Are remakes a good idea or a bad idea? We'll never have a clear-cut answer to that age-old question, and that's okay. Throughout the decades, filmmakers have made some genuinely good remakes, albeit they tend to be far and few between. More often than not, remakes are a lazy way for studios to cash grab, trusting in the nostalgia factor to make them hits to varying degrees of success.
The remake debate goes in circles, but Hollywood will never stop making them. Already there are several horror movie remakes in the works and I'm sure more will be on the way within the next few years.
Below we've listed a few specific upcoming horror remakes that are wholly unnecessary, but happening regardless.
Cujo
Are there any significant Cujo fans out there? The 1983 film was considered a cult favorite but is not often cited as one of the greats. Stephen King readers don't even reference the 1981 book as one of his best. So why are we getting another take on the rabid dog story? The 1983 film was the best version we could have gotten for that particular story without treading the same waters. That said, the fact that Darren Aronofsky is showing interest in the new adaptation has me intrigued.
Possession
I like Robert Pattinson as much as the next person, but I'm not looking forward to his take on this 1981 film. The original Possession was an incredible feat of filmmaking frequently lauded as a cult classic, with many modern actresses referencing star Isabelle Adjani as a significant source of inspiration.
Pattinson is teaming up with Smile director Parker Finn for a new take on the film. I'm sure it will be an appealing project for some up-and-coming actress to take the lead role, but why do we need this particular remake? At the very least, it would have been nice to get some female filmmakers involved to get a different perspective, especially since many people feel Possession is a feminist film.
The Exorcist
As a big fan of Mike Flanagan's previous films and television shows, it pains me a little bit to put one of his upcoming projects on here, but the fact is, we don't need another attempt at The Exorcist. Blumhouse's efforts were (rightfully) poorly received with their dreadful 2023 film.
Not even the return of original stars Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair could salvage that film. For many, The Exorcist is considered untouchable. It's one of the greatest and scariest horror movies ever. There's a reason that not many people have attempted to build on its legacy. It's similar to the impact of Jaws. There are too many ways this remake could go wrong.
The Faculty
Why remake something that was already perfect? The Faculty is another cult classic film from the late 1990s, a beloved sci-fi horror flick starring a young Josh Hartnett, Clea DuVall, and Jordana Brewster. It's prime '90s cheese, and many of us look back at it fondly because of that.
The Faculty has tons of fun with its body-snatching premise, perfectly balancing the scares with its humor in a pitch-perfect script from Scream scribe Kevin Williamson. The movie oozes charm that can be replicated. However, the fact that Drew Hancock (Companion) is writing the remake's script gives me the faintest glimmer of hope.
American Psycho
When it was first announced that Lionsgate would be remaking the Bret Easton Ellis book for a new film, it broke social media. Opinions started flying everywhere about whether doing an American Psycho remake would be wise. However, some naysayers became more optimistic upon realizing Luca Guadagnino (Challengers) would be directing. Austin Butler is set to play the lead role of Patrick Bateman.
But can an American Psycho remake even work in the modern era? The movie was very much of its time, satirizing the specific consumerist culture of the 1980s, and many felt that Mary Harron's masterful approach was even better than its source material. How can they replicate the success of the original in a new film? There's plenty to say about modern-day consumerism and capitalism, but it remains to be seen if the remake can tap into the same energy that made the original so good.