Movie remakes are relatively common, but only a few titles have been remade more than once. Movie adaptations of books are released frequently, but these aren’t technically remakes.
Adaptations follow a novel as source material but aren’t necessarily a recreation of an existing movie. These exciting movie remakes, even with some alterations to the characters and settings, are inspired by the one that came before them.
10 A Star Is Born
Released In: 1937, 1954, 1976, & 2018
A Star is Born‘s classic tale about falling in love under the pressure of the spotlight has been remade four times over the years. Since the 1937 original, several huge Hollywood names have portrayed the main characters, including Barbra Streisand, Julie Garland, Lady Gaga, and Bradley Cooper.
The third remake of the original 1937 film, A Star Is Born stars Bradley Cooper as Jackson Maine, an alcoholic Country musician who discovers and falls in love with a young and aspiring singer named Ally, played by Lady Gaga. As Jack helps Ally become famous, their relationship deepens, but his private demons have devastating consequences on both their lives. The film was also Cooper’s directorial debut. A Star Is Born (1976) stars Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in a romantic drama centered around an established rock star who discovers and falls in love with a talented, up-and-coming singer. Directed by Frank Pierson, the film explores themes of fame, addiction, and the personal costs of success in the music industry.
While the names of the characters change in the last recreation, Esther and Norman’s story stays the same. Interestingly, the 1954, 1976, and 2018 remakes are some of the best musical movies ever, whereas the original is just a drama.
9 King Kong
Released In: 1933, 1976, & 2005
Since King Kong‘s first release in 1933, the incredible ape-focused film has been remade twice. In every iteration, Carl Denham travels to Skull Island and encounters the titular Kong, but his mistreatment of the large animal results in city-wide destruction.
King Kong (1933) is a classic adventure film following filmmaker Carl Denham, who travels to Skull Island to capture footage of a legendary giant ape named Kong. Fay Wray stars as Ann Darrow, the woman Kong becomes infatuated with, while Robert Armstrong and Bruce Cabot also play pivotal roles. The movie is renowned for its groundbreaking special effects and compelling narrative. Peter Jackson’s King Kong is a remake of the 1933 film of the same name. When enterprising filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) decides to travel to the mysterious skull island, he hires naive young actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) to star in the film he intends to make. Denham’s crew of actors discovers the island’s big secret: Kong, a 25-foot-tall giant ape. Denham’s ambition gets the better of him, and he exploits Darrow’s bond with Kong to kidnap him, bringing him back to New York to exploit him for profit. King Kong (1976) is a remake of the classic monster film, directed by John Guillermin. The movie follows an ambitious filmmaker and his crew as they discover a giant ape on a remote island. Starring Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange, and Charles Grodin, this adaptation explores the themes of beauty and the beast while showcasing groundbreaking special effects for its time. The film features the iconic scene atop the World Trade Center.
There are a few changes between the King Kong movies, although the original and 2005 titles share more similarities than the 1976 remake. The most notable difference in John Guillermin’s film is that Kong attacks the World Trade Center, which, naturally, Peter Jackson doesn’t recreate in his 2005 remake.
Released In: 1982, 1991, & 2014
While Little Orphan Annie has been adapted for the screen several times, 1982’s Annie is the only version to be directly remade more than once. The 1999 remake is technically a TV movie, but it sticks to the journey of the young girl’s musical quest to find her parents beautifully.
A modern adaptation of the famous stage musical of the same name, Annie follows the titular character, a young girl in the foster care system in New York City, who unwittingly finds herself under the care of one of the wealthiest men in the city, businessman Will Stacks. As Will and Annie get to know each other, they begin to become a family, but other forces work to pull them apart. Quvenzhané Wallis stars as Annie, with a further cast that includes Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, and Bobby Cannavale.
The most recent Annie is Will Gluck’s 2014 remake, starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. Although several notable details are altered, like Annie no longer being a redhead and a change in setting from the Great Depression to the present day, it’s still technically a remake.
7 Black Christmas
Released In: 1974, 2006, & 2019
The ending of 1974’s Black Christmas is so chilling, but the remakes fail to replicate the same tone. The newer versions are only loose interpretations, but they are still officially remakes. All three versions of Black Christmas focus on a sorority being targeted by a crazed killer, although character details differ.
The most recent remake is from 2019, although both this title and the 2006 entry aren’t as notable as the original. 1974’s Black Christmas introduces one of the best slasher villains of all time, Billy, who is a significant factor in the film’s cult following.
6 Cheaper By The Dozen
Released In: 1950, 2003, & 2022
Many remember the kids from 2003’s Cheaper by the Dozen, but they aren’t aware of the 1950 original. The Gilbreths, or the Bakers in the 2003 and 2022 remakes, and their 12 children are a hilarious bunch, and their story is a heartwarming and endearing watch for all.
Disney’s Cheaper by the Dozen remake is a reimagining of the same concept, which reflects a modern-day family, with the Bakers sharing biological children while also co-parenting with their exes. Surprisingly, audiences tend to remember the 2003 remake of Cheaper by the Dozen more than any other iteration.
