Reboots and remakes as good as the originals: 9 films that earned their place
Nine remakes and reboots as good as the originals, from The Thing, Scarface and The Fly to Ocean's Eleven, Batman Begins, Casino Royale, The Departed, Star Trek and A Star Is Born.
Most remakes disappoint, but some stand beside the original. This list gathers nine remakes and reboots that many critics and fans love as much, in release order, with posters and what each one remakes.
For each film we explain what it changes from the original, why it works on its own and what to watch for. Some of these new versions became so famous that many viewers do not even know they are remakes.
Why most remakes fail, and how these succeeded
A remake retells a story audiences already know, so it always faces a comparison. Many remakes copy the original scene by scene or simply update the effects, and end up feeling unnecessary.
The films on this list did something different. Some went back to the source book, like The Thing and Casino Royale. Others moved the story to another time and place, like Scarface and The Departed. Others used a new director's personal vision to turn a B movie into something deeper, like The Fly.
Reboots face a different challenge: restarting a franchise that fans already love or that had worn out. Batman Begins and Star Trek showed it is possible to start over while respecting what came before.
How we chose
We chose remakes and reboots that are widely seen as equal to or better than the original, by critical reception and influence. Opinions differ, so this is not a numbered ranking.
We included both remakes of a single film and reboots of whole franchises, from horror to crime, spy films and musical drama. In each case we note which film or series it remakes, so you can watch the original too if you are curious.
The Thing (1982)
Remake of The Thing from Another World (1951).
Why it earned its place: John Carpenter's The Thing follows a team at a research station in Antarctica, led in practice by the pilot MacReady, played by Kurt Russell, who discovers an alien that can imitate any living being. Nobody knows who is still human.
Instead of copying the 1951 film, Carpenter went back to the novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell and its paranoia. Watch Rob Bottin's practical effects, still impressive today, and the blood test scene, one of the most tense in horror.
It failed at the box office on release, two weeks after E.T., and became a cult classic over the years. Ideal for horror and science fiction fans, but it is very gory.
Scarface (1983)
Remake of Scarface (1932).
Why it earned its place: Brian De Palma's Scarface, written by Oliver Stone, moves the story of the 1932 gangster film to Miami in the 1980s. Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, is a Cuban refugee who rises to the top of the cocaine trade.
The original was about bootlegging in Chicago during Prohibition, and the remake turns it into a story about excess and the dark side of the American dream. Watch Pacino's explosive performance and the famous final shootout.
It was criticized for its violence on release, but became a huge influence on pop culture, especially hip hop. Ideal for adults who like gangster stories, as it is long and very violent.
The Fly (1986)
Remake of The Fly (1958).
Why it earned its place: David Cronenberg's The Fly follows the scientist Seth Brundle, played by Jeff Goldblum, who tests his teleportation machine on himself without noticing a fly inside. Slowly, his body starts to fuse with the insect's.
Unlike the 1958 film, where the transformation is instant, here it happens gradually, and the film becomes a tragic love story with Geena Davis. Many critics read it as a metaphor for illness and aging.
It won the Oscar for Best Makeup. Ideal for those who like body horror and emotional science fiction, but it is disgusting at times.
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Remake of Ocean's 11 (1960).
Why it earned its place: Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven follows Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney, who gathers a team of specialists to rob the vault that holds the money of three Las Vegas casinos, owned by the man now dating his ex-wife.
The 1960 original starred Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack and was more of a showcase for its stars. The remake is a precise, elegant heist with a stellar cast, including Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts. Watch the final scene at the Bellagio fountains.
It was a big hit and led to two sequels. Ideal for a light night, for those who like clever plans and charismatic characters.
Batman Begins (2005)
Reboot of Batman (1989).
Why it earned its place: Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins tells the origin of Batman, played by Christian Bale: the death of his parents, his training with a mysterious League of Shadows and his return to Gotham to fight crime and corruption.
