5 Remakes That Somehow Turned Mediocre Originals Into Masterpieces

We know, originality seems rare these days and we are usually very critical in that regard. However, sometimes (just sometimes though), stars align and a true miracle happens.

And while we're usually the first to champion originality, we have to admit that certain remakes just simply outdo the original. It happens.

Amidst the recent disappointments littering our screens, it's no surprise that you are skeptical. But when done with passion, creativity and genuine respect for the source material, remakes can be quite good and turn out even better than its predecessors. These 5 projects are exactly like that.

Shameless (2011-2021): Dysfunctional American Family

Shameless US is the remake of the British show of the same name that ran for 9 years (2004-2013).

When Showtime announced they were adapting the British series Shameless for an American audience, nobody could even have predicted the cultural sensation it would become. The original UK version, while solid, was about to be overshadowed by something pretty spectacular.

Shameless US completely transformed a distinctly British story into a uniquely American one while maintaining the heart of the original. We can confidently say that the American Shameless breathed new life into the already good story.

Besides, the casting in the US version was priceless. William H. Macy absolutely nailed it as Frank Gallagher. And Emmy Rossum really embodied Fiona Gallagher.

Where the UK version was good, the US version became great, diving deeper into each character. They've created a story that felt both brutally honest and surprisingly hopeful.

All 11 seasons are available right now on Netflix, Fandango at Home and Apple TV+.

A Star Is Born (2018): Fourth Time's the Charm

A Star Is Born (2018) is a remake of 1937 drama. In fact, it’s not a first of its kind as we also have 1954 and 1976 remakes of the movie.

Who would've thought that a story told three times before could still feel this fresh? This version of A Star Is Born took a familiar story and turned it into something simultaneously timeless and completely modern.

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper reinvented the classic for an entirely new generation. The chemistry between them was electric, which greatly helped to make their love story this much more believable. You simply can't watch their performances, especially during musical numbers, without being moved deeply.

Speaking of music, the soundtrack quickly became a hit. Shallow alone was on everybody's mind for a solid year or so. And that's a no-brainer. Lady Gaga is the star of the show, after all. And you can't go wrong with that.

Every previous version of A Star Is Born had its merits, but this version found something deeper and ultimately more affecting than any of its predecessors.

You can catch this emotional rollercoaster on Spectrum, Fandango at Home, Plex, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.

The Parent Trap (1998): Our Childhood Classic

The Parent Trap (1998) is a remake of the 1961 movie of the same name.

The 1998 version with Lindsay Lohan absolutely crushed it. This remake managed to save all the charm of the original while adding its own special sauce to the mix.

But most importantly, can we appreciate the chemistry between Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson? The tension was so perfectly balanced with the comedy that you couldn't help but root for them to finally get back together.

Additionally, the updated '90s setting somehow made the whole parent-trap scheme even more fun to watch. We mean, who doesn't love a good '90s comedy?

So while the original was great for its time, this version added heart and humor that a whole new generation can relate to.

The Parent Trap is currently available on Disney+, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video, and Apple TV+.

Freaky Friday (2003): Mother-Daughter Magic

Another Lindsay Lohan classic starring Jamie Lee Curtis. We couldn't help but mention it not because Freakier Friday was recently announced, but because the movie itself is a brilliant remake. Its predecessor is Freaky Friday, released in 1976.

Taking on a movie that originally starred Jodie Foster is not an easy task, but the 2003 version did it so well we think it actually made the story better.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan created something special. Curtis absolutely nailed being a teenager trapped in a mom's body, while Lohan gave us all the awkward mom-in-teen-body we never knew we needed.

The modern touches they added to the story made it more relatable and that's a really hard thing to nail.

You can watch this gem on Disney+, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.

Scarface (1983): The Remake That Became The Blueprint

Most people don't even know this is a remake, but Scarface (1983) is a reimagining of the 1932 gangster film of the same name.

The 1932 version was groundbreaking for its time, yet Al Pacino's Tony Montana instantly became iconic. The way the remake shifted the setting from the 1920s Chicago scene to 1980s Miami and centered around the Cuban immigrant experience added layers that the original just didn't have.

Brian De Palma's direction and Oliver Stone's screenplay turned this remake into something completely different. The violence might have shocked audiences at first, but it served a purpose, showing the brutal reality of the American Dream gone wrong.

The movie's influence on pop culture is insane as well. Scarface has left its mark everywhere. And the remake did it, not the original.

You can watch this classic on Amazon Prime or Apple TV+.