10 Movie Remakes That Were Just Worse Versions of the Original

1. Psycho (1998)

Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic Psycho is a masterpiece, a cornerstone of psychological horror. So when Gus Van Sant decided to do a shot-for-shot remake of it in 1998, one has to wonder – just. Why? Starring Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates and Anne Heche in the role of Marion Crane, this remake brought nothing new to the table. The film was critically panned, holding a dismal 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was called pointless by critics.

2. The Wicker Man (2006)

Nicolas Cage yelling at women and punching them while wearing a bear suit is a cinematic moment that will live in infamy, all thanks to the 2006 remake of The Wicker Man. The original 1973 British horror film was lauded for its eerie atmosphere and chilling climax. The remake, however, opted for over-the-top performances and a muddled plot that strayed from the original's essence. The film scored a disastrous 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics suggesting the real horror was having to watch it.

3. Planet of the Apes (2001)

Tim Burton's reimagining of Planet of the Apes in 2001 is another case of a remake gone awry. Despite a star-studded cast including Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter, this version failed to live up to the original's social commentary and gripping storytelling. The convoluted plot and strange, open-ended conclusion left audiences scratching their heads. Grossing $362 million worldwide, it was successful at the box office but lacked the emotional impact and depth of the 1968 original.

4. The Haunting (1999)

The Haunting is a classic example of how not to do a horror movie remake. The 1963 original was praised for its chilling atmosphere and subtle horror. In contrast, the 1999 version was a CGI fest that relied heavily on jump scares and special effects rather than the psychological terror that made the original a classic. Despite its $80 million budget and a cast including Liam Neeson and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the film was critically panned, holding a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 16%.

5. Swept Away (2002)

Guy Ritchie's Swept Away is the very epitome of a disastrous remake. The film, starring Ritchie's then-wife Madonna, was an attempt to recreate the 1974 Italian film of the same name. Unfortunately, the remake failed to capture the satire and romantic tension of the original. Critically eviscerated, it holds an abysmal 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and got five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture. It grossed a meager $598,645 at the box office, barely making a dent in its $10 million budget.

6. The Invasion (2007)

The Invasion is the fourth (!) remake of the 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The film, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, tried to inject a modern take on the sci-fi paranoia of the original, with a narrative surrounding a spreading alien virus that suppresses human emotion.

However, the plotline ended up as a diluted version of the original's eerie suspense and chilling metaphor for McCarthy-era conformity. Critics weren't too thrilled, and the film garnered a disappointing 19% on Rotten Tomatoes. A convoluted plot, the lack of tension, and an underwhelming climax led this invasion to a quick surrender.

7. Total Recall (2012)

Here we have a remake that was just...unnecessary. The 2012 version of Total Recall, a classic 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger flick, starred Colin Farrell in an attempt to bring the sci-fi thriller into the 21st century. Despite a much larger budget and improved visual effects, the film lacked the original's imaginative plot and tongue-in-cheek humor.

While the 1990 version was a fun ride about memory implants, Mars, and mutants, the 2012 remake was a generic action film with a forgettable plot and zero trips to Mars. It grossed $198.5 million worldwide, far below expectations considering its hefty $125 million budget.

8. The Stepford Wives (2004)

Based on the 1972 novel of the same name, the original The Stepford Wives (1975) was a chilling horror thriller, a critique of the then-growing suburban lifestyle and male fantasies. The 2004 remake, directed by Frank Oz and starring Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, and Bette Midler, among others, decided to take a comedic route.

However, it fell flat in delivering the satire of its predecessor. Filled with plot holes and abandoning the horror elements that made the original compelling, the remake was not received warmly by critics, holding a 26% Rotten Tomatoes score.

9. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

The 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still is an iconic film with its narrative of an alien visitor delivering a warning to Earth. The 2008 remake, starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly, tried to update this premise with a modern environmental twist.

Despite the bigger budget, special effects, and a solid cast, the remake lacked the original's tension, thought-provoking narrative, and emotional resonance. Instead, viewers were served a clichéd plot with bland performances. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of only 21%, the remake certainly did not make the earth stand still.

10. Death Race (2008)

Death Race is a remake of the 1975 film Death Race 2000. While the original was a satirical black comedy that commented on society's fascination with violence, the remake took a completely different route. Starring Jason Statham, the 2008 version became a generic action flick with a focus on brutal car chases and violent death scenes, completely devoid of the original's satirical edge.

It earned a lackluster 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting that the film was filled with uninteresting characters and lacked the wit and subversive nature of the original.