The Grudge and the 10 best foreign horror movie remakes

5. Godzilla (2014)

Remake of Godzilla (1954) – Japan

Calling Gareth Edwards’ reboot of the Godzilla franchise a remake may seem like I’m reaching a little bit, but with the story being set up as an reintroduction to the famous monster, I’d say that the remake term fits this film like a glove.

Much like the previously mentioned Dracula, Godzilla is an entity that has become incredibly far-removed from the meaning of the first film in 1954. Representing the horrors of nuclear bombing, Godzilla is an important character for Japan, especially during the 50s, but over the years the character became known a kaiju that simply like fighting and destroying.

When 2014 came around, American studios decided to take another crack at adapting the character into an American reboot after a failed previous attempt. This time, Gareth Edwards takes the ball and boy does he run with it!

Bringing the film back to its early roots, Edwards’ Godzilla places a heavy emphasis on buildup as we follow humans trying to understand what is happening and showing the creature in small doses. This buildup leads to a greater sense of closure when we finally see the creature in its full form.

While one might think it silly to call Godzilla a horror movie, we must not forget not only the context for the original interpretation of the creature, but the fact that Godzilla destroys entire cities, murdering tons of innocent people in the long run. While the 2014 version is very much a blockbuster, there is a renewed focus on human suffering that was the main focal point of the Japanese original that places the film among the cream of the crop in terms of foreign horror movie remakes.