US Remakes of Foreign Classics That Are Surprisingly Not Cringey
Sometimes it's painful to see American adaptations of foreign films, but sometimes a remake can even outshine its predecessor.
Hollywood's been all up in foreign cinema's business lately, remaking films left and right.
Some haters might say it's all about making bank instead of being original, but others think these remakes can bring new life and new audiences to classic stories.
So let's take a look at some of the best American remakes of foreign films that are as good as the originals and sometimes even better.
5. Vanilla Sky
A 2001 mind-bending thriller film directed by Cameron Crowe is an American adaptation of Alejandro Amenábar's 1997 Spanish masterpiece Abre Los Ojos.
While some critics deem the original Spanish film superior, Vanilla Sky is still regarded by many as an adaptation that has its own merit.
The movie's cutting-edge visuals, intricate plot, and outstanding performances have earned it positive reviews.
4. The Insomnia
The Insomnia directed by Christopher Nolan is actually a remake of the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg.
The films share some similarities but have key differences in storyline, characterizations, motivations, and ending.
Even though some viewers think the original film is better, ultimately, both versions are separate works with their own strengths and weaknesses.
3. Some Like It Hot
Some Like It Hot is a classic comedy movie from the late 50s that stars big names like Marilyn Monroe.
It's considered one of the greatest comedies ever made and is known for breaking new ground with its treatment of gender and sexuality.
Sure, it is based on the French flick Fanfare d'amour, but it's really its own thing and stands out on its own.
2. The Birdcage
Did you know that this hilarious 1996 comedy is actually a redo of a classic French-Italian movie from 1978 called La Cage aux Folles that was directed by Édouard Molinaro?
That French movie was the bomb back in the day in France and was praised like crazy, but The Birdcage got its own praise too and is now a total favorite among comedy fans.
The good thing about it is that it managed to take the original story and make it fit perfectly into an American setting without losing the original feel and vibe.
1. CODA
The awesome movie that rocked Sundance and received a bunch of Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, is actually a redo of a French film called La Famille Bélier from 2014.
But, unlike other remakes such as West Side Story, Dune, and Nightmare Alley, which got a lot of flak for being rehashed, Coda managed to avoid that mess because the original French flick never even hit US screens.