Top Ten Movie Remakes
They were once and now they are again... here's a list of favorites
Contrary to popular belief, remakes are nothing new in Hollywood. They're actually older than Hollywood. Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory, the first film screened for a paying audience all the way back in 1895, is a remake of a version screened privately 9 months earlier. Personally, remakes don't bother me much. Take the upcoming remake of Clash of the Titans for example. The original film had a nifty concept, but it was executed horribly. So why not redo that solid concept? Nothing wrong with that. And if filmmakers want to take on the crushing expectations of remaking a classic, well more power to them. It's not like the remake will magically erase the original film.
So let's celebrate remakes.
But first, what's a remake? Surprisingly, it's a rather subjective definition. Sometimes, a story such as Pride and Prejudice has been filmed multiple times before. Yet, is the 2005 version a remake of the 2003 movie, or the 1995 mini-series, or the 1980 mini-series, or the 1940 film? Maybe. Maybe not. To me, it's a re-adaptation of the novel rather than a remake of the cinematic incarnation. Same idea goes for Peter Jackson's and Ralph Bakshi's takes on The Lord of the Rings. Yet, that doesn't necessarily mean a film can't be a remake if it's based off a book. If pop-culture holds the film in higher regard than the original printed story, then you can probably call the newer version a remake (filming a new A Clockwork Orange today would fall into this category). The line is blurry. And it gets even fuzzier when you add pseudo-remakes to the equation. Yes, Star Wars was heavily influenced by The Hidden Fortress and Avatar has much in common with Dances with Wolves. But neither are true remakes.
So if you're wondering how I picked my 10 favorite remakes, that's the lens I viewed this list through. Well, mostly. As for the films below and on the next couple of pages, don't concentrate too much on the ranking. It's fluid to the point of almost being arbitrary. All the films listed are great motion pictures regardless of whether they're remakes (and several are actually better than their source, although that didn't really play into how I chose them).
As you browse my ten selections below, the "Buy This Item Now" links will take you to Amazon.com and offer not only the film being discussed, but also its earlier incarnation where available. Have at it and enjoy and get ready to continue the discussion in the comments as I am sure plenty of you will disagree with some of my choices, but just remember these are my choices and we can always agree to disagree… I hope.
 | True Lies (1994) |
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| Not everyone knows True Lies is a remake of the French La totale! (1991). But then again, I've never met anyone who has seen La totale!. While many considerTrue Lies the most light-weight entry on James Cameron's post Piranha 2 filmography, it's still one of the best balls-out action films ever crafted. | |
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 | The Departed (2006) |
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| I don't understood the hyperbole thrown at Infernal Affairs (2002). It's a briskly paced crime film with an interesting plot, but it superficially explores its themes and characters at best. However, Martin Scorsese's The Departed spends more time delving into the complexities of its characters, amps up the bloodbath ending, and essentially improves on Infernal Affairs on all fronts. | |
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 | The Maltese Falcon (1941) |
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| Oh how we love to slag Hollywood these days for remaking films before the prints of the originals have even dried. But again, this is really nothing new. John Huston's brilliant and extraordinarily influential cinematic retelling of Dashielle Hammett's novel, "The Maltese Falcon," came out within a decade of a 1931 version of the same name and a looser 1936 adaptation, Satan Met a Lady. Admittedly Huston's Maltese Falcon falls into the remake versus re-adaptation scenario I outlined earlier, but most film historians consider it a remake. Who am I to argue? | |
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I'm glad you mentioned at the end 3:10 to Yuma and Heat (I know many people don't know Heat is a remake of another Mann filmed called L.A take down. But I'm happy you gave a nod to that. Thank you
I think Scarface should also be included in this list. What do u think ? =]
I like Scarface, but I hate how Tony Montana has been idolized by popular culture. That's not why it's on off the list though. Again I like the movie, but that's as far as I would go with it.
Solaris…I was stoked to see its poster on the banner and to see where it placed, and then its not even in the honorable mentions, seriously? Some people cannot stand it, but its one of the best pieces of Clooney's and Soderberg's works, an all around amazing film.
