Reboot Rumble: The Most Criticized Movie and TV Show Reboots
Reboots have always been a hot topic in the world of entertainment, and some of the most beloved creators and stars have not shied away from expressing their opinions about the new versions. Here's a look at some of the most criticized movie and TV show reboots of all time.
The Wicker Man (2006)
The 2006 reboot of the classic horror film The Wicker Man, starring Nicolas Cage and Ellen Burstyn, received poor critical reception with a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Director Robin Hardy and star Christopher Lee openly criticized the new version, with Lee expressing his disbelief in remaking a movie with such a rich history and success.
Fiery effigy in The Wicker Man
A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)
The 2010 reboot of the '80s slasher A Nightmare on Elm Street was heavily criticized, scoring a dismal 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. Robert Englund, who played Freddy Krueger in the original, provided constructive criticism, highlighting the lack of emotional investment in the new version's characters.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2010 Freddy Krueger in the boiler room
Dawn Of The Dead (2004)
Zack Snyder's reboot of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead, although praised for its initial 15-20 minutes, was ultimately compared to a video game by Romero. He felt the film lost its purpose and reason for being, a sentiment shared openly in an interview with Time Out.
Zombies crawl on the poster for Dawn of the Dead
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005)
Tim Burton's reboot of the classic children's musical received mixed reviews. Gene Wilder, the original Willy Wonka, expressed his dissatisfaction with the 2005 version, labeling it an 'insult' to the original movie in an interview with The 92nd Street Y.
Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The Mummy (2017)
The 2017 Mummy movie, despite featuring Tom Cruise, was heavily criticized and panned by audiences and critics alike. Brendan Fraser, who led the beloved Mummy movies, openly criticized the reboot, pointing out the absence of fun, a key ingredient in the original series.
Imhotep from The Mummy (1999) and Ahmanet from The Mummy (2017).
True Detective: Night Country (2024)
The fourth season of True Detective, re-branded as True Detective: Night Country, faced criticism from the original show creator Nic Pizzolatto. The new series received mixed reviews, and Pizzolatto engaged with comments, expressing his opinions on the show.
Jodi Foster as Danvers, Matthew McConaughey as Rust, and Kali Reis as Navarro in True Detective
Halloween (2007)
John Carpenter, the mastermind behind the original Halloween, openly criticized Rob Zombie's remake, using strong language to express his disapproval of the new version in an interview with The Guardian.
Danny Trejo, Tyler Mane and Lew Temple in Halloween (2007).
The Hannibal Franchise
Brian Cox, the first actor to portray Hannibal Lecter on screen, compared his performance to Anthony Hopkins' portrayal. He noted the differences in their performances, suggesting that overstating the character devalues its essence.
Anthony Hopkins in the shadows on the poster for Hannibal
Suspiria (2018)
The 2018 reboot of the iconic horror film Suspiria received mixed reviews, and Dario Argento, the director of the original, openly expressed his disappointment, feeling that the new version betrayed the spirit of the original film.
Suzy (Jessica Harper) and the girls in beds in circles surrounded by red curtains in Suspiria.
