5 Horror Movie Remakes That Actually Don't Suck

Updated on 9/17/2016 at 8:30 AM

In the modern age of TV and movies, the industry seems hard-pressed for original ideas. TV show reboots are a dime a dozen, and it seems like we can't go more than a month without the announcement of another classic movie remake. One genre that seems to endure the "remake, reboot, refresh" process more than any other is horror. The past decade has yielded scores of reimagined scary movies, including Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and now Stephen King's horror masterpiece It. The most tragic part of this process is, of course, the fact that the new version almost never holds a candle to the original. That said, there are a handful of remakes that did a really solid job, if not improving upon their predecessors, then at least putting a fresh spin on the story.

The Thing (1982)

No, we're not talking about that trash 2011 remake. John Carpenter's 1982 classic, which has definitely secured its place in the horror canon, is actually a remake of 1951's The Thing from Another World. There are so, so many reasons The Thing is iconic. It's a master demonstration in practical effects, and there's something to be said about the paranoia and dread that grow more and more palpable as the film progresses.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Make no mistake: Dawn of the Dead definitely pays homage to the original film, while also raising the stakes. The opening sequence shifts so dramatically from suburban calm to apocalyptic chaos, with no signs of slowing down. It's filled to the brim with gore and utter terror.

The Fly (1986)

The Fly isn't just a master depiction of body horror, it's a tragedy as well. It takes the original story and imbues it with new life; the characters have been explored with such depth, their horrifying experiences reach new heights. Plus, much like The Thing, the practical effects are supremely chilling.

Evil Dead (2013)

The most striking aspect of this gory remake is its utter lack of strange comedy. Sam Raimi's original was borderline ridiculous, and in a sense, the remake captures this facet in a different way: with mind-boggling, graphic violence. With amputations, floods of blood (literally), and more, the second iteration hyperbolizes a different aspect of the horror genre in a refreshing way.

The Ring (2002)

You might not count The Ring as a remake, since it's more of a "translation" of its 1998 predecessor, Ringu. Even so, it's definitely a reimagining of the concept. There's a reason the American version is one of the most iconic horror movies of the 21st century. The mood and imagery are both hyperfocused, and the terror is expertly intensified.