If we look at the movie industry, it’s apparent that remakes are here to stay, whether you like them or not! While some remakes fail terribly, we cannot deny that some succeed in preserving the original film’s authenticity and genius.
Horror, in example, is such a popular genre that some of the old masterpieces are available for purchase. Perhaps now is the moment to appreciate well-made remakes, and in this video, we’ve compiled a list of several underappreciated horror films that would be fascinating to see in a fresh light.
The Funhouse (1981)
A carnival is in town, and Amy Harper, a teen, goes with a group of pals. They enjoy themselves at the carnival until they see a murder committed by a guy dressed in a Frankenstein mask. They become panicked and attempt to flee the funhouse, only to discover that all exits have been locked.
One of Amy’s friends steals the manager’s money, and the furious owner sends the killer to hunt them down. As they are being stalked, they have to find means of surviving through the night with the maniacal killer on the loose.
When it comes to remakes, the original isn’t always perfect. The flaws of a film may sometimes be remedied by a remade version, and we’d want something similar for The Funhouse. Tobe Hooper, the brilliant director of the previous picture, failed to make this one as scary as his work in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The premise was thrilling, but the antagonists were just too weak! At the same time, the setting and ideas are ideal for a terrifying horror film! The tension in the narrative, and the claustrophobic climax full of exciting moments, will provide fodder for an amazing remake.
The direction could have been handed over to someone like Alexandre Aja, who has done justice to his works like the Maniac remakes and The Hills have Eyes. It certainly would be exciting to see this potentially great film flourish with a remake!
The Howling (1981)
Karen White is a TV journalist who assists the police in apprehending a serial murderer who has been following her. She is recommended to go to a mental retreat in a secluded mountain resort since her near-death experience in the battle has left her scarred. However, she soon finds the behavior of the residents of the region to be strange. It doesn’t take long for her to figure out that the residents might not actually be what they seem like!
This film is considered one of the finest werewolf films ever filmed, and it has gained cult status over time. Joe Dante, the filmmaker, has also directed films such as Piranha and Gremlins, but this is perhaps his greatest work due to the plot’s nail-biting tension. Strange characters, eerie soundtrack, and the protagonist struggling for her life against savage werewolves are all elements that combine to create this masterpiece!
This well-known werewolf film, on the other hand, lacks the financial resources to alter its appearance. If a remake were to be made, we would hope for proper studio guidance with sufficient funds to lead the proceedings.
The director has to be chosen carefully because it isn’t easy to replicate the success of Joe Dante. The successor has to be a visionary who can do justice to the mesmerizing story of The Howling, but in the right hands, it would be a treat for horror fans.
The Driller Killer(1979)
The terrifying storey of a struggling artist striving to make ends meet was told in this film. His low wages weren’t enough to take care of his female housemates and pay the bills. Frustration drives him to insanity, and he takes to the streets of New York at night and hunts down homeless people. He picks his victims randomly and uses his drill machine to commit a series of violent murders. Can he be reigned in before it is too late?
The psychodrama had all the makings of a cult classic, and it explored the fine line between cheap exploitation flicks and art-house filmmaking. Abel Ferrara, the filmmaker of The Driller Killer, has a track record of promising films, and this was his first significant effort.
It depicted a man’s fall into madness and focused on a form of urban anxiety that many people can relate to. However, we have a few gripes that might be addressed with a well-made replica. To begin with, there should be more drill-kills in the film! Due to a lack of funding, the original version had shady settings and a subpar cast.
If a remake were to be made, John McNaughton could be handed over the charge of direction. He recently made one of the finest modern serial killer movies titled Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and would be the perfect man for the job. We also feel that the story would be more relevant in today’s chaotic times. What do you think?
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
A passing comet unleashes a massive radiation storm on Earth, causing machines to reanimate. Humans are endangered by this bizarre revolt as these machines turn against their creators. A group of survivors is attempting to fend for themselves, including a chef, his employer, and a wedding couple. With homicidal trucks and other deadly gadgets and vehicles on the loose, it is going to be no less than a miracle if they manage to survive!
Stephen King tries his hand at directing for the first time in this film. This lighthearted and enjoyable B-grade action sci-fi film appeals to individuals who don’t take themselves too seriously. If you want to enjoy the storey, you’ll have to toss logic out the window as well.
For example, despite the fact that everything from lawnmowers to electric knives to trucks springs to life, the honeymooner’s vehicle runs well! The film, on the other hand, does not hold back when it comes to suspense. No character is shown sympathy, not even kids, which is evident from the scene where the steam-roller comes randomly and squashes an innocent child.
Even with the campy nature of the film, the idea is undoubtedly innovative and could be an interesting remake with some modifications. With the right production house taking over, this might just be the ideal popcorn flick for a fun evening!
Two Evil Eyes (1990)
This video is an homage to the renowned author Edgar Allan Poe, who is known for his terrifying horror stories all over the world. Two of his short stories are adapted into two fantastic films, each directed by a well-known horror director. A terminally sick husband is captivated by his wife’s lover in the first narrative.
When he dies, he gets trapped between the world of the living and the dead, and when he is possessed by evil forces, things get scary! The second story is about a man who tortured a black cat that his girlfriend brought home. He eventually kills his girlfriend, but fate has a nasty surprise for him when the cat returns!
The finest part about this picture was that it was directed by two of the most well-known horror filmmakers, George Romero and Dario Argento. They gave the stories a modern touch, and while both pieces are well-directed, there is a clear budgetary limitation to be seen.
