Better The Second Time
Forget what you’ve heard about remakes being a letdown. Some didn’t just live up to the original—they blew them out of the water with better casts and sharper scripts.
The Thing, 1982 (Original: The Thing From Another World, 1951)
John Carpenter’s version dials up the paranoia and body horror to chilling perfection. Ditching the 1951 camp for icy dread, it showcases jaw-dropping practical effects that still haunt viewers today. Bonus: it's closer to the original novella.
Watch Your Arms! | The Thing (1982) | Science Fiction Station by Science Fiction Station
Ocean’s Eleven, 2001 (Original: Ocean’s 11, 1960)
The Rat Pack had swagger, but Clooney’s crew had style. This high-stakes Vegas caper modernized the 1960 original with charm and a killer soundtrack. Throw in Brad Pitt snacking and a star-studded cast, and you’ve got a sleek heist classic.
Ocean's Eleven (2001) Official Trailer by MovieStation
Scarface, 1983 (Original: Scarface, 1932)
Say hello to Tony Montana, a Cuban exile turned drug kingpin with a grenade launcher. With a fiery performance, Al Pacino turned Scarface (1983) into a pop culture monolith, eclipsing the 1932 original. It’s endlessly quotable and a hip-hop icon despite its brutal, bullet-riddled descent.
Scarface (1983) - The Political Prisoner Scene | Movieclips by Movieclips
The Fly, 1986 (Original: The Fly, 1958)
The 1986 remake is more than just a horror flick. It’s a tragic love story wrapped in mutated flesh. Jeff Goldblum's slow transformation into a grotesque hybrid is both heartbreaking and horrifying. There’s a bone-chilling final scene and Oscar-winning makeup effects.
The Fly (1986) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers by Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
True Grit, 2010 (Original: True Grit, 1969)
Forget the Duke—the Coen Brothers’ version packs more grit, sharper dialogue, and a gruffer Rooster Cogburn. Hailee Steinfeld stole scenes (and hearts) as the sharp-tongued Mattie Ross. Faithful to the novel, the 2010 version rides harder and hits deeper than the 1969 original.
True Grit (2010) Theatrical Trailer by Amblin
The Departed, 2006 (Original: Infernal Affairs, 2002)
Martin Scorsese traded Hong Kong’s Infernal Affairs for Boston grit, and finally nabbed the Oscar. With double agents and a jaw-dropping ending, The Departed is twisted and totally unforgettable. Actors Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio were at their absolute best.
The Departed Official Trailer #1 - (2006) HD by Movieclips
Little Women, 2019 (Original: Multiple)
In Little Women (2019), Greta Gerwig gave the March sisters a fresh spin with modern emotional depth. Saoirse Ronan's character, Jo, is fiery, and Florence Pugh's Amy is more complex than people gave her credit for. Plus, the costumes are stunning. It's the most inventive adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic.
Little Women (2019) - Jo & Friedrich Scene (8/10) | Movieclips by Movieclips
A Star Is Born, 2018 (Original: Multiple)
Fourth time’s the charm! Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga brought raw emotion and killer vocals to the classic tale of fame and downfall. With chemistry and the Oscar-winning song Shallow, it became the most beloved version yet.
A Star Is Born Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Trailers by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
West Side Story, 2021 (Original: West Side Story, 1961)
Director Steven Spielberg danced his way into musical greatness with the adaptation of West Side Story. He boosted the original’s choreography, making everything feel alive. The romance still aches, while the music still soars. With the 2021 remake, the story feels just right.
West Side Story (2021) "Legendary Audience" Spot by Amblin
The Parent Trap, 1998 (Original: The Parent Trap, 1961)
Two Lindsays, one unforgettable performance. Starring as two mischievous twins, Lindsay Lohan was so convincing that people thought she had a sister. Packed with British charm and summer camp schemes, this remake became a '90s favorite.
The Parent Trap (1998) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers by Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
It, 2017 & 2019 (Original: It, 1990)
Clowns were already creepy, but Bill Skarsgard’s Pennywise made sure we never look at red balloons the same. The revision splits Stephen King’s epic into two parts, giving characters emotional depth while offering nightmare fuel. Chapter One became the highest-grossing horror film at the time.
IT: CHAPTER ONE | Scary Doors (2017) Movie CLIP HD by JoBlo Horror
The Mummy, 1999 (Original: The Mummy, 1932)
Slow-walking bandages were just too slow, but this one brought the boom. The Mummy(1999) kicked off a blockbuster trilogy, gave us iconic CGI sandstorms, and turned libraries into battlegrounds. Admit it, you wanted to be an adventurer after watching it.
