Although Halloween is over, it’s never a bad time to watch scary movies. I’ve compiled a list of the best horror remakes that I have seen. Many may feel that Hollywood’s try-hard remakes are not better than the original, but these are worth the watch.
“Psycho” (1998) – Staring off with what is probably my favorite on this list because of the odd casting. Anyone who has seen the original may be skeptical of a shot-for-shot remake of an iconic Hitchcock film, what makes it worthwhile is that Vince Vaughn plays Norman Bates in this version, which makes it feel more like an SNL skit than a horror movie, because he is always hilarious. He is so money!
“Mirrors” (2008) – This movie traumatized me as a kid; back then I could not get past the first ten minutes and was afraid to look in a mirror for weeks, and I have been fascinated by this film ever since. Now, I love this movie because it has that perfect early-2000’s “bad” movie vibe, an interesting plot, and memorable scenes of gore. Kiefer Sutherland stars as a suspended cop who takes a job as a security guard at a department store, and he and his family become the target of an evil force trying to reach them through the mirrors.
“When a Stranger Calls” (2008) – A babysitter is threatened by a series of phone calls asking if she has checked on the sleeping children in this remake of the 1979 original. It starts off slow, but the action at the end had me on the edge of my seat and makes this remake a great watch.
“The Ring” (2002) – I’m going to be honest… this movie is only on this list because Adam Brody makes an appearance in it. This chilling remake of the Japanese film Ring will make you afraid to sleep with the television on for weeks. The cursed tape from this film is terrifying, and the ending will stick with you.
“The Grudge” (2004) – I was so afraid of this movie as a kid that I was afraid to even walk past the DVD at the store. Though this film has many creepy images and sound effects, it is not the scariest movie on this list, but it has its moments.
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” (2010) – Another film I watched as a kid that had at least one traumatizing scene. I watched the remake because it stars Bailee Madison, who inspired me to be an actress when I saw her performance in “Bridge to Terabithia” in 2007. This movie is intriguing because it is about a girl who discovers creatures in her new home that want to claim her as their own; the 1973 version tells the story from a wife’s point of view, while this one is about a little girl, which makes it more scary.
“The Omen” (2006) – Julia Stiles and Liev Schreiber play the parents of a boy who may be possessed by the devil in this remake. It had a great ending and suspenseful moments which made up for its slow runtime.
“House of Wax” (2005) – This remake of the original has a mini “Gilmore Girls” reunion within it as Chad Michael Murray and Jared Padalecki play teens stranded near a wax museum who fight to survive or else they become part of the next exhibit. It is so gross, and I think about one scene in particular every time I get my eyebrows waxed. The original is from 1953, but the remake appeals to today’s audience because of Chad and Jared.
Fright Night (2011) – The late Anton Yelchin stars in this remake about a teen boy who thinks his neighbor is a vampire. It is a fun horror movie with a great cast. It respects the original material but is still its own movie, which I like. It is a perfect blend of comedy and horror, and an overall fun watch.