After the failure of Batman & Robin in 1997, the series was restarted with a more realistic and serious approach. Watch how the film explains where every gadget comes from and the villain Scarecrow, played by Cillian Murphy.
It began the Dark Knight trilogy and helped popularize the word reboot. Ideal for those who want to see Batman from the beginning, before The Dark Knight.
Casino Royale (2006)
Reboot of James Bond (1962).
Why it earned its place: Martin Campbell's Casino Royale introduces Daniel Craig as James Bond and adapts the first novel by Ian Fleming, from 1953. Bond has just earned his license to kill and must beat a banker for terrorists, Le Chiffre, at a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro.
The film restarted the series with a rougher, more vulnerable Bond. Watch the opening chase on a construction site in Madagascar and Bond's relationship with Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green, which shapes the next films.
It is often ranked among the best Bond films. Ideal for those who like action with drama, and a good starting point for anyone who has never seen a Bond film.
The Departed (2006)
Remake of Infernal Affairs (2002).
Why it earned its place: Martin Scorsese's The Departed is set in Boston, where a criminal planted in the police, played by Matt Damon, and an undercover cop in the mob, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, each try to find the other first. Jack Nicholson plays the mob boss Frank Costello.
It remakes the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, moving the story into Boston's Irish underworld. Watch how the tension grows as both men get closer to being found out.
It won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Scorsese's first Oscar for Best Director. Ideal for crime fans, and it is worth watching Infernal Affairs afterwards to compare.
Star Trek (2009)
Reboot of Star Trek (1966).
Why it earned its place: J. J. Abrams' Star Trek shows the young James T. Kirk, played by Chris Pine, and Spock, played by Zachary Quinto, from their first clashes at Starfleet Academy to their first mission together on the Enterprise.
The script uses time travel to create an alternate timeline, which allows a fresh start without erasing the original series. Leonard Nimoy returns as the older Spock, connecting the two generations.
It was the first Star Trek film to win an Oscar, for Best Makeup. Ideal for newcomers to the franchise and for fans who want fast, accessible space adventure.
A Star Is Born (2018)
Remake of A Star Is Born (1937).
Why it earned its place: A Star Is Born, directed by Bradley Cooper, follows a famous rock singer in decline, played by Cooper, who discovers the talent of Ally, played by Lady Gaga, and helps her become a star while his own career collapses.
It is the fourth version of the story, after the films of 1937, 1954 with Judy Garland and 1976 with Barbra Streisand. Watch the first performance of Shallow, and the concert scenes filmed at real festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury.
Shallow won the Oscar for Best Original Song, and the film had eight nominations. Ideal for those who like music dramas, but it deals with addiction and is sad.
Where to start
Pick by the genre you like:
- Horror and science fiction: The Thing or The Fly.
- Crime: The Departed or Scarface.
- Light fun: Ocean's Eleven.
- Restarted franchises: Batman Begins, Casino Royale or Star Trek.
If you only watch one, choose The Departed: it won Best Picture and shows how a remake can stand on its own. Then watch Infernal Affairs and decide which you prefer.
For a double feature, pair one of these remakes with its original. Seeing The Fly of 1958 and of 1986 back to back, for example, shows how much a new director can change the same idea.
Frequently asked questions
Which remakes are as good as the original?
Often cited are The Thing (1982), The Fly (1986), Scarface (1983), The Departed and Ocean's Eleven (2001).
What is the difference between a remake and a reboot?
A remake retells a specific earlier film, while a reboot restarts a whole franchise or character with a fresh continuity.
Is The Departed a remake?
Yes. It remakes the Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs (2002) and won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Why are there so many remakes?
Studios like stories with a known title, which are easier to sell. The best remakes, though, bring a new vision, a new setting or a return to the source book.
Is Batman Begins connected to the earlier Batman films?
No. It is a reboot that starts the story from scratch and ignores the four films released between 1989 and 1997.
Rate these movies
Which one is your favorite? On Rankiew you can rate every film, write reviews and build your own lists.
Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.
