Of all the best movie remakes of all time, are any of them worth your time? It would appear that Hollywood has run out of ideas as most films to be released these days are either sequels, book adaptations, or for the love of remakes.
While these types of films have a history of being quite worse than the source material, there can be no debate that there are great films that fit into the sequel, book adaptation, or remake category.
A category that seems to be dismissed almost instantly is the remake category. Although I strongly oppose remakes most of the time, there are some that outdo their original.
The Best Remakes of All Time
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Amanda Hampton, John Atterbury, Lisa Ann Walter (Actors)
10) The Parent Trap (1998)
What can I say, I'm a sucker for feel-good films. The Parent Trap might have made this list strictly due to nostalgia, but I can rightfully argue that this is a solid remake.
For one, the original, while a good film in its own right, has some pretty wooden acting at times and has not aged well. The remake of The Parent Trap is a fun, family film that is surprisingly entertaining and likable even for an avid horror fan like myself.
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9) Evil Dead 2 (1987)
Some of you that haven't seen this movie might be questioning how a sequel could be a remake. It's a bit hard to explain.
The first seven minutes of the sequel is a shot-for-shot recap of the original which then flows over into original content.
Some might argue this isn't a remake; however, I feel that since the two films are so much alike and that since Evil Dead 2 doesn't expand on the ideas of the original that this film is a remake.
It's more fun than the original, it has more action, more scares, and is overall a better movie cinematically speaking.
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8) Heaven Can Wait (1978)
The remake of the 1941 film, Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Not many people like this movie as much as I do. The script is all over the place but somehow works.
Some might consider the ending to be what ruins the film but I feel it's a suitable ending to a great movie. Plus if you watch Down To Earth with Chris Rock, this film will look like Raging Bull.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer (Actors)
7) 12 Monkeys (1995)
Based on 1962 French short titled La jetée (The Pier), 12 Monkeys stars Bruce Willis in a sci-fi, mystery thriller. It's definitely an Americanized version of the original, but it doesn't lose any of the scopes.
The dark themes and ominous, apocalyptic mood don't let up throughout the course of the film. Definitely worth checking out.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz (Actors)
6) The Fly (1986)
Don't get me wrong I love Vincent Price, but I might love Jeff Goldblum a bit more. When talking about the original version of The Fly, it's hard to not mention how cheesy it really is.
It is a classic but the remake takes the premise to a whole new level. It's amazing that after all the gore and disgusting sequences are said and done, Cronenberg can force the audience into still caring about a pile of mutated, decrepit, and disfigured limbs.
It's a gross film but one that is executed perfectly.
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5) A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
A Fistful of Dollars is an unofficial remake of the Japanese film, Yojimbo. While Yojimbo is a fantastic film in its own right, it's hard to snub a Clint Eastwood film.
A Fistful of Dollars is the first of the spaghetti westerns and is a part of a trilogy that includes For A Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
The musical score as well as the acting make this movie and its spaghetti western counterparts excellent movies.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- James Stewart, Doris Day, Daniel Gelin (Actors)
4) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Who else could remake a Hitchcock film but Alfred Hitchcock himself? Jimmy Stewart and Dorris Day make a knockout combination and carry the movie from start to finish.
The beginning is a bit slow but once the movie gets going you'll be hooked.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, David Clennon (Actors)
3) The Thing (1982)
One of the best sci-fi horror films of all time, The Thing is a remake of the 1951 film The Thing From Another World.
The Thing From Another World, although infamous for its use of overlapping dialogue, doesn't do much different from other films of the time.
John Carpenter's version of the film goes absolutely crazy with amazing special effects and extreme suspense and truly stands out from other movies of the time.
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2) Ocean's 11(2001)
Don't get me wrong I love the original, but it doesn't have as much replay value as the 2001 remake. It's hard to deny how fun and entertaining the remake is.
The cast is stacked to the brim and the director doesn't leave out any action sequences. A great original movie and a great remake. Check them both out.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer (Actors)
1) Scarface (1983)
Being a male who grew up with films like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Predator, and Commando, it would be impossible for this film not to make the number one spot.
A lot of people think this movie is just an all-out blast of violence and drugs, which it is, but it also has a bit of heart and is coupled with outstanding performances across the board.
One of the most quotable films of all time, Scarface, although a bit lengthy, is an outstanding piece of work.
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