Reboots are hard to get right. I have been disappointed by the lukewarm rehashing of the Ghostbusters franchise, the unnecessary revival of my childhood hero, Indiana Jones, and the numerous pointless Star Wars spin-offs, not to mention all the Spider-Man remakes that follow a similar formula.
Yet, while many soulless reboots put us off going to the theater, there are occasions when filmmakers strike a balance between nostalgia and innovation that equals or even surpasses the original. Whether it’s through modern cinematography, special effects, sharp scripting, or bold creative risks, some reimagined classics are genuinely worth our time.
The Thing (1982)
Watch The Thing on Apple TV
Many who have watched The Thing are unaware that it’s a remake of the 1951 film The Thing from Another World. The original is fraught with the tension of Cold War paranoia, which the reboot replaces with existential dread, creeping suspense, and visceral body horror. Like some of the best horror movies (Alien, The Shining), it is set in isolation, specifically a remote Antarctic research station, and it’s one of those movies you’ll keep thinking about long after the credits roll.
The paranoia is palpable as a shape-shifting alien infiltrates a group of workers, and to this day, its groundbreaking practical effects are credible. Underappreciated upon its initial release, The Thing went on to gain cult status as one of the greatest horror movies ever made.
Batman Begins (2005)
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After some campy, cartoonish releases that were so bad they were almost good, Christopher Nolan breathed new life into the Caped Crusader with his grittier reimagining of the Batman franchise. Batman Begins introduced a hero for the new millennium, grounded in realism with undertones of fear, morality, and insecurity.
Christian Bale’s iconic portrayal is supported by a powerful cast, including Michael Caine and a relatively unknown Cillian Murphy, who lend the film considerable credibility and emotional weight. The franchise reached its peak with the sequel, The Dark Knight, but the series as a whole redefined comic book movies, laying the groundwork for an influx of DC and Marvel movies to follow.
Casino Royale (2006)
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Few will fondly remember the original Casino Royale, a 1967 spoof movie, loosely based on Ian Fleming’s novel. With Daniel Craig’s debut as 007 in a movie bearing the same name, the franchise returned to basics, featuring a Bond who brought a gritty realism and emotional vulnerability to the role. It was a real clean slate, minus the campy gadgets and cheesy one-liners. Instead, we were treated to a raw and intense lead who quickly silenced any doubters.
With some stunning set pieces from the outset, featuring a noirish and shockingly violent bathroom fight, followed by a thrilling parkour pursuit, we knew we were in for something different. It turned out that this was the modern reinvention we really needed from the tired franchise. Casino Royale doesn’t reboot Bond so much as redefine him.
Star Trek (2009)
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JJ Abrams took on an enormous challenge when he agreed to relaunch one of sci-fi’s most beloved series. If Star Trek were to succeed, it would have to honor decades of tradition while adding a fresh spin to the familiar characters that have become ingrained in popular culture.
Thankfully, Abrams pulled it off with flair. Using a clever alternate timeline format and introducing fresh, young energy to the leading roles, courtesy of Chris Pine’s Kirk and Zachary Quinto’s Spock, the new movie was as visually stunning as it was emotionally engaging. For newcomers and Trekkies alike, this successful reboot brought the franchise back up to warp speed.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes on HBO Max
After Tim Burton’s limp-wristed attempt at rebooting the Planet of the Apes universe, I approached Rise of the Planet of the Apes with little enthusiasm. However, I was happy to be proved wrong, as, far from being just another effects-laden action flick, I was treated to a deep-rooted origin story and some awe-inspiring motion-capture performances, most notably from Andy Serkis as Caesar.
As a fan of the original 1960s movies, I felt this new effort had some pretty big boots to fill, but it did just that, exploring themes of rebellion, empathy, and the morality of modern medical science. Rise of the Planet of the Apes set the stage for one of the most highly acclaimed sci-fi trilogies in recent memory, which was far more evolved than a simple retelling of a classic franchise.
It (2017)
Watch It on Netflix
I enjoyed the 1990 made-for-TV version of IT, especially Tim Curry’s performance as Pennywise, the psychotic clown. However, Stephen King’s horror story certainly deserved the full cinematic treatment it eventually received in Andy Muschietti’s two-part adaptation, with Bill Skarsgård filling the clown’s oversized shoes.
As someone who grew up in the 1990s, I found plenty of familiar references to keep me entertained. The young cast also delivers, with some authentic chemistry and convincing performances. The film’s 2017 release was well-timed, as it coincided with Stranger Things, which had everyone gripped in late 20th-century nostalgia. Nonetheless, IT, quite deservedly, went on to become one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time.
A Star Is Born (2018)
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I was shocked to discover that A Star Is Born has been remade no less than four times since 1937. As it turns out, this tale of the triumphs and pitfalls of fame transcends generations, and it is no less convincing when given a 21st-century makeover.
Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper and co-starring Lady Gaga, I almost wanted to dislike this movie. However, I was won over by the latter’s acting chops and the pair’s convincing on-screen chemistry. Buoyed by its original score, A Star Is Born is a fine homage to this traditional tale that manages to find its own voice in Hollywood’s echo chamber of remakes and sequels.
Dune (2021)
Watch Dune on HBO Max
Few sci-fi series deserve a reboot more than Frank Herbert’s Dune. After a handful of disastrous attempts to capture the essence of this complex tale, Denis Villeneuve managed to produce something that was not only visually stunning but also told the story with the requisite intellectual depth and complex characters.
The world-building in Dune is incredible, thanks in no small part to its meticulous use of special effects, Hans Zimmer’s haunting score, and its relaxed pacing. What was thought to be a near-impossible adaptation has been achieved in this epic masterpiece that manages to balance spectacle and subtlety in equal measure.
What makes a good reboot?
Reboots carry a bad reputation as recycled cash grabs. However, some stories deserve a reimagining or to be seen from a different perspective, with advanced special effects, a larger budget, or a more polished script. From the icy paranoia of The Thing to the sweeping grandeur of Dune, these nine films prove that a good reboot can elevate a story, rather than dilute it. And that some stories are just too good to remain buried in the past.