You know I should have probably included it in the honorable mentions. I really do like Soderbergh's version.
No worries, I appreciate the lists, always fun to read!
Great list! I am fine with King Kong at the top because it is a truly great film. And while the 1933 films was pretty damn impressive, it doesn't quite match up. Peter Jackson's remake actually is a lot more heartfelt and developed.
Glad to see "True Lies" on here! Great Cameron film; I preferred it over Aliens, to tell the truth (though Aliens was also quite good). And probably over The Abyss as well (which is still also quite good–and isn't it "The Abyss" that's often considered his lightweight film, especially since it's his only one that didn't make much of a profit in theaters?).
It's sort of funny that you didn't put "Scarface" on here. I really liked the film, but I'm not at all offended you left it off, because I could probably think of ten other remakes I liked better, too.
WTF? No Ben-Hur? Travesty.
I watched Ben-Hur a long long long time ago (as in 20 years long long time ago before I was probably 10). Didn't have time to rewatch it before my deadline. So yeah.
Ill agree King Kong is great- I prefered the effects to AVATARs because it still feels real and tangible- the departed would probly be at the top of this list for me though
the ring is probly the best horror remake in my opinion to
Ah, "No Way Out", one of my favorites. The building tension of the main character's situation used to drive my wife to fits… she literally couldn't sit still to watch it, even on repeat viewings. I really didn't know it was a remake.
I probably would have put "The Thing" at #1, if only for the way that it found so much more in the premise than the original ever managed to mine. ("The Fly" is certainly up there in this regard as well).
I admit, I side with your wife on "King Kong". In truth, I'd cut some of the big money sequences down more than the character stuff… the fights with the bugs, and the seemingly endless T-Rex fights. There are some lovely moments in the film, but I don't feel that it really added up to anything more than the original.
Both "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Hairspray" are great remakes via musical stage shows (not to take anything away from Water's original). However, I don't think "The Producers" was improved upon in any way by going to stage and back to screen. It's an odd trend, certainly.
I also have a soft spot in my heart for Bill Murray's heist movie "Quick Change", which he adapted from the novel of the same name after seeing another film version of it named "Hold-Up".
Quick Change! I love that movie!…i did not think too many remembered it!
Love the list, specifically the top 3 were all in my top 5 remakes as well. I remember seeing King Kong and being in a trance for 3 hours at how good it was, so I am glad to see it get that position. And I agree, The Thing is the greatest horror movie ever made. I was surprised there was no Ben-Hur but there are greater tragedies. I was also surprised by the lack of The Ten Commandments.
David, I know you described what makes a remake in the beginning of the article, but do you consider Gladiator a remake of The Fall of the Roman Empire by Anthony Mann? I do, despite what Ridley Scott says.
Couldn't agree with you more about the Man with No Name trilogy.
Fistful of Dollars is my favorite of the 3.
Strange list. . . no "Magnificent Seven/Seven Samari", "His Girl Friday/The Front Page", and no "Scorcer/Wages of Fear"? Why not, given some of the duds included on this list?
I always thought that The Departed was more of a take off of Johnny Brasco…
I really dig Peter Jackson's King Kong, in fact I gave it an 'A' on this very website. So kudos there.
I do respectfully disagree on Infernal Affairs. I think it's a better effort than The Departed. I like The Departed, but mostly for Wahlberg's crazy rants. For me, Infernal got at the heart of the conundrum in more organic way.
But, you know, it takes a village and such. I still salute your effort. :)
ohhh dudeee. i'm such a huge fan of this site, but King Kong as top remake? bold, my friend. bold.
I would def put "His Girl Friday" on that list. Now that's an amazing movie. I would also put "The Fly" and "Heat" in my top 5.
King Kong was too long. They could've cut the Jamie Bell-stuff for example. I had a laugh when they released an extended cut on DVD. The movie was 20-30 mins too long as it was!
I think you're insane on "The Departed". IA is superior in pretty much every way. For example, Hong Kong's urban landscape fits way better than tired, dreary-lookin' Boston. I also think Lau/Leung were better than Leo/Damon. And Jack Nicholson? Well, he played Jack Nicholson, and that's not cutting it anymore unfortunately.
