Summary

While somesci - fimovie remake can take away from astral germ stuff , others can take a great musical theme to the next grade . In the modern film industriousness , establishing a successful original IP is the holy grail , with both remaking and sequels providing a particularly moneymaking market . Often , these follow - ups can palpate like cheesy cash snap try on to capitalize on an audience ’s existing goodwill . On rare occasions , however , a sci - fi flick remakecan not just bring something new to the table , but also improve on what issue forth before .

Many of the most popular series in sci - fi take preexisting ideas from other stories . moving-picture show likeAvatar , Star Wars , and many others all owe their winner to preexisting narratives – albeit with sometimes subtle change . When it total to straight remaking , however , success can be harder to come by . This makes any sci - fi film that successfully meliorate on an early version a rarefied and impressive accomplishment . As these 10 example prove , managing to pull it off can sometimes help batten down a picture ’s position as a classic .

Just because a sci - fi film fell into obscurity does n’t entail it was n’t slap-up — a remake may be just what the classic photographic film needs to get its due credit .

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10The Invisible Man (2020)

Remake of The Invisible Man (1933)

The Invisible Manfaced the uphill task of improve on an already neat movie .

While some remake follow because the original interpretation squander a good musical theme , The Invisible Manfaced the acclivitous task of improve on an already great picture . James Whale ’s 1933 version is a landmark accomplishment in cinema – selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2008 . Nevertheless , Leigh Wannell ’s 2020 translation manages to do the apparently impossible . Brilliantly updating the key conceit of an invisible opponent for the 21st one C , The Invisible Manbecomes a parable about scurrilous relationship and coercive mastery . While the original tout a killer concept , the remake jam a gravid aroused punch thanks to a starring good turn from Elizabeth Moss .

9War Of The Worlds (2005)

Remake of The War of the Worlds (1953)

WhileThe War of the Worldswas a successful and acclaimed version of H.G Wells ' revered germ material in its time , there ’s no hightail it the reality that the film ’s reliance on once - cutting - edge special effect has dated it . By contrast , despite being nearly two - decennium - old itself , Steven Spielberg ’s 2005 version of the exotic invasion thriller holds up as an impressive sci - fi spectacle . bolster by Tom Cruise ’s uncharacteristically vulnerable performance , War of the Worldscaptures the dark terror of Wells ' novel , take a crap it significantly scarier than the earlier moving picture . Although both have their merits , 2005’sWarhas the edge .

The 1990s was a transformative decade for sci - fi picture show , with the earned run average ’s unique social landscape prompting an onslaught of incredible creativity .

8I Am Legend (2007)

Remake of The Omega Man (1973)

Although Richard Matheson ’s source novel has been remade on several occasions ( originally in 1964 asThe Last Man on Earth),Will Smith ’s reading borrow most extensively from Charlton Heston’sThe Omega Man . While both films have their flaws ( shonky CGI in the casting ofI Am Legend , vs messy storytelling fromThe Omega Man ) , Smith ’s version shines thanks to the star ’s solid central performance and improvements in special effects allowing the movie to establish a more convincing post - apocalyptic setting . WhileI Am Legendfalters in the last act and misses Matheson ’s message , it was a immense success on departure and remains much - loved .

712 Monkeys (1995)

Remake of La Jetée (1962)

In some ways , comparing12 MonkeysandLa Jetéeis reductive , since the French original is a 28 - minute short film rather than a full feature article . However , Terry Gilliam ’s movie borrows so extensively fromLa Jetée – and adds so much more profundity to its story – that it ’s impossible to ignore its status as a really great remake . Bothsci - fi picture search a complex time travelconceit , yet12 Monkeys ' prolonged runtime provide for the addition of great character and impressive performances from the like of Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis . WhileLa Jetéeis a purer version of the story,12 Monkeysdoes its scope greater justness .

6Dredd (2012)

Remake of Judge Dredd (1995)

Pete Travis’Dredddid not have to do much to improve upon Sylvester Stallone ’s notorious 1995 adaptation – a movie best known for Armand Assante ’s meme - worthy line about " practice of law " . Nevertheless , even with such a low bar to decipherable , Dreddnot only meliorate on the original movie but establishes itself as a benighted and trigger-happy comic Word of God movie for the age . Karl Urban is electric as the for good - frowning titulary police force avatar , correcting Stallone ’s criminal mistake by never removing his iconic helmet . digest by Domnhall Gleeson and Lena Headey , Dreddfaithfully stick to the seed material ’s complex political subject and shines as a result .

5Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)

Remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Inexplicably , the 1978 version ofInvasion of the Body Snatchersreceived a comparatively lukewarm critical response upon release . As the years have passed , the consensus has justifiedly shifted , with the Donald Sutherland movie now consider as one of the greatest remakes of all time and a70s science fiction classic . A haunting and conspiratorial fable for the dangers of consumerism and conformity , Invasioncenters around the arriver of the pod people – alien who subsume human master of ceremonies as perfect dead ringer devoid of empathy . Far scary than the already impressive 1956 version , Invasion of the Body Snatchersis a benchmark for all remake .

4War For The Planet Of The Apes (2017)

Remake of Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)

Every installing in therebootedPlanet of the Apesseriesshares DNA with the original movies , but none are as verbatim a remake ( nor improve the original movie as dramatically ) asWar for the Planet of the Apes . LikeWar , the originalBattletells Caesar ’s story as he negotiates the battle between apes and homo while ensuring the survival of his own biotic community . In story , aroused deepness , and social commentary , however , Waris streets in advance ofBattle . Where the original motion picture was criticized for hapless production calibre and deficient word-painting , Warholds an telling 94 % on Rotten Tomatoes and is a fitting ending to Andy Serkis ' Caesar trilogy .

3Dune: Part One & Dune: Part Two (2021 & 2024)

Remake of Dune (1984)

Less a remake and more a complete reimagining of Frank Herbert ’s seminal sci - fi tome , Dune : Part OneandDune : Part Twoare at the same time an astonishing cinematic achievement and a damning bill of indictment of David Lynch ’s early endeavor . Both adaptations tell the same story of intergalactic politics , religious excitement , and the power of vaticination . Yet Denis Villeneuve ’s edition gives its characters and theme a prodigious profundity whole absent from Lynch ’s rushed original . Comparing the two projects is not totally fair , given the litany of obstacle in front of Lynch . Nevertheless , Denis Villeneuve ’s moviesare a Brobdingnagian improvement worthy of the novel .

2The Thing (1982)

Remake of The Thing From Another World (1951)

AlthoughThe Thing From Another Worldis wide regarded as a great sci - fi flick in its own right , John Carpenter ’s 1982 revulsion classic is not just better , but a much more accurate edition of the original novella on which both films are based . Unlike the 1950s movie , The Thingsticks to the marrow , terrifying premiss of a animal that can like a shot personate any living form . This allows the film to craft a terrifyingly oppressive atmosphere , where anyone and everyone is a defendant . pair with special effects that remain jaw - dropping to this day , The Thingis an essential sci - fi repulsion classic .

1The Fly (1986)

Remake of The Fly (1958)

David Cronenberg’sThe Flyexpertly toes the line between terrifying horror and heartbreaking romance .

Boasting some of the most gruesome and influential particular effects in sci - fi movie history , David Cronenberg’sThe Flyexpertly toe the line between terrifying horror and heartbreaking romanticism . Unlike the source novella and earlier movie , The Flydoesn’t revolve around a execution mystery – instead centre on Seth Brundle ’s grisly transformation from human being to monster . This variety not only makes the friend more empathetic but gives his narrative a tragic inevitability , heightening the revulsion . While othersci - fimovie remakes stay faithful to the original material , The Flydistinguishes itself with this sound change .

Keanu Reeves as Neo from The Matrix, Sam Neill as Grant from Jurassic Park and Will Smith as J from Men in Black

Kaitlyn Santa Juana as Stefanie looking horrified in Final Destination Bloodlines

War of the Worlds, Dredd, and Invisible Man

Custom image by Sam MacLennan

Elisabeth Moss looking off-camera in fear in The Invisible Man.

Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning as Ray and Rachel Ferrier hugging but looking at something in War of the Worlds

Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt in Hospital Robes in 12 Monkeys

Donald Sutherland pointing and screaming in Invasion Of The Body Snatchers

A closeup of Caesar looking dour in front of a band of apes coming over a hill in War for the Planet of the Apes

Custom Image By SR Image Editor

The Thing head creature on the floor (1982)

Jeff Goldblum as a deformed Seth Brundle grinning in The Fly