Movie Remakes With Worse Rotten Tomatoes Scores Than The Original

Restaging a cherished movie masterpiece can be a daring move for filmmakers because fans often have strong attachments to their nostalgic favorites and may critique these new versions severely. The act of remaking movies is not as modern as it might seem, with roots tracing back to the early days of cinema in the late 19th century. In fact, Georges Méliès’ initial filmmaking effort, “Un partie de cartes (Card Party)” from 1896, was a remake itself, making minor adjustments to the plot of Louis Lumiere’s “Les jouers de cartes arroses” (The Card Players are Watering), which debuted only a year before.

There have been numerous successful and well-liked remakes throughout cinema history, such as the 1954, 1976, and 2018 adaptations of the 1937 Dorothy Parker movie “A Star is Born.” Some remakes even surpass their original counterparts, like the 1978 rendition of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (the initial release was in 1956). Al Pacino’s portrayal of Cuban gangster Tony Montana in the 1983 crime film “Scarface” was mesmerizing, but some fans might not realize that it was a remake of a 1932 movie starring Paul Muni.

Many movie remakes don’t match up to their predecessors or gain the same acclaim, for various reasons. Sometimes, filmmakers overestimate their abilities and believe they can surpass a timeless masterpiece because of arrogance. Other times, remakes go astray when they attempt to pay tribute, while at other instances, studios try to extract the last dollar from a franchise by producing lackluster remakes. In fact, a combination of these factors led to the creation of the first film on our list.

Planet of the Apes

1968’s science fiction film “Planet of the Apes” features Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor, leading a deep space voyage that sends his team far beyond Earth for more than 2000 years. After a crash landing, they believe they’ve reached an alien planet. However, only Taylor survives the crash and subsequent events, and he is captured by intelligent, speaking apes who govern the planet while humans are primitive and unable to communicate effectively. In one of the most shocking plot twists ever, Taylor ultimately uncovers that he has actually returned to Earth all along.

By 1973, there were already four sequels of the movie, and later on, in 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2024, additional chapters were added. However, between these two periods of films came a remake from 2001, starring Mark Wahlberg as Captain Leo Davidson. Much like Taylor, he found himself in a similar predicament. Unlike Charlton Heston’s performance, which was quite campy and over-the-top, Wahlberg’s portrayal was more subdued. The remake introduced a couple of extra plot points, but overall, it stuck to the original storyline. Some might argue that the confusing ending in the remake, directed by Tim Burton, doesn’t hold the same impact as the original film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.

As a gamer diving into movie reviews, I found myself comparing two versions – one from ’68 and another from ’01. The older version, surprisingly, had a massive thumbs-up from both critics (gaining an 86% Tomatometer) and audiences (receiving an impressive 88% Popcornmeter) rating at Rotten Tomatoes. On the other hand, the more recent one struggled to keep up, with only a 43% Tomatometer score from the critics and a mere 27% approval from the audience. Although it’s not the biggest gap on the list, it was substantial enough to earn a spot in the hall of fame for significant improvements!

Godzilla

The initial release of “Godzilla” in Japan back in 1954, tapped into worldwide concerns about nuclear weapons through its storyline featuring a colossal prehistoric creature wreaking havoc on Tokyo. Two years later, when it spellbound Japanese viewers, an English-dubbed version named “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” arrived in American cinemas. Over the past 70 years and counting, this franchise has produced over 30 films inspired by the original. However, only two movies titled simply “Godzilla,” produced in Hollywood, were released in 1998 and 2014, neither of which can match the Rotten Tomatoes ratings of the original film.

1954’s Japanese “Godzilla” earned high ratings, boasting a 94% Tomatometer and an 89% Popcornmeter score, compared to the 1998 remake featuring Matthew Broderick and Jean Reno which scored poorly with just a 20% Tomatometer and 28% Popcornmeter. On the other hand, the 2014 reboot of “Godzilla,” starring Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Olsen, fared much better, receiving a 76% Tomatometer rating and a 66% Popcornmeter score. It seems that Walter White and Wanda Maximoff made for more convincing Godzilla-fighters than Ferris Bueller and a heartfelt hit man.

1998’s movie was a massive flop at the domestic box office, earning Razzie nominations in several categories including worst picture, worst director (Roland Emmerich), worst screenplay (written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin), and worst supporting actress (Maria Pitillo). The film managed to win only one award – for worst remake, which it shared with the adaptations of “The Avengers” TV series and another movie on our list.

Psycho

1998 proved challenging for reinterpretations of ’60s masterpieces. In contrast, the original 1960 Alfred Hitchcock horror classic “Psycho,” starring Anthony Perkins, holds a 97% Tomatometer and a 95% Popcornmeter rating. However, Gus Van Sant’s remake from the same year, featuring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche, received criticism with only 41% approval from critics and a mere 28% appreciation from audiences. One might wonder why the director of “My Own Private Idaho” felt compelled to rework this American Film Institute’s top 20 film of all time; perhaps he was courted by a major studio following the success of his previous work, “Drugstore Cowboy,” in 1989. Intriguingly, he expressed interest in creating a shot-for-shot remake of “Psycho” to curious film executives.

Until he achieved another significant success with “Good Will Hunting” in 1997, all of them were managing impressive performances. Meanwhile, studio executives unexpectedly approved a remake of “Psycho,” granting Van Sant $60 million to produce it. The remake is passable, but there’s limited room for suspense since the storyline follows the original closely (in color). What makes the remake stand out is its talented ensemble cast featuring Julianne Moore, Viggo Mortensen, William H. Macy, Robert Forster, and Philip Baker Hall. Regrettably, at times it appears as if they’re participating in an acting workshop or audition using the original film as a reference.

Friday the 13th

1980’s groundbreaking horror game-changer, “Friday the 13th,” was a title that arguably could have stopped at its initial success. It set trends such as depicting murders from the killer’s perspective, the “it was all a dream” plot twist, and the “Final Girl” trope. As with many other classics on this list, it spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and one authentic remake. The 2009 remake, unfortunately, ranked last in our evaluation of every “Friday The 13th” movie.

The remake garnered a 26% score on the Tomatometer and 47% on the Popcornmeter, while the original had scores of 67% and 60% respectively on Rotten Tomatoes. This reboot provided some intriguing background details for the villain Jason Voorhees, but it largely adhered to the blueprint of the earlier films. As a result, it fails to distinguish itself significantly, although it’s not the most underwhelming remake in history.

Halloween

Prior to Jason Voorhees’ debut as a terrifying figure at Crystal Lake, it was Michael Myers who made his chilling appearance on screen under the direction of John Carpenter. This happened two years earlier when Michael Myers managed to break free from a psychiatric hospital and returned to his small town to murder a series of teenagers in the movie “Halloween.” The original film featured a young Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasance, and Nick Castle as the masked character of Myers. It earned an impressive 97% rating from critics and 89% approval from audiences, while the 2018 remake received more modest scores of 79% from reviewers and 72% from viewers.

The significant increase in those numbers can largely be attributed to Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her character Laurie Strode, who faces off against Michael Myers again after four decades. In the original film, Curtis made her feature film debut as Laurie, and she has returned for six sequels in the franchise. In the 2018 remake, Judy Greer portrays Karen, Laurie’s daughter, and could potentially lead the series for another 40 years in that role.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Decades-old genre classics, such as the original ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ from 1974, often serve as appealing options for remakes, but it’s difficult for many adaptations to live up to the originals. This classic horror film is widely recognized as one of the scariest movies ever made and has received high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 84% Tomatometer score and an 82% Popcornmeter rating. The franchise spawned by this movie now includes nine films, but the most successful remake is the version released in 2003.

As a gamer, I’ve just finished watching a grittier take on the classic horror franchise, ditching the original’s docu-style approach for something far bloodier and intense. This new version has managed to impress both critics (with a 37% approval rating) and fans (58%) on Rotten Tomatoes.

Jessica Biel and Jonathan Tucker play terrorized teens, while R. Lee Ermey brings a chilling portrayal of a ruthless sheriff. But it’s Andrew Bryniarski who truly steps into the terrifying shoes of Leatherface, outdoing even Gunnar Hansen’s original performance. It’s like stepping into a new level of fear!

In the latest installment of the series, titled “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” from 2022, we find a sequel that deviates more than it revisits the original storyline. This film has received poor reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a dismal 30% rating from critics and an even worse 25% from audiences. Due to the unfortunate passing of Marilyn Burns, who played Sally Hardesty in the initial film, Olwen Fouere stepped into the role for this reboot. However, there were some continuity challenges with the character of Sally, as she was reportedly killed off in some of the subsequent films. Yet, the version that resurfaces in 2022 is intended to be the same traumatized character from the original movie.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

2010’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” marks the conclusion of our list of underwhelming horror film remakes. In this version, Jackie Earle Haley took over the role of Freddy Krueger, originally played by Robert Englund in Wes Craven’s 1984 classic. The original film enjoys a high approval rating with a 94% score from critics and an impressive 84% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, while the 2010 remake scored only 14% from critics and 43% from viewers. In the franchise’s nine canon movies, this film is ranked first and last in terms of quality, suggesting that the creators ran out of creative ideas before the audience grew tired of Freddy Krueger.

Rooney Mara and Kyle Gallner portray Nancy Holbrook and Quentin Smith, characters whose dreams are haunted by Freddy much like Nancy Thompson and Glen Lantz (Heather Langenkamp and Johnny Depp) in the original film. After completing the production, Mara disclosed that the experience nearly convinced her to leave Hollywood. In 2011, she shared with Entertainment Weekly that she had contemplated, “If this is the extent of my acting prospects, then I’m not particularly enthusiastic… But then I received the script for ‘The Social Network.’ That helped rekindle my passion for acting.

Certain commentators noted a perceived lack of enthusiasm from her character on-screen, among them Amy Simon from Three Imaginary Girls. While praising Haley for tackling the challenging role of succeeding Englund, Simon criticized the script for selectively referencing scenes from earlier films to serve as familiar reference points for viewers. Furthermore, Simon pointed out that the script attempts to mislead you by suggesting that perhaps Fred Krueger didn’t commit any wrongdoings and was mistakenly burned by the parents instead.

Rollerball

Although “Rollerball,” a dystopian sci-fi film from 1975, doesn’t enjoy the same level of popularity as classics like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” or “Psycho,” it does have the misfortune of sharing a less successful remake with those horror greats. The original movie featured James Caan, John Houseman, and Maud Adams, garnering an approval rating of 69% from critics and 62% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. These ratings are good but not exceptional, but they outshine the dismal 3% and 14% scores received by the 2002 remake starring Chris Klein, Jean Reno, and LL Cool J.

The reimagined version of this film does not try to reflect the anti-capitalist, anti-materialistic theme present in the original, instead choosing to focus on aspects that largely disregard such issues. Critic Matt Donato of Bloody Disgusting pointed out its straightforward nature, stating, “It’s filled with gratuitous female nudity and excessive violence for violence’s sake, shying away from ideological viewpoints that could jeopardize its airing in syndicated cable movie blocks.” The sport depicted in the film is enigmatic and disorderly in this remake, and its rules are difficult to comprehend. However, don’t be concerned about understanding the rules, as league owner Alexis Petrovich (played by Reno) disregards them — along with penalties and fouls — during the decisive match.

In the end, the movie led director John McTiernan to serve a 10-month sentence in federal prison, even though he wasn’t found guilty of creating a confusing movie mess. Instead, his punishment was for lying to the FBI in a wiretapping case connected to a disagreement with the film’s producer, Charles Roven.

The Longest Yard

Let’s shift our focus from a movie about an imaginary sport that sent its director to jail to one based on a genuine sport taking place within the confines of a fictitious prison. In 1974, prior to the premiere of “Rollerball,” Burt Reynolds played Paul Crewe, a former NFL quarterback who is ordered to organize a team of inmates to challenge the guards in a game. It earned a 76% rating from critics and 75% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, while the 2005 remake with Adam Sandler as Crewe lags far behind, with ratings of 32% from critics and 62% from audiences at Rotten Tomatoes.

In a later rendition, I found myself reappearing as ex-NFL coach Nate Scarborough. This time, I garnered a Razzie nomination for worst supporting actor, sharing this dubious honor with the film’s other nomination for the least appealing prequel, remake, spinoff, or sequel – a title it unfortunately didn’t win, losing to “Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2” and its chaotic finale. The reboot of “The Longest Yard,” as many critics pointed out, fell short in the comparison with the original. However, Rob Gonsalves from Rob’s Movie Vault didn’t just criticize the film; he used it to take a swipe at Hollywood, stating that comparing the 1974 movie with the 2005 remake reveals a disheartening truth: today’s Hollywood can no longer convincingly churn out even passable, action-packed trash.

Red Dawn

If you’re seeking sensationalist entertainment, then the 2012 reboot of the 1984 film “Red Dawn” might be for you. The original film, with a 48% approval rating from critics and 65% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, holds the lowest scores among all the movies listed here. In contrast, the 2012 remake received only a 15% approval rating from critics and 50% from audiences. Both films follow a group of teenagers who form a guerrilla-style resistance following an invasion of the United States. The original enemy is the Soviet Union, while in the reboot it’s North Korea. However, it quickly becomes clear that this remake doesn’t measure up to its predecessor.

1984’s original version boasted an ’80s dream cast consisting of Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, Lea Thompson, and C. Thomas Howell. The remake introduces us to Chris Hemsworth, Isabel Lucas, Adrianne Palicki, and Josh Hutcherson instead. Unlike the original’s thoughtful, gritty tone, the remake adopts a more boisterous approach, with Hemsworth’s Jed Eckert delivering motivational speeches that seem contrived. In contrast to Swayze’s portrayal of a gentle, fatherly figure, Hemsworth’s version abandons this quality for a stern military demeanor.

In my gaming world, the two movies feel quite distinct due to the unique character of Jed Eckert, who serves as the heart and soul of each story. The original Jed, played by Swayze, was a rugged outdoorsman raised amidst the majestic Rockies, using his survival skills to protect others. On the other hand, Hemsworth’s Jed is a war-hardened Marine who leads an eclectic team through tough times.

In the original film, Jed and his brother Matt (Sheen) shared a strong bond of friendship that helped them weather the challenges they faced. However, in the remake starring Hemsworth and Josh Peck, their relationship seems to lack the same harmony, adding to the movie’s less endearing feel compared to the original. This shift is one reason why I believe the remake fails to capture the enchanting charm that made the first film so beloved.

2025-04-23 21:32