Another thing: If I say "Evil Dead 2" is more or less a remake of the first one, would that fly with you?
Top favourites in no particular order
King Kong (actually, I'd probably place it first too. I absolutely love the film)
Heat (in fact it's one of my Top 5 films of all time, but I dunno if it could be considered a "proper" remake… seeing as writer&director was the same, and Mann always planned to make a crime epic, he did LA Takedown more as a rehearsal or something)
3:10 to Yuma (best western since Unforgiven)
The Departed (better than the original in most ways)
A Fistful of Dollars (simply great western)
Dawn of the Dead (best horror remake ever imo)
Insomnia (arguably Nolan's weakest work… and it's still on a near-masterpiece level. And Pacino's performance was his best since Heat)
Ocean's Eleven (one of the most entertaining films I've ever seen)
I think Ben Hur's first half is brilliant while the second is severely disappointing, and The Thing wasn't particularly scary… the atmosphere was intense and chilling, but The Shining and The Exorcist scared me a LOT more, while The Thing was more busy grossing me out.
Overall, great list David.
Ouch. Forgot about The Maltese Falcon. Add that to the list of favourites. The second best noir thriller I've seen, right behind Chinatown.
I liked the list. But everyone has an different opinion.
1. John Carpenter's The Thing (The Best Remake, i ever seen).
2. Dawn of the Dead (Not as good as Romero's movie but it is different and solid).
3. The Fly (Much better than the Vincent Price movie).
4. House on Haunted Hill (Another movie is better than the Vincent Price one, although some will defend the 1958 version).
5. The Hills Have Eyes (Some ways better than the Wes Craven original 1977 movie, although the remake lacked an sense of humour).
6. The Nutty Professor (I thought it was better than the Jerry Lewis movie, especially seeing Murphy playing different roles under all that Oscar-Winner make-up effects).
7. King Kong (Better than the campy 1976 version but it doesn't top the original classic).
8. The Last House on the Left (Better made and Better acted movie than Craven's original movie but the remake somewhat lacked an cruel edge from the 1972 version).
9. True Lies (Certainly more entertaining than the clever French original).
10. Funny Games (Basically the same movie from the original but i thought the performance were better in this one).
Honorable mention:
Little Shop of Horrors (The remake was more entertaining than the original although it is tough top the sequence with Jack Nicholson in the original).
I second your opinion of "The Thing." Great pick.
Wow! You never saw the 1986 "The Fly"? a true horror masterpiece in its own right even though it is a remake. Jeff Goldblum put his name on the map with this( and would forever be typecast as a scientist/tech geek/brain in future roles) and thankfully so.
Point of No Return as a not very good remake of La Femme Nikita.
1. The Departed
King Kong? and the Nutty Professor? come on!
Goin to watch Clash of the Titans right now. Hopefully it is a descent remake.
THE ESSENTIAL REMAKES:
1. Oceans' Eleven. The original wasn't even a film, it was a home movie. I love The Clan (that's the Rat Pack to wannabe fans) and I hate Clooney, Pitt and Damon, but kudos where kudos are deserved. This film was awesome fun.
2. Warren Beatty's Heaven Can Wait (dead football player comes back to life in recently killed rich dude) was a remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordon (dead boxer comes back to life in recently killed rich dude). Nominated for Oscars in every major category. A classic.
3. Invasion of the Body Snatchers has been filmed a few times but two were classics. The 1956 original and the first remake in 1978 (with Donald Sutherland). The first is about society’s fear of the things that lie outside its rigid conservative confines. In the remake the fear is in urbanization and the breakdown of traditional values. Talk about irony. Worst version was The Invasion with Nicole Kidman, the fear was having to ever watch it again.
4. Another classic, Moby Dick with Gregory Peck was a remake of Moby Dick with John Barrymore. In Peck's version Orson Welles shows up as a minister who gives a fire and brimstone sermon from a pulpit that has to be seen. In Barrymore's version Captain Ahab lives happily ever after. 'Nuff said.
