20 Movie Remakes That Surpass the Originals

The internet often erupts in collective sighs whenever a new Hollywood remake is announced. While their track record isn’t stellar, critics and naysayers overlook one key fact: remakes aren’t a modern phenomenon. Studios have been reimagining their own tales almost as long as they’ve been telling them. This trend extends to adaptations of novels and plays, with some films being remade so frequently that their literary or theatrical roots fade into obscurity.

No single genre dominates the realm of remakes, but some manage to outshine their predecessors. From chilling horror flicks to enchanting musicals, every category is ripe for reinterpretation. Below, we present 20 of the finest examples of cinematic déjà vu, listed in chronological order.

1. The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Surprisingly, one of Hollywood's most iconic film noirs came to life because Warner Bros. couldn’t re-release their initial version of The Maltese Falcon. The 1931 adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s tale, starring the renowned detective Sam Spade, was created just before the Hays Code restricted the industry’s portrayal of risqué content. When the studio couldn’t re-release it due to censorship issues, they first tried a lackluster comedic take before wisely entrusting John Huston to helm his directorial debut. The result was the now-legendary film featuring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor, with significantly toned-down sexual undertones compared to the original.

2. A Star Is Born (1954)

Unlike most remakes, the 1937 original A Star Is Born wasn’t adapted from a book or other source material, yet it has been remade four times, including the 2013 Indian version Aashiqui 2. This timeless tale has captivated audiences across generations, inspiring fresh interpretations. However, despite Bradley Cooper’s efforts, George Cukor’s 1954 remake starring Judy Garland remains the definitive version, largely due to her breathtaking solo performance that continues to set the bar.

The film received six Oscar nominations but won none, with Garland’s loss to Grace Kelly for The Country Girl widely regarded as one of the Academy’s most notorious missteps. Janet Gaynor shone in the original; Barbra Streisand elevated the lackluster 1976 adaptation; and Lady Gaga earned a well-deserved Oscar nod for Cooper’s 2018 rendition, yet Garland’s performance remains unmatched.

3. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Some renowned directors have revisited their own creations, and the remake doesn’t always come out on top. With The Man Who Knew Too Much, however, Alfred Hitchcock clearly benefited from two decades of experience, crafting a more polished and captivating film than his 1934 original. The 1956 version, featuring Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day, diverges significantly from its predecessor but retains the core premise: ordinary individuals uncovering and thwarting an international conspiracy. This plot, a Hitchcock favorite (seen in Rear Window, North by Northwest, The Lady Vanishes, etc.), reaches its peak sophistication here.

4. An Affair To Remember (1957)

In 1939, Leo McCarey created a heartfelt romance about two engaged artists who fall deeply in love during an ocean voyage. The catch? They’re engaged to other people. McCarey later remade his own film, Love Affair, with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr replacing Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne, elevating the charm by at least 25 percent. This delightful, whimsical premise introduced the enduring trope of lovers planning to reunite at the Empire State Building after a separation, a concept that has resonated with audiences ever since.

5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Philip Kaufman transformed a 1950s B-movie into a 1970s masterpiece of paranoia with his gripping remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Starring Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams, the film transcends traditional sci-fi by blending elements of film noir, horror, and thriller genres. Featuring a shocking twist and a deeply nihilistic tone, this version starkly contrasts with Don Siegel’s original 1956 film, which offered a glimmer of hope in its conclusion.

6. The Thing (1982)

A reimagining of An Affair to Remember (just kidding), John Carpenter’s tense horror film perfectly encapsulated Cold War-era paranoia and mistrust. While its predecessor, The Thing From Another World, was a standout among the often campy 1950s sci-fi monster movies, Carpenter infused the story with a deeper sense of dread and complexity, creating a film that’s both thought-provoking and packed with radical flamethrower action.

7. Scarface (1983)

The film that inspired countless dorm room posters and Al Pacino impressions is a remake of Howard Hawks’s 1932 movie, which was heavily restricted by the Hays Code. While the original depicted the violent rise of an Al Capone-inspired gangster, it was forced to explicitly condemn its own content and even added the subtitle The Shame of a Nation to ensure audiences didn’t glorify the violence. Though a landmark in the genre, Brian De Palma’s Miami-set, cocaine-fueled 1980s adaptation amplified the story with a lavish depiction of greed and excess. Like its predecessor, De Palma’s version faced censorship battles, ultimately receiving an X rating due to its unflinching brutality.

8. The Fly (1986)

Similar to The Thing, David Cronenberg’s reimagining demonstrates how 1950s shock films could evolve into sleek, deeply unsettling masterpieces that burrow into your psyche—almost literally. A significant portion of The Fly's impact comes from its groundbreaking makeup effects, which vividly depict Jeff Goldblum's horrifying transformation. Beyond the visuals, the film delves into profound themes of humanity, all while honoring its predecessor’s core message: the pursuit of truth is both vital and perilous.

