It’s often been said that Hollywood loves a remake, but there are still some classics that audiences agree should be left alone. Occasionally, there are someexciting movie remakes and rebootsthat can update beloved stories for modern audiences. However, these types of movies are the outliers. Mostly, audiences are sketpical of remakes, and they have every reason to be so, given how some of these projects have flopped in the past.
There’s a common sentiment that movie remakes can detract from the brilliance of the original, or at least taint people’s memories of them. Remakes likeThe Ladykillers, OldboyandDumbohave all been derided for the way they missed the point of the originals. Some remakes seem like terrible ideas as soon as they are announced, since not all movies need the remake treatment, even if they’re decades old.
The Godfatherremains an unimpeachable classicover 50 years later, and it’s as popular as ever. The 2022 TV seriesThe Offerdetails the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s crime epic, highlighting howThe Godfatherstill fascinates audiences. It’s a defining work of the New Hollywood system, in which studios bet big on visionary directors and style and story became closely intertwined like never before.
It’s a defining work of the New Hollywood system, and it wouldn’t be as powerful when stripped of this context.
One big reason whyThe Godfathershould never be remade is thatit would be nigh on impossible to assemble a cast of dramatic actors as impressive and prestigious as the original.Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton all deliver some of their best work inThe Godfather.Trying to compete with Coppola’s vision would be another huge challenge.
Jawswasn’t the first shark movie, but every subsequent movie that uses a shark as its main monster invariably has to endure comparisons to the 1975 thriller. A direct remake ofJawswould make little sense, since audiences already compare other shark movies to it. It could be argued that there are dozens of stealthJawsremakes, each putting their own spin on the archetypal structure perfected by the original.
It could be argued that there are dozens of stealthJawsremakes, each putting their own spin on the archetypal structure perfected by the original.
What Steven Spielberg’s thriller does better than any other shark attack movie is that it builds a compelling human story between scenes of extreme violence and gore. The animatronic shark used on set was famously unreliable, forcing Spielberg and his crew to adapt the script slightly to keep the shark hidden for long stretches. Fortunately, this resulted in an increased focus on the relationships between the characters, andJawsis just as captivating when the shark is nowhere to be seen.
Martin Scorsese was already considered a great director by the time he madeGoodfellas, with seminal hits likeRaging Bull, Taxi DriverandThe King of Comedyunder his belt.Goodfellasproved that he wasn’t stuck in his ways, as it represented a new style that dozens of directors have since tried to imitate. AlthoughGoodfellashas inspired movies for decades, not many have been able to bottle its charms, which just goes to show how difficult a remake would be.
AlthoughGoodfellashas inspired movies for decades, not many have been able to bottle its charms, which just goes to show how difficult a remake would be.
Goodfellashas a great script, mixing moments of humor into a dark tale of violence and greed. The actors continue this trend, and Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro all show they can make the audience laugh, like when Tommy realizes he’s about to get whacked, for example. With Scorsese’s bold, stylistic direction on top of these quirks,Goodfellasamounts to a singular gangster movie that rips up every convention of the genre.Remaking this would feel like ripping it off.
Pulp Fictionremains one ofQuentin Tarantino’s best movies, but a remake would be unthinkable. Taking a remake out of Tarantino’s hands would destroy so much of what makes the movie popular that it would render the whole exercise pointless. Although another director could make a non-linear crime movie with a complex web of different characters and stories, only Tarantino could have madePulp Fiction.
Taking a remake out of Tarantino’s hands would destroy so much of what makes the movie popular.
Pulp Fictionremixes plenty of crime drama tropes, but it also managed to predict what was coming for the genre. Removing the movie from this context immediately makes it less interesting.RemakingPulp Fictionwithout Tarantino’s dialogue would also be one way of making it a much more generic crime movie. The movie often thrives on the tonal dissonance between what characters are saying and what they are doing.
Citizen Kaneis an undeniable classic, often referred to as the greatest movie ever made. However, not everyone enjoys old movies, so it makes sense that a remake would be one way to bring the story to a modern audience in a more palatable way. Ultimately, no remake could touchCitizen Kane, and it would have to change the movie beyond recognition. Orson Welles' directorial debut remains untouched.
