The great world of cinema has been around since the 19th century. It's only natural that some ideas may be recycled or rehashed in the film industry. With film technology constantly advancing, it only makes sense that some old films be remade using new technological advancements to do what couldn’t be done at the time the original was made.
While there are no set rules for creating a remake, the expectations of a remake are drastically different from that of any original film. A recent example would be the Mortal Kombat remake that came out in 2021. The story for the film was different from the original, but the film did remarkably better than the original as the technology to create the powers of the characters is more than just a green screen. Here are the best modern remakes of classic movies ranked.
Updated May 2023: If you are a fan of classic reboots, you're in luck. This article has been updated with additional content and entries by Danilo Raúl.
15 The Departed (2006)
The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese, is a remake of the first entry in the Infernal Affairs trilogy written and directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. The screenplay written by William Monahan also takes some elements of the real-life case of the Boston Winter Hill Gang. Colin Sullivan is a man with no future and a family deeply tied to the Irish Mob. He does his best to change his destiny by working as an insider in Frank Costello's gang without realizing the mobster has his own mole inside the police force with trooper Billy Costigan tipping the mobster to evade capture.
14 It (2017)
It had already been adapted in 1990 as a TV series, later recut as a three-hour feature film. Chase Palmer handled the new adaptation in the script, and Andy Muschietti directed it. Bill Skarsgård takes on the role of the demonic clown Pennywise this time. A challenge, according to the actor, who was well aware of the beloved performance by Tim Curry.
Given the extension of the story, the script was divided into two chapters. Chapter One was released in 2017 and was the most critically acclaimed film of the pair. The second chapter was released in 2019, with all the kids now as adults facing Pennywise for the last time. The film managed to keep the buzz as the kids engaged the press frequently, stating their dream cast for their adult counterparts, with some getting their wishes.
13 Dune (2021)
After Watchmen was adapted by Zack Snyder, the property that gained the tag of being unfilmable was Dune. For a long time, studios had struggled to adapt the story of the first book in the anthology. The first try was handled by visionary director David Lynch, who faced unending studio interference. The finished result is a half-assed effort that somehow became a cult classic.
It would take 37 years until Denis Villeneuve came along and took on the challenge by writing and directing the film himself and dividing the main story of the first book into three chapters. The final result was a box office hit with critical acclaim that secured the following two chapters of the story, which are currently in production.
12 The Ring (2002)
Asmik Ace
The Ring is a remake of a Japanese horror film, which adapts a horror novel by Koji Suzuki. The script for the American remake is based on the original script made by Hiroshi Takahashi for the film Ringu, which premiered in Japan in 1998. It's the story about a curse that befalls anyone who dares to watch a tape depicting a series of incomprehensible events.
Directed by Gore Verbinski, the film stars Naomi Watts and Brian Cox. It follows the story of reporter Rachel Keller, who must investigate the death of his niece at her sister's request after she dies suddenly by unexplained causes.
11 Cape Fear (1991)
Another entry by Martin Scorsese, Cape Fear is a remake of the 1962 film of the same name based on a novel by John D. MacDonald. The all-star cast includes Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, and Juliette Lewis. A convicted rapist named Max Caddy finishes his stint in prison and comes out with a single mission in mind. To make the life of his former public counselor a living hell for misrepresenting him in court. Caddy has had years to prepare, becoming an absolute expert at manipulating the law. His unbridled obsession makes for some of the most daunting performances ever made, with particular emphasis on the interactions between De Niro and Juliette Lewis, who plays the young daughter of the targeted couple.
10 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a remake of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). Taking up Gene Wilder’s role as Willy Wonka, Johnny Depp brings out the same eccentricities Willy Wonka is known for, making him just as odd while adding his own unique flare to the character. There were many changes from the original to the remake, including giving Willy Wonka a backstory and giving the Oompa Loompas better musical numbers and dance routines. Not to mention the process of making the candy was done with CGI, giving it a more unique effect with technology that was not available when the original came out.
9 Ocean’s Eleven
A remake of the original 1960 Ocean’s Eleven starring great stars like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. who would later be referred to as the “rat pack”, the remake of Ocean’s Eleven is one of the best ever done. There are slight differences in small details to the film, like how in the original the group hits three separate casinos but in the remake, it’s one vault, but the money comes from three casinos, and the overall plot sticks the landing. With just as many modern stars like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Bernie Mac, and even Carl Reiner, the remake emanates the same atmosphere of pulling off a heist in a smooth manner.
