The remake is not an easy thing to pull off. Besides the innate disdain moviegoers generally have for remakes, there’s the need to appease fans of the original films. Despite contrary belief, though, there is an abundance of good remakes. We cite them all the time when the argument rises.
But what about all those movies with remakes that fly under the radar? Are they good? Bad? If people aren’t applauding or complaining about them, do they even exist? Since remakes are so prolific in the horror genre, let’s take a look at 10 remakes that you never knew existed.
April Fool’s Day (2008)
A glitzy mansion party held on April 1st ends in death for one guest. The parties deemed responsible go to court, but in the end, no one serves any time. One year later, the six people are stalked and attacked by someone who wants to expose the truth.
The original 1986 slasher was initially met with jeers because of its daring choice of ending. Nowadays, the tide has turned and Fred Walton’s April Fool’s Day is well-liked. The remake, however, is less beloved. In fact, people hate it. The main problem is how cheap-looking and ineffectively suspenseful this banal thriller is.
Long Weekend (2009)
A feuding couple camps out near the beach for a weekend getaway. When they mistreat the land and local wildlife — including accidentally shooting a dugong — the couple is subjected to a series of bizarre phenomena.
Director Jamie Blanks (Urban Legend, Valentine) returned to horror with this remake of Colin Eggleston’s 1978 film. The new version feels bare and flat in comparison to the original, but it’s serviceable. In some parts, the movie is aptly called Nature’s Revenge.
The Ring Virus (1999)
A journalist investigates the strange circumstances surrounding her relative’s recent death. In her journey, she comes across an urban legend about a cursed video tape. She finds the video and watches it for herself. Now, she’s fated to die in seven days if she can’t break the curse.
This South Korean remake of Hideo Nakata’s The Ring predates the English localization by three years. The makers claim this movie is based on Kōji Suzuki’s novel rather than Nakata’s 1998 ghoster, but the similarities are undeniable. After all, the Japanese film takes liberties with the source material. Either way, this remake is pretty by-the-numbers. More cynical than its Japanese counterpart, too. The Korean interpretation, however, includes a crucial element about the ghost’s origin that was omitted from Nakata’s version.
Train (2008)
After competing in a wrestling championship in Eastern Europe, a collegiate wrestler and her fellow athletes board a train to Odesa. This is when they are abducted by a group of criminals looking to harvest their organs for the black market.
This technically does not count as a remake, but it was originally meant to be. Before it turned into a Hostel ripoff, the movie was intended to be a remake of Jamie Lee Curtis’ slasher classic Terror Train. The final incarnation is an unexciting, forgettable attempt at torture horror.
Piranha (1995)
The contents of a tank at an abandoned army test site is set free. In doing so, a genetically altered breed of carnivorous piranha is released into the local waters.
Mila Kunis’ first movie was this mediocre remake of Joe Dante’s 1978 classic creature feature. It was actually executive produced by legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman — who was a big part of the original’s creation — for Showtime. The budgetary restrictions are painfully evident, especially when you realize the movie recycles footage from the ‘78 film.
Cabin Fever (2016)
A flesh-eating virus awaits a group of college students vacationing in a forest cabin. When the dangerous malady finally reaches them, paranoia turns them all against each other.
Eli Roth had a hand in this remake of his directorial debut, but only as a co-writer and executive producer. The 2016 movie is based on a trimmed down version of the original’s script. The changes here are neither revolutionary nor deal-breaking. What is glaringly wrong is that this remake lacks the same enthusiasm that made Roth’s original movie so exciting.
Rear Window (1998)
A quadriplegic man named Jason spends his days spying on his neighbors. He suspects one neighbor has killed his wife after witnessing them in a domestic abuse situation. None of Jason’s peers believe there’s any foul play, though. Soon, news of Jason’s suspicions reach the neighbor, who sets out to “take care” of him, too.
Fervent Alfred Hitchcock fans aren’t keen on his works being remade, but that pushback is more apparent when it comes to his more popular films. This made-for-television update starring Christopher Reeves is thought to be too convoluted for its own good.
I Saw What You Did (1988)
When a reserved teenager named Kim invites Lisa over one night, they play a game with Kim’s younger sister. They pick a random name out of the phone book and prank whoever answers. However, they jokingly tell one man “I saw what you did, and I know who you are” after he’s murdered someone. The killer now searches for the mysterious callers.
The critics didn’t care for this TV-movie back in 1988, but this remake of the 1965 film is in some ways a better-made thriller. Its tone is more severe, and the stakes feel higher. Fred Walton’s experience with measured suspense (When a Stranger Calls) is acutely why this remake is better than it should be.
Silent Night (2012)
Hiding in plain sight, a serial killer dressed as Santa Claus goes on a killing spree in a small community at Christmastime. His main opponent is then a deputy dealing with her own personal trauma.
Designed as a remake of the classic Christmas slasherSilent Night, Deadly Night, this movie is strong enough to exist on its own merits. In no way does it deserve to be on the “naughty” list. The film is an absolute gore fest with a nasty mean streak. It’s not often a remake gives its predecessor a run for their money.
Carnival of Souls (1998)
Alex can’t escape her troubled past. As a child, she witnessed her mother being murdered by a carnival clown. Now, he’s been released from prison, and he shows up unannounced. The two get involved in a car crash that Alex survives. However, something’s off. Life has been different for Alex since the accident, and she can’t explain why.
The original Carnival of Souls is responsible for that one horror movie twist we all know and at this point, we’re tired of it. This plastic-y ’90s reimagining starts off dissimilar, but it ends the way you’d expect a remake of Carnival of Souls to end.
