Remakes and reboots can be extremely controversial, particularly when they’re adapting a film that’s already good in its own right, butthere’s always space for new takes on classic storiesin today’s cinematic climate. Some of the most interesting and innovativehorror moviesin recent memory have been remakes of existing stories, but this doesn’t prevent them from still being amazing stories on their own. Thebest horror remakes are those that change the originalin some way, giving them a level of credibility beyond merely retelling the story.
But in addition to these great reboots, there are also severalhorror remakes that never should have been made, which can give the entire concept a fairly bad reputation. Viewers begin to associate remakes with cheap retellings of already good stories, but that’s not the truth in most cases.The majority of remakes exist for a reason, whether that’s to introduce a great film to a new generation or to adapt the subtext to something more topical. Horror is the perfect genre for this to happen, as most of the existing films already have very relevant and important social commentary.
10Willard (2003)
Directed by Glen Morgan
Willardis a modern retelling of the 1971 film of the same name, centering around a social misfit struggling to balance his home life with his professional conflicts and his abusive boss. However, things quickly turn around when he discovers his innate ability to connect and communicate with rats.The film isa gripping story of revenge, repression, and violencethat uses plenty of exciting camera tricks and well-paced storytelling to keep the audience engaged.
3 Worst Horror Remakes of All Time
Remakes can always be tricky, but matters get all the more troublesome with the horror genre.
9Let Me In (2010)
Directed By Matt Reeves
WhileMatt Reeves is now known for his villainous Batman universe, the filmmaker’s roots are firmly planted in the horror genre.Let Me Inis a stylish remake that focuses on a young boy named Owen, whose lonely life is turned upside down when he befriends the only classmate who doesn’t bully and abuse him.It’s filled with mystery and suspense from the opening frame, allowing the questions to slowly unravel in the most exciting and disturbing ways possible.
8Fright Night (2011)
Directed By Craig Gillespie
Fright Nighttakes a very specific brand of horror movies (vampire survivals) and proves exactly how to do it right. The film takes place in a small town that’s haunted by vampires, focusing on two men who make it their mission to cleanse their home of the supernatural creatures that have invaded.It’s filled with brutal action sequences, frightening jump scares, and plenty of supernatural tropesthat will be familiar to fans of the genre, but the stylish execution is what really separatesFright Nightfrom the crowd.
7The Ring (2002)
Directed By Gore Verbinski
The Ringis the kind of horror movie that’s developed a reputation way beyond itself in the years since its release,creating disturbing folklore thatperfectly captures the film’s creepy and gothic spirit. The story centers around a young woman who finds herself cursed during her investigation into a string of mysterious deaths, destined for the same fate of the victims she’s studying. It’s a terrifying narrative that uses a gritty, gloomy atmosphere and plenty of early 2000s editing choices to forge a very specific tone from start to finish.
6The Omen (2006)
Directed By John Moore
The Omenis another film that almost exists outside itself, with many of its key plot details making their way into other horror films across the genre. It’sthe story of a young couple who accidentally trade their son for the infant antichrist, who later wreaks havoc on their home. There areseveral movies inThe Omenfranchise, but Moore’s version is a strong adaptation of the original that brings much of the powerful storytelling into a more modern setting.
5The Crazies (2010)
Directed By Breck Eisner
The Craziesis a fascinating film that breaks almost every convention of horror filmmaking, but still manages to get away with it. It’s a remake of George A. Romero’s classic movie of the same name, which follows a group of people who find themselves unaffected by a virus that transforms everybody around them into violent killers.It’spart survival thriller, part supernatural horror,and all-round thrilling storytelling.
4Hellraiser (2022)
Directed By David Bruckner
Hellraiseris often cited among thebest horror franchises ever made, which is why there was lots of pressure on Bruckner’s revival in 2022. However, the director managed to perfectly capture the spirit of the original film while changing a few of the plot details, which prevented it from being too stale or familiar.The story sees a young girl in possession of a supernatural puzzle boxthat she believes will help her find her brother.
3Suspiria (2018)
Directed By Luca Guadagnino
Guadagnino’sSuspiriaisa harrowing and disturbing tale of power, subversion, and ambitionthat sticks closely to Dario Argento’s original story while adopting a whole new style that keeps it clearly separate. The story follows a young woman who joins a prestigious dance company, where dark secrets quickly reveal themselves and her life becomes irrevocably changed.
2My Bloody Valentine (2009)
Directed By Patrick Lussier
As far as horror movies go, it’s difficult to find one bloodier and more relentlessly violent thanMy Bloody Valentine, which tellsthe story of a man who returns to a small town that’s haunted by the memory of a brutal massacre on Valentine’s Day. The film is intense when it needs to be, but much of the runtime is spent building up to these brutal moments with apprehension and atmospheric tension.
1Body Snatchers (1993)
Directed By Abel Ferrara
Body Snatchersisn’t a complete remake ofInvasion of the Body Snatchers, butit’s a spiritual remake that adopts much of the same atmosphereand meta-textual themes of social paranoia and scientific fear. While it’s notthe bestInvasion of the Body Snatchers movie,it still deserves lots of credit for taking this iconichorrorfranchise and giving it a new, fresh lick of paint.
