10 Sci-Fi Movies You Had No Idea Were Remakes

As a genre, sci-fi produces some of the most original and innovative films found anywhere, yet some of the most successful sci-fi movies are actually remakes of earlier projects. Remakes and reboots are a staple of the movie industry – whatever the genre. However, where some movie remakes are explicit in their ties to an original property, the connection is less clear with others.

Some sci-fi remakes are no different from other genres in clearly signaling their connection to earlier projects. This is certainly the case with modern reboots like Total Recall and RoboCop, where the popularity of the earlier film justifies the update. However, whether because the original wasn’t widely known or didn’t fully realize an interesting concept, other sci-fi remakes are less obvious. As a result, there are many films that sci-fi fans may not realize are either interesting adaptations – or, in some cases, worse versions – of classic earlier material.

10
Battle Beyond The Stars (1980)

Remake of The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Following the huge success of Star Wars in 1977 (itself heavily inspired by the likes of The Hidden Fortress), several studios looked to produce space-centric stories to try and cash in. While many of these projects were original, others took a creative approach to the long-established remake formula, giving old stories a new setting. Roger Corman’s Battle Beyond the Stars is a prime example. The movie follows the plot of both The Magnificent Seven and Seven Samurai, revolving around an unlikely team who band together to defeat evil. Despite a mixed reception, the movie was a minor hit on release, although its recycled story is obvious.

9
The Fly (1986)

Remake of The Fly (1958)

The Jeff Goldblum version of The Fly is understandably seen as so iconic that it is now seen as the definitive version of the story. However, despite being less well-known, the original 1958 movie is actually a sci-fi horror classic in its own right. Starring Vincent Price, the earlier movie is much less romantic than Cronenberg’s interpretation of George Langelaan’s celebrated short story, instead concentrating on the central horror of the premise. Interestingly, it is the 1958 version that is closer to the famous Simpsons Treehouse of Horror parody, making it essential viewing for sci-fi fans.

8
The Time Machine (2002)

Remake of The Time Machine (1960)

Taking inspiration from author H.G. Wells’ 1895 novel as well as the 1960 movie, The Time Machine proves why sci-fi remakes are so popular – if not always successful. The 2002 movie, starring Guy Pearce and Jeremy Irons, introduces several new story elements, such as a romantic subplot, ultimately confusing the movie’s message. Nevertheless, it provides an interesting contrast to the more streamlined 60s movie, which itself is more interested in the battle between man and Morlocks than in justifying the inventor’s motivation for time travel.

7
Vanilla Sky (2001)

Remake of Open Your Eyes (1997)

Despite boasting some impressive visuals (including the iconic “abandoned Time Square” sequence), Vanilla Sky was met with a lukewarm critical response upon release. This is in stark contrast to the reaction to Alejandro Amenábar’s original movie, Open Your Eyes. Where Cameron Crowe’s movie was criticized for its incoherence, Open Your Eyes received 85% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes for its delicate exploration of complicated themes. However, despite being generally considered inferior, Vanilla Sky made much more of an impact financially, usurping Open Your Eyes in the public’s consciousness.

6
I Am Legend (2007)

Remake of The Omega Man (1971) and The Last Man on Earth (1964)

Perhaps because the concept of a sole survivor navigating a post-apocalyptic setting is not unheard of in science fiction, it was not immediately obvious to many movie-goers in 2007 that Will Smith’s action thriller I Am Legend is both an adaptation and a remake. The movie borrows heavily from both The Omega Man and The Last Man on Earth, although it is arguably a much less faithful adaptation of Richard Matheson’s novel. Smith’s movie is more action-oriented and famously changes I Am Legend‘s ending, but would not exist in the same way were it not for the first two movies.

5
The Stepford Wives (2004)

Remake of The Stepford Wives (1975)

Although it was a critical and commercial failure, the 2004 version of The Stepford Wives was high-profile enough to become the most well-known version of Ira Levin’s novel. High-profile performances from the likes of Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Glenn Close, and Bette Midler cemented the movie as part of the zeitgeist, with different takes on the main premise, such as Don’t Worry Darling, increasing its standing. However, despite only making $4 million at the box office, the 1975 movie is actually a better rendition of Levin’s vision – despite fading into obscurity.

4
The Invasion (2007)

Remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956, 1978), and Body Snatchers (1993)

The original Invasion of the Body Snatchers story has been explicitly remade on several occasions, with the two most famous versions in 1956 and 1978 even sharing the same name. However, despite being an almost exact retelling of the same story, 2007’s The Invasion decided not to tie itself to the Body Snatchers universe established by previous adaptations. Ironically, this may have led to the project’s downfall, as even the star power of Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig couldn’t save it from a poor box office performance. Had it explicitly advertised itself as a Body Snatchers remake, it may have fared better.

3
The Thing (1982)

Remake of The Thing From Another World (1951)

John Carpenter’s 1982 version of The Thing is widely regarded as one of the greatest sci-fi horror movies ever made, yet it would likely not exist in the same form if it weren’t for the 1951 original. While both movies take the 1938 novella Who Goes There? as their inspiration, the earlier version completely changes the nature of the main monster. Instead of a shapeshifter, the creature is described as a “super carrot” and is almost impervious to harm. Carpenter set out to restore John W. Campbell’s original vision, which he may not have felt compelled to do had the earlier movie been more faithful.

2
Solaris (1972)

Remake of Solaris (1968)

It is relatively well-known that Steven Soderbergh’s Solaris (starring George Clooney) is a remake of Andrei Tarkovsky’s acclaimed and highly influential 1972 version of the story. What’s less often acknowledged, however, is that Tarkovsky’s movie is itself a remake. The original Solaris was actually a black-and-white two-part teleplay aired on Soviet television in 1968. While Tarkovsky’s movie brought new emotional depth to the story of a spaceship crew struggling with an existential crisis, it’s undeniable that the first version helped lay the groundwork.

1
12 Monkeys (1995)

Remake of La Jetée (1962)

Although in its themes and story Terry Gilliam’s gripping time travel thriller 12 Monkeys is undeniably a remake of the French short film La Jetée, it’s also true that the two projects are totally different from one another. 12 Monkeys is a full-length deep dive into the philosophical quandries posed by time and faulty memory, whereas La Jetée is a condensed 28-minute experiment. Nevertheless, 12 Monkeys is so heavily reliant on the little-known original that it undoubtedly belongs on a list of unexpected sci-fi remakes.