Remakes are something of a lottery. When they’re good, they occasionally even surpass the original. Some are about the same, leading to an average movie that is quickly forgotten. However, a few are known for being terrible, overshadowing the original movie with the extent of their mistakes. Here, we look at some of the worst movie remakes that should never have left the studio.
Psycho
The original Psycho was a masterpiece in the horror genre, keeping audiences at the edge of their seats before the final twist. The 1998 remake ruined this by eliminating any feeling of suspense but keeping many of the shots exactly the same, even down to the camera movements. This lack of creativity also meant that audiences were unsure about the twist.
The Wicker Man
Folk horror movie The Wicker Man enjoyed moderate success but was never really in the public eye. This changed with the 2006 remake, starring Nicolas Cage. Criticized for its unintentional comedy and over-the-top acting, the scene with bees has become a popular meme.
Point Break
Crime drama Point Break was a critical and box office success, gaining a cult following in the years after. The 2015 remake tried to use this to gather interest in the new version but ended up driving fans away. Lacking the charm and humor of the original, it was also criticized for its poor casting choices.
Total Recall
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid, Total Recall sees him having recurring dreams after a false memory is planted in his brain. The 2012 remake, however, casts Colin Farrell in the role, resulting in a vaguely unsatisfying performance that is not helped by the simplified plot and characters.
Poltergeist
The original Poltergeist movie from 1982 is a horror genre classic with the right amount of tension and an engaging script. The remake had none of this, instead bringing a heavy reliance on jump scares that the original didn’t need. It also had nothing to make it unique or stand out to movie-goers.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a horror classic that adopted many of the tropes from low-budget horror cinema, resulting in a movie that is both scary and genuinely enjoyable to watch. The remake lacked the depth that made the original so good and didn’t add anything new to the franchise.
The Stepford Wives
This satirical thriller movie follows Joanna Eberhart (Katharine Ross) as she moves with her husband to the idyllic town of Stepford. The suspense builds to a chilling conclusion as she discovers more about the other female residents. The remake dispensed with the more serious elements, replacing the ending with a bizarre comedic twist.
Godzilla
Although the original Godzilla movie was a classic, the first American version in 1998 did not match this success. Expected to break new records with its release on Memorial Day weekend, the movie earned just $12.5 million on its opening day. It was criticized for its one-dimensional characters and mediocre plot.
RoboCop
Despite the 1987 original’s loyal following, the 2014 remake failed to capitalize on this. Instead, it alienated fans by omitting the quick humor and grittiness that made the first one so special. Although it received some positive reviews, it was still compared unfavorably to the original.
Planet of the Apes
A remake of the 1968 movie of the same name, Planet of the Apes, did well at the Box Office but received mixed reviews from critics who noted the striking visuals but felt it was a letdown compared to the original. The story didn’t resonate similarly, and viewers were disappointed with its structure.
The Karate Kid
The original Karate Kid movie was an inspiring underdog story about standing up for yourself and the importance of training and discipline. Although the 2010 movie was successful in its own right, critics questioned its value as a remake, believing that it would have worked better as a standalone.
Ben-Hur (2016)
The earlier Ben-Hur movie from 1959 was a massive success, both critically and at the box office. The acting and direction were praised, but the standout scene was the chariot race, which took five weeks and $1 million to film. The remake in 2016 lacked the impact and style of the original and was a box office bomb, failing to make back its budget and resulting in massive losses for the studios.
The Haunting
The original and the remake are based on the 1959 novel The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, with the 1999 version taking inspiration directly from the original 1963 movie. The remake was a financial success but fell short with the critics, who didn’t like the script or swap to CGI special effects.
Annie
The original movie Annie was based on the Broadway musical of the same name, producing a classic comedy-drama about an orphan who finds her forever family. The 2014 remake failed to wow critics, with the blatant materialism and lack of charm being considered some of its worst faults.
Clash of the Titans
The 1981 version of Clash of the Titans is an epic fantasy adventure based on the Greek myth of Perseus. The remake in 2010 was a box-office success but attracted negative reviews, with critics pointing to the use of 3D technology and lack of flair. It also failed to meet the charm of the original and had a plot many found dull rather than thrilling.
Arthur
The original movie Arthur, released in 1981, is a romantic comedy about a rich alcoholic who will only receive his inheritance if he marries an upper-class heiress. He falls in love with a working-class girl and realizes she is worth more to him than the money, canceling the wedding at the altar. The remake follows a similar plot but casts Russell Brand in the lead role, who fails to live up to the standard set in the original.
Charlie’s Angels
The original version of Charlie’s Angels from 2000 was a fun action comedy about three women working in a private detective agency. It was a continuation of the television series of the same name and spawned its own sequel in 2003. The 2019 version was intended to be both a remake and a reboot but lacked the sense of camaraderie and zaniness of the original.
The Day the Earth Stood Still
A remake of the 1951 movie of the same name, The Day the Earth Stood Still, performed well at the box office but was nearly universally disliked by critics. Its use of gratuitous special effects didn’t make up for the lack of a comprehensible plot and Keanu Reeves’ poor performance.
Red Dawn
The earlier Red Dawn movie was released in 1984 to mixed reviews but was a box office success. The remake from 2012 failed to make back its budget and did not impress critics, with many disliking the illogical plot and flat characters.
Fame
Focusing on a group of students at a Performing Arts school, Fame explored their lives and struggles throughout their studies. The 2009 remake seemed to miss the original’s point, turning a more realistic look at the hardships the students faced into a much simpler and tamer version.
Conan the Barbarian
Although the 2011 version was not intended to be a remake of the 1982 movie, comparisons were always going to be made, and the later version came out lacking. It bombed at the box office and received negative attention for its unnecessary 3D graphics, poor dialogue, and lack of characterization.
