Movie remakes can be hit or miss. For a remake to be successful, the new version has to be true to the original, make the characters as similar to the original as possible, and have new, modern twists that add to the story, not take away. That can be difficult, but it can be done.
The 21st century has seen countless remakes of classics, and with every new version, viewers get a new, unique perspective. While some might not live up to their predecessors, some even manage to outshine the original. Whether it’s the actors, the commitment to the story, or secret movie magic, here are five remakes that are even better than the original.
#1 Movie remakes: Carrie
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Carrie White is a social outcast at her high school. When a sympathetic classmate tries to lift her spirits by having her boyfriend take Carrie to prom, a cruel prank pushes her to the edge and sends her on a murderous rampage. The 1976 version starring Sissy Spacek is hard to beat, but the 2013 remake does it.
Chloe Grace Moretz stars as Carrie White and manages to be even scarier than the original actress. While getting revenge on everyone at the senior prom, she uses her telekinesis in more creative ways than in the original film, like when she splits the ground in two with a stomp of her foot to keep her bully Chris Hargensen and her boyfriend Billy from escaping in their car.
2013’s Carrie gives audiences a deeper look into main characters like Sue Snell, her boyfriend Tommy, Chris, and Margaret White. In each of their scenes, you understand more about their intentions for Carrie–good and bad. The 1976 version is a horror genre staple, but 2013’s Carrie gives audiences more gore and a deeper look into the iconic characters.
#2: The Last House on the Left
In the 1972 version, Mari Collingwood and her friend Phyllis make friends with a boy their age named Junior, only to discover he is a part of a sadistic group of criminals. When they think Mari is dead, they stumble on her home, and her parents get revenge.
The 2009 remake is basically the same, but Junior–renamed Justin–is less cruel than his character in the original and tries to keep his father from hurting the girls. While both versions are equally scary, the remake is more thrilling and pulse-pounding thanks to Mari’s clever escape attempts and her parents’ revenge plot.
#3: The Magnificent Seven
The Magnificent Seven is a Western about a small town at the mercy of bandits (a tycoon in the 2016 version) and a group of seven men who band together to help the town make a stand.
The 2016 remake is star-studded. Among the cast are Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, and Ethan Hawke. This version dives deeper into the seven men’s backgrounds, and the battle scene at the end tops the original with its humor and realistic ending.
#4: Alice in Wonderland
Tim Burton brought a new live-action Alice in Wonderland to life in 2010. There are multiple remakes of the classic, and this version is the best of them all. The special effects are incredible and life-like; Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter shine as the White and Red Queens; Johnny Depp is incredible as the Mad Hatter; and it’s funny.
Burton’s version also has new details that other versions don’t have that make the story more interesting, such as Alice being 19 and expected to get married, and this trip to Wonderland being her second time there instead of her first. There’s even an action element that the cartoon or children’s adaptations don’t have.
#5: Hairspray (The Remake)
Hairspray is the story of a teenage girl named Tracy Turnblad who wants to dance on The Corny Collins Show more than anything. While working toward her goal, she fights to bring integration to Baltimore and falls in love.
The year 2007 brought us Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, John Travolta, and other big-name stars in the musical and beyond iconic remake of Hairspray. Although the 1988 original had catchy songs and scenes the 2007 version didn’t have, the remake featured amazing music and dance scenes that beat out the original.
Honorable mention: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Johnny Depp was amazing as Willy Wonka (and maybe even more eccentric), the new music was a welcomed addition, the Oompa Loompas were even funnier, and the golden ticket winners played homage to their original characters.
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