20 film remakes that are legitimately better than the originals

Nobody other than Steven Spielberg could take a classic like West Side Story and make it feel entirely new and groundbreaking. The musical, inspired by Romeo and Juliet, follows Tony and Maria, who are from rival gangs in New York and fall in love. Spielberg’s masterful direction, visuals, technical work, and choreography make this a cinematic triumph and one of his best films. New layers are added to the story, and outdated components of the original are improved upon. 

There have been four movie versions of A Star Is Born , but Bradley Cooper’s 2018 version eclipses them all. This adaptation follows Jackson Maine, an alcoholic musician who falls in love with Ally, an up-and-coming artist. Cooper’s chemistry with Lady Gaga feels completely authentic and radiates off the screen, bringing a devastating and timeless love story to life. The film’s soundtrack is also a major highlight, with original song "Shallow" becoming a smash hit and winning an Oscar.

Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel Dune has proved difficult to adapt, with David Lynch’s 1984 version not quite hitting the mark. However, acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve brought his vision to the world of Arrakis with his 2021 film, which was critically and commercially successful. Villeneuve’s film is an immersive and technical masterpiece, thanks to its sweeping desert landscapes, booming score, sleek VFX, and meticulously detailed production design. 

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is a classic piece of American literature and has been adapted for the screen countless times. When it felt like nothing more could be done to make this story feel exciting and timely again, Greta Gerwig added her magical touch with 2019’s remake. Boasting an incredible all-star cast with the likes of Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and more, Gerwig brings the trials and tribulations of the March sisters to life with warmth, relatability, and heart.

Disney’s live-action remakes tend to be very hit-and-miss with both critics and audiences, as the original usually reigns supreme. However, 2016’s Pete’s Dragon is one of the rare live-action adaptations from the studio that is better than its predecessor. The 1977 film is one of Disney’s lesser-known and beloved efforts, combining live-action with 2D animation. 2016’s version adds more weight, maturity, and emotion to the story — offering something refreshing.

1983’s Scarface , starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer, is one of the most iconic crime movies of all time. It is such a hit that most people don’t know it is a remake of the 1932 film of the same name. The original also revolves around Tony, who conquers the crime world and faces many unexpected enemies threatening to ruin his empire. The 1932 version is a prime example of a great neo-noir film, but nothing beats Al Pacino firing away and yelling, “Say hello to my little friend!”

David Cronenberg’s The Fly is a grotesque and icky sci-fi film that showcases the director’s well-known use of body horror and has subsequently become a staple within the genre. Many viewers may not know it is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name. The plot also revolves around a scientist who invents a teleportation device, only for a horrible accident to occur. Cronenberg’s remake stands as the winner thanks to its groundbreaking and stomach-churning make-up and prosthetics. 

CODA was the feel-good movie of 2021, winning the Oscar for Best Picture and the hearts of audiences worldwide. It is a remake of the 2014 French film The Belier Family, which also follows a young musical girl who is the only hearing member of her family. Unlike the original, CODA cast actual deaf actors to play deaf characters, adding authenticity to the performances that make all the difference. Deaf actor Troy Kotsur even won an Oscar for his incredible work.

Martin Scorsese’s career is full of incredible movies, but it was The Departed that finally got him the Oscar for Best Director (as well as Best Picture). The film is a remake of Hong Kong’s Infernal Affairs , which also follows an undercover cop in a gang and a gang member infiltrating the police. Both films are worth watching, but Scorsese’s character work elevates the story to an entirely new level, as well as the powerhouse performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg. 

When you think of The Parent Trap, you instantly think of little Lindsay Lohan squared. Sure, Disney released the original film in 1961, but the 1998 version has become a family classic and a defining childhood film. Lohan plays twins Annie and Hallie, who are separated at birth and try to get their parents back together after meeting at summer camp. Lohan’s dual performance is utterly impressive for her age at the time, and the film features plenty of fun antics and mischievous plots. 

