The horror genre always feels undervalued because mainstream critics continue to judge them unfairly, write them off with bad reviews that often leave them forgotten. Why is it that these hair-rising, spine chilling flicks met with such caustic remarks remains a mystery for us as well.
These horror movies that have irked the critics for unknown reasons have been nipped at the bud from gaining a greater audience but now with a plethora of streaming devices, the audience can watch any of these movies with a click of a button.
So if you haven’t watched them yet, do give them a go. We may never understand the reason behind the partiality of critics community towards horror movies, but this video will bring you nine such horror remakes that critics hated but B-movie lovers will adore for sure! Remember, we are not saying that these remakes are better than the original – NO – they are not, but they are also not that bad. Go into our recommendations with an open mindset.
The Hitcher (2007)
College students Jim Halsey and his girlfriend Grace Andrews while driving through the New Mexico desert on a rainy night pick up a hitchhiker, who introduces himself as John Ryder. Once in the car, this hitchhiker turns out to be a psychopath who threatens the couple with a knife but Jim acts quickly and throws him out of the car.
The next day, Jim and Grace see John in another car with a family. As they try to warn the family of John’s intentions, they are met with an accident. While walking on the road, Jim and Grace discover the whole family to be stabbed with only the father making it through.
They drive to a nearby restaurant seeking for help, but end up getting blamed by the police for the murders and sent down to the police station. However, John kills the policemen and pursues the couple, playing a tragic and violent cat and mouse game with Grace and Jim.
Though the plot is close enough to Robert Harmon’s 1986 masterpiece, the execution is botched up. What was terrifying in the original becomes coma-inducing in the 2007 remake. Like the original version, the new Hitcher tells the story of a young couple relentlessly pursued by an unstoppable, completely psychotic killer who frames his prey for murders that he commits.
The key difference is that in the original movie, the love interest, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, did not come into the story until late; a significant chunk of the storyline was devoted to a cat and mouse game between the two characters, Rutger Hauer as the chilling hitcher and C. Thomas Howell as the hapless victim.
The remake does, in parts, derive straight from the original but also manages to renovate it by adding and deducting certain elements, which works in its favour as it stays close to the original while bringing something new to the table. This film has its fair share of action and thrills that are bound to impress B-movie lovers and keep them glued to the film long enough.
The action and kills are very well executed and the gore factor is brought up a few notches from the original not to mention the chase scenes that are well executed. Watch this horror remake for Sean Bean, who essays the menacing role of John Ryder and you will be surprised to find how good he is. So, if you liked the original, you may want to give this a shot!
Pet Sematary (2019)
The family of Dr. Louis Creed with his wife Rachel and their two children Gage and Ellie shift to a rural home where they are met with the eerie ‘Pet Sematary’ not far from them. After their cat is killed in a truck accident, Louis goes to bury it in the pet cemetery. However, there is more to it than it meets the eyes as it proves to the Creeds that sometimes, being dead is better.
Besides the fact that the remake gave away the biggest twist in the trailer, the pace of the movie is quite slow. The role of Victor Pascow, the ghost, is pointless with his 3-5 minutes of screen time. Additionally, the cliff hanger at the end is formulaic and stereotypical.
There’s no denying that John Lithgow has always been nothing less than a class act as an actor but let’s face it, he does not quite fit in as Jud Crandall. Lithgow does his best but his performances is paled when compared to the immeasurable brilliance of the late Fred Gwynne. That man arguably made the original movie what it was.
Well, on the brighter side, the remake definitely has Jason Clarke leading the cast and giving a fairly solid performance. In fact, both Jason and Amy Seimetz as the distressed couple in particular, are superior to the bland Dale Midkiff and Denise Crosby of the original. Jeté Laurence as Ellie Creed is also very impressive, She plays her part to perfection as she is sweet enough to induce sympathy in the audience but also wicked and hateful enough for the audience to wish to see her die again.
Screenwriter Jeff Buhler does an interesting job at making this Stephen King adaptation different from the 1989 version adding new twists and turns. The cinematography and set designs set a dark and foreboding mood giving the movie its moments of tension and horror. The 2019 version has overall better direction, production values and performances – but it lacked the soul which original Pet Sematary had. So, if you are a fan of the original, this will be a fun watch for you.
The Fog (2005)
The quaint island town of Anthony Bay, off the coast of Oregon, is witnessing festivity as the residents are preparing to celebrate the occasion of the island community’s centenary of its foundation. However, a perpetual injustice along with a terrible secret hidden deep within the town’s roots will soon conjure up a cloak of a thick and livid mist which, gradually, envelops the town.
