Some horror movies are so timeless they can’t possibly be duplicated in a modern remake. While many of these films have their fan bases, they failed to recapture the essence of the original. Here are 10 disappointing horror remakes.
Psycho (1998)
Gus Van Sant’s (Milk) near shot-for-shot remake of the Alfred Hitchcock classic is often criticized for lacking the suspense and innovation of the original. Psycho (1998) stars big names like Vince Vaughn (Dodge Ball), Anne Heche (Spread), and Viggo Mortenson (The Lord of the Rings). Even with the big names, the film failed to meet the mark of the cult classic original. Psycho follows the story of Normal Bates (Vaughn), the proprietor of the Bates Motel alongside his mother. When Marion Crane (Julianne Moore) goes missing after checking in, things get unnerving.
The Wicker Man (2006)
Starring Nicolas Cage (Con Air), this remake of the 1973 British film is remembered better for its unintentional comedy than horror. The film worked with an estimated budget of $40 million and earned a worldwide gross total of $38,805,380. Not exactly a success financially, or critically. In the film, California Highway Patrol Officer Edward Malus (Cage) searches for his ex’s daughter. He discovers a pagan community on a secluded island and soon realizes he’ll be included in the next ritual.
Poltergeist (2015)
While the 1982 original is a beloved horror classic, the remake failed to capture the same tension and terror. Poltergeist (2015) stars Sam Rockwell (Seven Psychopaths), Rosemarie DeWitt (La La Land), and Saxon Sharbino (Touch). The film follows the Bowen family as they move into a suburban home and begin experiencing strange occurrences. Their youngest daughter, Madison, is abducted by malevolent spirits. Desperate to rescue her, the family enlists the help of paranormal experts. Some films were better the first time.
The Fog (2005)
John Carpenter’s (Halloween)Â 1980 original had a palpable sense of dread, but the remake lacked the same atmosphere and nuance. In The Fog (2005), the inhabitants of Antonio Island, Oregon, are preparing to commemorate the town’s founding. A mysterious fog rolls in from the sea, bringing vengeful spirits of lepers and sailors who were betrayed and killed by the island’s founders. As the dense fog envelops the town, Elizabeth Williams (Maggie Grace) and other residents must confront the ghosts seeking retribution, as they uncover chilling secrets from the island’s past.
One Missed Call (2008)
The U.S. remake of the Japanese horror original was criticized for its plot inconsistencies and over-reliance on jump scares. In One Missed Call (2008), people start receiving voicemails from their future selves, foretelling the exact time of their deaths. As the terrifying phone calls move from victim to victim, college student Beth Raymond (Shannyn Sossamon) races against time to unravel the mystery. It may not have been as good as the original, but some scenes are still bone chilling.
The Haunting (1999)
The Haunting (1999) is based on the classic 1963 film. This remake was criticized for its heavy reliance on CGI and lack of genuine scares. In the film, Dr. David Marrow (Liam Neeson) invites Eleanor Vance (Lili Taylor), Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones), and Luke Sanderson (Owen Wilson) to the vast and opulent Hill House under the guise of a sleep study. Malevolent spirits quickly make themselves known, targeting Eleanor in particular. The Haunting is based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House.
Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Night of the Living Dead (1990) was directed by Tom Savini (Creepshow), a legend in horror makeup and effects. The film couldn’t quite capture the cultural impact of George A. Romero’s (Dawn of the Dead) 1968 original. In the film, the recently deceased begin to rise from the grave, hungering for the flesh of the living. A disparate group of survivors, including Barbara (Patricia Tallman) and Ben (Tony Todd), find refuge in a rural farmhouse. On the bright side, the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead is fantastic.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
Despite a new Freddy Krueger in Jackie Earle Haley (The Tick), the film was seen by many fans as an inferior retread of Wes Craven’s groundbreaking original. The original was Johnny Depp‘s (The Rum Diaries) debut. In the remake, a group of teenagers discover they’re all having the same disturbing dream about Freddy Krueger. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they realize that when Freddy kills them in their dreams, they die in the real world.
The Stepford Wives (2004)
More of a comedic take, this remake failed to capture the chilling essence of the 1975 original’s commentary on gender roles. In The Stepford Wives (2004) Joanna Eberhart (Nicole Kidman) moves with her family to the seemingly idyllic town of Stepford, Connecticut. However, she soon suspects something is amiss when she notices the eerily submissive and picture-perfect behavior of the town’s female residents, leading her to uncover a chilling secret behind their transformation. This film will make you want to check into a secluded vacation rental and avoid the suburbs.
The Omen (2006)
This remake of the 1976 nightmare-inducing horror movie couldn’t match the intensity and chilling atmosphere of the original. The Omen (2006) is the story of Robert Thorn (Liev Schreiber), a diplomat, who adopts a child named Damien (Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick) after his son dies. As unsettling events and a series of deaths occur around them, Robert and his wife, Katherine (Julia Stiles), start to suspect that Damien may not just be an ordinary child.
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