Science-fiction marks one of the oldest and most thought-provoking genres in cinematic history, typically excelling at bringing wondrous and enticing technological worlds to the screen while offering unconventional yet insightful contemplations on what it means to be human. There have been a great many sci-fi films which presented these meditations in ways that were conducive to their contemporary audiences yet waned over time, warranting refreshed and modernized remakes to explore the stories’ central themes anew.
While it should go without saying that a lot of these remakes have missed the mark, and some perhaps even been unwarranted,these 10 sci-fi recreations have thrived at bringing new light to such narratives. Ranging from philosophical think-pieces that make the mind boggle to whimsical action bombast that purely entertains, these remakes prove that, sometimes, rehashing an old idea is not a derivative act of commercialism, but an inspired undertaking of tremendous integrity.
10’I Am Legend' (2007)
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Meshing a sci-fi premise with elements of zombie horror and survivalist action,I Am Legendcoasts on a powerhouse lead performance fromWill Smithto serve as a rewarding adaptation of the novel of the same name while also recreating the 1971 filmThe Omega Manwith a greater impact. It follows a scientist who, as the last man in the world following a viral outbreak that turned humanity into vicious, nocturnal monsters, uses his expertise to develop a cure while avoiding the savage creatures by night.
The film surpassesThe Omega Manlargely by virtue of Will Smith’s starring performance, with his ability to play up the blockbuster intensity while grounding the drama, without the luxury of relying on co-stars, an incredible feat from the actor.Admittedly, it has some flaws, and the infected aren’t nearly as eerie as they were inThe Omega Man,butI Am Legendstill functions as an engrossing sci-fi thriller and a creative remake.
I Am Legend
Loosely based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, I Am Legend stars Will Smith as Robert Neville, a virologist who believes himself to be the last human on Earth. After a virus turns most of the world’s population into vampiric creatures known as Darkseekers, Neville finds himself immune. Believing himself to be the last man of Earth, Neville stalks through the ruins of New York, hoping to create an antidote that will save humanity.
9’The Invisible Man' (2020)
Directed by Leigh Whannell
In the annals of horror history, there are few films as renowned as 1931’sThe Invisible Man, which sawClaude Rainsbecome a Hollywood star for his performance as the titular terror. While many would have thought the story – which started life as aH.G. Wellsnovel – to be untouchable,Leigh Whannellbrought a new thematic focusto the narrative with his 2020 remake.
Elizabeth Mossstars as Cecelia, an architect who escapes an abusive relationship with a scientist only to hear that he killed himself two weeks later. However, she soon begins experiencing strange events and grows convinced that her volatile ex is still tormenting her. While it maintains the haunting eeriness of the 1931 film,Whannell’s re-interpretation of the story explores the theme of domestic abuse in brilliant detail. It honors the original, yet modernizes and expands upon it to be a terrific example of how remakes can and should be executed.
The Invisible Man (2020)
When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.
8’The Blob' (1988)
Directed by Russell Chuck
A gloriously 80s sci-fi horror movie that has become a cult classic, the 1988 version ofThe Blobforges its own unique identity by hamming up the gore by giving the titular monster an acidic spin. Based on the B-movie of the same name from 1958, it follows a deadly entity that grows larger with every hapless victim it absorbs and ingests as it wreak havoc on the small town of Arborville, California.
Defined by its practical effectsand its emphasis on graphic visual horror, 1988’sThe Blobprovides a cynical sense of spooky fun that appealed to audiences of its time – and has endured rather well – while presenting a spectacle that wouldn’t have been remotely accepted when the original film released.It’s different, bold, and delightfully refreshing, making it an excellent remake and a highlight of 80s horror. Determination of whether it surpasses the 1958 film is entirely up to the audience, which is actually an underrated quality that more remakes should possess as it hints at an aspiration to be unique.
7’Dredd' (2012)
Directed by Pete Travis
Sci-fi is often at its best when exploring heady themes and complex, intricate stories of humanity. But then sometimes it’s just as great when combining its stylistic and intense aesthetic with pure action bombast. 2012’sDreadoffers that in spades, serving as an adaptation of the comic books and an effective reboot of 1995’sJudge Dredd. Set in an overpopulated dystopian city, it follows a coarse law enforcement agent and a psychic rookie as they shoot their way through a complex of gangsters to take down a criminal drug ring.
The ultra-violence on display is relentless, but it is delivered with a stylized punch that, when complemented by the underlying deadpan humor, gives the film a fun and engrossing aura that borders on being camp fun but remains serious enough to be a scintillating action thriller.Karl Urbanshines in the brooding lead role, whileOlivia ThirlbyandLena Headeymake the most of their supporting parts. The end result is a widely beloved cult classic that still has audiences begging for a sequel well over a decade after its initial release.
Based on the comic character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, Dredd is a sci-fi action movie that stars Karl Urban as Judge Dredd, a law enforcement officer who can commute sentences as quickly as he issues them. Set in a dystopian New York-like city called Mega-City One, Dredd is tasked with hunting down a drug lord who controls a massive 200-story apartment complex named Ma-Ma, pushing a new addictive drug called “Slo-Mo” that has become widely used in the slums.
6'12 Monkeys' (1995)
Directed by Terry Gilliam
A cult classic sci-fi thriller of the 90sthat mixes a gripping, time-traveling narrative with pulsating mystery intrigue with the fate of humanity in the balance,12 Monkeysis famous for its engrossing story and its central performances. One thing that isn’t well known about theTerry Gilliampicture is it is actually a remake ofLa Jetée, a 1962 short film from France that explores the same sci-fi story using only still images and narration.