As the spine chilling tales of lost mariners start to haunt the island’s habitants a buried yet unforgotten thirst for revenge about the past’s hideous crimes, stains the seaside village red. A century ago, a dastardly act had been committed and now as a consequence the dreaded spirits of the dead have returned, seeking vengeance. Is there something evil hiding in the fog?
The originally made Fog is a cult classic even with the bad reviews of the critics as people back then watched it and gave it much love. Just like all of John Carpenter’s movies, it aged well with time. The remake could have done a better job with solving the existing loopholes but only created newer bumps in the plot.
Father Malone’s character in the 1980 classic was a major contributor to the story because he represented the sins of the founding fathers. Instead of exploring his character further in the remake, he was fashioned as a drunkard who was more of the ‘old lady who can see the future’ hardly playing any significant role otherwise. The fog in the remake is all CGI and is not nearly as menacing as its predecessor.
Also, Selma Blair looked like she was trying really hard to fill out the role of Stevie Wayne and it seemed awfully fake at times. Trying to add comedy, DeRay Davis as Spooner is just confusing. But this movie has its positives too. The eerie picturisation of the sailors on their ship clouded in the fog is capable of scaring you out of your wits.
One particular death scene is shot so well that it is bound to leave you scared. The original is given a new treatment with younger actors and better special effects to an extent. The remake does boast of suspense, horror, scabrous killings, shocks and lots of blood and gore. Graeme Revell is the man behind the creepy musical score.
The 2005 remake is a formulaic and regular attempt to cash in on the success of the original but it does pack a lot of entertainment value if we go into it without any expectations. However, there is no harm in giving this a watch!
The Mummy (2017)
Ahmanet, a beautiful Egyptian Princess destined to rule all of Egypt, is suddenly bereft of her birth right when the Pharaoh’s queen gives birth to a male heir. Seeing her birth right being taken away from her, Ahmanet enters into an unholy pact with the dark Egyptian deity Set.
As a consequence, the abominable servant of evil must endure an everlasting torment deep into the bowels of Mesopotamia, until the US Army reconnaissance sergeant, Nick Morton, inadvertently sets her free some 5000 years later.
Now, Ahmanet, the all-powerful vessel of destruction, thirsts to fulfil her destiny, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defies human comprehension.
If you are expecting a remake of the 1990’s Mummy films then you are barking up the wrong tree. This 2017 flick by Alex Kurtzman has nothing to do with the other movies in the franchise and is a different plotline all together. This film is more of a fantasy horror than showcasing the action comedic vibe of the previous Mummy films. Instead, it is darker and more violent not to mention its tendency to take itself too seriously.
The Mummy is an exotic beauty who can hit like a Mack Truck. There are elements reminiscent of ‘An American Werewolf in London’ and ‘Lifeforce’ that forge this version of the Mummy and Russell Crowe’s Dr Jekyll makes this glorified entrance halfway through to remind you that this is a shared monster universe.
Simple put this will either excite you or disappoint you. There is no middle ground. Critics are bound to convince that this is the worst movie in the franchise and quite bad even singularly but it’s not, in fact you may even enjoy it. The action sequences are well shot and the cast put up solid acts.
Tom Cruise as the lead is a revelation and it will take another 30 minutes if we sit to appreciate his dedication towards the craft. All we can say is that he again gave his 110% like he does for all his films. Sofia Boutella as Ahmanet is riveting in this role, especially in the way her unconventional beauty is emphasized by her extreme talent. She is real life professional dancer, and it reflected beautifully in her action scenes.
She is a marvellous choice for Ahmanet and she exudes that thirst for power effortlessly in addition to being incredibly seductive. Had it not been titled as a part of ‘The Mummy’ franchise carrying the burden of keeping up with one of the most successful franchise, catering to a certain expectation and instead let it flourish in its own merit, it would’ve fared better.
The Last House On The Left (2009)
A gang, after kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, knowingly seek refuge at a vacation home belonging to the parents of one of the victimized girls during a thunderstorm. Once the parents find out the truth of what happened to their daughter, they plot and devise an increasingly gruesome series of revenge tactics on those that hurt her.
While the original scores higher for shock factor, this 2009 American revenge horror-thriller film is quite gruesome and remains faithful to the original in spirit and effect. The acting is sharp, the setup is stellar and the ending does not disappoint. Dennis Iliadis’s direction is one of the film’s strongest points.
Along with the excellent photography the film creates a dark, foreboding, grim atmosphere of horror and wisely cuts out the original film’s slapstick. It fixes the score, replacing it with gorgeous, haunting compositions which occasionally give way to guitars but thankfully not too often.
Iliadis uses hand-held camera as well, not over-doing it at all but filming everything with a stark sort of clarity, and he finds a surprisingly effective rhythm for the film, which keeps it from ever being mundane. The film, like the original, avoids the pornographic nature of many rape-revenge thrillers.