5 Day Of The Dead
Released In: 1985, 2008, & 2017
1985’s Day of the Dead is the third movie in George Romero’s Living Dead universe, with remakes released in 2008 and 2017. The latter, however, is titled Day of the Dead: Bloodline. Day of the Dead is a fantastic zombie apocalypse movie about a group of survivors of the deadly event.
Day of the Dead: Bloodline is a 2017 horror film directed by Hèctor Hernández Vicens. The film reimagines George A. Romero’s classic tale, following a group of military personnel and survivalists in a post-apocalyptic world besieged by zombies. The protagonist, a former medical student, struggles to find a cure while grappling with her past and the relentless threats posed by the undead. Day of the Dead is a horror film directed by George A. Romero, set during a post-apocalyptic world where a small group of military officers and scientists reside in an underground bunker, struggling to survive and understand the zombie epidemic that has ravaged the planet.
Day of the Dead‘s remakes are considered bad for several reasons, although this is primarily because Romero isn’t involved with these projects. Steve Miner’s 2008 version is especially criticized because of how little it follows the source material, despite being classified as a remake.
4 My Best Friend’s Wedding
Released In: 1997, 2016, & 2019
My Best Friend’s Wedding‘s 1997 original, starring Julia Roberts, is a great movie from the golden age of rom-coms. The narrative of Jules discovering her feelings for her engaged best friend, Michael, has been remade twice. While the 2016 Chinese and 2019 Mexican versions change up certain roles, both movies follow the same story.
For example, the 2016 remake sees Jules’ counterpart travel internationally to the wedding rather than across the country. However, these details and even the differences in cultural settings don’t take away from the story, which always focuses on hidden feelings and jealousy.
3 Perfect Strangers
27 International Versions Released Between 2016 & 2024
Perfect Strangers has an astounding 28 international remakes, which is incredibly impressive, considering the Italian original is only from 2016. Each version follows a group of friends reuniting for an evening of fun, until their secrets start slipping through the cracks.
Perfect Strangers, directed by Alex de la Iglesia, centers on a dinner party where seven friends play a revealing game, sharing all messages and calls they receive throughout the night, leading to unexpected consequences and revelations as a lunar eclipse unfolds. Perfect Strangers is a sitcom that aired from 1986 to 1993, featuring Mark Linn-Baker as Larry Appleton and Bronson Pinchot as his distant cousin Balki Bartokomous. The show follows their comedic adventures and cultural clashes as they navigate life together in Chicago.
The first remake is from Greece, just 10 months after the original, and the most recent is from India, released in August 2024. Interestingly, India has remade Perfect Strangers four times, each with slight differences in the story. None of the remakes are identical, but the main premise is always consistent in each title.
2 Love Affair
Released In: 1939, 1957 & 1994
Love Affair, which is also known as An Affair to Remember in the 1957 remake, focuses on two people who are involved with other people embarking on a passionate affair. The 1939 original is an absolute classic, and it delves into the inner workings of relationships and true love, although all three are fabulous romantic movies.
Love Affair is a romantic drama directed by Leo McCarey, featuring Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne. Released in 1939, the film follows two characters who fall in love aboard an ocean liner despite their existing engagements. They agree to meet six months later at the Empire State Building, but fate has other plans. The film’s poignant storytelling has made it a timeless classic in the romance genre. An Affair to Remember, directed by Leo McCarey, features Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr as two strangers who meet and fall in love on an ocean liner. Both engaged to other people, they make a pact to reunite atop the Empire State Building in six months if they still feel the same way, setting the stage for a romantic and emotional journey.
However, one major difference between the 1994 remake and its counterparts is that the two leads meet on a plane rather than a ship.An Affair to Remember has also spawned its own remakes, strangely, despite being a remake itself.
1 The Longest Yard
Remade In: 1974, 2001, & 2005
Adam Sandler and Jason Statham both remade The Longest Yard, although there are some differences. Burt Reynolds’ 1974 original introduces professional footballer Paul Crewe, who ends up in jail after being chased by police and later joins the prison team.
The Longest Yard (2005) is a remake of the 1974 sports comedy classic, this time by director Peter Segal. Sent to jail after a televised car chase, pro football quarterback Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) is manipulated by Warden Hazen (James Cromwell) into helping coach the prison’s team. Crewe instead proposes a warm-up game between the guards and the prisoners, with him captaining the inmates. Assisted by incarcerated ex-NFL coach Nate Scarborough (Burt Reynolds), a ragtag team of felons and misfits, Crewe must battle against more than a juiced-up defense to win the game and save his future. Mean Machine is a British sports comedy-drama film, directed by Barry Skolnick. Vinnie Jones stars as Danny Meehan, a former professional footballer who is sent to prison and coerced into coaching a team of inmates for a match against the prison guards. The film features performances by Jason Statham, David Hemmings, and David Kelly, blending elements of humor and sportsmanship within the prison setting. Based on the 1974 film The Longest Yard.
Statham’s Mean Machine, which is inspired by Crewe’s nickname, is set in the UK. However, the basic themes and plot are the same as The Longest Yard. The 2005 movie remake is more reflective of Sandler’s work, though, and leans more into the comedy side than the original.