John Carpenter is one of the most influential directors of all time, and his sci-fi flick The Thing is a stone-cold classic. The ‘80s movie is a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World, which also follows scientists on an arctic expedition who encounter a blood-thirsty alien. However, the monster in Carpenter’s film is a shape-shifting and disturbingly revolting organism, brought to life with impressive yet frankly disgusting practical effects that were unprecedented at the time. 

While the same can’t be said for his 2019 remake of The Lion King , Jon Favreau’s 2016 live-action The Jungle Book has a lot more going for it than the original 1967 film. Yes, the cartoon is a Disney classic in its own right, but Favreau’s film improves upon the material by adding more depth, backstory, and scope to the world, particularly around Mowgli’s character. The visuals and CGI are also a wonder to behold, reminiscent of a David Attenborough documentary. 

The Birdcage , starring Nathan Lane and Robin Williams, is a remake of the French-Italian film La Cage aux Folles. Both follow a gay couple who pretend to be heterosexual when meeting their son’s fiancee’s conservative parents. The original film is just as fun as the remake and was nominated for three Oscars. However, the American version connected with audiences on a higher level, thanks to the star power of Lane and Williams and the sharp and witty script.

Stephen King’s It is a mammoth of a novel and a tricky beast to adapt for the screen. The 1990s mini-series features a terrifying Tim Curry as Pennywise but feels more cartoonish rather than scary. In 2017 and 2019, the book was once again adapted for the screen and split into two films. While It: Chapter 2 received mixed reviews, the first movie perfectly brought King’s capsule of youth and terror to life, with an impeccable young cast and a horrifying creepy Bill Skarsgård as the titular clown. 

Before director Michael Mann released Heat , the crime heist film starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Val Kilmer, he directed the TV movie L.A. Takedown. The twist? Heat is actually a remake of L.A. Takedown, both directed by Mann. The stories themselves are very similar, but Heat comes out leaps and bounds ahead thanks to the acting caliber on display, a bigger budget, and sleeker execution. Hard-hitting and tense, it is enthralling from start to finish.

The 1991 French film La Totale! was the basis for James Cameron’s 1994 action-comedy True Lies, but since that film never got a U.S. release, no one really knows that True Lies is a remake. Both films follow a secret agent who believes his wife is having an affair and uses his skills to uncover the truth. While True Lies is faithful to its predecessor, Cameron amps up the action significantly, as well as the excitement with stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. 

In 1938, The War of the Worlds by H.G Wells. was famously broadcast on the radio by Orson Welles. Since then, two adaptations have been theatrically released: The War of the Worlds in 1953 and War of the Worlds in 2005. Both films revolve around an alien invasion on Earth but are very different in story and execution. The 2005 version definitely has an edge over its predecessor, thanks to strong character development, Steven Spielberg’s direction, and Tom Cruise’s screen presence.

The Mummy is a fan-favorite adventure film amongst cinephiles, featuring the beloved Brendan Fraser as the charming and heroic Rick O’Connell. The monster was first brought to life by Universal Pictures in 1932’s original The Mummy, which also sees a group of archeologists accidentally awaken an Egyptian mummy from the dead. While this version features effective old-school thrills, the 1999 film remains the most whimsical and entertaining. We won’t talk about Tom Cruise’s 2017 remake. 

1969’s True Grit is one of the most prominent Western films of all time, featuring none other than John Wayne. However, the Coen Brothers managed to breathe new life into the aged tale with their 2010 remake. Both follow a young girl who hires a hunter to track down her father’s murderer. The Coens make their version of the story feel more gritty and realistic in style, separating it from other typical Westerns. It also features a brilliant breakthrough performance from a young Hailee Steinfeld.

John Waters’ 1988 musical comedy Hairspray is an unabashedly camp and satirical romp, but 2007’s remake added a whole new level of energy and entertainment to the acclaimed film. The star power of the remake is out of this world, with pitch-perfect casting and performances from John Travolta, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, and many, many more. The infectious songs and dazzling choreography will have you dancing in your seat and smiling from start to finish.