The Horror Genre’s Most Unnecessary Remakes
Remakes have become a staple in the horror genre, with studios revisiting their back catalogs to breathe new life into classic films. While some remakes are successful, others fall flat. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 horror remakes that, in hindsight, should have been left alone.
10. Martyrs (2015)
The French-made original was met with mixed reviews, but its brutal and visceral horror left a lasting impression. The English remake, directed by Kevin Goetz and Michael Goetz, failed to recapture the original’s intensity and instead watered it down. With less CGI and a bolder approach, the remake could have been improved.
9. The Amityville Horror (2005)
The 1979 original is a classic, and the 2005 remake failed to live up to its predecessor. Directed by Andrew Douglas, the film lacked the subtlety of the original, relying too heavily on jump scares and clichés. A more restrained approach and less CGI would have elevated the remake.
8. Carrie (2013)
Based on Stephen King’s novel, the original 1976 film is a masterclass in horror. The 2013 remake, directed by Kimberly Peirce, was a decent effort, but it lacked the menace and threat of the original. The cast, including Chloë Grace Moretz, was solid, but the CGI was subpar.
7. Poltergeist (2015)
This remake of the 1982 classic was directed by Gil Kenan and failed to recapture the original’s creepy atmosphere. The cast, including Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt, was good, but the remake was too influenced by Stephen Spielberg’s style and lacked the sense of real dread.
6. House on Haunted Hill (1999)
This remake of the 1959 original was directed by William Malone and was a fun, but ultimately unscary film. The cast, including Geoffrey Rush and Famke Janssen, was solid, but the remake lacked the creepiness of the original. Better use of the mansion’s setting and more creative casting could have improved the film.
5. House of Wax (2005)
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, this remake of the 1953 original was a decent slasher, but it was overshadowed by the 2005 remake of The Amityville Horror. The cast, including Elisha Cuthbert and Paris Hilton, was mostly solid, but the remake’s attempts to make Hilton’s character more prominent detracted from the film.
4. Pet Sematary (2019)
Stephen King’s novel is widely regarded as one of his scariest, but the 2019 remake, directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, failed to deliver. The cast, including Jason Clarke and John Lithgow, was good, but the remake’s lack of creative scares and poorly handled plot twists made it feel tame.
3. Hellraiser (2022)
Directed by David Bruckner, this remake of the 1987 classic was a reimagining of Clive Barker’s novella. While the cast, including Jamie Clayton and Goran Visnjic, was good, the film’s lack of imagination and poor character development made it feel like a watered-down version of the original.
2. The Omen (2006)
Directed by John Moore, this remake of the 1976 original was a decent effort, but it failed to capture the spirit of the original. The cast, including Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles, was good, but the film’s lack of creativity and reliance on CGI made it feel like a soulless retelling of the classic tale.
1. A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
Directed by Samuel Bayer, this remake of the 1984 classic was a misstep. While Jackie Earle Haley was good as Freddy Krueger, the film’s attempts to make the character more menacing and the use of CGI made it feel like a lazy rehashing of the original. A more experienced horror director and a better approach to the character would have been welcome.