5 Movie Reboots That Were Better Than The Original, And 5 That Weren't

Surpassed the original: The Fly (1986)

A remake of the 1958 film, David Cronenberg's The Fly swatted the original out of the park. Cronenberg, who's no stranger to body horror, took the campy premise of a man-turned-insect and transformed it into a gruesome, yet heartrending love story. The reboot features Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, with Goldblum's charismatic scientist turning into a fly-human hybrid after a scientific experiment goes wrong. The film grossed over $60 million and earned a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Goldblum's performance was so compelling that it'd make you sympathize with a man-vomit-inducing insect. But then again, we all know just how brilliant of an actor he is.

Couldn't top the original: The Haunting (1999)

A supernatural horror flick that'd make even a ghost yawn, The Haunting's 1999 reboot failed to live up to the spooky charm of the 1963 original. Despite an all-star cast that included Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Owen Wilson, the film lacked the creeping dread that made the original a classic. Instead, it offered over-the-top CGI effects and a plot twist that was as transparent as the spectral residents of Hill House. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a measly 17% rating, confirming that the real horror was watching the reboot disappoint fans of the original.

Surpassed the original: The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter's The Thing might have initially left audiences cold, but it has since become a sci-fi horror classic. The 1982 film, a reboot of the 1951 film The Thing from Another World, plunges viewers into the icy depths of paranoia as a shape-shifting alien terrorizes a remote Antarctic research station. With an ensemble cast led by Kurt Russell, the film is a masterclass in suspense and practical effects. What's even more impressing, the film's groundbreaking special effects were the handiwork of a then-22-year-old Rob Bottin.

Couldn't top the original: Planet of the Apes (2001)

You'd think a sci-fi movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Mark Wahlberg would be a smash hit, right? Well, that wasn't the case for the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes. Instead of capturing the imaginative wonder of the 1968 original, the reboot felt like a monkey's tea party gone wrong. The film garnered a lukewarm reception, and despite making a respectable $362 million at the box office, it holds a disappointing 44% on Rotten Tomatoes. Helena Bonham Carter spent four hours a day in makeup to transform into her simian character, but even all the star power Burton could bring in didn't help the movie, sadly.

Surpassed the original: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

The 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, directed by Philip Kaufman, snatched victory from the jaws of its 1956 predecessor. The film, featuring Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonard Nimoy, tells the chilling tale of an alien invasion where humans are replaced by emotionless duplicates. The remake brought a grittier, more cynical edge to the original's Cold War paranoia. While the film only grossed $24.9 million, its climactic reveal has become one of the most iconic images in sci-fi horror.

Couldn't top the original: The Wicker Man (2006)

The 2006 remake of The Wicker Man, starring Nicolas Cage, was less of a slow-burning horror and more of an unintentional comedy. Gone was the chilling atmosphere of the 1973 original, replaced with Cage's increasingly unhinged performance as a policeman investigating a girl's disappearance on a pagan island. The reboot was a critical and commercial disaster, scoring a lowly 15% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing a mere $38.8 million worldwide. The film has since gained a cult following, but for all the wrong reasons – mainly due to the now-infamous "Not the bees!" scene.

Surpassed the original: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

"Feed me, Seymour!" Who knew a musical about a man-eating plant could be so much fun? Frank Oz's 1986 film Little Shop of Horrors, a remake of the 1960 film, is a toe-tapping, horror-comedy feast. With Rick Moranis as a nerdy florist and a scene-stealing plant voiced by Levi Stubbs, the film was both a box office and critical success. The man-eating plant Audrey II, one of the most memorable characters, took a team of puppeteers to operate.

Couldn't top the original: Psycho (1998)

A shot-for-shot remake of Alfred Hitchcock's iconic thriller? Yes, Gus Van Sant gave it a whirl in 1998, and let's just say it didn't work out too well. Despite Vince Vaughn's best efforts as Norman Bates and a capable supporting cast, the film felt like a pale imitation of its predecessor, missing the masterful suspense that made the original a masterpiece. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 41%, which, to be honest, seems a tad generous. As if we needed another reminder that some classics are better left untouched.

Surpassed the original: Cape Fear (1991)

When you think of Martin Scorsese, a remake of a 1962 thriller might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But Cape Fear, with its stellar cast, including Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte, and a score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassed the original in both suspense and storytelling. De Niro, as the terrifying ex-con Max Cady, gave one of his most hair-raising performances, and his character's eerie theme song became synonymous with impending doom.

Couldn't top the original: Clash of the Titans (2010)

If there were an award for "Most Underwhelming CGI", the 2010 remake of Clash of the Titans would win it, hands down. Sam Worthington stars as Perseus, who embarks on a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus and unleash hell on earth. While the original 1981 film was by no means a masterpiece, it had a certain charm that the CGI-laden reboot sorely lacked. Despite grossing $493 million, the reboot garnered a paltry 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's probably best to leave this one in the Kraken's clutches.