Sometimes, when a movie does so well at the box office or is so beloved by fans, studios think revamping the cast and the story is a good idea. Here are more than 50 instances of why that's not always the case. From exceptional horror flops to dry romance movies, this is why if it's not broken, you don't fix it...
The Hustle (2019)
"Hustle" is a third-round remake. It redoes the 1988 film, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," which in turn remakes the 1964 film "Bedtime Story." Unfortunately, the third time wasn't the charm. Despite having high profile actresses like Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, who play two con artists out to get a millionaire's money, critics called this movie "forgettable."
Down to Earth (2001)
Chris Rock stars in one of the three remakes of a play called "Heaven Can Wait." Rock's character unexpectedly dies, but then is resurrected in the body of a white millionaire. The plot itself is a little problematic and nothing new. Rock even recycles some jokes.
Red Dawn (2012)
In the OG "Red Dawn," Patrick Swayze played the leader of a band of teenagers who fight off a Russian invasion. In the remake, the cast isn't as... intimidating. Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson, and Chris Hemsworth make up the crew that staves off a bunch of North Koreans rather than Russians in the 2012 version.
Nine Months (1995)
Director Chris Columbus tried to revive the dud of a French comedy, "Neuf Mois," by casting Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore as the lead characters. He plays a commitment-phobe who has to come to terms with his girlfriend's pregnancy. However, despite the high caliber actors, Grant and Moore just can't seem to give the script any sort of spark.
The Omen (2006)
This reboot of 1976's "The Omen" about a child who's likely the Antichrist didn't really do the original justice. In fact, it pays homage to the first film a little too much. The scripts are nearly identical, and critics don't understand why the writers even bothered.
Friday the 13th (2009)
The cult classic franchise that follows Jason Vorhees' killing sprees has been an ongoing success since the 1908s. However, the 2009 reboot totally flops, despite having Jason play the killer, which is one major difference from the original. It's a predictable film with a typical group of dumbfounded victims.
Robin Hood (2018)
Jamie Foxx, Taron Egerton, and Jamie Dornan star in this high-action (and worst version to date) of the classic Robin Hood tale. Critics called it "silly" and "slow," even with a heartthrob cast.
Flubber (1997)
John Hughes co-wrote this Robin Williams script, which is a remake of 1961's "The Absent Minded Professor." Williams plays said professor, who discovers a strange substance that he names Flubber. While both films did well for Disney, they're generally considered pretty vague attempts at comedy.
Point Break (2015)
The 1991 version of "Point Break" starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze is regarded as a classic action movie. An FBI agent breaks into surfing in order to follow a bunch of bank robbers. However, the remake depended a little too heavily on the extreme sports plot, and the action was too overdone.
The Stepford Wives (2004)
"The Stepford Wives" is based on the 1975 novel of the same name, and is a "landmark film" for its use of both satire and horror. The film's dystopic town is home to women who seem a little too perfect and the original film hits the nail on the head. However, the 2004 film was a complete disaster.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
The 1991 version of "Point Break" starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze is regarded as a classic action movie. An FBI agent breaks into surfing in order to follow a bunch of bank robbers. However, the remake depended a little too heavily on the extreme sport's plot, and the action was too overdone.
The Wiz (1978)
Sidney Lumet directed this jazz-inspired spin-off of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1978. However, it's arguable that no adaptation is more successful than "Wicked," but oh does "The Wiz" try. Diana Ross and Michael Jackson even played roles in this feature, and while the movie initially did extremely poorly in theaters, it's stood the test of time as a classic.
The Eye (2008)
The original version of "The Eye" was a Cantonese horror franchise. The US version wasn't the first attempted remake, either. It had been revamped in India, twice. The story follows Jessica Alba's character after she receives an eye transplant and can see supernatural visions.
Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
Nicholas Cage plays a hitman who travels to Bangkok for a series of hits. Though the original film won a filmmaking award at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2000, the remake earned overwhelmingly negative reviews. Nicholas Cage has really pigeonholed himself with these roles.
