Barney the purple dinosaur is coming back with a new show — and a new look

Barney, the polarizing purple dinosaur who was a mainstay of many millennial upbringings, is making a triumphant return to TV screens next year — but this time, he'll be animated. Mattel Inc. announced a "comprehensive revitalization of the Barney brand," saying that a new flagship television series will air globally in 2024. Also in the works: a film, YouTube content, music, toys, books and apparel for kids and kids-at-heart. And while the new and improved Barney may have bigger eyes and a more maneuverable jaw, the lessons he delivers through song and dance will be familiar to many former fans, Mattel says.

"Barney's message of love and kindness has stood the test of time," said Josh Silverman, Mattel's chief franchise officer. "We will tap into the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with Barney, now parents themselves, and introduce the iconic purple dinosaur to a new generation of kids and families around the world across content, products, and experiences."