Film remakes are relatively common, but only a few titles have been remade more than once. Film adaptations of books are released frequently, but they are not technically remakes.
Adaptations follow a novel as source material, but are not necessarily a recreation of an existing film. These exciting film remakes, even with some changes to the characters and settings, are inspired by those that came before them.
10
A star is born
Released in: 1937, 1954, 1976 and 2018
A star is bornThe classic story of falling in love under the pressure of the spotlight has been remade four times over the years. Since the 1937 original, several big Hollywood names portrayed the main characters, including Barbra Streisand, Julie Garland, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
While the characters’ names change in the latest recreation, Esther and Norman’s story remains the same. Interestingly, the 1954, 1976, and 2018 remakes are some of the best movie musicals of all time, while the original is just a drama.
9
King Kong
Released in: 1933, 1976 and 2005
Since King KongFirst released in 1933, the incredible ape-focused film has been remade twice. In each iteration, Carl Denham travels to Skull Island and encounters the titular Kong, but his mistreatment of the large animal results in the destruction of the entire city.
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King Kong (1933) is a classic adventure film that follows 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 falls in love with, while Robert Armstrong and Bruce Cabot also play pivotal roles. The film is known for its innovative special effects and compelling storytelling.
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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 plans to make. Denham’s team of actors discover the island’s big secret: Kong, a giant 7.5 meter tall 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.
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King Kong (1976) is a remake of the classic monster film, directed by John Guillermin. The film follows an ambitious filmmaker and his team 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 featuring innovative special effects for the time. The film features the iconic scene atop the World Trade Center.
There are some changes between the King Kong films, 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.
8
Annie
Released in: 1982, 1991 and 2014
While Little Orphan Annie has been adapted for the screen several times, 1982 Annie It is the only version to be directly remade more than once. The 1999 remake is technically a TV movie, but it follows the young girl’s musical journey to find her parents. beautifully.
The latest Annie is the 2014 Will Gluck remake starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. Although several notable details were changed, such as Annie no longer being a redhead and a change in setting from the Great Depression to the present day, it is still technically a remake.
7
Black Christmas
Released in: 1974, 2006 and 2019
The end of 1974 Black Christmas it’s so scary, but the remakes can’t replicate the same tone. The newer versions are just loose interpretations, but they are still official remakes. All three versions of Black Christmas focus on a sorority being targeted by a crazed killer, although the character details are different.
The most recent remake is from 2019, although both this title and the 2006 entry aren’t as notable as the original. 1974 Black Christmas features one of the best horror 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 and 2022
Many remember the children of 2003 Cheaper by the dozenbut they don’t know 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 heartwarming and captivating for everyone.
from Disney Cheaper by the dozen The remake is a reimagining of the same concept, which reflects a modern family, with the Bakers sharing biological children while also co-parenting 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 and 2017
1985 Day of the Dead is the third film 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 film about a group of survivors of the deadly event.
Day of the DeadThe remakes of are considered bad for several reasons, mainly because Romero is not involved in these projects. Steve Miner’s 2008 version is especially criticized for how little it follows the source material despite being classified as a remake.
4
My best friend’s wedding
Released in: 1997, 2016 and 2019
My best friend’s weddingThe 1997 original, starring Julia Roberts, is a great film from the golden age of romantic comedies. The narrative of Jules discovering her feelings for her fiancé best friend, Michael, has been remade twice. Although the 2016 Chinese and 2019 Mexican versions change certain roles, both films follow the same story.
For example, in the 2016 remake, Jules’ counterpart travels internationally for the wedding instead of traveling across the country. However, these details and even differences in cultural settings do not detract from the story, which always focuses on hidden feelings and jealousy.
3
Perfect Strangers
27 international versions released between 2016 and 2024
Perfect Strangers has an astonishing 28 international remakes, which is incredibly impressive considering the Italian original is only from 2016. Each version follows a group of friends getting together for a night of fun, until their secrets start to leak out.
The first remake comes from Greece, just 10 months after the original, and the latest is from India, released in August 2024. Interestingly, India remade Perfect Strangers four times, each with small differences in history. None of the remakes are identical, but the main premise is always consistent across each title.
2
love affair
Released in: 1939, 1957 and 1994
love affair, which is also known as An Affair to Remember in the 1957 remake, it focuses on two people who are involved with other people and embark on a passionate affair. The 1939 original is an absolute classic and delves into the inner workings of relationships and true love. although all three are fabulous romantic films.
However, one major difference between the 1994 remake and its counterparts is that the two protagonists meet on a plane rather than a ship. An Affair to Remember it also spawned its own remakes, strangely enough, despite being a remake itself.
1
The longest yard
Remade in: 1974, 2001 and 2005
Adam Sandler and Jason Statham both remade The longest yardalthough there are some differences. Burt Reynolds’ 1974 original features professional football player Paul Crewe, who ends up in prison after being chased by the police and later joins the prison team.
Statham Medium Machineinspired by Crewe’s nickname, it is set in the United Kingdom. However, the basic themes and plot are the same The longest yard. The 2005 film remake however, it is more reflective of Sandler’s work and leans more toward comedy than the original.