Since the beginning of the 21st century, Hollywood has been in the business of remakes, reboots, and sequels. Although, there’s a sort of inevitability about some movies being remade even with their iconic status. There are, however, some movies that should never be remade. Here are 19 movies that should never get a remake.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Tom Hanks has many classic roles, but Forrest Gump remains irreplaceable. Released in 1994, Forrest Gump has stood the test of time and doesn’t require a modern remake. Casting someone else to replace Hanks while also trying to tell the story that was wonderfully done would only ruin the legacy of the original.
Goodfellas (1990)
Goodfellas has a plotline that would still interest modern viewers with its iconic era-appropriate cinematography and style. A modern version would feel too clean and lack the grittiness and personality that the ’90s version had. The characters are also irreplaceable.
Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca is era-defining, made even more special by being filmed during the time it portrays. Released in 1942 during WWII, Casablanca holds a unique appeal and significance of its time. Casablanca’s unique charm lies in blending a love story with wartime themes. It won an Oscar, and while remake potential exists, audiences prefer it untouched.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Netflix’s success with Ratched had sparked interest in a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest remake. However, some classics, like this one, should be left untouched. Jack Nicholson’s unique acting has made fans love the movie; no one could match his iconic portrayal in reality.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Western movies have seen a decline in popularity compared to the time when Clint Eastwood was a big star of the genre. In 1966, the actor starred in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, which is regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time. Although there’s a desire to remake it, no Western star can replace Clint’s iconic role.
The Sound of Music (1965)
The Sound of Music is everything called perfection, and you don’t want to mess with it. Julie Andrews, the star of the movie, is irreplaceable, and it would be futile for any filmmaker to try to recapture the magic that’s this movie.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
A movie so enchanting, a plot so exciting, entertaining, and universally relatable; that is exactly what The Wizard of Oz is. It was done right the first time and certainly doesn’t need a remake. Although we’ve seen different offshoots throughout the years, a full remake would be unnecessary.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Most Christmas movies aren’t often remade, and that should remain the case with It’s a Wonderful Life. Movies get remade when their message can be better understood in today’s context. But for this classic movie, it simply isn’t necessary.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Audrey Hepburn is an iconic actress who would be difficult to replace if there were to be a remake of this movie. It would be difficult to find the unique qualities of Hepburn that made her Holly Golightly character so memorable. As such, a remake of Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a big No.
The Godfather (1972)
When we’re talking of pure cinematic excellence, The Godfather is one name sure to come up. From the cast, and the script, to the performance, nothing gets better than this. No filmmaker would be able to remake this masterpiece, so we might as well leave it intact.
Titanic (1997)
One of the greatest movies of all time since its release, Titanic is a classic movie that defined its decade. James Cameron showed us why he’s considered one of Hollywood’s best directors, from the visuals to its cinematography. Similarly, I can’t see any pair matching Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio’s intense chemistry.
Back to the Future (1985)
Back to the Future wasn’t the first travel movie back when it was released, but it’s arguably the most popular and beloved of all time. The possibility of it getting a half reboot in the future is quite high, but that might come at the risk of tainting the movie’s legacy.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is by far the best Stephen King movie adaptation and also one of the best movies released in the ’90s. The perfect way that The Shawshank Redemption adapted King’s novella makes it very difficult to be remade. It’s ranked number one on the IMDB top 250.
Citizen Kane (1941)
The rise, the downfall, and the mysterious last words of Charles Foster Kane make up the storyline in Orson Welles’s 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane. Even eight decades after its release, it’s still a masterpiece. Citizen Kane remains a timeless movie that’ll continue to impress for generations to come, rendering a remake utterly needless.
Die Hard (1988)
An action movie perfection; this is exactly what Die Hard is. It features an underdog hero, a charismatic villain, a great premise, and a memorable setting. Die Hard also changed the way action movies were made for good and made Bruce Willis a star. While sequels to the movie exist, there is rightly no remake.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Breakfast Club is one of John Hughes’s best movies. He hit gold with the cast of this movie. They knew exactly how to slowly cut the tension of the movie in an hour and 37 minutes of the film. Trying to find the perfect cast members to do this would make a remake challenging.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
The movie that made Quentin Tarantino a household name is Pulp Fiction. This multi-strand crime film is hilariously quirky and delightfully absurd, with three intertwined primary storylines. The stellar cast totally complements the unique, twist-filled plot, and this makes it unsuitable for a remake.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver is a landmark film by Martin Scorsese from the New Hollywood era. It pushed boundaries with its dark story, complicated main character, and intense violence. Over the years, this movie has proved to be one of cinema’s most influential films, and I hope no one pursues a remake anytime soon.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
A record that is most likely to stand the test of time, Gone with the Wind is the highest-grossing movie of all time when adjusting for inflation. Gone with the Wind is a pinnacle of Golden Era Hollywood, known for its lavish production, Technicolor visuals, and stellar cast. A remake can’t recreate its magic.
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