19 TV shows that found a second wind after they ended

Matthew WilsonJul 24, 2020, 22:59 IST

The cast of "Friends."Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Image

These TV shows found new life after they ended, whether by cancellation or not.
"Friends" was one of the most popular shows on Netflix in 2018 — more than 20 years after it premiered.
The strong DVD sales of "Firefly" led to a follow-up film.

Whether they ran for several successful seasons or were canceled after one, these TV shows found a second wind and renewed popularity after they ended. For example, even though it's been off the air for 16 years, "Friends" is more popular than ever.

Here are 19 shows that found renewed popularity after their end.

"The Office" was the most popular show on Netflix in 2018, five years after it ended in 2013.

"The Office." NBC

"Friends" followed closely behind as the service's next most popular show.

"Friends." Getty

Netflix already has a replacement for "The Office" and "Friends," with the popular sitcom "Seinfeld."

"Seinfeld." Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

"Parks and Recreation" was the third-most popular show on Netflix in 2018.

"Parks and Recreation." NBC

And "That '70s Show" was No. 7 on the streaming service a decade after its end.

"That '70s Show." Fox/Facebook

Canceled after three seasons, "Arrested Development" found a second life on Netflix.

"Arrested Development." Fox

"Gilmore Girls" also found a new audience on Netflix.

"Gilmore Girls." The WB

"Freaks and Geeks" became popular after it ended due to its star-studded cast.

"Freaks and Geeks." NBC

First airing in 1985, "The Golden Girls" is more popular than ever thanks to repeated syndication.

"The Golden Girls." NBC

The long-running sitcom "Frasier" also found new interest through syndication and Netflix.

"Frasier." Hulu

Canceled after one season, "Firefly" finished its storylines in a feature film.

"Firefly." Fox

"Family Guy" was canceled in 2002, but proved too popular to stay away for long. It was brought back three years later.

"Family Guy." Fox

When it first aired on HBO, "The Wire" had lower ratings than its contemporaries, but continues to find new audiences today.

"The Wire." HBO

Netflix turned "Breaking Bad" into the cultural phenomenon it is today.

"Breaking Bad." AMC

Off the air for over 50 years, "The Andy Griffith Show" continues to find new audiences everywhere through syndication.

"The Andy Griffith Show." CBS

The 1966 series "Star Trek" spawned a media empire ranging from books, to TV series, to multiple films.

"Star Trek." NBC

Canceled after two seasons, "Twin Peaks" found new audiences and earned a movie and a television revival along the way.

"Twin Peaks." Showtime

Thirteen years after it was canceled, "Deadwood" finally got the conclusion that it deserved.

"Deadwood." HBO

First going off the air in 1989, "Doctor Who" regenerated itself into a completely new show.

"Doctor Who." BBC One

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