9. Scent of a Woman (1992)

Dino Risi’s 1974 Italian film Profumo Di Donna is a remarkable work, earning numerous accolades and Oscar nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay (losing to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and Best Foreign Language Film (losing to Akira Kurosawa’s Dersu Uzala). However, Martin Brest’s 1992 remake, Scent of a Woman, edges out the original with Al Pacino’s unforgettable performance, Chris O'Donnell’s poignant coming-of-age story, an early showcase of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s talent, and an iconic tango sequence.

10. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Among countless Dracula adaptations, Francis Ford Coppola’s version stands out by transforming the iconic monster into a deeply passionate, almost human figure. While Bela Lugosi introduced the character as a suave vampire, Gary Oldman’s portrayal, set against stunning visuals and lavish costumes, added layers of complexity to Dracula: his desire, allure, ambition, charm, and, crucially, his terror.

11. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Unlike many adaptations of classic novels (such as Dracula), Michael Mann’s The Last of the Mohicans is more closely tied to George B. Seitz’s 1936 film than James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, evidenced by the story credits given to Seitz’s writers. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, this version transformed a rugged adventure into a sweeping romantic drama, earning acclaim for its meticulous historical detail, authentic weaponry, and powerful performances.

12. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

A defining film for Millennials, Homeward Bound featured talking pets—Don Ameche, Michael J. Fox, and Sally Field as the voices of the animals—captivating young audiences before the internet and YouTube became flooded with cat videos. This heartwarming tale was a remake of Disney’s 1963 film The Incredible Journey, based on Sheila Burnford’s novel. While equally emotional, the remake added charm, stronger animal chemistry (thanks to dialogue), and a more cohesive connection to the human storyline. A sequel followed, where the pets got lost in San Francisco, highlighting the owners’ questionable responsibility—once is understandable, but twice raises serious concerns.

13. True Lies (1994)

True Lies flips the script of The Man Who Knew Too Much, focusing on a globetrotting spy masquerading as an ordinary man. While the French might debate its merits, James Cameron’s remake of Claude Zidi’s La Totale! outshines the original with its Hollywood flair. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis shine as a seemingly average secret agent and his unsuspectingly capable wife, delivering a perfect blend of action and humor.

14. The Birdcage (1996)

Édouard Molinaro’s La Cage aux Folles (1978) is a hilarious and touching film about a traditional couple encountering their daughter’s boyfriend’s flamboyant parents, but The Birdcage takes it to another level. With Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Hank Azaria, Gene Hackman, and Dianne Wiest delivering breakneck performances under Mike Nichols’ masterful direction, the film becomes a flawless blend of comedy and heart. Its disco drag finale radiates pure joy and love, cementing its place as a timeless classic.

15. Chicago (2002)

Rob Marshall’s Chicago became the first musical to win Best Picture since Oliver! in 1968. This dazzling, song-and-dance crime story is a remake of a 1927 silent film, inspired by a wildly popular Broadway production. Both versions trace back to the real-life case of Beulah Annan, a suspected murderer who captivated the media after shooting her lover. Marshall’s visually stunning adaptation features standout performances from Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly, who go to extraordinary lengths to captivate the audience.

16. Insomnia (2002)

Erik Skjoldbjærg’s 1997 film immerses viewers in the sleepless psyche of a detective who accidentally kills his partner in a town where the sun never sets. Christopher Nolan’s remake relocates the story to Alaska, where two LAPD officers grapple with guilt and endless daylight. Al Pacino stars as the morally compromised detective, while Robin Williams delivers a chilling performance as a manipulative serial killer who turns the detective’s mistake to his advantage.

17. Unfaithful (2002)

Adrian Lyne, known for his gripping thrillers like Fatal Attraction and Indecent Proposal, gave Claude Chabrol’s 1969 film La Femme Infidèle a modern, polished update. Richard Gere and Diane Lane portray a couple whose seemingly perfect life unravels when she embarks on a passionate affair with a stranger. This version delves deeper into the wife’s perspective, exploring her emotional turmoil, with Lane delivering a heart-wrenching performance.

18. Man On Fire (2004)

The 1987 adaptation of Man on Fire, despite featuring Scott Glenn, fell flat and uninspired. However, the 2004 remake, penned by acclaimed writer Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River) and directed by the late Tony Scott, revitalized the story. Denzel Washington shines as a troubled ex-Marine turned bodyguard, tasked with protecting a young girl who is kidnapped by a ruthless gang in Mexico City.

19. The Crazies (2010)

Fans were initially skeptical when Overture Films announced a remake of George Romero’s 1973 horror classic The Crazies, but the film proved to be a worthy update. The story of a town ravaged by a military-engineered virus was atmospheric yet flawed in the original, but Breck Eisner’s version addressed those issues brilliantly. Justified’s Timothy Olyphant delivers a standout performance as the overwhelmed sheriff, turning the film into a gripping survival thriller packed with heart-stopping moments.

20. Pete’s Dragon (2016)

Disney’s trend of reimagining animated classics as live-action films reached new heights with David Lowery’s heartfelt take on Pete’s Dragon. While the 1977 original was a whimsical musical, the remake transformed it into an emotionally resonant story. With stunning CGI and themes reminiscent of E.T., the film explores the bond between a boy and his dragon, set against a backdrop of exploitation and misunderstanding.