10 Horror Movies That Really Do Deserve a Remake
Gothic: Gothic was such an atmospheric and morbid picture that it almost worked. In fact, I’m sure many fans wouldn’t think of touching Ken Russell’s original. But for all the good things going for the flick (including Gabriel Byrne’s participation), there’s something missing, and the unintentional humor sprinkled throughout the film never sat well with me. There’s a complex and intriguing story here, but those two strengths alone aren’t quite enough (for me) to label this one a hit. That said, it could be. An extremely bleak tone, from beginning to end, without the laughs that were never meant to be, Gothic had the potential to be one of the best of the 1980s. I may catch some flack for this pick, but I’m a firm believer that a pitch-black rendition of Gothic could have bordered on true taboo, and we all know that taboo is a major attraction for genre fans. We love to see content that pushes the boundaries of censorship, and Gothic deserved that treatment.
Sometimes They Come Back: Yep, another Stephen King film makes the list. Tom McLoughlin’s 1991 made-for-TV adaptation of Stephen King’s chilling short story “Sometimes They Come Back” was a welcome surprise. The movie is engaging, it’s creepy, and it forces viewers to juggle a whole lot of different emotions – heartbreak being a major, major focus point of the film. In short, I got a serious kick out of the movie, which means this is one of the few pictures on this list that was actually good. But I can’t help but believe that a modernized, R-rated take, with a hefty dose of practical work and a great cast, would make for a seriously successful film. The truth is that McLoughlin’s picture, while badass, hasn’t aged all too well. If we can bring out a slew of top-notch practical effects practitioners, get a menacing young cast to take on the villains of the film, and re-cast (likely the most challenging aspect of this proposed scenario) the character of Jim Norman with a performer who can handle the up-and-down mental battle that Tim Matheson brought to life so convincingly, we could see one of the finest King transfers to date.
The Werewolf: I actually love this film. Really, really, really love it! For my money it’s one of the finest werewolf films in existence and a picture a decade or so ahead of its time. Yet, somehow no one knows (especially not the younger crowds) about the flick. (Seriously, how in the shit is this possible?!?) It’s been forgotten over the years, which is a shame given the entertainment factor of the production. The Werewolf is the only movie on this list I’d classify as a bona fide classic (that could be nothing more than a reflection of my personal adoration, I confess), and the lack of eyes on the film feels like a joke gone terribly wrong. It’s time genre fans familiarized themselves with a true beauty, and if it takes a remake to make that happen, well then, so be it!