5. MGM's Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland was a remake of a silent version with Oliver Hardy as the Tin Man. Come on now, Hardy as the Tin Man? Ruby slippers didn't even exist until the MGM version.
6. Armageddon (oil crew trained in explosives is asked by the government to blow up an astroid; Bruce Willis has reservations about daughter marrying his second in charge because his own wife dumped him because of the dangers) was a remake of The Hellfighters (oil fire crew trained in explosives is asked by the government to blow out oil fires on the front line of a Latin American war; John Wayne has reservations about daughter marrying his second in charge, etc, etc, etc.). Not a classic but it was the number one money maker in 1998.
7. The Italian Job. No one but car buffs like me even had heard of the Michael Caine version which had the best car chase ever (only non-car buffs place Bullet in the top five) but the rest of the movie kind of stunk. The new version didn't quite match the car chase but the movie was entertaining and had a fun script. Thanks to the remake the Mini Cooopers made a comeback and we got to laugh at those funny cars on the road. For that alone this film deserves a spot on this list.
8. White Christmas technically wasn't a remake of Holiday Inn but they both featured vaudeville buddies putting on holiday shows at a country inn and Bing Crosby singing the biggest song ever. Close enough for me. The remake added technicolor and replaced the drunken fights with jolly merry-making. And White Christmas had Rosemary Clooney (I'm still not that fond of her nephew but she's awesome).
9. Paramount gave Jerry Lewis the script for the classic Miracle at Morgan's Creek which starred Bette Hutton as a wannabe actress who is pregnant with quintuplets but doesn't remember which soldier shipping out to war was the father and the man who loves her from afar coming to aid as the father. Jerry reworks it with the actress leaving him triplets. All the elements are there but how he literally created an entire new story using the same pieces is nothing short of amazing. Even more amazing, the French (who don't miss a Lewis film) remade the Lewis version as 3 Hommes et un Couffin which was purchased by Eisner when he was at Paramount to remake as 3 Men and a Baby. If only he had known that Paramount already owned both Miracle at Morgan's Creek and Lewis' Rock-A-Bye Baby it would have saved him some money. (Now you know!)
10. 3:10 to Yuma. When Elmore Leonard was first starting out he wrote westerns for pulp fiction magazines. His short story was expanded into a great Film Noir Western with Glenn Ford. The story was expanded again for the Russell Crowe version. The writers in both cases did a good job of respecting the material that came before it and fleshing it out with more detail. Sometimes Hollywood does get it right.
King Kong was long and boring. The fact that the heroine wore that sheer laced dress and was at the top of the empire state building but never even shown signs of freezing was totally unbelievable. (Aside from the 100 pound gorilla) It was a long snooze fest compared to the old version. Although the older version showed lack of special effects and acting, it was way better than Jackson's portrayal. What about De Niro's in Cape Fear? That was a great remake. Who can forget that laugh in the movie theater?
Great top choice! I love King Kong, and I love it because it's long, it develops the characters and I cry like a baby when the ape dies! I also love that scene where Kong and Ann dance in the frozen lake at Central Park. So beautiful!
And you reminded me I must buy the Insomnia dvd. Why haven't I? So good!!
'The Beat That My Heart Skipped' is a much superior remake of the Harvey Keitel starring 'Fingers'. I will be interested to see how Scorsese handles remaking 'Silence' if it happens.
No that these remakes are necessarily great films, but given the uneven quality of the original top ten list, Herzog's "Nosferatu"/Murnau's "Nosferatu", "Rescue Dawn"/"Little Dieter Needs to Fly" (both Herzog), "El DOrado"/"Rio Bravo" both Hawkes).
Some apparently odd choices on the horizon. The Coen Brothers are filming "True Grit", with Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn, played by the Duke years ago, from the novel by Charles Portis. There is nothing beyond the Coens, and they've remade before with "The Ladykillers" which was better than reviewed. More problamatically, John Laurie is attempting to remake "Straw Dogs", shifitng it from Cornwall, England to somewhere in the South of the Good Ole USA, and making the academic a screenwriter. Sounds like a solid disaster.
the thing is on the list but the fly is not??