Ever since the horror genre came to be, there have been certain movies within it that have become horror movie staples for die-hard fans of these films. Certain directors have defined the horror genre with their innovative ways of scaring the heck out of their audiences.
From John Carpenter to Wes Craven to Alfred Hitchcock, these directors were able to thrust us into their terrifying worlds and leave us gasping in terror each and every time. While their classic films such as Halloween and Psycho become classics in the horror world, some decided to remake such films. These remakes are always either major hits or complete and utter misses. These are the 5 best horror movie remakes and the 5 worst.
Best: It
It focuses on seven kids who are all relative outcasts in their community who become friends and must band together to face the evil that is the bloodthirsty clown, Pennywise.
Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this remake came out in 2017. The original version came out in 1990 and while it had its own great aspects to it, the remake brought this famous King story to a whole other level.
The special effects coupled with an incredible young cast and the incomparable creepiness that Bill Skarsgard is able to exude as Pennywise made for a fantastic remake and a great film overall.
Worst: Child’s Play
The original Child’s Play movie was released in 1988 and centered on Chucky, who is an infamous serial killer that always escapes his demise by performing a ritual that transfers his soul into a child’s doll. It is perfect for the slasher sub-horror genre and terrified kids (and adults) everywhere.
In 2019, it was reimagined with zero supernatural elements being involved. No, instead of being a serial killer inside of a doll this toy is just a robot created by a disgruntled factory worker. Basically, with the alterations made to his functions, he wants to be Andy’s only friend or else.
It was completely lackluster and did not even remotely coincide with the original’s key elements.
Best: The Ring
This remake was made in 2002, a mere 4 years after the original Japanese classic came out. The disturbing and creepy factors of the film are ultimately what made it work so well for audiences and even the die-hard horror fans.
Naomi Watts starred as the Seattle journalist who watches the same frightening tape her niece had a week before she died. She then has a week herself to save her own life as well as her son’s by finding out what happened to the creepy little girl from the video.
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It was altogether horrifying and left everyone feeling uneasy. We probably all expected to get that “seven days” phone call after leaving the theater.
Worst: My Bloody Valentine (3D)
The 1981 slasher classic by the same name - minus the 3D - was the epitome of what slasher horror films are supposed to be. A murderous killer on a rampage, killing everyone in their path in the goriest of fashions. Typically there are teens involved in this tale.
However, when they decided to remake this horror classic, they slapped 3D technology on it which did nothing to hide the fact it had become a mediocre take on this horror story with even worse acting on top. Not even Jensen Ackles of Supernatural fame could save this sinking ship.
Best: Dawn Of The Dead
Some might say it’s a crime to remake a George A. Romero zombie classic like Dawn of the Dead. Yet somehow, it not only works but has become one of the greatest modern horror movie remakes of our time.
The 1978 film focused on the zombie hordes taking over the country and the people who were trying to survive them. Similarly, the remake did much of the same with modern updates.
Watching this group of survivors doing everything in their power to keep themselves and each other safe from the zombies was a nail-biting, tension-filled, and terrifying experience, much like Romero’s original film.
Worst: Black Christmas
Black Christmas originally came out in 1974 from Bob Clark’s vision. It was chill-inducing and left you feeling uneasy for the entirety of the film, which as horror fans know, makes for a great suspense-filled horror movie.
However, the 2006 remake did the total opposite. It was completely all over the place and featured way more loud bangs for jump scares than necessary and don’t even get us started on the amount of gore featured throughout the film. It was cringe-worthy and not in a good way at all.
This is definitely one of the worst horror movie remakes of all-time.
Best: The Crazies
This is yet another remake of a George A. Romero horror film, this time starring Timothy Olyphant as a small-town sheriff in Iowa whose town contracts a virus through their water supply that turns them into horrifying killers.
Romero produced on this update of his original 1973 film and while the original version was simply enjoyable, this reboot completely enraptured us as we watched the heinous events unfold on our screen.
It’s not often that you can take a horror classic and make it even better, but that is exactly what this remake did with its modern take on The Crazies.
Worst: Nightmare On Elm Street
This is a perfect example of when you probably shouldn’t touch a horror classic. Nightmare On Elm Street was initially released in 1984 and was directed by horror master Wes Craven himself.
This movie defined the teen slasher movie genre and became an instant classic. Freddy Kreuger not only haunted the dreams of those in the film but stayed with audiences long after the credits rolled.
That is not easy to replicate in a modernized-version - and without Robert Englund - so it’s no wonder the remake was not nearly as well-received by horror aficionados or even general audiences when it came out.
Best: Rob Zombie’s Halloween
Okay, we know this may be a controversial opinion, seeing as not everyone was thrilled with this remake of the iconic horror film, John Carpenter’s Halloween. Jamie Lee Curtis was not in it as Laurie Strode which automatically made people feel uneasy about it.
But the fact is, Rob Zombie not only rebooted Halloween, but he added more depth to Michael Myers’ character than we ever thought possible. Learning more about his backstory and getting further into his psyche was what made this remake so great. Not to mention, he still kept the teen slasher aspect of the film front and center, so it’s hard to see a lot wrong with it.
Worst: Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock was a visionary who helped define the horror genre with his films, including the mega-classic, Psycho. With Anthony Perkins as the incredibly creepy Norman Bates in the original, it would have been hard to imagine anybody else trying to play that role again.
But seeing Vince Vaughn attempt to take on that role in a movie (and being the furthest thing from Hitchockian) was a travesty. This is the biggest example of all the horror movies that should probably never be touched. The only exception to this was the television reimagining of the story, Bates Motel.
