In years past, children would flick on their televisions and begin watching their favorite cartoons, sitting on the living room couch with snacks in hand. They’d start giggling at the bad jokes the characters make before turning off the TV for school, leaving static across the screen. Soon, they would find a new show they love, forgetting about their old favorite, not realizing that it could be gone in a flash, left as just a memory.

There are hundreds of shows from everyone’s childhood that have been forgotten or canceled, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone. Some of them are still playing on everyday channels, or can be found on a streaming service. These films are still being screened all over, and continue to have an impact on the same kids as they did when the shows first came out. The reality of streaming services and the access that audiences have to shows and movies of the past means these shows will not be forgotten, and are still beloved and full of nostalgia. Old shows evoke fond memories for many people of childhood. For me personally, three of my childhood favorites include Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Fraggle Rock and The Dark Crystal.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

The show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” was created by Fred Rogers, who was deeply passionate about children’s education and well-being. Before starting his own show, Rogers worked on a children’s television program, called “The Children’s Corner.” He also studied music and theology, which helped shape Rogers’ unique approach to storytelling. Throughout the series, Mister Rogers speaks to his puppet friends as a method of teaching children about various subjects. The show first aired in 1968 on public television; it was developed to offer a calm space where children could learn about their emotions and the world around them. Fred Rogers led the show’s creation, from writing scripts and music to designing all of the sets and puppets. His “neighborhood of make-believe” was inspired by his own personal imagination.

 “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” warms the hearts of kids and adults everywhere. Adults born between the 1970s and the 2010s know of the show and the kind old man who stars in it. Our fond memories flood back of Mister Roger coming home from work and talking to kids as if he were a teacher. This old show fills the memories of over seven million people to this day, becoming a core memory of many viewers’ childhoods.

Fraggle Rock

“Fraggle Rock,” first aired in 1983, was created by Jim Henson, a world-renowned puppeteer and creator of “The Muppets.”. The show was developed to entertain children while teaching important lessons about friendship, cooperation, and understanding differences. Henson created a fun and imaginative world full of colorful puppet characters. This show was very unique and its combination of humor, music, and storytelling brought so much joy to the children  watching it because of the energy. The show was also one of the first series designed specifically to appeal to an international audience, meaning that different versions were made for different countries. Over its run, “Fraggle Rock” became a beloved classic, praised for its creativity and positive messages that still resonate with viewers today.

 “Fraggle Rock” is a fun mix of fantasy, comedy, and a cast of Muppet characters who live in an underground world. The show follows different groups of odd creatures–Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs– and sometimes shows the human world, which they call “Outer Space.” Not many people think of shows with puppets when naming memorable childhood films, but of all puppet shows to come to mind, this one is at the top.

The Dark Crystal

“The Dark Crystal” is a fantasy film created by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, released in 1982. Unlike Henson’s previous work with “The Muppets” and “Fraggle Rock,” this movie was darker and serious, aimed at older children and adults. Henson wanted to create an original fantasy world, with a single human character, the rest being puppets. The film took several years to develop. Henson and his team designed entirely new puppets and animatronics to bring these amazing creatures to life through film. Though it received mixed reviews when it was released, “The Dark Crystal” became an amazing classic over time, loved for its stunning visuals and artistic ambition. It later inspired books, comics, and even a Netflix prequel series, “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” which was released in 2019.

The film follows a boy named Jen who goes on a quest to find a missing shard of a stone called “The Dark Crystal” in order to fix it and restore peace to his world of Thra. Throughout the movie, he must face the evil Skeksis, who are the cruel rulers of Thra, and uncover the “Prophecy” that will end their reign. The movie is praised for its style, incredible world-building, and the battle between good and evil. While “The Dark Crystal” has become more of an obscure piece of art, many who grew up from the 1980s and 1990s on will never forget the magical world inside “The Dark Crystal.”