Classic movies have helped shape cinema. Although the landscape of big-budget theatrical releases has changed over the decades, sometimes, certain films just survive the test of time, whether it be due to their unique or new approach to filming the project, the storyline, the comedy, or the characters.Coming-of-age stories, horror movies, and romance are just some of the genres that have latched on to the audience’s hearts and minds.
Sometimes, it is the lines of dialogue alone that help elevate a project from an ordinary film to one of the most memorable lines of dialogue in any movie. In Hollywood’s recent era of remaking older movies for a new demographic, or because they would rather rely on nostalgia than be creatively innovative with new projects, there are still a slew of movies that have avoided being rebooted.
In some cases, it is understandable how the right actors, director, or writing team could encourage audiences to want a recreation of their favorite movies. But, sometimes, it is better to just leave things in the past. Sometimes, the actors' performance just embodies the character to such a degree that anyone else taking on the role would only encourage comparisons. In other cases, the storyline itself may have aged horribly in the current time or not be able to be relatable to the same demographic audience it had reached upon its initial release.
20Titanic (1997)
The iconic love story of Jack and Rose, based on the real-life tragic sinking of the Titanic ship, is one of the most well-known romances in cinema history. When wealthy Rose meets poverty-stricken Jack, it is a love story for the ages as the duo falls in love.Directed by James Cameron,Titanicis one of the longest mainstream films, coming in at over three hours long.
Don’t Risk a Sinking Reboot
Titanicwas a massively successful endeavor as it found a way to get people to find another perspective of the tragedy, which was a horrific, real-life, and devastating event. Trying to replicate that success would just feel forced. What other angle is there to tell this story? Attempting to reboot it may be possible, but it risks addressing fan call-outs to questions the movie has already faced in the past, such as if the board Rose survives on was huge enough for Jack to fit on as well.
Arguably, some fans have questioned if Jack and Rose’s relationship was truly healthy to begin with, as they had not known each other very long, and Jack’s actions may be more connected to obsession than healthy feelings. A reboot made today may hold some of those details that people may not have thought about too much originally, under the microscope. Besides, if anyone is interested in an unnecessary sequel, then they could check out 2010’sTitanic 2.
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19The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather
Starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino,The Godfathermade a long-lasting impression when it was released in 1972. The film follows the Corleone mafia family and the dangers that come from the Five Families going into open warfare. The two most remembered characters are Vito Corleone, the main crime boss, and his son Michael, who gains the name “Don Corleone” at the film’s conclusion.
Its Two Sequels Were Enough
Following the success of the original movie, there were two sequels that followed Michael’s life following his father’s death at the conclusion of the original film. The American crime drama is one of the most successful crime films, earning a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. But, a reboot would only do this movie a disservice. It is practically untouchable between the writing, cast, and directing.
This story has been told, and while it may be one of the most-known movies of all time, it is not one that requires a new approach just for the sake of doing it.The Godfatherholds many significant iconic lines of dialogue and scenes that doing over again, would only come across as trying too hard. The film’s influence has undergone a massive range, as it has been referenced in many different projects over the years, including inFriendsandZootopia.
18The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption
Based on the novel “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” written by Stephen King, this movie follows the life of Andy Dufresne, a prisoner in Shawshank State Penitentiary after being sentenced for the murders of his wife and her lover, even though he claims to be innocent. The main character, portrayed by Tim Robbins, finds companionship with Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding, portrayed by Morgan Freeman.TheShawshank Redemptionfollows Andy’s plans to escape jail that he has been undergoing for two decades.
Morgan Freeman’s Narration Helps Guide the Story
Technically, a reboot may be able to reach out to Morgan Freeman to use his voice as a narrator again, just as the live-action version ofThe Lion Kinghad let James Earl Jones reprise his role as Mufasa to keep the iconic voice attached to the remake. But, if Morgan Freeman were not to appear inTheShawshank Redemptionreboot, then it removes the point of using his voice.
However, the voiceover narration is not the only reason that a remake of this film would be pointless. For one thing, if a remake were to stick to the original story, it would need to be a period piece as well, considering the original film took place in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.TheShawshank Redemptionwas initially released in 1994, and there is not much a present-day reboot can do to make a period piece look more current or update it in any fashion.
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17Citizen Kane (1941)
Citizen Kane
Citizen Kanetells a dual story. In the present day of 1941, when the film was released, a reporter, Jerry Thompson, is left to uncover the true meaning of Charles Foster Kane’s dying word, “Rosebud.” In the other timeline, beginning in 1871,Citizen Kanefollows the growing up of a younger Charles Foster Kane as he becomes an adult. However, the story’s main mystery surrounds the enigma that is “Rosebud,” as the reporter and the audience try to grasp the truth.
Citizen Kane Was Known for Technical Innovation
WhileCitizen Kaneis known for being one of the greatest films of all time, one of the things that earned it the title wasOrson Welles' choice to tell the story in new and unique formatsas a director. The lighting and editing were massive steps forward for the time the movie was released, and was something that helped get the film on the map. Otherwise, the revelation behind what “Rosebud” had truly stood for was far more symbolic than anything else. Still, there is nothing a remake could truly accomplish with this movie. The things that allowed it to stick out were due to Orson Welles' vision for the piece.
When it comes to technical innovations, films have come so far since 1941 that the big steps that the film is known for having used at the time are just a part of the library of techniques that directors may use today. The story itself would not have a place in the current day’s list of theatrical releases.
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16The Sting (1973)
Starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford,The Stingwas released in 1973. The film followed a scheme in 1936 for a “big con.” The film’s main duo, John Hooker and Henry Gondorff, work together to take down an American crime boss, Doyle Lonnegan. Their long-drawn-out scheme works, allowing Lonnegan to be taken by FBI agents while Gondorff and Hooker walk away.