The Mummy (1999) | Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Awaken the Mummy in 4K HDR by Universal Pictures
Freaky Friday, 2003 (Original: Freaky Friday, 1976)
Body-swapping has never been this fun. Though the original was sweet, the reboot rocked harder. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan nailed mother-daughter chaos and guitar solos. Bonus points for early-2000s teen angst and killer comedic timing. Pink hair never looked so wise.
The Ring, 2002 (Original: Ringu, 1998)
One cursed videotape. Seven days. And one very, very creepy girl in a well. The Ring (2002) scared off almost everyone by introducing Japanese horror to a new audience. With its chilling atmosphere and panic-stricken Naomi Watts, it became an instant horror staple.
The Ring - Official Trailer | 2002 by ScreamFactoryTV
The Birdcage, 1996 (Original: La Cage Aux Folles, 1978)
Robin Williams and Nathan Lane brought fabulous chaos to The Birdcage. It’s heartwarming and packed with intriguing one-liners. Unlike the original, the 1996 remake goes full flamboyant with South Beach flair. Who knew a dinner party with conservatives could be this entertaining?
THE BIRDCAGE (1996) | How to Act Like a Man | MGM by Amazon MGM Studios
Dawn Of The Dead, 2004 (Original: Dawn Of The Dead, 1978)
The 2004 adaptation, an action-packed reboot, doesn’t just modernize the mall apocalypse but supercharges it. Survival never looked harder. Fast-paced and surprisingly emotional, this reboot flipped the script on the zombie genre and left audiences breathless.
Dawn Of The Dead (2004) - Official Trailer (HD) by ScreamFactoryTV
The Invisible Man, 2020 (Original: The Invisible Man, 1933)
Gone are the mad scientist vibes. This time, it’s gaslighting with a side of sci-fi terror. Elisabeth Moss leads the tense psychological thriller, where no one believes her. With sleek direction and invisible scares, it reinvented horror for the #MeToo era.
The Invisible Man (2020) - The Invisible Suit Scene (6/10) | Movieclips by Movieclips
Nosferatu The Vampyre, 1979 (Original: Nosferatu, 1922)
Director Werner Herzog took a silent classic and infused it with eerie poetry. The result? A dreamy, disturbing vampire tale that feels like a haunting fever dream. Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) may not be louder, but it's definitely eerier and even more chilling.
Nosferatu The Vampyre (1979) - Trailer by BFITrailers
Ben-Hur, 1959 (Original: Ben-Hur, 1925)
The 1959 remake took the grandeur of silent film and added widescreen glory to it. Charlton Heston brought intensity, but let’s be honest, that chariot race stole the show. Eleven Oscars later, it became a Hollywood legend. If you’ve never seen wheels fly like that, you’re in for a ride.
Cape Fear, 1991 (Original: Cape Fear, 1962)
Robert De Niro turned charming terror into an art form in this thriller that dials everything up to ten. It’s disturbing and will make you double-check your locks. In addition to more edge and mind games, this version imports cameos from the 1962 stars.
Cape Fear (1991) | Modern Trailer by MovinClassic
Cheaper By The Dozen, 2003 (Original: Cheaper By The Dozen, 1950)
Steve Martin wrangling twelve kids? Absolute comedic gold. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) ditched 1950s formality for backyard chaos and sibling pranks galore. It’s relatable and deeply charming, so much so that they remade it again in 2022.
Cheaper by the Dozen (1/5) Movie CLIP - Frog For Breakfast (2003) HD by Movieclips
Hairspray, 2007 (Original: Hairspray, 1988)
From cult classic to Broadway smash to musical film, Hairspray (2007) just kept getting better. The songs pop, and the message hits home: there’s a place for everyone on the dance floor. Plus, John Travolta in a fat suit and heels? Simply iconic.
Hairspray (5/5) Movie CLIP - You Can't Stop the Beat! (2007) HD by Movieclips
Casino Royale, 2006 (Original: Casino Royale, 1967)
Out went the campy chaos, in came gritty espionage. The James Bond franchise was reborn with raw emotion and stripped-down intensity. Casino Royale (2006) scrapped the gadgets and gimmicks for psychological depth. Then, it gave 007 a heart worth breaking.
Casino Royale Official Trailer (2006) James Bond Movie HD by MOVIECLIPS News
We Are What We Are, 2013 (Original: We Are What We Are, 2010)
Cannibal horror, but make it slow-burn and deeply unsettling. Remaking the 2010 release flips the gender roles and adds layers of religious fanaticism and dread. You’ll never look at a quiet rural family dinner the same way again.
Let Me In, 2010 (Original: Let The Right One In, 2008)
Rarely does an adaptation treat its source material with such eerie respect. Let Me In brings the Swedish original’s mood across the Atlantic, with more grit and snowy dread. Despite being a haunting vampire story, it remains tender.
Let Me In (2010) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers by Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers
