15 Reboots That Felt Like An Insult To The Original Movie

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As a gamer, I’ve seen my fair share of remakes in the gaming world too. From classic arcade games to modern titles, there’s rarely an uncharted territory when it comes to reinventions. Some of these reboots manage to outshine the original, like how Resident Evil 2 remake gave a fresh coat of paint to a horror classic, or how the remastered Crash Bandicoot trilogy brought back memories with improved graphics and gameplay. However, many times, they fall short of the mark, leaving us questioning if the creators truly understood what made the original so captivating in the first place. Some reboots are downright disappointing, making you wonder if they were ever meant to capture the magic of the original at all.

Occasionally, when a film is remade, it may fail to capture the essence or satirical nuances, instead attempting to broaden its appeal by simplifying complex subtext. At times, they overlook the humor, the quirky appeal, or the subtle winks that let viewers in on the joke. And sometimes, they’re simply poorly executed, a waste of resources and effort for everyone involved. Regardless of the reason, here are 15 remakes that seemed like an affront to the original film.

Ben-Hur

Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” has been adapted into film five times, with the 1959 biblical epic, starring Charlton Heston, being the most well-known. This film won 11 Oscars and outperformed all other films released that year at the box office. Despite its grandeur and iconic chariot race scene, it’s ponderous pace and stilted dialogue make it an appealing choice for modernization. Regrettably, the 2016 reboot merely served to underscore just how enjoyable the Heston version remains, despite its shortcomings.

In this new adaptation, Jack Huston portrays Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who’s unknowingly betrayed by his Roman adopted brother, Messala (Toby Kebbell), leading to his enslavement. Despite being condensed by an hour and a half, filled with continuous action, this version, as Tara Brady of The Irish Times puts it, “seems more dragging and uneventful than its original.” Most critics concurred, and the film underperformed at the box office. However, who knows? Maybe the sixth attempt will finally strike a chord.

Cast: Jack Huston, Toby Kebbell, Rodrigo Santoro, Nazanin Boniadi, Ayelet Zurer, Morgan Freeman

Director: Timur Bekmambetov 

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 125 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

Flatliners

The first “Flatliners” isn’t a cinematic marvel, yet it showcases Joel Schumacher’s polished direction and features an illustrious cast including Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, and Kevin Bacon. However, the 2017 remake doesn’t share the same charm as the original; instead, it opts for a somber tone that lacks the lightheartedness of the first film. To its credit, the remake does feature Kiefer Sutherland reprising his role in a new capacity.

The film “Flatliners” revolves around a band of medical students who become fixated on exploring whether an afterlife exists. They aim to come as close to death (flatlining) as they can before transitioning to the other side. According to Andrew Barker from Variety, this reboot is essentially unnecessary, as it lacks any compelling reasons for reviving a property that has been dormant for quite some time. Despite its impressive visual effects and strong acting by the youthful cast, Barker argues that the remake fails to breathe new life into an old concept.

Cast: Elliott Page, Diego Luna, Nina Dobrev, James Norton, Kiersey Clemons, Kiefer Sutherland

Director: Niels Arden Oplev

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 109 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

The Fog

The remakes of John Carpenter’s films generally haven’t been impressive, but the 2005 reboot of “The Fog” reached a new low in terms of quality. While some people appreciate the updated versions of his movies like “Halloween,” “The Thing,” and “Assault on Precinct 13,” this reinvention of Carpenter’s 1980 ghost story was widely panned by critics, leading to poor box office returns.

The Fog” revolves around the inhabitants of Antonio Island, a tiny Oregon town, who are haunted by the spirits of individuals killed by the town’s founders over a century ago. John Carpenter originally used tension and ambiance to instill fear, but in the remake, director Rupert Wainwright attempts to enhance the fright factors with modern special effects, with minimal success. Unlike its predecessor, which featured veteran character actors, this version opts for a less recognizable group of young TV personalities. As Matthew Leyland from The BBC remarked, “Yet another remake fails to impress.

Cast: Tom Welling, Maggie Grace, Rade Šerbedžija, Selma Blair

Director: Rupert Wainwright

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 100 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

Hellboy

The Crooked Man,” came and went quickly, proving that sometimes, perfection simply can’t be surpassed.

In the remake of Hellboy, played by David Harbour, we see him engaged in combat with Vivienne Nimue, also known as the Blood Queen or the ancient sorceress bent on retribution against mankind. According to Salon’s Matthew Rosza, watching this new Hellboy movie is similar to consuming a rice cake; while it doesn’t leave you feeling guilty afterward, there remains an uncertainty about whether you truly savored any substantial experience at all.

Cast: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Day Kim, Thomas Haden Church

Director: Neil Marshall

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 minutes

Where to watch: Hulu

The Mummy

2017’s “The Mummy” is unique among reboots because it effectively dismantled an entire cinematic universe. Unlike the 1999 “The Mummy” or the original 1932 Boris Karloff version, it was intended to kickstart a new venture – Universal’s Dark Universe, which aimed to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe by reintroducing their classic monster characters. However, the movie was both critically panned and commercially unsuccessful to such an extent that plans for a shared franchise were abandoned entirely.

In the movie “The Mummy”, Tom Cruise portrays Nick Morton, an American soldier who scours the Middle East in pursuit of hidden riches. However, things take a turn for the worse when he unintentionally awakens Ahmanet (played by Sofia Boutella), an ancient Egyptian princess with malevolent intentions to reclaim her supernatural powers. Thelma Adams, writing for The Observer, stated that if you’re going to invest money in reviving a franchise, it’s essential to give it a new twist. In essence, ‘The Mummy’, like Ahmanet herself, appears lifeless upon its arrival.

Cast: Tom Cruise, Annabelle Wallis, Sofia Boutella, Jake Johnson, Courtney B. Vance, Russell Crowe

Director: Alex Kurtzman

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 110 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

A Nightmare on Elm Street

It’s quite simple to overlook how innovative and challenging Wes Craven’s 1984 “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was, given the numerous movies that followed. However, as each subsequent sequel transformed Freddy Krueger into a jokester from the Borscht Belt, the initial horror aspect faded away. The 2010 remake aimed to bring the series back to its terrifying origins, but sadly, what was truly frightening about it was its poor quality instead.

Jackie Earle Haley assumes the character of Krueger, once portrayed by Robert Englund, a malevolent figure who is a child predator and returns as a demon after being killed in a fire, targeting teenagers in their dreams. This remake was orchestrated by Platinum Dunes, known for revamping series such as “Friday the 13th” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” incorporating contemporary special effects and intensified R-rated gore. Critics like Nigel Floyd of Time Out found this production, overseen by Michael Bay’s horror studio, to be the most disappointing yet.

Cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy, Thomas Dekker, Kellan Lutz

Director: Samuel Bayer

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

Oldboy

It’s surprising that the remake of “Oldboy,” directed by Spike Lee and featuring several actors known from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hasn’t been made yet. The original film, directed by Park Chan-wook, holds a significant place in Korean action cinema history. Given its acclaim, it’s not surprising that Hollywood sought to create an American version (at one point, Steven Spielberg was set to direct with Will Smith as the lead). However, the project eventually landed with Spike Lee and Josh Brolin, who were both disappointed when an hour was removed from the final edit. This led Lee to omit his usual “Spike Lee Joint” credit.

Kevin Brolin portrays Joe Doucett, a shady advertising professional who gets confined for two decades in a room and seeks retribution upon release. Despite boasting a high-profile cast that includes Elizabeth Olsen and Samuel L. Jackson, the movie flopped at the box office and with critics. Mark Kermode from The Observer commented, “Apart from appealing to those who don’t enjoy reading subtitles, it’s challenging to identify what Spike Lee contributed to the project.

Cast: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Imperioli

Director: Spike Lee

Rating: R

Runtime: 104 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

Planet of the Apes

In light of the successful reboots of “Planet of the Apes”, Tim Burton’s 2001 adaptation now stands out more as a failure. Despite Burton’s ability to craft captivating fantastical realms and his depiction of a world ruled by speaking apes being visually stunning, the movie still feels like an expensive B-movie. The remarkable makeup effects by Rick Baker couldn’t save it from this fate.

In the film, Mark Wahlberg plays Captain Leo Davidson, an astronaut who lands on a planet inhabited by intelligent apes instead of humans in command. Similar to the 1968 version, there are profound societal observations woven into the plot, but they are overshadowed by the grandeur of modern-day filmmaking. As Kirk Honeycutt from The Hollywood Reporter put it, “Rejoining this almost forgotten world alongside a cinematic sorcerer is enjoyable, yet it seems that Burton failed to connect personally with this location and make it his own.” This sentiment was echoed by most critics.

Characters: Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kris Kristofferson, Estella Warren, and Paul Giamatti

Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kris Kristofferson, Estella Warren, and Paul Giamatti (in this production)

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 120 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

Point Break

In a creative twist, Kathryn Bigelow’s “Point Break” (1991) transforms an outlandish concept – an FBI agent posing as a daredevil sportsman who secretly commits bank robberies – into a cinematic action classic by employing exceptional filmmaking techniques. The 2015 remake, on the other hand, attempts to recreate it with a gritty edge, but unfortunately trades the original’s playful spirit for excessive machismo and lack of substance.

In this modern adaptation of “Point Break”, Luke Bracey steps into Keanu Reeves’ shoes as FBI agent Johnny Utah, while Édgar Ramírez takes on the role previously played by Patrick Swayze as Bohdi, a radical ecological activist. The story follows Johnny as he infiltrates Bohdi’s group. Critics panned the film, calling it a weak and unfaithful remake of the 1990s action classic. Kevin Maher of The Times questioned how such a poor version could be produced, stating that it was humorless, complex, dull, and lacked the affection needed to make it enjoyable. Somehow, they managed to achieve this result.

Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Delroy Lindo, Ray Winstone

Director: Ericson Core

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 114 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

RoboCop

The satirical elements in Paul Verhoeven’s “RoboCop” become increasingly relevant as time goes by, with themes like the escalating militarization of law enforcement and the commercialization of news media resonating strongly. However, these satirical aspects lost their edge with each sequel, almost entirely disappearing from the 2014 remake, which also toned down Verhoeven’s graphic violence to a more family-friendly PG-13 rating. Despite boasting an impressive cast that would make even MGM’s galaxy of stars envious (as suggested by its production company’s famous motto), the film struggled to leave a significant impact at the box office.

In a crime-ridden future Detroit, “RoboCop” revolves around a valiant police officer named Joel Kinnaman, who becomes a cyborg following a near-fatal mishap. Although it didn’t receive overwhelmingly negative reviews, many critics felt that the remake fell short compared to its original version. As Peter Travers from Rolling Stone put it, “This RoboCop reboot strives hard to preserve the satirical edge and eccentric style of Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 film, but ultimately, these efforts are fruitless.

Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Abigail Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley)

Director: José Padilha

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 minutes

Where to watch: Max

Rollerball

Few films have resulted in a director ending up both figuratively and literally imprisoned, but that’s exactly what happened with “Rollerball.” This was a remake of Norman Jewison’s 1975 dystopian action thriller with the same title, released in 2002. Unfortunately, it was a critical and financial failure, significantly impacting the career of its director, John McTiernan. The production of this movie was fraught with difficulties, and these problems had lasting consequences. Years later, McTiernan was incarcerated due to his hiring of Anthony Pellicano to illegally wiretap producer Charles Roven during their disputes over the film.

In another context, the movie “Rollerball” proved to be detrimental for Chris Klein, who portrayed a future sports athlete in this film. It was discovered that Jean Reno, the creator of Rollerball, was intentionally escalating court violence to boost viewership ratings. Despite the role appearing tailor-made for the director of “Die Hard” and “Predator”, Roger Ebert criticized it as an unclear conglomeration of scenes, lacking a clear plot, purpose, rhythm, and coherence.

Cast: Chris Klein, Jean Reno, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Naveen Andrews, Pink

Director: John McTiernan

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 98 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

Total Recall

The 2012 “Total Recall” remake, like the updated version of “RoboCop,” strips away the satire, intense violence, and thought-provoking elements found in Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 film. This raises a point for discussion: what was the purpose behind making another version? It seems that director Len Wiseman (from the “Underworld” series) may have believed there were untapped themes within Philip K. Dick’s original novel. However, despite this intention, the remake ultimately proved unsuccessful, as evidenced by its mixed reception both critically and commercially.

In this version, Colin Farrell plays a factory worker who experiences a transformation allowing him to convert dreams into memories for an escape from reality. However, when he is given memories of being a super-spy, his fantasy becomes a horrifying ordeal instead. This movie can truly be described as a nightmare, with its potential showcasing the talent of a stellar cast including Kate Beckinsale and Bryan Cranston, yet it fell short, criticized by Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph as “escapism that is trapped within the confines of risk-averse, formulaic filmmaking.

Cast: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, John Cho, Bill Nighy

Director: Len Wiseman

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 minutes

Where to watch: Hulu

The Vanishing

It’s not unusual for an American remake to be made from a foreign language film, especially when it’s a global success. However, it’s quite rare for the original director to work on the remake, and even more so for them to botch the ending of their own movie. This is exactly what occurred with the 1993 version of “The Vanishing,” George Sluizer’s controversial Hollywood adaptation of his well-received French-Dutch thriller from five years prior.

In this reimagined tale, Kiefer Sutherland portrays Jeff Harriman, whose girlfriend, Diane Shaver (Sandra Bullock), mysteriously vanishes from a roadside gas station during their journey. Desperate to find Diane, Jeff embarks on a frantic search. Meanwhile, the kidnapper, chemistry professor Barney Cousins (Jeff Bridges), carries on with his ordinary life until he finds amusement in tormenting the heartbroken boyfriend. Unlike the chilling and unsettling climax of the original, this remake lacked the same eerie impact. As Desson Thompson from The Washington Post noted, it was a tragic example of how Hollywood can turn a brilliant film into a confusing mess.

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis, Sandra Bullock

Director: George Sluizer

Rating: R

Runtime: 109 minutes

Where to watch: Not currently streaming

The Wicker Man

Even if you haven’t watched the 2006 film “The Wicker Man,” you might have come across the popular video clip featuring Nicolas Cage, dressed as a bear, punching a woman and asking about a burned doll. Unfortunately, that’s about all the amusement you’ll find in Neil LaBute’s attempt to remake the 1973 horror original, as it falls short of expectations.

In a reimagined role, Edward Malus portrays a detective who journeys to a remote island near the Washington coast in pursuit of a missing girl. However, what he stumbles upon is a community of women practicing an unusual agricultural ritual that borders on paganism. Critically panned and dismissed by viewers, this film fell short of recapturing the chilling influence of its forerunner. A. O. Scott, in his review for The New York Times, commented that “‘The Wicker Man’ is laughably inept as a horror film, failing to deliver even a convincing fake scare or maintain suspense for any significant length of time.

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn, Kate Beahan, Frances Conroy, Molly Parker, Leelee Sobieski

Director: Neil LaBute

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 102 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

The Women

Few movies can boast an actress ensemble as remarkable as “The Women” from 2008, making its underwhelming nature all the more disheartening. A modern adaptation of the 1939 George Cukor original — with over 130 female speaking roles — it aimed to refresh the storyline for the contemporary era. However, instead of enhancing the cleverness, charm, and intellect of its predecessor, it mostly diminishes these qualities.

In the play by Clare Boothe Luce, the main character Mary Haines, played by Meg Ryan, is a fashion designer whose ideal life is shattered when she discovers her husband is involved with a salesgirl. Matters only worsen when her friend, magazine editor Sylvia Fowler (Annette Bening), discloses this affair to a gossip columnist (Carrie Fisher). This sparked the question from Kimberly Jones of The Austin Chronicle: “Is this supposed to be female empowerment?” To which she replied, “I don’t want what she’s having, and I’m assembling my own troops to demand better.

Cast: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith

Director: Diane English

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 114 minutes

Where to watch: Prime Video

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2025-04-26 23:33