10 Underrated Movie Remakes

In an era where audiences yearn for creative and original narratives, remakes aren’t always the desired content. However, there are some underrated movie remakes that truly deserve recognition. Remakes have been around since the earliest days of cinema, bringing classic stories to new generations. Unfortunately, many view remakes as uninspired cash grabs trading on familiarity rather than taking creative risks. Though some remakes pale in comparison to legendary originals, others have reimagined beloved films in fresh new ways for modern viewers. The best remakes honor what made the original so special while also bringing something new to the table.

However, strong remakes often face unfair backlash, criticized simply for attempting to recapture movie magic. It’s easy to dismiss a remake instantly for tampering with a sanctified classic or failing to live up to impossible expectations. Even fantastic remakes can be underrated if they are released to an unfairly harsh response. Whether modernizing an old story or finding hidden depths in familiar characters, the most underappreciated remakes deserve recognition. While there are remakes that are better than the original, there are underrated ones that revisit old favorites with new visions and deserve reevaluation. They refreshingly remind us that a new twist on a timeless tale can feel altogether unique.

10 The Blob (1988)

A remake of the 1958 sci-fi film

A shapeless, flesh-eating extraterrestrial amoeba seems like a ridiculous horror villain, but the 1988 remake of The Blob utilized inventive effects to deliver memorably chilling thrills. Rather than leaning on the original’s campy aesthetic, the film crafted a sincerely nightmarish film. Strong performances and an ominous score further elevate the B-movie into something uniquely unsettling. Despite exceeding expectations of its silly-sounding premise, this remake remains overlooked. For delivering far more tension and screaming scares than its title creature seemingly merits, The Blob deserves recognition as an underrated sci-fi horror that transcends the film’s potential.

9 The Italian Job (2003)

A remake of the 1969 heist film

The star power alone in the ensemble of The Italian Job’s 2003 remake deserves applause. Starring Jason Statham, Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron and Edward Norton, the cast promises a good time. However, this great heist movie soars as more than simply a celebrity showcase. This remake was cleverly crafted into an ingenious original story bursting with wit and style. From high-speed chases to verbal sparring between bold personalities, The Italian Job balances action and charm with ease. Even though there was ample critical and commercial success, this remake remains absent from most star player’s career highlights. A refreshing and referential film, this is one remake that deserves more widespread appreciation.

8 King Kong (2005)

A remake of the 1933 universal classic monster

Peter Jackson’s King Kong remake recaptures the tragic magnificence of the 1933 classic. Naomi Watts shines brightly as Ann Darrow, her profound humanity grounding the bond between beauty and beast that gives the epic film its soul. Although uneven CGI and superfluous action occasionally detract from its dramatic core, King Kong is still a sight to behold, as the events are dynamically portrayed through performance and effects alike. For all its flaws, Jackson’s vision delivers a modern fairy tale to rival the emotional power of the original despite contemporary pop culture trappings. While some may recall only surface spectacle, emotional depth simmers below to give this monster remake unexpected grace.

7 Fright Night (2011)

A remake of the 1985 horror film

The remake of Fright Night remixes a minor ‘80s horror-comedy into something far more thrilling. Colin Farrell stars in the villain role, unleashing a magnetic, yet unnerving vampire character. With Anton Yelchin as his skeptic turned monster-battling neighbor, their dynamically tense rivalry anchors the film. Bolstered by a game supporting cast, Fright Night updates the premise with sharper scares and laughs, while evoking the original’s spirit of pure theatrical fun. This entertaining vampire movie that isn’t about Dracula deserves more acclaim for breathing new life into a little-known property and creating something original.

6 The Magnificent Seven (2016)

A remake of the 1960 Western

Antoine Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven constitutes a remake of a remake, modernizing the Wild West action of the 1960 John Sturges film, itself inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Though such multi-generational reinterpretation risks over-familiarity, Fuqua’s update nonetheless feels fresh as a reflection of its current era. Beyond showcasing a charismatic ensemble including Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt, this remake insightfully examines the social fabric that shaped its setting. More than just a superficial shoot-‘em up, The Magnificent Seven infuses smart subtext into its frontier action that gives the iconic narrative extra resonance.

Related

Where Was The Magnificent Seven Filmed? All Locations Explained

The 2016 version of The Magnificent Seven, directed by Antoine Fuqua, was filmed in these breath-taking locations across the United States.

5 The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

A remake of the 1962 film

In the retelling of The Manchurian Candidate, a once-obscure Cold War thriller undergoes a sharp transformation into a polished political narrative. This intricately woven story incorporates a biting satire of early 2000s war hysteria within the corridors of power. Denzel Washington takes on the role of a war veteran, navigating conspiracy and corruption at the highest levels of government, while Meryl Streep delivers a malicious supporting performance as a scheming senator. Themes of brainwashing assassins and corporate conspiracies serve as urgent allegories for U.S. foreign entanglements and the encroachment of greed on democracy. The Manchurian Candidate captivates by revitalizing an old film rather than merely emulating a classic.

4 The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009)

A remake of the 1974 thriller

The 2009 adaptation The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 preserves the fundamental subway hostage premise of the 1974 thriller, updating the narrative through two powerhouse lead performances. In one of John Travolta’s best roles, he delivers a kinetic intensity from his first appearance on screen as the erratic villain Mr. Blue. Counterbalancing this volatile criminal figure, Denzel Washington plays Walter Garber, an average dispatcher negotiating for civilian lives through a tense standoff. Their electric screen chemistry drives the film’s claustrophobic conflicts to new heights of friction. While the storyline’s contours follow its predecessor, these adversarial stars reenergize familiar beats into something that excels with fresh energy.

3 Planet Of The Apes (2001)

A remake of the 1968 classic

If viewed independently of the original, Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes remake works wonderfully as a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster. Burton’s vision may lack subtle themes, but delivers dynamic action chasing a straightforward adventure premise. As a visual stylist, Burton builds elaborate practical sets and special effects for mesmerizing spectacle. What the story may lack in nuance, it compensates through sheer imagination in crafting this parallel world. Judged on execution rather than comparison, it is a thrilling, visually-stunning popcorn film. Between pulse-pounding action sequences and technical and prosthetic innovations, Burton’s distinctive fingerprints are clear across this creative reimagining.

2 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

A remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story

A pair of contrasting con artists matching wits never goes out of style if the chemistry sizzles, as proven in the 1988 comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine. As a refined fraudster, Caine takes Martin under his wing to swindle rich women, only for the student to become a rival targeting the same mark. The characters may be familiar, but the actors are masters of disparate comedy styles, their vibrant rapport elevating the material. Beyond amusing plot twists, Martin and Caine make the biggest impression, firing their quick wit and insults. Their hilarious clashes and eventual partnership provides laughs beyond the film’s already clever script.

1 Suspiria (2018)

A remake of the 1977 cult classic

The remake of the 1977 horror classic Suspiria takes a grounded approach to the supernatural premise, favoring emotional tension over stylized thrills. Immediately revealing witchcraft secrets, Guadagnino downplays the mystery to focus on a dancer’s dark seduction into a sinister sorority. Relying on muted visuals and measured pace, the story becomes a disquieting interpersonal drama, with Dakota Johnson’s manipulated protagonist at the center. Critics were divided on this restrained tactic, but the remake deserves praise for daring to reinterpret expectations. Rather than recreate Suspiria’s shock value, Guadagnino patiently constructs psychological tension through the corruption of a vulnerable character.