8 True Grit
The original True Grit (1969) starring John Wayne was a huge success during its time, following the journey of Rooster Cogburn hired by 14-year-old Mattie to hunt down and kill Tom Chaney, the man who murdered her father. While the John Wayne classic will forever live in the hearts of audiences, the remake gives the original a run for its money.
Directed by the Coen Brothers, the 2010 remake of True Grit was bound for success with its ensemble cast of Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin. True Grit is highly praised, some even suggesting that the Coen Brothers' remake is better than the original, getting nominated for ten Academy Awards.
7 The Magnificent Seven
Another Western to make the remake list is The Magnificent Seven. When the residents of Rose Creek find themselves under the control of industrialist Bogue, they seek the help of the bounty hunter Sam Chisolm who gathers his group of worthy adversaries to take back the town.
The remake of the 1960 classic stars Denzel Washington, Christ Pratt, and Ethan Hawke along with many other stars with chemistry that only the magnificent seven could have. Both films were adaptations of Seven Samurai, a Japanese film with a similar premise. The Magnificent Seven changed the Samurai to a diverse group of warriors with different backgrounds, including a Korean assassin who favors blades over guns.
6 A Star is Born
The remake with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the main roles as Ally and Jackson. Ally is a shy artist, tempted to give up on her dream of being a singer until Jackson swoops in and kicks her into the spotlight while falling in love with her. While their musical careers are blooming, their relationship is tested by their individual successes, sending Jackson into a downward spiral.
A modern remake of the 1937 original and the 1976 remake, A Star is Born pulls together the passion for love and music, making a tear-jerking story about how complicated love can be. Lady Gaga’s performance was praised despite the skeptical opinion of 1976 A Star is Born star Barbara Streisand.
5 Scarface
This may be a shocker to some, but Al Pacino’s famously fantastic performance in Scarface was a remake of the 1932 original. Following the life of Tony Montana as he arrives in Florida from Cuba, ready to live the "American Dream." Soon enough Tony takes his chance and becomes one of the biggest gangsters in the country, but trouble is not far around the corner as Tony is never out of danger’s reach. While there is a good 50-year difference between the films, they both show the dark side of the criminal underworld with gratuitous violence and swearing.
4 The Mummy
The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser is a remake of the 1932 original film of the same name. Not to be confused with The Mummy which came out in 2017, changing too much of the plot to really be called a remake. The Mummy follows a group of explorers who seek to find the treasure buried in the hidden city Hamunaptra, but they accidentally wake Imhotep, the mummified high priest. The remake of the movie showed off the technological advances of cinema like how they were able to create a completely mummified Imhotep using computer technology, which would not have been available in 1932.
3 Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Francis Ford Coppola is known for his masterpieces like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula is one of them. The film follows lawyer Jonathan Harker who is sent to Dracula’s castle to close a land deal, Dracula sees a picture of Harker’s fiancée Mina and traps Harker in his castle to go and seduce Mina. This classic starring Keanu Reeves, Gary Oldman as Dracula, and Winona Ryder, is a remake of the 1931 original Dracula. While many films have been made based on the original story of Dracula, none are as highly-praised as Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
2 The Fly
The Fly follows scientist Seth Brundle, played by Jeff Goldbum, when his use of a teleportation device goes horribly wrong when a housefly finds its way into the device. Suddenly, Brundle discovers that his DNA and the flies have merged, and he is slowly becoming more and more fly-like. A remake of the 1958 original, The Fly is considered one of the best horror sci-fi films of all time. The Fly was praised for the special effects, which won it an Academy Award for Best Makeup.
1 The Thing
The Thing is a classic horror film set in Antarctica following a group of scientists after an unknown creature is thawed from the ice, the creature shifts into the form of anything it comes in contact with after assimilating into it. This puts the scientists’ trust to the test as they question who the real enemy is.
The 1982 version of The Thing featuring Kurt Russel is a remake of the 1951 original The Thing from Another World. John Carpenter’s The Thing was not well-received at the time of its release but eventually gained enough acclaim to make the list as one of the best sci-fi horror films of all time.