There Are Enough Other Caper Movies
There are plenty of caper films out there, and thusThe Stingdoes not require its own reboot. While the film may have its moments, movies such asOcean’s Eleven, Now You See Me,andThe Hustleall portray a different approach to the story told inThe Sting. In this case, it is not as much of a situation asThe Stingis a classic film to skip over, but its premise has been repeated enough times in other mainstream movies that whileThe Sting’sstory can be referenced or enjoyed, the entire movie has no purpose in being recreated.
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15Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca
“Here’s looking at you, kid,” is a line that has remained so ingrained in the media and pop culture that even people who have not seenCasablancaknow where that line comes from, which certainly says a lot about the success of this movie. Set during World War II,Casablancafollows Rick Blaine, a man who must decide between his love for Ilsa Lund and helping her husband, Victor Laszlo, to escape Casablanca to fight the Germans.
Casablanca Has a Lot of Problematic Elements
For as much asCasablancamay be a beloved film, the movie also has plenty of problematic behavior that would not be romanticized in today’s political climate. Given the film’s release in 1942, the movie was able to get away with such behavior, even though it was wrong at that time as well.Casablancais filled with racism and sexism. Renault is a man who is a severely problematic character in today’s world, and his use of sex for blackmail and secret keeping is used for the sake of enjoyment, rather than calling out the man’s disgusting behavior.
14The Outsiders (1983)
The Outsiders
The Outsidersis a film adaptation of a novel of the same name written by S.E. Hinton. Starring C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, and Tom Cruise,The Outsiderswas a base of big stars on the rise. The movie is a coming-of-age story surrounding the two gangs, the “Greasers” and the “Socs,” which also represent the two different financial classes, the working class and the upper middle class.
The Outsiders Is a Timeless Tale
Due to its nature as a coming-of-age story heavily reliant on the striving to handle stepping up after parents die and the desperation to be something more,The Outsiderscould handle a reboot, even if it does not necessarily need one. If the movie were to remain a period piece, there is not much else a remake could do to add to the story and justify a recreated film. In this case, a remake acting as a limited series may be able to do the novel justice in storylines that the movie may not have been able to cover.
Things such as the truth about Johnny’s background, which the film did not devote as much time to, could be given more space to help develop Johnny, as well as other characters.
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13Sixteen Candles (1984)
Sixteen Candles
Samantha Baker is deeply upset to find out that, in favor of her sister’s upcoming wedding, her entire family has forgotten her birthday. The coming-of-age story, starring Molly Ringwald anddirected by John Hughes, finds Sam pining for her crush, Jake Ryan. Throughout the movie,Sixteen Candlesaims for the love story between Sam and Jake, leading to the moment when they finally get together at the end.
John Hughes' 1980s teen movies have been placed on a pedestal as being far too good to ever recreate. But, if anyone were to rebootSixteen Candles, certain elements of the story would need to be drastically different, such as the personality traits of the leading love interest, Jake Ryan. Jake is initially tired of his girlfriend Caroline’s partying behavior. However, Jake still encourages another boy to do whatever he likes with a practically unconscious Caroline, who has no ability to consent to anything occurring to her.
Jake seems to have no personal emotional attachment to his ex-girlfriend’s personal safety and is supportive of someone else treating her as an object rather than a person, and even though this is not his behavior toward Sam, it is still not attractive behavior in a love interest. While the premise of a girl’s excitement for her sixteenth birthday may be able to be replicated, and it has in other projects, the entire film itself is better off left in the past.
12Psycho (1960)
Psychois a horror movie following the killer, Norman Bates, and the various murders he is responsible for. Alfred Hitchcock’s take on this story has made it one of the most beloved and intense horror films available, including the famous shower scene.Psychoaddressed mental health and mental illness, revealing that Norman had felt so guilty following killing his mother and her lover that he had taken her on as a second personality and treated her mummified corpse as if she were still alive.
Psycho Is Not the Only Norman Bates Story
Although there was a shot-for-shot recreation ofPsychomade in 1998, that is not necessarily the same thing as taking on the story from a new angle. Otherwise,Bates Motelis a prime example of utilizing the original characters from Robert Bloch’s novel and altering the story, such as aging Norman down and having his mother, Norma, play an active and alive role in the story.
Alfred Hitchcock’sPsychois a much more accurate representation of the novel, and its famous use of the shower scene makes this movie feel untouchable. Rebooting this film would just have viewers waiting and expecting that scene to pop up again, and would lack the same elements of surprise that the original movie utilized so well to its advantage.
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11Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby
When Rosemary and Guy move into their new apartment, Rosemary never expected it to change her life so much.Rosemary’s Babydoes not hold back in the horror department, leaning heavily on themes such as women’s liberation, paranoia, and the occult. When Rosemary discovers that her elderly neighbors want to use her baby for Satanic rituals, it leads to distributing revelations.
This Movie Uses Horror in a Genius and Disturbing Manner
Most things aboutRosemary’s Babyare disturbing, and the plot never underscores the significance of showing Satanism. Considering the depths this film goes to, rebooting it would only hurt the film as the original had not been scared to dive in head first to the paranoia, uncertainty, and conclusion the movie depicts by having Rosemary seemingly give in to her parental instincts and rock the cradle of her newborn baby, the Antichrist.
However, it is also worth noting that Rosemary is entirely unaware of this happening initially. Rosemary is knocked out and has hallucinations of being raped by a Demon. Apparently, it was not a hallucination, but her husband, Guy, is more than okay with all of this happening as well.
