First debuting in 1994, AAAHH!!! Real Monsters was a Nickelodeon show about three young monsters (Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm) who attended Monster Academy to learn how to scare humans. The show was set in New York City and featured a mix of gross-out humor and endearing moments that made it a hit with kids and adults alike.

While the show only ran for four seasons, it has remained a cult classic in the years since its cancellation. In recent years, there have been calls for a reboot of the canceled show, especially with the success of other 90s Nickelodeon cartoons like Rugrats and Hey Arnold!. While there is no word yet on whether AAAHH!!! Real Monsters will be getting a reboot, there’s one person who would be perfect for the job: Tim Burton.

With his dark and quirky sensibilities, Burton would be the perfect person to bring the world of AAAHH!!! Real Monsters back to life. Let’s look at a few reasons why Burton would be the perfect creative mind for an animated reboot.

Burton is a Master of Many Genres

While AAAHH!!! Real Monsters was a comedy, it wasn’t afraid to dip its toes into other genres. The show featured episodes that were suspenseful, heartwarming, and even a bit scary for a kids' show, mixing its silly humor with some surprisingly dark moments.

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Looking through Burton’s filmography, it’s clear he’s able to deftly handle a variety of genres. He also has the incredible talent to inject a bit of humor even into his darkest films. Ichabod Crane’s interactions with the Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow and the variety of visual puns and jokes in A Nightmare Before Christmas are perfect examples of Burton’s ability to mix genres and tones. This skill would come in handy if an AAAHH!!! Real Monsters reboot was to explore different genres the way the original show did.

Burton Understands Outcasts Like The Real Monsters

One of the things that made AAAHH!!! Real Monsters so special was its focus on outcasts. The three main characters were all monsters who didn’t quite fit in with society. In true 90s fashion, the show used this setup to explore issues like conformity, ostracization, peer pressure, and bullying.

This is something Burton knows a lot about, as he has created some of the most iconic and recognizable outcasts and misfits in film history. Characters like Beetlejuice, Jack Skellington, Edward Scissorhands, and even Ed Wood are all lovable misfits who have found a place in the hearts of moviegoers. The mere fact that he understands what it feels like to be an outsider makes him the perfect candidate to helm an AAAHH!!! Real Monsters reboot. Burton’s deep understanding of what it’s like to not belong would be invaluable in creating a reboot that captured the spirit of the original show.

His CGI Work is Second to None

While the original AAAHH!!! Real Monsters was a 2D-animated show, Burton’s films have pushed the boundaries of CGI. He was one of the first filmmakers to use CGI extensively in his movies, and he continues to push the envelope with each new movie. Just take a look at some of his most recent works, like Alice in Wonderland and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. The visual effects in these films are absolutely stunning, and they’re a testament to Burton’s skill as a filmmaker.

On the other hand, AAAHH!!! Real Monsters could benefit from the stop-motion animation Burton has mastered in the classics The Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie and Corpse Bride. Burton's work in these films has been noted as some of the most beautiful and detailed stop-motion ever put to film. If Burton were to helm an AAAHH!!! Real Monsters reboot, there’s no doubt that the visuals would be incredible, whether they're stop-motion or live-action with CGI, or even just CGI.

Burton Has a Proven Record with Remakes

While some might see remaking AAAHH!!! Real Monsters as sacrilege, Burton has actually had a lot of success with remakes. His films Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland, and Planet of the Apes have all been big hits with audiences, and he took the classic Batman comics and Adam West series and created one of the most influential reboots of all time with the Michael Keaton Batman films.

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Critics and die-hard fan may not always appreciate the changes Burton makes to some of these classic characters, with some of his reboots of classics (especiallyDark Shadows) being met with mixed reviews. Burton’s remakes have managed to capture the magic of the original while still putting his own unique spin on them, however, and though AAAHH!!! Real Monsters is a '90s cartoon classic, it is not a franchise with die-hard, vocal fans like some other reboots. Therefore, there wouldn't be as much opposition to it, and he could itnroduce the classic Nickelodeon series to a new generation.

He’s No Stranger to Working on Children’s Projects

Burton may be best known for the darkness of his films, but he’s actually no stranger to working on children’s projects. He got his big start in the industry on Pee Wee’s Big Adventure in 1985, and his filmography contains a lot of films which appeal to kids and adults alike, such as Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and the 2019 remake of Dumbo. This is significant because it means Burton has experience working within the confines of a children’s project. This would be important if he were to take on an AAAHH!!! Real Monsters reboot, as the show would need to be toned down if it is still targeted at a child-aged audience.

In an interview with Bloody Disgusting’s Boo Crew, Sleepy Hollow star Christina Ricci expressed how “Tim is so great. He’s such a genius, and his work is so incredible. What is wonderful about working with Tim Burton is that no matter what he says, you’re just like, ‘Okay sure, we’re doing that. I’ll do that.’ You completely put yourself in his hands and do whatever he wants. And it comes out brilliant. And that is a lovely, fun feeling.”

With the resurgent popularity of 90s nostalgia, now is the perfect time for a Tim Burton-helmed AAAHH!!! Real Monsters reboot. The original series was a unique and groundbreaking show that dealt with important issues in a way that was accessible to kids. Burton is the perfect person to bring this show back to life and give it the updated treatment it deserves. So let’s hope that someone at Nickelodeon is listening and gives Burton the green light to make this happen.