The Mummy
A reboot of the Mummy franchise, the 2017 version was intended to start Universal’s Dark Universe. Its poor performance led to the cancellation of this idea. The plot suffered due to attempts to include points to set up the Dark Universe and was criticized for mostly recycling old plot ideas from better movies.
Rollerball
The 1975 sci-fi sports movie Rollerball focuses on a dystopian society where violent sports are played to the death. The 2005 remake dropped most of the political and social commentary, swapping it for more action scenes. This attracted widespread criticism from viewers and critics alike, with many also commenting on the confusing plot and subpar acting.
Pulse
Pulse is an American remake of the successful Japanese horror movie Kairo. Whereas Kairo focused on emotional complexity and building suspense, Pulse drops these in favor of better visuals and cheap scares. The result is a movie that fails to become scary or sinister, lacking the sense of dread from the original. Despite this, Pulse went on to have two straight-to-DVD sequels.
Guess Who
Based on the 1967 romcom Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Guess Who flips the races in the story and has a Black woman introduce her white boyfriend to her parents. While the original was praised for its honest and positive depictions of interracial relationships, the remake received mixed to negative reviews, with many commenting on the subpar humor and lack of political relevance the original had.
The Invasion
Originally intended to be a remake of the 1956 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, writer David Kajganich updated the story to reflect the contemporary world. Despite the earlier version going on to become a classic of sci-fi cinema, the remake bombed at the box office and was heavily criticized on its release.
The Fog
John Carpenter and Debra Hill’s 1980 movie The Fog is a remake of their original. It follows many of the same plot points as its predecessor. Unfortunately, it never really establishes its own style or atmosphere, resulting in an underwhelming movie that critics dismissed.
Around the World in 80 Days
The 1956 movie Around the World in 80 Days and its remake of the same name from 2004 are both based on Jules Verne’s 1873 novel. But the remake quickly discarded much of the novel’s plot, swapping it with comedic elements. This proved unpopular with audiences and critics, ultimately resulting in a flop.
Death at a Funeral
An American remake of the 2007 British movie of the same name, Death at a Funeral, was made only three years later in an attempt to appeal to US audiences. Despite being fairly faithful to its source material, this black comedy still underperformed and was compared unfavorably to the original.
Oldboy
South Korean action-thriller Oldboy was a massive commercial and critical success, telling the story of a businessman on a mission for revenge against his captor. In 2013, an American remake directed by Spike Lee was released but was met with negative reviews and poor box office sales. Many felt it played it too safe and did not live up to the reputation of the original.
The Women
A remake of the 1939 movie of the same name, The Women, featured an ensemble all-female cast. Focusing on Mary (Meg Ryan) and her struggles with her cheating husband, it enjoyed commercial success but received extremely negative reviews from critics who felt that it lacked the charm of the original and did not add anything new.
The Wolfman
The Wolfman is based on the 1941 movie The Wolf Man, a gothic horror that’s part of the Universal Monsters franchise. This original was highly successful, spawning four sequels, but the remake did not have the same impact. Despite the genuinely impressive makeup used, the movie failed to make back its budget and was panned by critics.
Halloween
Written, directed, and produced by Rob Zombie, Halloween is a remake of John Carpenter’s 1978 movie of the same name. It serves as both an origin story and a remake that enjoyed huge success at the box office. Nevertheless, reviewers strongly criticized the movie, feeling that it lacked tension.
Straw Dogs
Straw Dogs is a remake of the movie of the same name from 1971, based on the novel The Siege of Trencher’s Farm. While the original was controversial on release for what some saw as part of the increasing violence in movies, it was also successful at the box office. The same could not be said of the remake, which was seen as unnecessary and celebrating violence, in contrast to the message of the original.
The Manchurian Candidate
A remake of the 1962 original, The Manchurian Candidate is a political thriller about a former US Army Major who is now a congressman. Brainwashed, he starts to dream about the mission he and his squad were captured on. Although the remake was a moderate success, it was compared unfavorably to its predecessor.
Flatliners
Both the 1990 original and the 2017 remake focus on a group of medical students experimenting with near-death experiences, with the aftermath seeing them suffering from hallucinations. Despite an interesting premise, the remake didn’t improve on the original’s faults and was criticized for its dull plot.
The Ladykillers
Based on the 1955 British black comedy The Ladykillers, the remake of the same name follows a similar premise of a criminal gang renting a room by pretending to be musicians. The original was met with critical acclaim, but the remake failed to live up to this standard, receiving mixed reviews that compared it negatively to the 1955 version.
The Omen
The original movie and the first in the franchise, The Omen, was released in 1976. The 2006 movie, sometimes called The Omen: 666, was a nearly identical shot-for-shot remake, leaving many viewers wondering what the point of a new movie was. It couldn’t hold up to scrutiny without any style of its own, and reviews were nearly all negative.
Jacob’s Ladder
Although the original 1990 version of Jacob’s Ladder was only moderately successful upon release, it gained a cult following among those who liked the subtle horror and atmosphere. The 2019 remake lost the original’s strong themes and menacing feelings and was released to overwhelmingly negative reviews.
Going in Style
The 2017 remake of the 1979 comedy movie Going in Style, this movie of the same name followed a similar plot about retirees staging a heist but failed to capture the comedy and charm. It received mixed reviews and was criticized for not taking risks with the plot or direction.
Black Christmas
A loose reimagining of the 1974 slasher movie Black Christmas, the remake of the same name also focuses on a group of sorority sisters who receive threatening phone calls and are stalked by a killer. The remake was criticized for its gratuitous gore scenes and predictable plot, with reviewers feeling it never reached the tense atmosphere of the original.
