31 Days of Horror Lists by the Losman- Best Horror Movie Remakes

For the month of October I will put out a list of Top 10’s on a number of subjects each day, this should be fun as I would enjoy feedback and discussion on my list and will welcome feedback on how to improve the list as I plan on featuring them on my website. 

Best Horror Movie Remakes

The Thing (1982)

A remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic by Howard Hawkes, this film directed by John Carpenter is considered by many in the horror movie community to be the best and most popular sci-fi/horror film. Outstanding cast, excellent setting and most importantly a creature that was one of the most amazing feats of work in the old school style of special effects. The Thing is also known for the tension that adds greatly to the mystery of who may still be human.

The Fly (1986)

In usual Cronenberg form, we have another remake of a classic horror movie that uses a lot of sex and gore in its interpretation. Jeff Goldblum plays Seth Bundle, a brilliant scientist who invents the technology that can teleport matter. The inevitable happens, and the intrepid scientist soon develops a huge appetite and an insatiable sex drive. Little does he realize that his DNA is being altered to that of the fly that rode with him. Cronenberg delivers a great film with incredible FX and a show-stopping metamorphosis that won an Academy Award for FX Artist Chris Walas.

Let Me In (2010)

A remake of the Swedish film"Let the Right One In" follows the story of the original movie relatively close and is an excellent film in its own right. In this remake, Chloë Grace Moretz plays the young vampire who befriends the pre-teen boy played by Kodi Smit-McPhee. They form a close bond as he learns of her secret and has to decide if he can accept the responsibility that comes with knowing who she is. This remake was well received, but many fans of the original movie prefer the original Swedish movie. 

Piranha 3D (2010)

Another remake of the Joe Dante’s Jaws parody has a local sheriff facing problems when underwater explosions release prehistoric piranha as thousands of college coeds invade the small town during Spring break. The events that occur are bloody and intense as the beach party turns blood red from the feeding frenzy as well as the panic that follows. Excellent cast and a surprisingly competent script make this a B movie worth watching. Followed by an even campier sequel called Piranha 3DD

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

A remake of the George Romeo’s 1978 horror classic, a group of strangers seeks refuge in a shopping mall when they are faced with swarms of fast zombies.  Director Zack Snyder would win praise for this worthy remake that followed the original premise yet set itself apart in its way.

The Ring  (2002)

A journalist looks into a mysterious videotape after the death of her niece and some of her friends. She discovers that watching the tape will result in your imminent death after receiving a mysterious phone call. A remake of a 1998 Japanese film, The Ring would help usher the way for some Japanese inspired remakes such as The Grudge, Pulse, and Dark Water.

The Crazies (2010)

This remake of the 1973 George Romero film had a much bigger budget and slicker look than the original. Unlike so many remakes, The Crazies improves on the story by using the zombie trope invented by George Romero and injecting elements of 28 Days Later into this derivative genre. Upping the violence, tension and adding some dark humor Director Breck Eisner took a relatively minor terror film from the seventies and reinvented it for the 21st Century.

The Blob (1988) 

The ultimate red menace returns to infest a new town and eats up everything in its path. Rarely does a remake outdo the original and what we have here is an all-out special effects delight? Kevin Dillon plays the rebellious teen who has to battle the Mega goo before it makes his town into nothing. The effects are what make this movie better than the original.

Evil Dead (2013)

A group of friends who are helping a fellow friend rehab from drug addiction, they go out to a family cabin so she can clean up. While in the cabin a mysteries book is found that when read aloud releases evil spirits that attack the group. This installment is not so much a remake of the Sam Raimi 1981 classic but more a reboot to continue the franchise. This movie ups the violence, gore and has less of the humor found in the previous films, fan reaction has been positive, and the possibility of sequels reuniting Bruce Campbell is most likely to occur.

My Bloody Valentine (2009) 

A remake of the early 1980’s Canadian slasher film, this time the movie is in 3D. The plot is still the same, a group of coal miners are caught in a cave in after an explosion, the one miner kills the rest of the survivors to conserve air before he is rescued. A year later he seeks revenge at a party and is supposedly taken out. Ten years later a series of murders occur that make people in the town wonder if the killer from 10 years before has returned. My Bloody Valentine received mixed reviews but still made over a 100 million and utilized the 3D gimmick to great effect; this would help launch the latest craze of 3D movies.