New movies are released all the time. While it's a ton of fun to watch a brand new movie and experience the story for the first time, there are also a lot of these movies that aren't actually new stories. Quite a few movies that come out are remakes of movies that were released in the past. Some of these movies were released in another language or a long time ago, while others are remakes that were released somewhat recently.
While there are a lot of movies like Pet Sematary that we all know are remakes of past movies, there are also a lot of movies that many people believe are brand new stories when in fact, they're remakes! Sometimes, these movies are remakes of movies that were already really good, but for different reasons, people just aren't aware of the original.
To see 10 movies you probably didn't know were remakes, keep reading!
The Last House On The Left
The Last House on the Left is a horror movie that was released in 2009. This movie follows a family that goes on vacation to their secluded lake house, expecting a relaxing time away from their normal lives. After a group of criminals attack the daughter of the family, Mari, and her friend, Paige, a storm forces the attackers to try to find somewhere to wait for the storm to pass. Unfortunately, they choose Mari's parents' home and they quickly realize something awful has happened.
This brutal thriller is a remake of a movie by the same name from 1972. The original version of this film is based on a Swedish film and a medieval ballad. The original film, which was heavily censored and even banned, has the same basic plot as the remake.
The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon is a classic in the noir genre and was released in 1941. Many people know that this film was based on a novel, but not a lot of people are aware that it was actually also a remake of a 1931 film by the same name. Both versions have the dialogue in the film taken directly from the novel, but because the 1931 version was released during the Pre-Code Hollywood era, it failed to become as popular as the Humphrey Bogart version released in 1941.
The film stars Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade, a private detective living in San Francisco. The movie follows Spade's dealings with various different clients, all of whom are trying their best to get their hands on a jewel-encrusted falcon statue.
I Am Legend
I Am Legend is a movie that stars Will Smith as the last man on Earth after a mysterious virus ravages the population and turns people into light-sensitive, bloodthirsty creatures. This movie is based on a 1954 novel, also called I Am Legend, which is something that major science fiction fans are already aware of.
Although it's fairly well-known that this movie was based on a novel, not a lot of people are aware that it's actually also a remake of two different movies: 1964's The Last Man on Earth and the 1971 film, The Omega Man.
The Thing
The Thing is a science fiction movie that was released in 1982 and was based on a 1938 novel called Who Goes There?, something that many major sci-fi fans are well aware of as this movie has become a cult classic since its release. This movie follows a group of American researchers who are living in Antarctica when they become the targets of a monster known as "Thing."
Multiple sequels to this movie have been released, including a 2011 film by the same name. But, one thing that many fans of The Thing don't know is that this movie is actually a remake. It's a remake of a B-horror movie from 1951 known as The Thing from Another World.
Mr. Deeds
Mr. Deeds was released in 2002 and stars Adam Sandler as Longfellow Deeds, a man who learns that he's the last remaining relative of a billionaire who recently passed away in a mountain climbing expedition. Deeds is informed that he'll be receiving his distant relative's fortune, but he has to stay in his estate while the details are handled.
While many fans of comedic movies know and love this film, not a lot of people know that Adam Sandler's portrayal of Deeds wasn't the first one to hit the big screen. In 1936, a movie called Mr. Deeds Goes to Town was released based on the same basic story.
The Grudge
The Grudge is a supernatural horror movie that was originally released in 2004. The movie has a non-linear timeline and follows several intersecting plots, all of which revolve around a Japanese myth about the curse that is left behind after someone meets a violent or highly emotional death. Although many people already know about the 2020 remake of this film, only the most serious horror movie fans will know that the 2004 version was also a remake.
This movie was a remake of the 2002 Japanese horror film Ju-On: The Grudge. It was the third movie in the Ju-On series and followed the same basic plot as the American remake, focused heavily on the Japanese mythology about the onryō, or vengeful spirit.
Meet The Parents
Meet the Parents is a comedic movie that was released in 2000 and stars Ben Stiller as Greg Focker, a man living in Chicago whose plants to propose to his girlfriend are knocked off course when they're invited to her sister's wedding at their parents' house. The movie follows as Greg tries his best to impress her family despite their disapproval.
This movie has become really popular among fans of funny movies in the years since it was released. But, one thing many fans didn't know is that it was based on a 1992 film by the same name. The 1992 version wasn't widely released or promoted, causing it to fall short in popularity.
Scarface
Scarface was released in 1983 and stars Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban refugee living in Miami who turns his life around and becomes a powerful mobster and drug lord. This movie has become a classic in the world of crime films and just about everyone is familiar with Pacino's portrayal of Tony Montana, even if they've never seen the film.
But something that a lot of people don't know is that this movie is a remake. It was based on the 1932 film by the same name. The 1932 version of Scarface stars Paul Muni as Antonio Camonte, a man living in Chicago in the 1920s who works closely with a powerful mafioso who works his way up in the ranks of the mafia.
Meet Joe Black
Meet Joe Black is a romantic fantasy film that was released in 1998 in the early days of Brad Pitt's career. In the movie, a billionaire businessman has reached the end of his life and is visited by Death who has taken on the human form of a man named Joe Black. Instead of agreeing to go with Death, the man makes a deal with him: Death will give him a few extra days of life and will take the time to live life as a normal human.
This movie was loosely based on the 1934 film Death Takes a Holiday. In this movie, Death has grown tired of being feared and decides to masquerade as a human for a while to see what life is like.
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was released in 2013 and stars Ben Stiller as a man who has a pretty ordinary life. But, while he's working his monotonous job, he daydreams about what life would be like if things were just a little more interesting.
This movie is the second adaptation of a short story by the same name. The first was released in 1947 and Danny Kaye. The original version of this film had more or less the same story as the remake, unlike other remakes that make some drastic changes to make the film more original.