5 Fox Properties Disney Needs to Revive ASAP (They’re Long Overdue)

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Ever since Disney bought 20th Century Fox, they haven’t fully explored all the valuable stories they acquired. While franchises like Planet of the Apes, Alien, and Predator have continued with new projects, and Marvel has already added the Fantastic Four to its universe (with the X-Men coming soon), many other films and shows remain on hold.

After acquiring 21st Century Fox, Disney now owns a vast collection of films and television shows spanning almost a century. This gives them the opportunity to build on familiar franchises and introduce forgotten gems to a new generation of viewers.

Alien Nation

Before the popular movie District 9, there was Alien Nation. Both the film and the subsequent TV series followed alien refugees as they settled into life in America. The story centered around Sam Francisco, an alien known as a “Newcomer,” who became a police officer and worked alongside his partner, Matthew Sykes. Using a science fiction premise, the movie examined the immigrant experience through the style of a classic crime drama.

Although Alien Nation wasn’t a massive hit, the movie performed decently in theaters and the TV show had a short run, followed by a few made-for-TV movies. Despite the interesting concept and memorable alien designs, the franchise has been largely inactive since the 1990s. There have been discussions about a revival, but so far, no new projects have come to fruition.

Disney should revisit the idea of bringing back Alien Nation soon, before interest fades – much like the Newcomers’ favorite drink, milk, goes bad if left too long.

Buckaroo Banzai

Though it ended on a cliffhanger, the unique film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension remains remarkably original. It was ahead of its time and might still feel a bit strange to some viewers, but the team of heroes deserves a revival. Combining the style of 1980s New Wave music with the excitement of classic adventure stories, Buckaroo Banzai is truly one of a kind.

While Peter Weller is perfect as Buckaroo, Disney shouldn’t dismiss the idea of revisiting the character. The premise – a band of scientist-adventurers who are also Earth’s top defense against aliens and criminals – is simply too good to forget.

Director W.D. Richter was deeply fascinated by Buckaroo Banzai. He compiled a massive, 300-page book called The Essential Buckaroo, gathering all the notes and drafts writer Earl Mac Rauch had ever created for the film. The book contains a wealth of stories, both from the movie and ideas for what could have been.

Fantastic Voyage

The movie Fantastic Voyage follows a team of doctors and a Navy captain on a critical mission: to save a Soviet defector who’s been shot and is dying. They’re shrunk down to microscopic size and injected into his body, with only an hour to repair the damage before they return to normal size.

Released in 1966, Fantastic Voyage was groundbreaking for its special effects and remains visually impressive. The film’s setting – inside the human body – would still be stunning to audiences today, particularly if viewed on a large IMAX screen. With today’s CGI technology, a remake could even offer a more realistic depiction of the body’s interior.

A new version of this film might be coming soon, as James Cameron has confirmed he’s developing one. If anyone can recreate the impact of the original, it’s Cameron.

Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte

Like a follow-up to the classic film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte is a thrilling movie packed with murder, ghostly visions, lies, and unexpected turns. It received 7 Academy Award nominations, but hasn’t become as well-remembered as its predecessor. A key reason for this is the absence of Joan Crawford, who starred in the original, despite the return of the same director, writer, and leading lady, Bette Davis.

The story—about a woman accused of a terrible crime from her past who’s now facing homelessness and being haunted by her former lover—has strong potential to be a success with the right creative team. It’s complex and layered enough to be developed into either a feature film or a streaming series.

It would be challenging to find actresses to fill the shoes of legends like Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland, but there are plenty of talented performers who could certainly try.

Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

The hilarious film Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines takes place in the pioneering days of flight. It centers around a made-up race from London to Paris, created by a wealthy British newspaper owner who wants to demonstrate the UK’s dominance in the air, mirroring its naval power.

This film features pilots from different countries competing for a £10,000 prize and a chance to showcase their nation’s flying skills. However, what really made Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines memorable when it came out in 1965 were its daring stunts. Even now, movies like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning are inspired by, and try to recreate, the incredible aerial feats seen in this classic film.

While modern CGI could easily recreate the scenes, a remake of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines would be special because of the charm and danger of using real, fragile-looking planes and performing the stunts practically. Seeing those early aircraft actually fly – and the comical mishaps happen for real – would make it stand out from today’s special effects-heavy films.

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2026-01-24 23:32