Today I am going to look at my favourite remakes, the films on this list are not always the most successful but they are the ones I enjoyed watching the most. I have also only films that I have seen at least parts of the original. So if you favourite is not on the list the chances are I won’t have seen the original.
10. The Mummy (1999) Remake of The Mummy (1932)
I know most people will not like this choice and what was once a horror has turned into an action adventure. I enjoyed the remakes they were fun and light hearted. The Mummy figure turned from being a bandaged slow moving monster to a creature that can control his environment once he is back to full power.
Even though the rumour is that a Mummy reboot in coming up which will take the creature back to its darker side, only time will tell.
9. My Bloody Valentine (2009) remake of My Bloody Valentine (1981)
This is the first of many horror films to make my list and with this one we get a film that uses 3D a bit too much but the basic slasher side of the film is much bloodier than its predecessor. It was a positive modern day take on the genre after the original is very slow moving.
The one biggest plus for this film is that they were brave enough to change the twist ending that everyone was expecting.
8. Mother’s Day (2010) remake of Mother’s Day (1980)
Troma have made some of the worst cheap horror films of all time and recently they have been getting remade with a bigger budget. This time the story is similar but cuts out some of the violence used before and adds some genuine tension.
This is one horror film that seemed to get over looked in 2010 but in the end it is a bit of a horror gem.
7. Halloween (2007) remake of Halloween (1978)
This choice is like marmite you either love it or hate it. For me this is one of those examples of good use of a remake where it takes very small elements from the first and instead of copying it re-creates the type of horror we see.
This doesn’t mean I dislike the original both films I think are good in their own way. This is one example of how a classic can be remade and still be a good film.
6. Dawn Of The Dead (2004) Remake of Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
Another film here that has had people talking since it came out. The original is one of the best horror films ever made. The remake offers a modern take on a similar story of a group of survivors trying to live out a normal existence in a shopping mall during a zombie apocalypse.
Using the new fast moving zombies and a large group of disposable survivors we have a lot more blood and gore as well as one of the funniest chainsaw death in recent film.
5. The Crazies (2010) Remake of The Crazies (1973)
Here is another film that was made with little money that created an atmospheric viral outbreak that followed a couple of survivors hiding from a constant threat. The remake ups the stakes using improved military hunting for any survivors as well as using the zombie like reaction to an infection.
4. Red Dragon (2002) Remake of Man Hunter (1986)
When Anthony Hopkins first became Hannibal Lecter many were surprised that he wasn’t the first actor to play the role. It what was a bit of a box office bomb Man Hunter was Hannibal first outing and it is still a good film in its own right. After two successful films with Hopkins in the role the remake Red Dragon came along.
The new Red Dragon was trying to rekindle the brilliance of Silence Of The Lambs and even though it doesn’t get to the same level it still a good film using some of the character we have all got to know.
3. Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011) Remake of Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971)
After the first attempt of a remake turned out horrible a lot of people were left sceptical about this film. Instead of remaking a classic they choose to remake one of the weaker films in the series which not many people had seen.
It what turns into an origin story about how the outbreak first happened this turns into one of the best films of the year and with some brilliant scenes and story this ends up being one of the best remakes of the noughties.
2. The Departed (2006) Remake of Infernal Affairs Trilogy (2001)
The only film that made my list that is a remake of a foreign language film that takes elements from the whole trilogy and turns it into one of the best crime dramas of all time. It has Oscars to its name as well as some full A list cast giving brilliant performances.
1. The Thing (1981) Remake of The Things From Another World (1951)
This had to be the choice everyone was expecting to see, it is considered one of the best films ever made let alone remakes. I don’t know what else I can say that hasn’t already been said about this film other than this is my favourite remake so make sure it is on you watched list.
Honourable Mentions
- The Fly
- Death Race
- Insomnia
- Cape Fear
- True Grit