The 1995 remake starsBruce Willisas a convict from a post-apocalyptic future sent back in time to unearth the origins of the virus that wiped out humanity. Intricate and unapologetically complex,12 Monkeysis a brilliantly heady science-fiction film that exhibits the experimental and impressionable Terry Gilliam at his best.Both the 1962 short and the 1995 feature present uniquely captivating viewing experiencesthat lovers of sci-fi cinema ought to seek out and enjoy.
12 Monkeys
In 12 Monkeys, convict James Cole (Bruce Willis) travels back in time to learn the origin of a man-made virus that has unleashed worldwide chaos in the future. Terry Gilliam’s 1995 sci-fi movie, which boasts a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer, Madeleine Stowe, and David Morse, is based on Chris Marker’s 1962 short film La Jetée and originated a 2013 TV series adaptation.
5’Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1978)
Directed by Philip Kaufman
It takes immense courage to remake a bona fide genre classic, which is exactly what 1956’sInvasion of the Body Snatchersis as a meshing of grounded sci-fi and eerie horror. However, the 1978 recreation has become an even more famous film and arguably surpasses its predecessor in terms of quality as well. Based on ‘The Body Snatchers’ byJack Finney, it takes place in San Francisco as a small group of people realizealiens are replacing humans with identical duplicatesthat are completely devoid of emotion and try to offer resistance.
Like so many icons of ‘70s horror,Invasion of the Body Snatchersemploys striking performances and gritty, almost documentary-like camerawork that worms its way into the viewers’ subconscious. Also making exceptional use of its haunting sound design, the film remains just as unnerving today as it was in 1978. As a remake, it excels bybringing greater depth to some of the thematic cores that were only lightly touched on in the 1956 original picture.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
When strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, replicating the city’s residents one body at a time.
4’The Fly' (1986)
Directed by David Cronenberg
Both versions ofThe Flystand as triumphant turns of science-fiction horror, with the broad story following an ambitious scientist who, after experimenting with a teleportation device, finds his DNA entwined with that of a housefly’s. With his life uprooted by the horrific mutation, the scientist scrambles desperately to reverse the effects of the experiment but finds his psychology and impulses changing in dangerous and primitive ways.
The 1958 version is primarily focused on the emotional and mental anguish of the scenario.David Cronenberg’s 1986 remake, while still attuned to those cerebral elements,implements the director’s trademark body horrorasJeff Goldblum’s protagonist gradually transforms into a disgusting human-fly hybrid. Both of the films serve as horrific highlights of sci-fi terror that, for all their visual frights, prove to be truly chilling due to their focus on character and relationships.
In a daring exploration of science’s potential to alter human life, a brilliant but eccentric scientist develops a technology for teleportation. When he decides to test the device on himself, a tragic error involving a common housefly leads to horrifying consequences. The film chillingly portrays his transformation and the impact it has on his relationship and psyche.
3’Dune' (2021)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
While it is much less a remake and more so a new and isolated adaptation ofFrank Herbert’s novel,Denis Villeneuve’sDunestill deserves some credit for excelling where past adaptations of the book had failed. Realizing the epic scale and dramatic depths of the story, which was long thought to be impossible to adapt adequately,2021’sDunehas come to be heralded as one of the greatest cinematic experiences of all time.
Set thousands of years in the future, the story unfolds as House Atreides is given dominion over the planet Arrakis to harvest an invaluable mineral known as spice. However, when his family is betrayed, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), venture into the desert while scheming their revenge. Visually arresting, with engrossing characters and a bold narrative, bothDuneandDune: Part Tworepresent sci-fi cinema operating flawlessly at its grandest scale, and stand asthe greatest sci-fi remakes of the 21st century.
A noble family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy’s most valuable asset while its heir becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.
2’The Thing' (1982)
Directed by John Carpenter
Interestingly, combinations of science-fiction and horror mark plenty of the greatest remakes sci-fi film has seen, and there are few marriages of the two genres as captivating and celebrated asJohn Carpenter’s classic monster movie,The Thing.Set in a research facility in Antarctica, it follows a team of American scientists as they encounter a hostile alien that steals the appearance of its victims. The survivors fight for their lives without knowing which of their peers can be trusted.
The film isa masterpiece of relentless suspense and graphic visual terror, making it an undying icon of horror cinema that has overcome its initial critical and commercial failures. While based onJohn W. Campbell’s novel ‘Who Goes There?’, the Carpenter film is also a remake of the 1951 pictureThe Thing from Another World. In 2011, another revisiting of the story came in the form of a prequel also titledThe Thing.
A team of researchers set out to study an alien spacecraft found in Antarctica, where they also discover an alien body on the site. The alien buried in ice is actually alive and has the ability to imitate human form. The group must find a way to distinguish who the real person is from The Thing and stay alive. John Carpenter’s 1982 film is a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World and stars Kurt Russel as the hero RJ MacReady.
1’Solaris' (1972)
Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky
Like a couple of entries on this list,Solarisis more accurately viewed as a secondary adaptation of a novel more so than a direct remake of another film, but that same approach hasn’t preventedSteven Soderbergh’s 2002Solarisfrom being regarded as a remake as well. No matter what it’s classified as, the fact is, there are few sci-fi films as hypnotic, physiologically stimulating, or as eerily hauntingasAndrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 picture,Solaris.
It follows a psychologist en route to a space station orbiting the oceanic planet Solaris to investigate why the crew on board have gone insane. When he arrives at the station, he begins experiencing strange emotions as repressed memories run wild in his mind.Visually spellbinding and unapologetically intricate, the film uses its 167-minute runtime to explore themes of humanityand the limits of our understanding in exceptional detail. While it is the most celebrated adaptation ofStanisław Lem’s novel – and one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time – there is a Soviet television film adaptation from 1968 that predates it.
