8 Fantasy Movie Remakes Nobody Asked For

Movies cover all sorts of subjects and styles, but those with supernatural themes often stand out. However, while some films are huge successes, many remakes attempt to recreate that magic and don’t quite succeed, or simply fall flat.

Many remakes – of everything from monster movies to classic fairy tales – aren’t particularly well-received. They often leave viewers questioning the need for the remake in the first place.

The Mummy (2017) Failed to Start a New Universe

The 1999 film The Mummy successfully updated the classic Universal monster movie by preserving the spirit of the original while adding exciting adventure elements. In contrast, the 2017 remake felt less like a horror film and more like an introduction to a potential action series.

The movie’s story didn’t benefit from Tom Cruise’s involvement, and actually distracted from the world it was trying to build. Beyond that, it lacked genuine scares, the mummy itself wasn’t frightening, and many viewers missed the character of Rick O’Connell from previous films.

Conan the Barbarian (2011) Leans on Spectacle Over Substance

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Conan the Barbarian accurately brings to life the world created by Robert E. Howard many years ago. However, the 2011 remake with Jason Momoa missed the qualities that made the original Conan such a memorable character.

The movie relied too much on flashy effects and action, which ultimately overshadowed its characters. Conan, in particular, felt underdeveloped, and since the action sequences weren’t compelling enough to carry the film on their own, the audience was left with little to connect with.

Clash of the Titans (2010) Expands the Story and Just Barely Pushes Ahead

This new film is a remake of the 1981 classic, boasting a great cast led by Liam Neeson. It’s reminiscent of a time when big-budget spectacles were all the rage in movies. The story centers on Perseus’s quest to defeat Hades and prevent him from conquering the world, culminating in a battle with the monstrous Kraken.

The 2010 movie Clash of the Titans is a classic, enjoyable action film, though it’s a remake of a movie that wasn’t a huge hit to begin with. It did get a sequel, but neither film has remained particularly memorable. It’s not a bad movie, just one that’s easily forgotten after watching it.

Pinocchio (2022) Looks the Part But Lacks the Heart

The 2022 Disney+ film Pinocchio, starring Tom Hanks as Geppetto, was visually impressive for a streaming movie and had the potential to be a great retelling of the classic story. However, like many other Disney remakes, it ultimately felt unnecessary.

Okay, so this new Pinocchio… it pretty much just retreads the same ground as the original, and honestly, it felt like work to sit through. It doesn’t attempt anything new with the story or themes – we still have a puppet wanting to be a real boy – and that’s the problem. It’s a remake that feels manufactured, like it exists simply because Disney can make it, and it completely lacks the charm and heart that made the original so special. It’s just… there.

The Witches (2020) Retold a Story That Was Already Perfect

The 2020 film, The Witches, is based on Roald Dahl’s book and a 1990 movie with the same title. It’s about a young boy who is sent to a coastal town to escape a dangerous group of witches, only to discover they’re staying at his hotel. While it doesn’t have quite the same impact as the original film, this version effectively tells the story, but doesn’t offer much beyond that.

Reviews suggest that the 2020 film The Witches is simply okay – not particularly good, but not terrible either. This raises the question of why it was made, especially since the original film was much more impactful and frightening for viewers. Ultimately, its mediocrity is what’s most disappointing.

Beauty and the Beast (2017) Solidified a Sad Trend

Disney revisiting its beloved animated classics with live-action remakes seemed like a great idea. However, the 2017 film Beauty and the Beast demonstrated that simply recreating the story faithfully doesn’t guarantee success. The movie proved that a close adaptation isn’t always enough to make a truly exceptional film.

While the live-action Beauty and the Beast is enjoyable due to the charm of the original, it doesn’t offer anything new and feels like a retread of familiar ground. Its existence feels unnecessary, and it unfortunately kicked off a pattern Disney continues with films like Moana – remaking stories instead of creating original ones.

The Wolfman (2010) is a Violent Remake That Almost Sticks the Landing

As a classic movie fan, I always say The Wolf Man is one of the best of the Universal monster flicks. It’s a really tragic story about a guy who gets bitten and slowly realizes he’s going to become a werewolf himself. Now, the 2010 remake with Benicio del Toro basically retold the same story, but it definitely went for a much more graphic and scary take on the monster.

Considering how disappointing many fantasy remakes are, The Wolfman is surprisingly decent. While it wasn’t a film anyone asked for, the impressive transformation effects alone make it a worthwhile, if somewhat strangely concluded, remake.

Fantasy Island (2020) Gives a Dark Twist to an Iconic Show

Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island is a modern take on the classic TV show. The film centers around a mysterious island where people can have their deepest desires fulfilled, guided by its enigmatic owner, Mr. Roarke. However, what starts as a dream vacation quickly turns into a nightmare as the fantasies become increasingly dangerous.

The original Fantasy Island was a heartwarming show that explored important themes like life, death, and the value of relationships, which is why it remained popular for so many years. The recent horror-focused reimagining was unnecessary and ultimately demonstrated that some stories are best left untouched – a hopeful and charming show didn’t need to be transformed into something frightening.

2026-05-30 23:12