Throughout its original run, the best fantasy shows of the 1990s and hugely influential until this day. Going beyond the titular vampire slaying, Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) faced all manner of demons and supernatural entities across seven seasons of television and a comic book continuation.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival now confirmed, however, there are several villains that deserve a reappraisal or another fresh moment in the spotlight.

5 Der Kinderstod

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Can Bring The Scares To Modern Day

With his name meaning "the child death," Der Kinderstod lived up to it by invisibly stalking the halls of hospitals and sucking the life-force out of sickly children, leaving no trace of his presence. Equal parts Freddy Krueger (complete with his own razor-sharp claws) and grim reaper, he was front and center in one of the episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that were actually scary. Though he was soundly defeated by Buffy, who was able to break his neck even while sick herself, there's nothing to say he can't resurrect. After all, his diet consists of life-energy and he is the stuff of actual fairytales.

Horror has remained a huge market, one that Buffy the Vampire Slayer could lean into more than ever in the modern day. And bringing back Der Kinderstod would be one of the best ways to do that. Just imagine him lurking in the shadows, straddling over prone and terrified children, and feeding on their life-force with his creepy eye-stalks. That would just be a taste of how sinister he could be to modern audiences, giving even The Gentlemen a run for their money, without recycling the silence gimmick of "Hush."

4 The Order Of Taraka

The Buffy Revival Can Have A Variety Of Villains In One

The idea of bringing The Order of Taraka back for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival's story would be hit or miss for many, depending on one's fondness for Bug Man and his colleagues. Appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2, episodes 9 and 10, "What's My Line, Part 1 and 2", the group of assassins were hired to take out Buffy. They came in various forms, including the aforementioned Bug Man and a human posing as a police officer. And the mixed reception is exactly why they should return for a reappraisal and an upgrade.

"Despite being billed as a never-ending threat, The Order of Taraka ultimately just kind of faded away."

There are several episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer the reboot can't top. "What's My Line," however, was not among them. Despite being billed as a never-ending threat, The Order of Taraka ultimately just kind of faded away. That could give the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival a ripe opportunity for reinvention, by having the assassin group still under contract against Buffy until she can end things with them more decisively. It would also mean a whole range of uniquely powered villains in one, adding to the camp and creep factor.

3 Ethan Rayne

Ethan Orchastrated Some Of The Best Buffy The Vampire Slayer Episodes

As a sorcerer and self-styled agent of chaos, Ethan Rayne made his first appearance in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 2, episode 6, "Halloween," wherein he made everyone take on the personalities of their costumes. Equally serving as nemesis to Rupert Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Ethan appeared three more times across two seasons. Those returns always coincided with some fun premises, such as Sunnydale's adults becoming teenagers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 3, episode 6, "Band Candy" and Giles being turned into a demon in season 4. As such, it would be a shame to not continue that trend.

Unfortunately, Ethan Rayne actor Robin Sachs ed away in 2013, leaving some big shoes to fill. That being said, there are no doubt several actors who could fill those shoes to great effect. They could offer an older (yet no wiser) version of Ethan, still set on sowing the seeds of chaos in Buffy’s part of the world. Then again, given his personality, it wouldn’t be surprising if there was an Ethan Rayne Jr lurking out there somewhere. Whatever the case, it would make for a fun episode, though we’d also need Giles a.k.a. Ripper back for the ride.

2 Sweet

The Buffy Revival Can Feature A Brief Song And Dance Reprise

Sweet from Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6, episode 7, "Once More With Feeling" would no doubt be another controversial pick. For starters, actor Hinton Battle has also tragically ed away, once again leaving big (tap) shoes to fill. Equally, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's musical episode is its highest rated, meaning that retreading over such hallowed ground would be a huge risk. In the right hands, and with the right replacement actor, it could also be a huge hit. Just imagine if the lives of Buffy and her friends since season 7 were recounted in a musical montage. What fun!

1 Glory

The Ultimate Big Bad Was Underutilized On The Original Buffy Run

As much as characters like Sunday from Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 4, originally planned as a slayer-turned-vampire, came close to securing the top spot, it had to go to Glory (Clare Kramer). Despite being a Big Bad, Glory was an underutilized villain on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and would be perfect to reemerge in the revival series. Glory not being used to her full potential was, in part, due to her being tied to a human vessel. She often had to split her screen time in half, and was never allowed to be at her most powerful.

That could be rectified through the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival. It's never known what happened to Glory's essence after Giles killed her human half. Regardless, Glory had countless followers to resurrect her. Having a literal hell god to deal with, no longer tied to the fate of a man, would be both a powerful statement to make and would raise the stakes immediately. Unlike bringing back familiar vampires like Spike (James Marsters), the Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival can for her age via her past humanity. Equally, it would also show how far Buffy has come in of threats she could deal with.