2001 Maniacs (2005)
1964's "Two Thousand Maniacs!" was a dark comedy that was meant to dominate the drive-in circuit. The 2005 remake attempts to recreate the same sense of "grindhouse terror" with its brutal violence and over-the-top gore. The plot follows a group of tourists in a Southern town who find themselves being terrorized by locals.
Fathers' Day (1997)
At the time, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams were Hollywood's top-selling comedians. In their 1997 remake of the French film "Les Compères," they play two men who are both convinced they're the father of one woman's child. Needless to say, it tanked.
What Men Want (2019)
Nancy Meyers' directed the 2000 hit, "What Women Want," starring Mel Gibson, and despite a somewhat problematic theme, it was a huge hit. Taraji P. Henson tried to recreate that same magic in "What Men Want," in which she too can read the minds of men, but it earned too much criticism regarding misogynistic overtones to be successful.
Annie (2014)
The hit Broadway show and movie was adapted from a comic strip called "Little Orphan Annie." The 2014 musical adaptation, however, was one of the least successful. Jamie Foxx plays a wealthy businessman who ends up with an orphan on his hands, but trying to modernize this timeless story just didn't work, no matter how charming the cast.
House of Wax (2005)
Paris Hilton and Jared Padalecki star in this reimagining of the 1955 classic Vincent Price horror film. The 2005 version follows six friends who are fighting for their lives in a wax museum. Why they chose to cast a socialite instead of an actress was probably a big reason why this film tanked.
And Soon the Darkness (2010)
This obscure horror film is a remake of a 1970 British movie of the same name. Amber Heard plays the lead character, Stephanie, who is on a mission to rescue her kidnapped friend in a remote part of Argentina. She has help from a man named Michael, whose girlfriend was also kidnapped.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
Wes Craven created an iconic and unforgettable villain with Freddy Krueger in his 1984 debut. He's been remade various times, spanning an entire franchise. The 2010 remake, with Jackie Earle Haley playing the lead, is literally a nightmare.
Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)
"Jungle 2 Jungle" is a loose adaptation of the 1994 French film "Un indien dans la ville," which translates to "Little Indian, Big City." The plot follows a "tribal" teenager who explores a city for the first time. The films both follow the same general storyline, but the Tim Allen version is just a little dry.
Get Carter (2000)
Michael Cane plays a British gangster named Jack Carter in the original 1971 "Get Carter." The 2000 version finds Sylvester Stallone playing the lead, but the remake was a huge flop and a "financial disaster" that takes place mostly in Seattle.
Flatliners (2017)
The original "Flatliners" followed a group of medical students who experiment with death by putting themselves just on the edge and making themselves flatline. The remake follows pretty much the same plot, but pace-wise, it's completely boring. It bombed in the first week of release.
Hellboy (2019)
"Hellboy" has been praised in the past for its original plot and darker take on a superhero. However, the 2019 version was released during a time when Marvel was releasing hit after hit, and "Hellboy," deemed "soulless" and "undercooked," couldn't keep up.
Conan the Barbarian (2011)
Jason Momoa seems to play the same character in every film he's in. This remake of "Conan the Barbarian" finds him in the titular role that helped propel Arnold Schwarzenegger into fame. However, Momoa's film did so poorly that it killed any chances for a sequel.
Conan the Barbarian (2011)
Jason Momoa seems to play the same character in every film he's in. This remake of "Conan the Barbarian" finds him in the titular role that helped propel Arnold Schwarzenegger into fame. However, Momoa's film did so poorly that it killed any chances for a sequel.
Fame (2009)
1980's Broadway hit "Fame" features a stacked soundtrack and perfectly dramatic plot. There have been tons of adaptations, both for the stage and the screen, but none can compare to the original. The 2009 remake deemed the plot to be "sanitized and dumbed down."
Sorority Row (2009)
The 2009 film "Sorority Row" is based on the 1980 cult classic "The House on Sorority Row." A group of sisters accidentally kill one of their own pledges during a prank gone wrong, and the sisters try to messily cover their tracks. Little do they know, a serial killer is watching their every move.
When a Stranger Calls (2006)
Camilla Belle plays the lead role in this remake of 1979's "When a Stranger Calls." A psychopath terrorizes a babysitter over the phone, a plot that's been done numerous times. However, the plot of the remake condenses the events of the film to one single night.
