Over the years, there has been an excess of remakes of classic horror films. The majority of these remakes are nowhere near as good as the original. A lot of them are really unnecessary, and where they are supposed to be an update and an improvement on the original; most of the time they end up being a downgrade.
The most recent example, I can think of is Cabin Fever (2016), which was critically panned worldwide. But there are some horror remakes that are actually pretty good, but these efforts are in a minority, amidst the clutter of really bad ones. Below is my list of a few of the best horror remakes.
The Crazies (2010)
The Crazies is a zombie horror film, which takes place in the fictional town of Ogden Marsh, coined as the “friendliest place on Earth”. The town’s water supply is infected with a strange virus, which over time, deteriorates the mental state of a person and eventually driving them crazy.
This film is an update of George A. Romero’s original and the remake definitely has the upper hand, particularly in terms of actions sequences and special effects. It’s a tense, entertaining, nicely characterised film. It’s a remake that doesn’t disappoint, or in any way tarnish the memory of the original.
Let Me In (2010)
A remake of the Swedish horror, Let The Right One In (2008), Matt Reeves’ Let Me In is about a bullied school boy, who befriends a young girl who just so happens to be an age-old vampire. Apart from different character names and a different setting, the film’s plot is very similar to the original. It stays uncompromisingly true to the Swedish film, even using the same tone and unflinching style.
At the time of the film’s release, many critics argued that it ignored the memory of the Swedish original, but I disagree as it has the exact same tone, darkness and sense of mystery. Whilst definitely one of the best horror remakes I’ve seen, it’s still not quite as good the foreign version. There’s something about the original that’s so unnerving. I’d say it just about edges the quality of the remake.
Funny Games (2007)
Funny Games is the most unconventional horror film on this list. Both chilling and disturbing, some may argue that it’s not even really a horror, but the terrifying premise makes it a horror film in my eyes. Funny Games is a shot-for-shot remake of the 1997 film, which both have the same director.
The film is about a family who are terrorised by two young men, who initially appear as charming and pleasant. Funny Games is actually a social commentary on violence in the media, and the act of observation. A film that is very self-aware, Funny Games is an extremely good remake.
Dawn of The Dead (2004)
Directed by Zack Snyder, Dawn of The Dead is the remake of the classic zombie horror film of the same name. It’s about a handful of human survivors who take shelter in a shopping mall, after a zombie outbreak. Unlike the original, the film depicts the zombies as fast and agile. Although compelling and very entertaining, the film does lack the subtlety and intelligence of the original. It’s still very fun to watch though, especially the very memorable opening sequence.
The Ring (2002)
I have always admired The Ring for favouring dread and terror over visual effects and gore. I saw this film quite a while after it came out and I have since always found it very refreshing, especially when compared to the amount of horror films that purely rely on excessive blood and jump scares.
The Ring is the remake of the Japanese horror film Ring, and it marked the first American remake of a classic Japanese horror. The film follows newspaper reporter and single mother, Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts), as she investigates a mysterious videotape, which allegedly results in one’s death seven days later. An excellent film that is genuinely chilling, and I believe it’s one of the best horror films to have come out in the 21st century so far.
Let me know your thoughts of this list in the comment section!
Motion Picture Blog 
Good list! I really like the Funny Games remake but not many people do.
They should have never remade Oldboy in 2013. I quite liked the Carrie remake.
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Yeah, I really liked Funny Games too. Thought it was really different and out there. I thought the Carrie remake was okay, but it didn’t do that much for me if I’m honest. But Chloe Grace Moretz was a good Carrie!
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I feel like a lot of horror films need remakes, because some of the originals are cheesy and not scary at all. But I do agree with you that a lot of remakes fail to be better. I have seen and loved all the films except The Crazies.
Let The Right One In is one of my favorite foreign films, and though I prefer the original, the remake is great too and I am obsessed with it’s cinematography. Funny Games is one of my favorite films and I’m glad someone else enjoyed it. I didn’t know The Ring was a remake, though it makes sense. I have seen the film a good amount of times and it still gives me chills.
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Great post!
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Thanks!
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Yeah, I can definitely see where you’re coming from. All of the old horrors are very dated, but like you say a lot of the remakes fail to be better. And yes, Funny Games and The Ring are really good horrors.
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Oh, yes, Liam.
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I’m not much a fan of horror flicks, but know about most of them. So I do know all these movies your talking about. Good selection.
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Thanks. And yeah, horrors are a required taste and aren’t for everyone.
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While I prefer the original, the Funny Games remake is really good. Maybe because Haneke handled it too. It’s one of the few movies that made me squirm…REALLY squirm.
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Yes, it is really quite uncomfortable to watch but it’s so self-aware of what’s its trying to do which makes it so good.
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Good list, I agree on all counts even though I dislike most remakes.
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Great list! I remember when I saw The Ring in theaters, I wanted to leave SO badly when the girl crawled out of the TV. I literally could NOT handle.
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Glad you liked the list. The Ring must have been great to watch in the cinema!
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I couldn’t have been older than 15…truly terrified!
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Even as a HUGE George A. Romero fan, there’s no escaping the superiority of “The Crazies” remake – it’s a horror I’ll happily watch again and again, whereas the original was a frustrating one-watch disappointment (and it hurts me to write that!).
“Dawn of the Dead” 2004 is also not bad, but the original is one of the smartest pieces of “social commentary” cinema I have ever seen, and cannot be toppled.
Good list, though, Liam 😊
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Fantastic list, agree with all of them. Let Me In and Funny Games are both soooooo like their respective originals it’s hard to find fault with them. I actually preferred the US version of The Ring too. Doesn’t happen often! (ever) but I thought it was a great remake and preferred the more coherent mystery / story.
I think The Amityville Horror was also a good remake (with Ryan Reynolds) definitely spookier than the original. And 80s classics The Thing and The Fly – though they’re held in such high regard nowadays they’re barely known as ‘remakes’!
Great post 😀
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Good list! Dawn of the Dead (2004) is an all-time favourite of mine and I think it doesn’t get enough credit! It keeps the idea of the original (zombies, shopping mall) but delivers something completely new and fresh.
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Yeah, it definitely does bring something new and fresh especially fast zombies!
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Good list, though I don’t 100% agree with Funny Games. The Fly (1986) was also a great remake.
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Thanks and fair enough, Funny Games always gets mixed responses. I’ve never actually seen The Fly, but have had heard good things about it.
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I’d recommend it if you haven’t seen it – it is typical Cronenberg with his body horror.
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