# Top Ten Best Film Remakes Of All Time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 6, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436 "2003-12-06T21:31:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/21 "2003-12-07T19:58:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*What are people’s opinions on what the top ten greatest film remakes of all time are? > > Here’s my list (assembled in no particular order): > > 1. Frankenstein, 1931, (first film 1910) > 2. Wizard of Oz, 1939, (first film 1910) > 3. Ben Hur, 1959, (first film 1907) > 4. Ten Commandments, 1956 (first film 1923) > 5. Lord of the Rings, 2001-2003 (first film 1978) > 6. Hound of the Baskervilles (w/Basil Rathbone), 1939, (1st-1920) > 7. Dracula, 1931, (1st 1922) > 8. Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, 1948, (first film 1907) > 9. Robin Hood (w/ Douglas Fairbanks), 1922, (first film 1912) > 10. Little Shop of Horrors 1988 (first film 1960)\*\* Most of those aren’t really “remakes” as such, they are books that have been filmed several times. Its only a “remake” if the original version was a film. > [@](#): > > \*\*Any other GREAT film remakes that you think should be on the list? > > All suggestions welcome.\*\* [The Poseidon Adventure](http://www.snopes.com/lost/info/poseidon.htm). I’ve heard the original was pretty awful, but I’ve never seen it. :dubious: The Magnificent Seven, remake of Seven Samurai ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/22 "2003-12-07T20:27:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anal Scurvy \* > \*\*Cape Fear. \*\* I’m not an old fart who doesn’t like remakes, and Scorsese is a god among men, but I’ve never had a desire to see the remake, not even starring Robert DeNiro and Nick Nolte. Great director, great actors, great story, but… Gregory Peck. Robert Mitchum. Just those 4 words on the page make me shiver with thrill. I could never bring myself to want to see other actors playing those parts. Maybe someday. ---
**Author:** ![myles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@myles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myles)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/23 "2003-12-07T22:15:11Z")
If it can’t be a remake if it was based on a book, then, the most recent Psycho movie is not a remake (based on a book) the most recent Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is not a remake (based on real life, that was probably written about in newspapers, and probably a book or two). ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/24 "2003-12-07T22:22:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by peter morris \* > \*\*[The Poseidon Adventure](http://www.snopes.com/lost/info/poseidon.htm). I’ve heard the original was pretty awful, but I’ve never seen it. :dubious: \*\* I’m sure I’m being whooshed here, but you do realize that there was no 1911 Poseidon Adventure? That’s a joke snopes was playing on you. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/25 "2003-12-07T22:44:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by myles \* > \*\*If it can’t be a remake if it was based on a book, > > then, the most recent Psycho movie is not a remake (based on a book) > > the most recent Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is not a remake (based on real life, that was probably written about in newspapers, and probably a book or two). \*\* The 1998 _Psycho_ credits both Robert Bloch’s book and Joseph Stefano’s screenplay for the 1960 film. Therefore, it is a remake. _The Texas Chainsaw Massacre_ (1974) is a fictional film with fictional characters, whether or not it was “inspired” by any real life story (e.g., Ed Gein). The 2003 film credits the 1974 writers, and hence it is a remake. ---
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/26 "2003-12-08T00:26:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blackdragon \* > \*\*Get Carter (2000) - original 1971 \*\* Please tell me I’ve just been whooshed ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/27 "2003-12-08T02:00:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lisa-go-Blind \* > \*\*I’m sure I’m being whooshed here, but you do realize that > Yes, I did know that, hence the dubious smiley, but its so good I had to pass it on. > \*\* ---
**Author:** ![TWOTfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@TWOTfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWOTfan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/28 "2003-12-08T03:02:21Z")
**No way the 1978 version of “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers” was better than the 1956 version!! But the remakes of “The Thing” and “The Fly”** were definitely better. “You got to be fucking kidding!” – from the remake of “The Thing” as the ‘head spider’ runs through the room. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Babbington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Mr.Babbington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Babbington)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/29 "2003-12-09T02:51:59Z")
The Getaway with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, with a bit part played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Remake of The Getaway in 1972, I think, with Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. Hell of a good movie. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/30 "2003-12-09T07:17:40Z")
I say it can so be a remake movie even if it was once a book. I would venture to guess that most movies are based on something, be it book, short story, real life or Disney ride. And with that in mind, I nominate **Of Mice and Men** , from the early to mid-1990s, with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. The original was from the late 1930’s with Burgess Meredith and … was it Lon Chaney? I think it was… anyway, the original was excellent, but I think the more recent version was every bit as good if not better. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/31 "2003-12-09T08:32:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LifeOnWry \* > \*\*I would venture to guess that most movies are based on something \*\* Bulworth, Life Is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare in Love, The Truman Show, American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, Magnolia, The Sixth Sense, Topsy-Turvy, Almost Famous, Billy Elliot, Erin Brockovich, Gladiator, You Can Count on Me, Amélie, Gosford Park, Memento, Monster’s Ball, The Royal Tenenbaums, Far from Heaven, Gangs of New York, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Talk to Her, Y Tu Mamá También, The Last Samurai, The Station Agent, 21 Grams, Lost in Translation, In America, Something’s Gotta Give, Pieces of April, Finding Nemo, Bend It Like Beckham. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/32 "2003-12-09T08:59:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\*Bulworth, Life Is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, Shakespeare in Love, The Truman Show, American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, Magnolia, The Sixth Sense, Topsy-Turvy, Almost Famous, Billy Elliot, Erin Brockovich, Gladiator, You Can Count on Me, Amélie, Gosford Park, Memento, Monster’s Ball, The Royal Tenenbaums, Far from Heaven, Gangs of New York, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Talk to Her, Y Tu Mamá También, The Last Samurai, The Station Agent, 21 Grams, Lost in Translation, In America, Something’s Gotta Give, Pieces of April, Finding Nemo, Bend It Like Beckham. \*\* You know, that’s not most movies. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/33 "2003-12-09T13:54:31Z")
A slightly related topic is: What movies are so well made that there is no point in _ever_ remaking them? The 1972 _Three Musketeers_ comes to mind…why on earth would they make a Gen X remake. ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/34 "2003-12-09T14:09:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LifeOnWry \* > \*\*I say it can so be a remake movie even if it was once a book. \*\* I think you miss the point. Two movies based on the same primary source can be quite different. The second movie based on the same source should not automatically be considered a remake of the first. I think this becomes even more true for a classic work that has generated books, plays, radio programs, tv shows and other movies prior to the “remake”. I would say that Hamlet, for example, should be ruled out unless the new production used the same screenplay as a previous version. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/35 "2003-12-10T05:17:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BrotherCadfael \* > \*\*A slightly related topic is: What movies are so well made that there is no point in _ever_ remaking them? The 1972 _Three Musketeers_ comes to mind…why on earth would they make a Gen X remake. \*\* That’s a horrible topic. Just because you see a movie as an ideal doesn’t mean someone can’t make it better than you had thought possible. It would be the death of art. ---
**Author:** ![lembranca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/838e76/32.png) [@lembranca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lembranca)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/36 "2003-12-10T21:21:31Z")
I liked Sergio Leone’s adaptation of Yojimbo. Dunno if i can say the same thing of The Magnificent Seven. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2003, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436/37 "2003-12-11T02:27:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*not _all_ talkies suck . . . I’m sure any day now they’ll get the hang of making them. \*\* Now, now, **Eve** , they’re showing a brilliant talkie done at the Odion, one of those ones made by Case-Sponable. It’s called “Man With A Duck”… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-best-film-remakes-of-all-time/217436.md?page=1)