The Bachelor (1999)
This 1999 film was inspired by a silent Buster Keaton movie. Chris O'Donnell plays a man who must find a wife if he wants to inherit his grandfather's immense fortune. The woman in question is played by Renee Zellweger, but any attempt at comedy is ruled out by the dry plot.
The Women (2008)
The 1939 original "The Women" does not feature one single male in the entire cast. The 2009 remake does the same thing. However, critics said the director forgot one crucial element: "fun."
The Haunting (1999)
Shirley Jackson's novel, "The Haunting of Hill House" is regarded as one of the greatest horror stories of the 20th century. There have been several adaptations — most recently, a Netflix series. However, 1999 attempted it first, detailing a team of "paranormal experts" who run into ghost after ghost in the mansion.
Poltergeist (2015)
The original "Poltergeist" is one of the most beloved horror films of all time. There's even still a debate about who directed the first film, and whether or not the entire set was haunted. The 2015 remake doesn't even come close to being called a classic.
Gulliver's Travels (2010)
Funny guy Jack Black attempts to remake the classic Jonathan Swift story about a normal-sized traveler who comes across an island of tiny people. The modern plot follows Lemuel Gulliver as he attempts to befriend the Lilliputians.
Knock Knock (2015)
Eli Roth decided to adapt 1977's "Death Game" with Keanu Reeves in the lead role. Reeves plays a father and husband whose life is changed when he has two unexpected female visitors. Needless to say, things get weird.
Downhill (2020)
"Downhill" reimagines the Swedish film "Force Majeure," a comedic thriller about a marriage that falls apart following an avalanche in the Swiss Alps. Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, unfortunately, don't have the same feeling of chemistry or dynamic that the original actors do, and it just completely does the original disservice.
Pulse (2006)
"Pulse" is the reimagining of a Japanese horror film about a dangerous wireless signal with the ability to take over the world. The original was hailed for its unique atmosphere and creep-factor, but the remake was just bland.
The Roommate (2011)
Minka Kelly and Leighton Meester play the leads in this "Single White Female"-inspired horror flick. Meester plays an obsessive roommate who wants to take over Kelly's life, but the events are just too dramatic and evil to ever be believable.
Black Christmas (2006)
1974's "Black Christmas" was a pretty successful slasher movie for its time, but the remake in 2006 isn't so much. Following a killer who terrorizes a sorority house, the terror and suspense leave much to be desired in the redo.
Taxi (2004)
Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon of all people star in this "Taxi" remake. They play a police inspector and a cab driver on a mission to tackle a bank heist. According to Roger Ebert, "the movie only gets worse as it plows along."
The Shaggy Dog (2006)
The 1959 version of "The Shaggy Dog" was a massive success for Disney. A teenage boy transforms into a sheepdog at the most inconvenient time in his life. In the 2006 remake, Tim Allen plays a father and a businessman who can't keep his life together, on top of transforming into a dog.
LOL (2012)
Miley Cyrus plays the lead role in this remake of the 2008 French film of the same name. Cyrus's character navigates adolescence in front of a backdrop of ever-present social media and an intense crush. However, audiences just didn't really buy the plot.
Prom Night (2008)
Brittany Snow plays the lead role in this slasher film, following in the footsteps of OG Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis. "Prom Night" did fine in theaters, and even got a sequel, but it's nothing to write home about. The plot follows a group of teenage girls who are terrorized before their prom.
The Fog (2005)
1980's "The Fog" features ancient ghosts that terrorize a small town, and is directed by John Carpenter and stars Jamie Lee Curtis, who worked on "Halloween" together. The 2005 remake came across as campy to viewers and couldn't keep audiences entertained.
The Wicker Man (2006)
"The Wicker Man" is one of the most famously bad remakes of all time. Nicholas Cage plays a sheriff who visits an island community to search for a missing girl, but he finds something far more sinister. Overall, the plot is just weird and directionless.
Swept Away (2002)
The original "Swept Away" was a charming romance, but the 2002 version did so badly in box offices. It stars Madonna and is directed by her then-husband Guy Ritchie. The plot is about a communist sailor and a rich socialite who get stranded on an island and fall in love.
