5 Movies That Should Never Be Remade

It seems like Hollywood is full of them. Some of them are good, some of them are horrible, and some of them make you scratch your head. You know what I’m talking about – the dreaded “remake” or “reboot” of an older film.

There was a scene in Scream 4 (don’t worry – no spoilers) when Hayden Panettiere’s character is on the phone and runs through every horror movie remake in the last few years. and while the scene isn’t exactly funny it made me laugh from the sheer volume of films she spouted out.

While we’re waiting for Hollywood to stop remaking (or rebooting, I’m still unclear as to the difference) these films, let’s talk about five films that should never be remade.

Some are classics, some are cult, but I think we can agree that these five (and many, MANY more that didn’t make the list) should never be touched by the remake.

While Sam Raimi is working on the prequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ, I have to breathe a sigh of relief that no one has decided to remake the actual film.

The Wizard of Oz is a classic, one with a lot of flaws, sure. but that’s what makes it great. If touched by filmmakers today, all I see are CGI flying monkeys, and the “horse of a different” color animated instead of being dyed with gelatin (yep, they actually did that to that poor horse).

Not to mention the casting (which is going to be a reoccurring theme in this article) is spot on – who else but Judy Garland could play Dorothy Gale?

Maybe because I just recently rewatched THE GODFATHER, or maybe because it is an EPIC piece of cinema, but I cannot even entertain the thought of this being remade.

This one goes strictly by cast – who do you get to replace Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone? Or Al Pacino as Michael? Off the top of my head I can think of. um. no one.

Casting aside, with the attention span of audiences now, The Godfather would probably be cut in half. I’ll admit there are parts of the movie that could probably be shortened, but not many! And not enough to make it the “standard” hour and a half that films seem to be currently.

A cult classic at its best, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW probably wouldn’t pass the MPAA rating system if it were released today. So, point number one for not remaking it.

Point number two: Tim Curry. Unless Tim is willing to step back into Frank’s teddy and heels, don’t even bother.

Point number three: There is a feel to it that I’m pretty certain originated because of the time when Rocky Horror was filmed. As a fan, I think the overall cooky, zany, and just flat out CRAZY feeling to the film would be lacking if filmed in the present time. You could get away with a lot more in 1975 than you can now.

“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” GONE WITH THE WIND is another film on this list that shouldn’t be touched for casting purposes alone. Clark Gable as Rhett and Vivien Leigh as Scarlett were picture perfect in those roles, and no one could hold a candle to them.

Add in the performance from Hattie McDaniel and you have a film that is untouchable.

This one is near and dear to my heart. THE PRINCESS BRIDE is in my top three favorite films, so I understand that a lot of readers will feel that a more worthy film could have taken this slot.

But hear me out.

The Princess Bride is perfect in its imperfection (how’s that for an argument?). While it’s raw and gritty in certain parts, that’s what makes the film great. The fire swamp, the scene with the screaming eels, if these
were reshot in present times; like The Wizard of Oz, the fantasy would be lost.

And really? Cary Elwes as Westley and Mandy Patinkin as Inigo? There is nothing better than that. I don’t care what combination of actors you come up with. Those are just the two main characters that I thought of – and didn’t mention the INCREDIBLE supporting cast.

Although, ultimately, it’s about keeping the fantasy alive. and glossing up The Princess Bride would take away from the fairy tale.

And that’s that. Five films that should never be remade. There are several others that should also be mentioned, and I would love to hear what you have to say! What movies would you never want Hollywood to remake?

Let me know in the comments below!

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