Mind you, it’s not a straight remake but the changes do work in favour. If you are a fan of the 1972 version, you are bound to not expect a lot yet it remains one of the best remake in years.
However, this will test you guts as it is not for those faint of heart. This remake is a respectful homage to the original saga of murder and vengeance. Definitely, a thought provoking, pulse racing thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll.
The Wicker Man (2006)
A police officer is informed by Willow Woodward, his ex-fiancé that her daughter Rowan has gone missing and comes to him to seek assistance in finding her. When he arrives at the island where Rowan was last seen, he suspects something sinister about the neo-pagans who reside on the island.
It’s hard to deny that this 2006 remake has some genuinely creepy ideas to it, the only problem is in its cheesy, unintentionally funny execution. If nothing else, this is a movie that may inspire you to see the original 1973 film, or even read the short story on which it is based.
The movie scores well with its aesthetics. This movie is clearly filmed in location rather than using green screen or elaborates sets, so we get to see some very great scenery. Given the nicely composed shots, this movie is quite scenic.
The lead Nicholas cage is indeed a force of nature, who brings his own unique spin of eccentricity and nerdiness that always make him an interesting watch for the audience irrespective of whether he has done a great job or not. He is terrible in the Wicker Man but in the most wonderful kind of way. The remake however, actually manages to stand on its own as a new entry into the horror archives.
Does it have its problems? Of course it does, what movie doesn’t? There is always the one that came first, but sometimes the original can be re-tooled and have new life breathed into it. So, even if you hate what they’ve done with the story and the actors they have chosen, the cinematography is absolutely otherworldly here, with very little emphasis on special effects, and much more creative uses of natural landscapes and tricks of light. It is safe to say that this film is a fun watch.
Friday The 13th (2009)
A group of young adults set up tent near the abandoned summer camp where a series of gruesome murders are said to have taken place back in 1980. The perpetrator of these murders is said to be a mother driven insane by grief after her child Jason drowns which she believes happened due to the negligence of the camp counsellors.
Legend says that the final survivor of the attacks beheaded the woman. But then Jason came back, and now he is a vengeful and inexorable killer, wielding crossbows, swords, axes and other sharp instruments. The legend proves horribly true, as these campers quickly discover.
Six weeks later, the brother of one of those campers distributes posters of his missing sister. The police believe she took off with her boyfriend; but he knows better. The brother crosses paths with an uptight young rich guy who is having his girlfriend and friends over at his parents’ cabin. The brother ends up at the cabin himself just before his sister’s attacker sets upon them all.
To give credit where it’s due, this 2009 film does a number of things with Jason Voorhees’s character that are certainly a relief. Director Marcus Nispel has opted to do away with the supernatural element and the super-zombie Jason angle as well as giving Jason some spunk and cunning that he left with him at the bottom of Crystal Lake before part six.
Along with discarding these cumbersome characteristics, Jason is graced with a hunter mentality that has him setting snares, traps and siphoning gasoline from the locals. This is what the character should be, a loner forced to fend for himself in the forest; disturbed and deadly. Let’s not forget the opening act, which is graced with a nifty twist that you just won’t see coming.
The dialogue is acceptable, only occasionally displaying the wince factor, and the leads are likeable enough for you to want them to make it till the end. Fans of the series should at least be content with the latest offering, but really there’s nothing new enough to be ecstatic about.
One death aside, it is predictable, and the gore and deaths are less inventive than the early films. There are moments of tension to be certain, and the climax, like all Friday films, does not fail to disappoint. This remake is a recommendation we stand by confidently.
Prom Night (2008)
Donna Keppel’s senior prom is supposed to be the best night of her life, one of magic, beauty and love. Surrounded by her best friends, she should be safe from the horrors of her dark past.
But soon her magical night is marred with murder and there is only one man who could be responsible, the man she thought and wished was gone forever. Now, Donna and her friends must find a way to escape the sadistic rampage of an obsessed killer, and survive their Prom Night.
The beginning of this 2008 remake starts off sudden but afterwards, there’s a nice drought of action until the first prom killing. The movie’s PG-13 rating makes the death scenes bland and boring.
You won’t see the victims actually getting attacked, but you will see the silhouettes and blood smears. The plot is predictable but the murderer’s face will haunt you. Nelson McCormick’s Prom Night is not the kind of film that is going to appeal everyone and it is best not to take it too seriously.
The story is simple and the cast is unknown but it benefits the movie as the audience can only focus on the mystery. So, if you are in the mood for a scary flick and you relish movies like Scream, then go ahead and check this one out for sure! This is far from the the 80’s cheesy and gory vibe of the original Prom Night from the 80’s, but it’s definitely a decent horror movie for light entertainment.