If the film is recreated today, the horrific and brutal storylines will maintain a fan base. However, certain adjustments should be made, particularly to Romero’s segment, which appears to be a prolonged television sequence.
The script isn’t the best asset of the movie, and with a potent scriptwriter, things can get even better this time around. But who could be handed over the direction? We believe that Leigh Whannel and James Wan, the men behind movies like The Conjuring and Saw, would do a wonderful job if given the opportunity.
Hell Night (1981)
The Alpha Sigma Rho fraternity is looking for four young college students to join. They must stay the night at a derelict old home where the previous occupant slaughtered his entire family twelve years ago. Some say that a survivor from the terrifying night is still hiding in the mansion in a monster form.
The senior students try to pull a prank on them, but they soon find out that there might be some truth to the rumors, as they are stalked by the monstrous entity!
Linda Blair, who played one of the four kids, had an outstanding performance in this horror-thriller. Some memorable scenes from the film are still vivid in the minds of moviegoers. The pursuit through the underground tunnels, for example, would have you on the tip of your seat.
Despite the inventive murder sequences, the film’s corpse count isn’t as high as one might anticipate from a slasher flick. With the exception of Linda Blair, the acting performances aren’t very noteworthy. In case a remake is made, we would like the violence to go up a notch, and maybe the inclusion of a few more gruesome murders.
The filmmaking has to be in good hands, preferably those who have already mastered a reboot. We can think of no one better than Todd Farmer and Patrick Lussier, the team behind My Bloody Valentine 3D. It would certainly be one hell of a remake that would be lapped up by the horror fans.
Tourist Trap (1979)
A group of pals find themselves trapped in the middle of nowhere and seek sanctuary at a little roadside museum. The owner agrees to assist them with their automobile problem, but things aren’t as they appear.
His psychopath brother has telekinetic powers, and he can use it to animate the several mannequins that he uses to keep him company. He starts killing them one by one, and the group has nowhere to run as the mannequins come alive!
Tourist Trap is a strange and fantastic thriller that has you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The film has a dark and mysterious atmosphere, and the filmmaker, David Schmoeller, adds some comedic relief with a strange turn of events.
With an amazing musical soundtrack and strong dramatic performances by Chuck Connors and others, this film has the ability to frighten you as a youngster! The difficulty is that when you get a more mature perspective on the picture, you become aware of the plot’s obvious flaws.
A remake should take care of the illogical bits but also retain the creepy mannequin angle that adds spice to the tale. If the campy and silly nature of the film is replaced with a more plausible storyline, the remake could work wonders with the audience.
Wolfen (1981)
In New York, a detective is tasked with investigating a string of heinous killings. All of these terrible fatalities appear to have been caused by animal assaults, but the way in which they were carried out is odd.
As the cop gets deeper into the case, he discovers that an ancient Indian legend about wolf spirits might be relevant to the attacks. Can he solve the paranormal mystery and end the killing spree?
Wolfen is an unsettling and mythological horror-thriller that quickly captures your attention. Despite the abundance of werewolf material, this film stands out as a remarkable effort with the ideal atmosphere and narrative suspense.
The monster effects are simple, yet they manage to elicit the appropriate reaction from the audience. It was based on Whitely Striber’s debut novel, which told the narrative of a wolf-race living in the city. However, the makers edited out some of the interesting bits from the story and replaced it with environmental jargon and Native American lore.
In the modern context, both these aspects can be a clear winner at the box-office, and for the remake, it would be a smart idea to replicate the original movie instead of the novel. The remake would flourish at the hands of native-American screenwriter Sherman Alexie who previously worked in Smoke Signals.
Chopping Mall (1986)
After the mall closes, a group of shopping mall staff chooses to stay for a late-night party. The trouble begins when the mall’s robotic security system fails, and three killer droids begin hunting them down. They find out that the mall is locked, and they have nowhere to run. Now, they must prepare for a battle with the mighty security system that seems to be on a psychotic killing spree.
This is a classic corny 80s film, with surreal events leading to a predictable conclusion. While it’s an entertaining B-movie with plenty of action, the gore factor isn’t as strong as you might think. The majority of the victims are killed by laser blasts or electrocution, and the details of their deaths remain unknown. With improved killbots and more bloodshed, this cult classic might be twice as entertaining.
The premise of being stuck in a mall with androids gone crazy is an idea that would sell with the right execution. We have heard several rumors about a remake for this one, but none of them materialized. If and when it does, this should be a treat for those who loved the entertainment on offer for the original movie.
The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)
When her parents aren’t around, a young high school student decides to have a sleepover party. She invites a group of her friends, but what was intended to be a pleasant night quickly devolves into a nightmare for everyone.
A psychotic serial killer wielding a power drill machine is prowling in the neighborhood and manages to make an unannounced entry to the party. As the slumber party turns into a bloodbath, it is up to one of the girls to help them out.
It’s not every day that you get to watch a feminist take on an ostensibly cheesy 1980s horror film. This film promises to be a thrilling trip with some thrilling sequences. The idea of a crazy killer on the run is intriguing enough, and there’s plenty of blood and gore to keep things going. However, if the film is remade, we want it to appeal to today’s millennials.
It was directed by Amy Holden Jones, a strong feminist, back then, and we don’t want that to alter this time. The direction and script-writing could be managed by Jen and Sylvia Soska. The duo proved their skills with some amazing work in the film American Marie. With their fresh and fierce narrative, The Slumber Party Massacre can be twice as fun and also be a sure recipe for success!