Horror movie remakes have a notoriously bad reputation, and it’s not difficult to understand why. There seem to be countless disappointing attempts at remakes that just downright fail to capture what made the original so great. Some rely too heavily on production, while others make unnecessary changes to stories and characters for seemingly no reason at all. However, every once in a while, a remake manages to give audiences something worth watching. These movies tend to change just enough to keep the story fresh, while keeping the things that matter most to fans consistent. Some even take the material in unexpected directions and still somehow manage to capture the original vibe. These horror remakes prove that redoing a classic isn’t always a bad idea.
Evil Dead (2013)
The 2013 remake of The Evil Dead takes the basic premise of Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult classic. However, it transforms the film into something considerably darker, more brutal, and less funny. Directed by Fede Álvarez, the movie follows five friends who stay at a remote cabin, where they inadvertently unleash a demonic force. Unlike the original, which became known for its practical effects and dark humor, this version takes the horror extremely seriously. One of the biggest changes involves why the group is at the cabin in the first place. While in the original, the gang is simply taking a weekend getaway, the remake gave an entirely different reason. The main character Mia is struggling with addiction and wants to use the cabin as a place to detox with the support of friends. In her vulnerable state, she becomes the main target of the supernatural entity. The remake also leans heavily into graphic violence. Staying true to the original, most of the gore was accomplished using practical effects. While it lacks the charm of the first film, it does a good job of creating a nonstop chaotic and disturbing experience. However, we wouldn’t trade the original for anything.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Remaking Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic seemed like an almost impossible undertaking, but the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre turned out to be surprisingly good. Jessica Biel plays Erin, a young woman road tripping through rural Texas with her friends. They soon encounter everyone’s favorite chainsaw-wielder. The remake stays true to the original’s basic premise, while leaning even more heavily into the grimy visual style the original is known for. And of course, like all modern-day horrors, it includes way more graphic violence. Andrew Bryniarski’s Leatherface is quite good, making the chainsaw-wielding killer feel relentless. The film also stars R. Lee Ermey as the unsettling Sheriff Hoyt, who might be even more terrifying than Leatherface himself. Although it can’t replace the original, the remake helped introduce the franchise to a new generation.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
George A. Romero’s original Dawn of the Dead is considered one of the greatest zombie movies ever made, but Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake is an excellent horror movie in its own right. The story follows a group of survivors who hide inside a shopping mall while a zombie outbreak ravages the country. One of the biggest differences is the zombies themselves: while Romero’s zombies are more traditional, lumbering and slow-moving, Snyder’s zombies move at terrifying speeds and are more aggressive. The remake also features a fun opening sequence, during which a regular suburban morning turns into an absolute nightmare. Although the remake doesn’t have the same level of social commentary as the original, its fast pace and fun action sequences make it one of the best zombie movies of the 2000s.
The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Director Alexandre Aja remade Wes Craven’s 1977 horror movie The Hills Have Eyes, turning it into an exceptionally gory thriller. The story follows a family whose road trip takes a truly bad turn when their vehicle breaks down in the New Mexico desert. Unfortunately, though the surroundings look isolated, the landscape is home to a group of mutants who terrorize the stranded family. Unlike the original, the remake provides a detailed explanation for the creation of the mutants: nuclear testing. This gives their disturbing appearance more meaning. The remake is also known for showing really uncomfortable scenes that push the boundaries of mainstream film in ways the original did not. While definitely not a good choice for sensitive viewers, The Hills Have Eyes arguably beats the original in terms of scares.
The Ring (2002)
Based on the 1998 Japanese horror film Ringu, the American remake, The Ring, became a huge mainstream horror hit in the early 2000s. Naomi Watts plays Rachel Keller, a journalist investigating a videotape. The tape seems ordinary but supposedly causes viewers to die exactly seven days after watching it. Her digging leads to the story of a young girl named Samara and a few very frightening supernatural events. Director Gore Verbinski focused on creating an eerie atmosphere using gloomy locations, unsettling imagery, and an almost constant sense of dread. Although American remakes of Asian horror films have more often than not been disappointing, The Ring is an outlier.
The Fly (1986)
David Cronenberg’s 1986 remake of The Fly is widely considered to be a remake that surpasses the original. It’s difficult not to love Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a brilliant scientist whose DNA is accidentally fused with that of a housefly during an experiment. As he celebrates an exciting scientific breakthrough, he slowly realizes what he’s done and undergoes a horrific physical transformation. The movie’s makeup effects made the transformation incredible and earned a well-deserved Academy Award. Even decades later, the makeup is impressive to audiences. By combining gruesome imagery with a genuinely emotional story, Cronenberg made a film that is both disgusting and heartbreaking.
Suspiria (2018)
Remaking Dario Argento’s famous 1977 horror film Suspiria was an ambitious undertaking, because the original is so loved by true horror fans. It’s hard to recreate the vibrant colors and anxiety-inducing soundtrack the original is known for. However, director Luca Guadagnino took on the challenge, wisely choosing to go in a different direction entirely. Instead of trying to top the visuals of the original, he told an even darker, psychologically unnerving story. Dakota Johnson plays Susie Bannion, an American dancer who joins a prestigious dance academy in Berlin. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that the institution is run by a coven of witches. Tilda Swinton delivers a wonderfully witchy performance as Madame Blanc, the academy’s director. It has the slow pace and unusual storytelling the original is known for, just of a different sort. Suspiria is a great example of a remake that takes risks and becomes its own film rather than simply mimicking the original.
It (2017)
Stephen King’s chilling clown Pennywise was already familiar to television audiences thanks to the 1990 TV miniseries that scared the daylights out of everyone. However, the 2017 movie adaptation of It gave the story a fresh interpretation. Its bigger budget meant way more elaborate scares and a Pennywise that was somehow way more disturbing (thank you, Bill Skarsgård). Like the original, the movie follows a group of children who discover that an evil entity is taking children. The young ensemble cast really made this movie work, portraying a strong friendship between the members of the Losers’ Club. The 2017 It became one of the most successful modern adaptations of King’s work.