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Do you prefer the originals or the remakes?
Movies have the power to transport us — to other worlds, eras, and emotional states.
They ignite imagination, stir deep feelings, and create cultural touchstones that shape generations.
Yet in recent years, there’s been a noticeable trend: a surge in remakes, reboots, and reimaginings.
While some retellings breathe new life into beloved classics, many feel more like calculated efforts to cash in on nostalgia.
The new generations might miss out
Whether it’s convencience, lack of creativity or something else, it’s safe to say that it might come as a chock to those born between the late 1990’s to early 2010’s – commonly referred to as Gen Z.
Here are seven examples from the last decades of movies that are actually remakes of older ones!
West Side Story (2021)
- Original: West Side Story (1961), which itself was based on the 1957 stage musical.
- Director (Remake): Steven Spielberg
- Notable: This version aimed to bring more cultural authenticity and updated storytelling while preserving the musical’s iconic elements.
Dune (2021)
- Original: Dune (1984) by David Lynch, based on Frank Herbert’s novel.
- Director (Remake): Denis Villeneuve
- Notable: More faithful adaptation in terms of tone, world-building, and scope, with modern effects.
A Star is Born (2018)
- Originals: There are three previous versions — 1937, 1954, and 1976.
- Director (Remake): Bradley Cooper (also co-starred with Lady Gaga)
- Notable: Received critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations.
Ben-Hur (2016)
- Original: Ben-Hur (1959), itself based on the 1925 silent version and the 1880 novel by Lew Wallace.
- Director (Remake): Timur Bekmambetov
- Notable: Updated visual effects and pacing, but it struggled to match the impact of its legendary predecessor.
Pet Sematary (2019)
- Original: Pet Sematary (1989), based on Stephen King’s novel.
- Director (Remake): Kevin Kölsch & Dennis Widmyer
- Notable: This version changes key plot points and leans harder into psychological horror.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
- Originals: 1930 (Oscar-winning) and 1979 (TV film), based on Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel.
- Director (2022): Edward Berger
- Notable: A German-language Netflix production with a grittier, more visceral approach than its predecessors. It won multiple Oscars, including Best International Feature Film.
Tomb Raider (2018)
- Originals: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and its 2003 sequel, starring Angelina Jolie.
- Director (Remake): Roar Uthaug
- Notable: Starring Alicia Vikander, this reboot draws inspiration from the 2013 video game reboot rather than the early 2000s films, aiming for a more grounded and realistic tone.
