Top 9 Movie Remakes That Changed Just One Thing and Made Everything Better
Discover the top 9 movie remakes that took a bold approach by changing just one key element, resulting in an overall improvement. These remakes offer a fresh perspective on familiar narratives and represent an innovative take on well-known stories.
West Side Story 2021 Vs 1961
Casted Latinx actors to play Puerto Rican characters.
Ansel Elgort as Tony & Rachel Zegler as María looking at each other in West Side Story (2021)
The sweeping decision to cast all the Latinx characters in the remake with Latinx actors addressed the white-washed casting of the 1961 classic, representing Puerto Rican stories and communities much more authentically. This change undoubtedly improved the remake's authenticity and received widespread acclaim.
Rachel Zegler as Maria at the dance in West Side Story
The Great Gatsby 2013 Vs 1974
Baz Luhrmann's over-the-top cinematic style.
Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) surrounded by flowers and cakes in The Great Gatsby
While every remake of The Great Gatsby has its merits, it was the over-the-top cinematic style of director Baz Luhrmann in the 2013 version that truly captured the ostentatious and decadent excesses of the Jazz Age, setting the tone for one of the best movie remakes of the 2010s.
Danny (George Clooney), Rusty (Brad Pitt), Linus (Matt Damon), Terry (Andy Garcia), and Tess (Julia Roberts) in a poster for Ocean's Eleven
Ocean’s Eleven 2001 Vs 1960
Danny Ocean recruited not just former World War II paratroopers.
In the remake, Danny Ocean's expansion of the cast to include an eclectic mix of characters set the tone for subsequent heist movies in the 21st century. This seemingly simple change practically redefined the heist movie genre and influenced future films.
True Grit 2010 Vs 1969
Overall more faithful to the original novel.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) aiming his revolver in True Grit
The Coen brothers' 2010 remake surpassed the original by being more faithful to the source material, telling the story from a different perspective and ending in the same way as the book. This change revitalized the Western genre in the 2010s and received high praise for its authenticity.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld) by a horse in True Grit
Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1976 Vs 1956
Infused the narrative with timeless '70s body horror.
A dog with the face of a man in Invasion of the Body Snatchers
The 1978 remake's addition of strong elements of body horror made it the best Invasion of the Body Snatchers movie, solidifying its place in the body horror subgenre and captivating audiences with its visceral horror elements.
The Magnificent Seven (1960) Vs Seven Samurai (1954)
Shifted the genre and practically redefined Westerns.
Cast of The Magnificent Seven (1960) holding guns.
By changing the genre of the original, The Magnificent Seven redefined Westerns and influenced the heist subgenre of crime films. This shift set the stage for a wide range of movies borrowing from Kurosawa's work, leaving a lasting impact on the film industry.
Cruel Intentions (1999) Vs Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Changed the setting and created an iconic romantic teen drama.
Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Annette (Reese Witherspoon) in Cruel Intentions
Cruel Intentions' bold change of setting from the 1700s to the present day transformed the convoluted period drama into a universally popular romantic teen drama, making it an iconic adaptation with a modern twist.
Emma (2020) Vs Clueless (1995)
Changed the setting back to Jane Austen's time period.
Emma (Anya Taylor-Joy) staring up at a statue in Emma.
By changing the setting back to the original time period, Emma reintroduced the iconic tale to younger audiences, riding the coattails of the resurgence of period dramas in the 2020s and captivating a new generation of viewers.
George (Johnny Flynn) moving behind Emma (Anya Taylor-Joy) in Emma
Anna and the King (1999) Vs The King and I (1956)
Shifted the genre from musical to biographical drama.
Anna (Jodie Foster) and King Mongkut (Chow Yun-Fat) in a cropped image of a poster for Anna and the King
By refocusing the story as a straightforward biographical drama, Anna and the King made everything better for audiences who prefer dramas over musicals, standing out on its own and offering a fresh perspective on the original story.
