![Arachnophobia Is The Perfect Answer To Your Horror Remake Complaints [MINI]](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Arachnophobia-Is-The-Perfect-Answer-To-Your-Horror-Remake-Complaints.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
No horror movie remake is without its share of complaints, but the redo of Arachnophobia is the perfect answer to the usual backlash. A cult classic “thrill-comedy,” the Disney-produced original was supposed to do for spiders what Jaws did for sharks. While Arachnophobia’s heyday came and went into the cobweb-covered corners of video stores, though, the light horror movie is getting a second chance with a remake and an opportunity to spin another tangled tale of spiders gone amok.
Released in 1990, Frank Marshall's Arachnophobia is a tribute to B-movie creature features. Starring John Goodman and Jeff Daniels, it has the two combatting killer spiders in a small town. Known for its creepy cast of killer critters and delightfully over-the-top premise, Arachnophobia was well-received but is not nearly as iconic as similar movies like Gremlins, The Birds, or Jaws. That's why it's interesting that Amblin Entertainment and James Wan's Atomic Monster Productions are revisiting the buggy blockbuster and rebooting it for a new generation.
Naturally, any horror movie remake will be met with a backlash, especially when the original version is beloved by fans. However, Arachnophobia is the perfect example of how, when, and why a movie is ready for a remake. The early '90s creepy crawler thriller is a fun film that just didn’t have as much pop culture staying power as horror staples like A Nightmare on Elm Street nor the privilege of multiple sequels to turn it into a familiar horror franchise. With such a timeless concept, new talent, and just the right amount of nostalgia, however, Arachnophobia is a film that can work anew within modern cinema trends while giving the horror-comedy a second life and offering a new audience the fear of a spider invasion. Not all horror remakes have to be subpar, and some may even be necessary in order for the originals to be appreciated.
It's easy to argue against the need for horror remakes, particularly when the original still holds up and has preserved its place in history. However, time isn’t always kind to movies. With no sequels, reunions, or celebrations, and not nearly as much of a legacy as other horror comedies like Ghostbusters, Arachnophobia is a recognizable name but the movie itself is not widely remembered. Critics at the time acknowledged that Marshall’s film was well-made and had a lot of heart but found it to be “oddly unresonant" (via Newsweek). Arachnophobia could use a way to crawl back into public consciousness, and with a nostalgic name, it can build on the old, make something new, and finally find the recognition it hasn’t seen since the 1990s.
Some successful horror movies can be a product of their time and so their remakes can’t recapture the charm and talent of the original. What’s great about Arachnophobia is its concept works in any era since fears of spiders are commonplace in any decade. Additionally, the remake has started things right by recruiting alumni and modern talent alike, most of whom have a horror pedigree. Marshall is back to executive produce to redo alongside James Wan (of Saw fame) while Christopher Landon, the filmmaker behind enjoyably campy horror films such as Freaky and Happy Death Day, is directing the new Arachnophobia. A classic premise reimagined with people who have experience with skin-crawling comedies is a good sign that there’s an understanding of what worked before and a vision to carry on its spirit in a new way.
Like the classic slashers and monsters that star in them, horror movie favorites will usually come back somehow. For remakes like Arachnophobia, skepticism is likely out of reverence for the originals. However, not all remakes have to fall short, and sometimes may be necessary for classics to shine through once more.