Movies likePsychoand12 Angry Menprove that remakes of old classics usually come up short.
Over the years, plenty of old classics have been updated for modern audiences, but movies likePsychoand12 Angry Menprove that remakes usually come up short.Part of what makesCitizen Kaneso special is that there was nothing else like it at the time, but a modern remake wouldn’t have the same impact. Aside from the problems with recasting Kane, a potential remake would also have to contend with the fact that the landscape of cinema has changed.
The Princess Brideis a cozy 1980s classic, with all the comfort and charm of a fairy tale. It’s hard to imagine a remake being able to capture the same sense of adventure while still feeling so personable. Part ofThe Princess Bride’s appeal lies in its rough edges. The"outdoor"scenes which were clearly shot on a set can’t be replicated. A modern remake would either cut out these quirks or try too hard to reinvent them.
It’s hard to imagine a remake being able to capture the same sense of adventure while still feeling so personable.
The Princess Bride’s minute imperfections make it what it is.The artificiality of it all fits within the frame narrative perfectly, and it subtly reveals the movie’s philosophy on storytelling and human connection. Like many great fairy tales,The Princess Brideis replete with romance, warmth and wit. It has also taken on a nostalgic quality over the years, so it would be a shame to sully that legacy with a remake.
None of Stanley Kubrick’s movies would benefit from a remake, since his direction is the single biggest reason why any of them enjoy the critical success that they do. However, with this in mind, there are a couple which would be especially bad material for a remake, and the 1968 sci-fi epic2001: A Space Odysseystands out among this crowd. It’s unlikely that any remake would stand up to direct comparisons.
Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve and many more great sci-fi directors have taken inspiration from2001without directly remaking it.
2001: A Space Odysseyhas influenced sci-fi moviesever since it came out in 1968. Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve and many more great sci-fi directors have taken inspiration from2001without directly remaking it. It’s become common practice for directors to nod to2001’s portrayal of artificial intelligence and outer space, but these homages need to bring a unique approach.
Forrest Gumpis easily one ofTom Hanks' best movies, coming right in the middle of a legendary hot streak when every one of his performances brought about critical acclaim and box office success. Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor, andForrest Gumpscooped Best Picture too.A remake ofForrest Gumpwould struggle to find an actor as charismatic and compelling as Hanks.
Forrest Gumpis firmly rooted in a time and place that is long gone.
Aside from the inevitable comparisons to Tom Hanks' performance, one big problem that aForrest Gumpwould have to face would be updating the story.Forrest Gumpis firmly rooted in a time and place that is long gone, and its earnest sensibilities might not be so welcome if it were remade today.Forrest Gumpis the type of movie that naturally inspires discussion, but its style might seem outdated in the wrong hands.
The Graduateis a great coming-of-age comedy about a young college graduate who finds himself at a crossroads. It makes sense that some would see this as good material for an updated remake, considering how the college experience and the job market have changed so radically since the 1960s, but a direct remake wouldn’t be as rewarding as an original story focused on similar themes.
Although it’s over 50 years old,The Graduateis remarkably fresh.
Although it’s over 50 years old,The Graduateis remarkably fresh, and it still applies to the stories of college graduates today. The specifics may have changed, but Benjamin Braddock’s career crisis is as relatable as ever.A new reboot would also have to decide whether to ditch the iconic Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack. This would make a remake seem more unique, but the music is also an integral part of the movie’s identity.
Ever since theBack to the Futuretrilogy ended in 1990, some people have been begging forBack to the Future 4,and there have been some calls for a full reboot of the franchise in more recent years. Director Robert Zemeckis speaks for the majority of the franchise’s fan base when he says that a reboot would be completely unnecessary. The only way anotherBack to the Futurecould make sense is if it was an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical.
The only way anotherBack to the Futurecould make sense is if it was an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical.
RemakingBack to the Futurewould mean finding two actors who could strike up a chemistry as natural and charming as Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox, but this isn’t the only problem.The time-travel plot is rooted in the 1980s, with the iconic DeLorean as just one symbol of the movie’s retrofuturist quirks. When Marty travels back to the 1950s, it’s as if he’s stepping into a different world. A modernBack to the Futureremake would only send Marty to the 1990s, which isn’t as radically different, nor is it as visually stark.
