The internet is abuzz with commentary on the upcoming movie He’s All That, starring young TikTok celeb Addison Rae, and hitting Netflix on August 27. The movie is a gender-swapped remake of the iconic 1999 rom-com She’s All That — which was a retelling of the 1964 musical comedy film My Fair Lady, which in and of itself was a re-imagining of the 1913 stage play Pygmalion.
He’s All That is far from the only movie remake to make a name for itself by taking its place in a long remake legacy. It seems that for every brand-new movie that hits theaters (or, in the last year and a half, your “home theater” of your couch, some rosé, and Netflix), there is also a new remake or re-imagining of some classic tale. Some tired reboots have you hitting the “back” button on your remote and searching every streaming service possible for the original version to cleanse your palate, while others offer a new take, fresh faces, and updated social commentary for a refreshing viewing experience.
How are you supposed to tell which reboots will make your movie night totally worthwhile and which ones will have you missing the two hours of your life you can’t get back? Don’t worry — we’ve done all the hard work and rounded up a list of our favorite and least favorite movie remakes ever. Don’t forget the microwave popcorn!
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‘A Star Is Born’ (2018)
Like He’s All That, the 2018 version of A Star is Born, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, is simply the latest in a long line of remakes (see 1976’s version starring Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, and 1954’s version starring Judy Garland and James Mason, both retellings of 1937’s version starring Janet Gaynor and Freddy March). Though all of the versions are classics in their own ways, nothing beats our excitement at seeing Lady Gaga show off her huge talent on the big screen in this tragic and captivating romance — with a 21st century music industry spin worthy of Gaga herself.
‘The Parent Trap’ (1998)
How could we not include the movie that made Lindsey Lohan a star? Based on the 1961 original of the same name, Lindsay’s technologically advanced turn as both twins-who-don’t-know-they-are-twins in this delightful and classic romp guarantee it a spot in our top five.
‘Little Women’ (2019)
Less a reboot than a new adaptation of the classic 19th-century novel, this version starring Saiorse Ronan and Timotheé Chalamet captivated fans of both the book and the 1994 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Bale: it remains faithful to the story while shedding new light on the characters’ lives and emotions. Sign us up for a Little Women double feature!
‘The Mummy’ (1999)
Legendary film critic Roger Ebert said of this remake of Boris Karloff’s 1932 film of the same name: “There is hardly a thing I can say in its favor, except that I was cheered by nearly every minute of it.” 1999’s The Mummy is the definition of “so bad it’s good:” the wonderfully over-the-top action sequences combined with the cheesy romcom acting of young stars Rachel Weiss and Brendan Fraser make this an unforgettably entertaining watch.
‘La La Land’ (2016)
Though it’s not necessarily a remake in the strictest sense of the word, La La Land’s creators have spoken at length about the influence of the 1964 French musical film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in their work, and that influence is obvious upon viewing. Both movies are absolutely worth a watch: captivating musicals that use technicolor environments and sweet tunes to tell the tales of the joy and heartbreak of everyday life.
‘Stepford Wives’ (2004)
Rather than being billed as a remake of the 1975 film of the same name, this offbeat film was a separate film interpretation of the 1972 novel (also of the same name) about a town where the women are replaced by perfect housewife robots. Focusing more on the satire of the novel than the horror elements emphasized by the first film, the resulting black comedy misses the point and leaves us feeling underwhelmed.
‘Point Break’ (2015)
Despite the thrill potential of this remake’s various extreme sports sequences, Edgar Ramirez and Luke Bracey just can’t match the chemistry shared by Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swaye in the 1991 surfing espionage flick. The original is definitely cheesy, but the remake takes itself way too seriously, making it not nearly as entertaining a watch.
‘Fame’ (2009)
Despite the iconic lyrics of the 1980 original’s hit title song that implore the audience to “Remember the name: fame!,” this remake is totally forgettable. The characters have traded in their scrappy ambition and raw talent for overly polished showmanship, which makes them way less likeable and way more unremarkable.
‘Jurassic World’ (2015)
Sure, this Chris Pratt vehicle has its moments of humor and even a couple of thrills — but it pales in comparison to the 1993 Jurassic Park, whose subtle buildups and captivating acting have us alternating between the edge of our seats and peeking through our hands in both fear and excitement. Watching CGI dinosaurs duke it out with each other for minutes on end just isn’t quite as fun.
‘Psycho’ (1998)
This 1998 version of the frightening 1960 Alfred Hitchcock classic is a shot-for-shot remake, which means there was no room for any reinterpretation or imagination, leaving viewers wondering… why? Add in the use of color, making the film’s violence less subtle, and some seriously weird acting, and the result is one you can feel free to skip.
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