- Key Points:
- Many films that come out of Hollywood are not original stories, but remakes of already-existing movies.
- A fresh take of an original can introduce a familiar story in innovative ways.
- Poorly executed remakes leave viewers wondering why it was rebooted in the first place.
Hollywood loves a remake, but not every classic needs a second shot. While some reboots manage to update the original in creative or smart ways, others feel like a sloppy attempt to cash in on an already-developed storyline. These films add nothing new and often strip away what made the original memorable in the first place. Whether it’s a lack of imagination, a misunderstanding of the source material, or simply bad execution, some remakes leave audiences wondering why they were made at all.
In the best remakes, filmmakers tell a familiar story in a brand-new way, reshape old ideas, or reintroduce a great concept to a new generation. But when a remake feels creatively flat, it tends to stand out for all the wrong reasons. These 20 movies are excellent examples of what happens when Hollywood attempts to revisit past classics and completely fails.
Godzilla (1998)
The 1954 Japanese classic “Godzilla,” in which a giant monster attacks postwar Japan, has inspired multiple sequels, reboots, and reinterpretations. Thankfully the most recent, 2014’s “Godzilla,” has inspired a well-received and popular franchise. However, the 1998 remake, starring Matthew Broderick, abandoned the source material in favor of so-so special effects. Plans for a direct live-action sequel were abandoned, though the film later spawned an animated TV series.
Psycho (1998)
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 “Psycho” is a certified classic, one of the most influential and beloved horror films of all time. Gus Van Sant’s 1998 shot-for-shot remake, starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche, was very poorly received, largely because it brought nothing new to the table and didn’t have any of the original’s creative spark.
Planet of the Apes (2001)
1968’s original “Planet of the Apes” is a unique and thought-provoking sci-fi classic. Tim Burton’s 2001 remake was a convoluted mess, with underdeveloped characters and little emotional or thematic weight. The film was more of a showcase for Rick Baker’s makeup skills than anything else.
The Stepford Wives (2004)
1975’s original “The Stepford Wives” is a cult-classic psychological thriller in which a couple discovers that all the wives in their new town are unwaveringly subservient to their husbands. It’s satirical, chilling, suspenseful and culturally relevant. The 2004 remake, starring Nicole Kidman, on the other hand, was panned for watering down the source material and being overly campy with none of the original’s bite.
The Wicker Man (2006)
The original 1973 “The Wicker Man” is an eerie, super-intelligent folk horror film that’s regarded as one of the best British films ever. The 2006 remake, starring Nicolas Cage, failed to replicate the eerie atmosphere that made the original so effective. It is best remembered nowadays for Cage shouting “The bees! The bees!”
The Pink Panther (2006)
Starring David Niven and Peter Sellers, the original 1963 “The Pink Panther” introduces us to bumbling inspector Jacques Clouseau as he tries to catch a jewel thief. It’s one of the wittiest, funniest, and most memorable comedies of all time. The 2006 remake also had an all-star cast (which included Steve Martin as Clouseau), but it had none of the original’s charm and humor.
The Omen (2006)
Richard Donner’s 1976 supernatural horror film “The Omen” scared the pants off of audiences with its depiction of a child Antichrist. Suspenseful and skillfully directed to create a truly chilling atmosphere, it was a huge hit and is regarded as a true classic. The unnecessary, uninspired 2006 remake lacked the original’s atmosphere and tension.
The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)
1951’s “The Day The Earth Stood Still” is a certified Cold War sci-fi classic, exploring the philosophical and moral implications of aliens invading Earth. The 2008 remake, starring Keanu Reeves, dealt with none of those themes. Instead, it played more like a generic effects-driven action movie.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
1981’s original “Clash of the Titans” is an epic fantasy adventure loosely based on the Greek myth of Perseus. It was hailed as a grand adventure with great storytelling and groundbreaking stop-motion effects by Ray Harryhausen. The 2010 remake, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as awe-inspiring and relied too heavily on CGI action sequences.
Death at a Funeral (2010)
The original 2007 “Death at a Funeral” was a charming British ensemble comedy built on farce and dysfunction. It was part slapstick, part farce. The 2010 American remake featured a predominantly Black cast, starring Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence. Despite the talented actors, it was criticized for adding little that felt fresh. Ultimately, the film did little to justify its own existence beyond relocating the story.
Footloose (2011)
“Footloose” was one of 1984’s highest-grossing films and one of the most popular teen movies of the 80s. The film starred Kevin Bacon as a teen who moved from Chicago to a small town that forbids dancing. The 2011 remake never matched the original’s energy or charm.
Arthur (2011)
Dudley Moore’s 1981 comedy “Arthur” features a drunken New York City millionaire. The film was charming and witty, with a massive amount of chemistry between Moore and co-star Liza Minnelli. The 2011 remake, which starred comedian Russell Brand, received poor reviews due to a flat central performance and a script that rarely found its comedic footing.
Red Dawn (2012)
The original 1984 “Red Dawn” was deeply rooted in the Cold War anxieties of its era, following a group of teenage guerrillas during a fictional World War III in which the Soviets occupy America. The 2012 remake was completely unoriginal and didn’t capture any of the original’s political or cultural messaging.
Total Recall (2012)
Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 original “Total Recall” is a sci-fi cult classic. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a construction worker who may or may not be living inside a manufactured memory involving life on Mars. It’s incredibly creative, thought-provoking, and instantly memorable. On the other hand, the 2012 remake captured none of that, instead focusing more on action sequences.
Oldboy (2013)
Widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed revenge thrillers ever made, the 2003 South Korean action-thriller “Oldboy” follows a man who is imprisoned in a hotel room for 15 years and his quest for revenge after he is released. Spike Lee’s 2013 remake lacked all of the original’s emotional depth and made major changes that many critics and fans felt weakened the story.
RoboCop (2014)
Starring Peter Weller as a murdered police officer who is revived and turned into a cyborg, 1987’s “RoboCop” is a clever and almost comically violent action film that’s also a brilliant satire that explores themes including the nature of humanity and corporate greed. The 2014 remake largely stripped away the original’s satire and philosophical undertones.
Point Break (2015)
One of the greatest action crime films of all time, 1991’s “Point Break” captured the infinite chemistry between stars Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. The film followed an undercover FBI agent (Reeves) investigating a bank robbing ring led by Swayze. The 2015 remake never came close to matching the original’s charisma or adrenaline, and the scenes of surfing and other extreme sports were dull.
Ben-Hur (2016)
A cinematic masterpiece, the 1959 religious epic “Ben-Hur” is regarded as one of the best films of all time. It even won a record eleven Academy Awards. The 2016 remake lacked the original’s epic scale. Furthermore, stiff performances and overreliance on CGI weighed the remake down.
Flatliners (2017)
Joel Schumacher’s 1990 “Flatliners” is a sci-fi psychological horror classic about a group of medical students who conduct secret experiments to induce near-death experiences. The 2017 half-sequel-half-remake was bland and predictable. It captured none of the original’s suspense or psychological depth.
The Mummy (2017)
Finally, 1999’s “The Mummy” is a 90s classic, widely beloved for its humor and old-fashioned sense of adventure. A big part of the 1999 film’s appeal was Brendan Fraser’s charismatic, old-school adventure-movie energy.
The 2017 remake, starring (and largely guided by) Tom Cruise, was messy, humorless, and chemistry-free. The film was supposed to jumpstart a new Universal cinematic universe. However, due to the film’s poor performance, it died on the vine.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Columbia Pictures .