for Angelica's dolls, Cynthia and Cyrus.An incident with Stu's newly modified Duffy device causes the Rugrats gang to be locked in the house, with no means of escape. While Stu and Grandpa Lou try to find a way to get in, the babies are forced to fend for themselves, since Duffy believes they're intruders.
19
19
"Lucky Smudge"
Sam Clarke
Crystal Kan, Bryan Newton & Dave Stone (directors)
Angelica believes that a paint smudge on Tommy's stomach is key to winning the carnival games at her preschool. Meanwhile, Drew and Charlotte cook and serve popcorn at the carnival as "role model parents," much to their dismay.Angelica tries to spook the Rugrats by turning Phil and Lil's knowingly imaginary, non-existent friend Twinkle into a reality. Elsewhere, the parents play a Pictionary-like game with their virtual assistant, Duffy.
20
20
"Rescuing Cynthia"
Story by : Jenny Jaffe, Rachel Lipman & Kate Boutilier Written by : Jenny Jaffe & Kate Boutilier
Jackie Bae & Aaron Brewer, Bryan Newton & Dave Stone (directors)
Johnathan switches out Angelica's Cynthia doll for a Tabitha one, and after realizing that she forgot it while on her way to park, she falls asleep into a dream world where Cynthia (Tori Kelly) is missing and Tabitha (Jordin Sparks) has eclipsed her popularity.
21
21
"Queen Bee"
Carmen Corea
Rachel Tamura, Bryan Newton & Dave Stone (directors)
The babies imagine themselves as bees, working different tasks to earn honey from a queen bee Angelica. Meanwhile, Susie's dad tries to record a film about bees for two of his high-school students.Angelica and Bentley are on a playdate, and both desire to obtain a Cynthia collectors' patch from a call-in sweepstakes event. Things fall through when Angelica's mom, Charlotte, and all of the other parents put their phones away in a shoebox as a part of Didi's "Phone-Free Afternoon" exercise – so the two are forced to work together to obtain it, with help from the babies – although Angelica and Bentley don't see the same eye in regards with tpwhat they're going to do with the collectible. Outside, the parents play a game of crochet as a part of "Phone-Free," but Didi runs back to get her phone to preserve the memories she gained from the event.
22
22
"Night Crawler"
Rachel Lipman
Crystal Kan, Bryan Newton & Dave Stone (directors)
Grandpa Lou builds Angelica a house made of cardboard, for which Chuckie takes control of its design, where the two see rare positive interactions with each other. The rest of the Rugrats think that Angelica's merely manipulating and bullying Chuckie, trying to convince him to leave and go back to playing with them.After buying her a new Cynthia pet accessory, Drew suggests that Angelica's toy collection is practically complete, except for the fact that she doesn't have a real pet. Following continued acts of want, Angelica's parents pitch in and adopt a cat from the animal shelter, which she names "Fluffy." The feline turns out to be everybody's friend except Angelica's, constantly doing things behind her back and getting the toddler in trouble.
Charlotte declares Angelica's drawing of merely a dog to be "abstract art," and proclaims her an artist. Angelica teaches her supposed talents to Susie, who ends up being a better artist than she is, creating jealousy.TBA
Jackie Bae & Mark Maxey, Mark Maxey & Dave Stone (directors)
April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
February 23, 2024
204
N/A
While celebrating Charlotte's 40th birthday at a rodeo camp, Angelica and the babies meet Charlotte's mother Judith, her new husband Julian, and Julian's son Simon. As Simon acts out, Angelica has to choose between hanging with the babies or with him. Meanwhile Didi announces that she is pregnant.
29
5
"Little Daddy"
Jeff D'Elia
Daniela Rodriguez de la Peña, Mark Maxey & Dave Stone (directors)
April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
February 26, 2024
205
N/A
"The Kid"
Story by : Lissy Klatchko & Rachel Lipman Written by : Rachel Lipman
Daniela Rodriguez de la Peña, Rachel Tamura (director)
On a day at the beach, Tommy's bottle is sent to sea, resulting in his mother trying to get him to drink from a sippy cup.During Didi's baby shower, Angelica decides she wants all of the presents set aside for Tommy. She claims that he is being sent away, resulting in Tommy learning how to be a "Finster".
31
7
"Gramping"
Rachel Lipman
Zac Palladino & Daniela Rodriguez de la Peña, Rachel Tamura (director)
April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
March 1, 2024
207
N/A
With a week left of Didi's pregnancy, Lou's sick of the noise at his home causing him to go camping with his friend Bob to write a song in peace. As Stu is freaking out about having another kid, he starts talking of moving out of his dad's home into Drew's guest room. This results in Stu, Drew, Graham, Lucy, Charlotte, and Randy taking the kids to follow after the man, leaving Didi and Chas back at home. Angelica talks the babies into following her father through the woods for marshmellows claiming to be hunting bigfoot. At the same time, Didi goes into labor, resulting in trying to contact Stu. As he has no cell reception, Lou's friend Graham Prescott goes looking for the group.
32
8
"The Blob from Outer Space"
Allan Neuwirth
Daniela Rodriguez de la Peña, Mark Maxey (director)
After hearing the TV mention 'Reptar day' the babies begin to believe that Earth day is 'Reptar day'. Angelica however disbelieves them.On a night where Betty brought her girlfriend Trish to watch an outdoor movie at the Pickles home, Phil realizes that he actually likes Trish when the babies head into the house to get Dil.
36
12
"Miss Match"
Joan Considine Johnson
Crystal Kan, Mark Maxey (director)
April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
March 12, 2024
212
N/A
"Flamingo Dance"
Sam Clarke
Crystal Kan, Dave Stone & Rachel Tamura (directors)
During Kira Watanabe's last piano lesson, Angelica and Susie team up to set Kira up with Chas so they wouldn't be stuck watching Dil. Even without the babies' help, Chas and Kira decide to go on a date.Susie and Chuckie have a recital where they dance in flamingo costumes. After their teacher removes their boas, Susie begins to boycott the recital. In the audience, the parents try out all the seats to find the best ones. In the end, Susie decides to join her class on the stage.
37
13
"Baby Talk"
Crescent Imani Novell, Rachel Lipman & Kate Boutilier
Daniela Rodriguez de la Peña, Mark Maxey (director)
April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
March 13, 2024
213
N/A
"Tossed and Found"
David Ramirez
Jackie Bae, Rachel Tamura (director)
Susie is excited for her cousin Edwin to come visit. However after trying to talk to him, she learns that neither Edwin nor his older brother Buster could understand her. Angelica said that once they hit a certain age they too would no longer be able to understand baby talk. Susie is determined however to get Edwin to play with them.After hearing Didi mention naptime, the babies believe that Lou and his friends needed to return home for their nap. In the effort to tire them out, the babies proceed to throw away their things for the adults to find. During this they come across Daxton as he blogged about Boris and Minka's blintzes food truck.