Barb Wire (1996)
"Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson runs a futuristic nightclub in 2017 in this attempted "Casablanca" remake. Yes, you read that right. "Barb Wire" takes place during the Second American Civil War, but is also weirdly dystopic. It flopped, needless to say.
Black Christmas (2019)
Another remake of "Black Christmas" that did just as badly, only this one is a "feminist retelling." The original "Black Christmas" is credited for inspiring films like "The Fog" and "Halloween" but this version is just unbearable.
Rollerball (2002)
"Rollerball" didn't exactly do what it intended to do. What was meant to be a depiction of a weird futuristic sport actually turned into a dig at corporate culture. The 2002 remake also lacks all of the poignant plot points that the original has.
Psycho (1998)
The 1998 version of "Psycho" was basically a shot-for-shot remake. Starring Julianne Moore, Vince Vaughn and directed by Gus Van Sant, the movie lacks originality, and critics argue that a retelling wasn't necessary.
Bewitched (2005)
Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell star in this reimagining of the class 1960s sitcom of the same name. Kidman's character marries a mortal, and she grapples with choosing suburbia over her witchcraft. It makes for a hilarious, though super weird, plot.
The Ladykillers (2010)
Even though this is a Coen Brothers' remake starring Tom Hanks, critics just couldn't get behind it. Hanks and his cast of eccentric characters attempt a casino heist, and by doing so they must tunnel through the cellar of an elderly Southern woman. While the 1955 original has lots of similarities to the reboot, the biggest difference is that one film is enjoyable, and the other isn't.
Charlie's Angels (2011)
The 1970s action series "Charlie's Angels," which launched Farrah Fawcett into fame, has had numerous reboots over the years. Most of them haven't been super memorable, but the 2011 film version was only because it was so bad. Despite the female-led cast, the nature of the plot is so dated and the action is cheesy to viewers.
Ghostbusters (2016)
The 1984 "Ghostbusters" is a paranormal comedy classic, and in 2016, writers attempted to gender-swap the cast. Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig, and Chris Hemsworth make up the leading ensemble. Despite the promise in comedic caliber, the movie just comes off as a cheesy reboot to a cult classic that didn't need to be touched.
The Shining (1997)
It's a known fact that Stephen King didn't love the way his novel, "The Shining" was portrayed in the film. So, in 1997, King wrote a mini-series based on the novel in order to give it another shot. It notably did not include any of the cast from the movie, and fans were already attached to Jack Nicholson and that plot that they just didn't connect with the series.
Melrose Place (2009)
Aaron Spelling had a knack for writing young adult dramas in the 1990s, and saw huge success with "Beverly Hills: 90210." His follow-up, "Melrose Place" followed the love lives of young adults living in the same apartment complex. However, the 2009 reboot of the series wasn't as dramatic or hard-hitting, and the chemistry between the actors just didn't spark.
Magnum P.I. (2018)
Tom Selleck played the original "Magnum P.I." in the 1980s, and audiences loved him. The 2018 reboot of the investigative drama feels more action-packed than necessary. The show has earned mixed reviews, and even the best-looking actor isn't going to be able to compete with Tom Selleck from 30 years ago.
The Fugitive (2000)
Harrison Ford's "Fugitive" is one of his most defining roles, so why not leave a good thing alone? The lead actor, Tim Daly, has been nominated for several awards for his performance in the 2000 reboot, but as far as a compelling plot goes, the writers didn't make any major changes. Critics figured there wasn't a huge point to the movie, otherwise.
The Odd Couple (2015)
"The Odd Couple" was a famous play and 1960s sitcom that follows the story of two completely opposite people and shows them attempting to live together. It's a pretty common theme, but in 2015, writers took it too far. Matthew Perry from "Friends" and Thomas Lennon play Oscar and Felix, but the relationship they attempt to have as two divorced roommate fathers just doesn't feel realistic.
Ben-Hur (2016)
The original "Ben-Hur" was nominated for 12 Oscars and won 11 of them. Why would anyone even attempt to remake it? The story is an ancient action and drama story, and new director Timur Bekmambetov should have chosen literally anything else to reboot. It did so poorly in the theaters that it's laughable.