1. Friday the 13th 2009，IMDB Rating: 5.5, IMDB Votes: 117914, ID: 0758746 Photo by investitwisely.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2009 reboot of ‘Friday the 13th’ was financially successful but received largely negative responses. The film was described as a re-imagining, taking elements from the first three movies to tell a new story. Despite the great portrayal of Jason by Derek Mears, the film was overall forgettable, and even the kills were too generic to leave much impact.
2. Poltergeist 2015，IMDB Rating: 4.9, IMDB Votes: 61694, ID: 1029360 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2015 remake of ‘Poltergeist’ was a decent financial success but was largely written off as an inferior product. The film’s basic premise of a family being terrorized by a supernatural entity was very similar to the first movie, but all the characters’ names were changed and the family was made far more dysfunctional. The film’s terrific cast, led by Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Jared Harris, was its main strength.
3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003，IMDB Rating: 6.2, IMDB Votes: 153407, ID: 0324216 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2003 remake of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ is a chilling horror film that takes the raw power of the original and adds a modern twist. The film’s brutal and relentless violence is a testament to the dark side of humanity, making it a truly terrifying experience. However, it’s not without its flaws. Critics have pointed out its lack of originality and its reliance on gore over storytelling. Despite this, the film’s intense atmosphere and the terrifying performance of Andrew Bryniarski as Leatherface make it a standout in the horror genre.
4. Child’s Play 2019，IMDB Rating: 5.7, IMDB Votes: 56754, ID: 8663516 Photo by wikipedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2019 reboot of ‘Child’s Play’ offers a fresh take on the classic horror tale, with a modern twist involving artificial intelligence. While it retains the chilling elements of the original, it also injects a dose of dark humor, making it a unique entry in the horror genre. Critics have praised Mark Hamill’s voice performance as Chucky and the film’s exploration of technology’s dark side. However, some fans of the original may find the changes too drastic.
5. Wrong Turn 2021，IMDB Rating: 5.6, IMDB Votes: 37284, ID: 9110170 Photo by reelscary.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2021 reboot of ‘Wrong Turn’ takes a different direction from its predecessors, introducing a violent cult instead of the original’s cannibalistic mountain men. This change in antagonist brings a new level of terror and unpredictability to the film. Critics have praised the film’s strong story and great scares, making it a successful reboot that stands on its own. However, it has also been noted that the film’s conclusion leaves room for further exploration of the terrifying world it has created.
6. Evil Dead II 1987，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 183711, ID: 0092991 Photo by deviantart.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Sam Raimi’s ‘Evil Dead II’ is a masterful blend of horror and comedy that has become a cult classic. The film takes the original’s concept and turns it on its head, introducing a more humorous tone without losing the horror elements. Bruce Campbell’s performance as Ash Williams is iconic, and the film’s innovative use of practical effects adds to its charm. Despite its age, ‘Evil Dead II’ remains a standout in the horror genre, proving that a reboot can sometimes surpass the original.
8. Halloween 2018，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 170607, ID: 1502407 Photo by deepestdream.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2018 reboot of ‘Halloween’ is a darker, more cynical take on the original. It’s a suspenseful and engaging film that, despite some narrative shortcomings, manages to captivate with its well-chosen cast and strong performances. However, it’s the human elements of the story that truly shine, making it more than just a horror movie.
9. The Invisible Man 2020，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 259407, ID: 1051906 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2020 reboot of ‘The Invisible Man’ is a sophisticated sci-fi horror that turns a woman’s trauma from a toxic relationship into something tangible. The film is deeply unsettling, with its constant psychological dread surpassing the ache of any visible bruise. It’s a layered family nightmare packed with scares and complexity.
10. It 2017，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 614767, ID: 1396484 Photo by satyanash.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2017 reboot of ‘It’ is a deeply sinister family nightmare that is packed with scares but also a significant amount of complexity. The kid-bonding parts of the movie are stronger than the creepy-clown parts, making it a deeply unsettling yet engaging watch.
11. Suspiria 2018，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 94288, ID: 1034415 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2018 reboot of ‘Suspiria’ is a seriously insane expansion on the original. It’s a deeply unsettling film that is more than just a horror movie. It’s a layered, deeply sinister family nightmare that is packed with scares but also a significant amount of complexity.
12. Pet Sematary 2019，IMDB Rating: 5.7, IMDB Votes: 99387, ID: 0837563 Photo by cinematicrandomness.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The 2019 reboot of ‘Pet Sematary’ is a darker, more cynical take on the original. It’s a suspenseful and engaging film that, despite some narrative shortcomings, manages to captivate with its well-chosen cast and strong performances. However, it’s the human elements of the story that truly shine, making it more than just a horror movie.
13. The Ring 2002，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 378401, ID: 0298130 Photo by reelscary.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Ring 2002, a remake of the 1998 Japanese horror film, is a dark and serious horror film that teeters on the edge of the ridiculous. Despite its technical proficiency and better acting, it lacks the original’s mordant humor and social commentary. Critics argue that it’s more of a humans vs ghouls story, lacking real conflict between good and evil.
14. Dawn of the Dead 2004，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 275009, ID: 0363547 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Dawn of the Dead 2004 is a remake of the 1978 classic. It’s slicker, more polished, and has better acting than the original. However, it lacks the original’s satirical jabs at consumer society. Despite these shortcomings, it delivers an efficient horror experience, with a terrific cast and a tense atmosphere.
15. The Fly 1986，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 204374, ID: 0091064 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Fly 1986, a remake of the 1958 film, is a devastating and powerful film. It’s a haunting, psychological nightmare that explores the consequences of a man’s ambition going too far. Critics praise it for its original concept, atmospheric horror, psychological thrills, compelling characters, and a twist ending that resonates long after the credits roll.
Ranking 15 Horror Reboots and Remakes: The Best, Worst, and Scariest
