15 Movies With Multiple Remakes, Ranked

Remakes serve to keep popular tales alive and introduce them to new viewers by utilizing different actors, styles, and modern technology. Some of these original films have even spawned multiple official adaptations, as well as loosely based interpretations that traverse various genres and borders. Analyzing the source movies reveals just how enduring a concept can be when it is grounded in compelling conflicts, memorable characters, and scenes that continue to resonate.

This collection includes original works that inspired multiple adaptations, detailing the creators, main cast members, and how subsequent versions altered the source material. You’ll discover various genres such as dramas, adventures, thrillers, horror, and musicals that were revisited by studios on more than one occasion, along with their most famous remakes.

‘Annie’ (1982)

I had the pleasure of watching the movie adaptation of the famous Broadway musical, where I found myself deeply immersed in the storyline. In this rendition, John Huston was the mastermind behind the camera, and he skillfully guided Aileen Quinn, who played the lead orphan, through her journey. Albert Finney took on the role of Warbucks, while Carol Burnett shone as Miss Hannigan. The stage songs were cleverly reimagined for the screen, and they seamlessly blended with the long-running comic strip to create a grand studio musical experience. Scenes were beautifully staged not only within elaborate mansion sets but also on bustling city streets, adding an extra layer of realism and charm to the production.

In my opinion, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing multiple adaptations of this beloved story. For instance, on television, Alicia Morton took on the role of Annie, with Kathy Bates brilliantly portraying Miss Hannigan. Later, in a modern theatrical reimagining directed by Will Gluck, Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz brought the characters to life. While these updated versions maintain essential songs and characters, they cleverly adjust setting details, character names, and even the villain’s demeanor to suit their respective eras.

‘A Star Is Born’ (1937)

This backstage drama was skillfully directed by William A. Wellman, featuring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March in the lead roles. The story follows the journey of an up-and-coming performer, while also depicting the fall of her mentor and partner. It pioneered a format that intertwines award ceremonies, recording sessions, and domestic tension within a romantic tale set against the backdrop of show business.

The tale has been reimagined as a musical on multiple occasions. First, it starred Judy Garland and James Mason, then Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson took over, and most recently, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga have stepped into the roles. Each new adaptation updates the story within the context of the music industry, maintains the central romance and career progression, and reworks side characters to reflect shifts in media and celebrity trends.

‘Little Women’ (1933)

In this adaptation, George Cukor serves as the director, featuring Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Jean Parker, and Frances Dee portraying the March sisters. The story revolves around family life in New England, beautifully intertwining themes of regional settings and the struggle between creative aspirations and responsibilities. By utilizing the novel’s episodic structure, a distinct chronology for each sister is developed, offering a clear progression of events.

The movie has undergone multiple adaptations, such as one produced by a studio featuring June Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor, another ensemble piece helmed by Gillian Armstrong starring Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon, and a more recent interpretation led by Greta Gerwig with Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh. Subsequent adaptations vary the focus among storylines, reinterpret Jo’s literary creation, and reimagine crucial scenes set within the same household environment.

‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ (1937)

John Cromwell helmed the production of this adventurous tale featuring Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., inspired by Anthony Hope’s novel. The narrative revolves around a man who bears a striking resemblance to a kidnapped king, compelled to pose as him amidst dashing sword fights, clandestine castle incursions, and the tangled web of palace politics. At its heart lies a love story that remains unrealized due to certain circumstances.

Initially, it was reimagined featuring Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, and James Mason. Later, it underwent a transformation into a humorous setting for Peter Sellers. The subsequent adaptations maintain the plot device of mistaken identity and the villainous half-brother. They also modify the tone from serious adventure to gentle satire, while preserving the structure of the climactic rescue and duel scenes.

‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (1925)

Rupert Julian oversaw this Universal production where Lon Chaney, renowned for intricate makeup and set construction mimicking the Paris Opera, took the lead role. The storyline follows an enigmatic, masked composer who haunts the opera house, secretly influencing a new singer’s path to success while orchestrating pursuits through catacombs and ultimately revealing his true identity in a climactic unmasking scene.

The original was reimagined in color featuring Claude Rains, Hammer Films presented a Gothic spin with Herbert Lom, and another adaptation was based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum. These remakes modify the narrative, romance, and musical elements, yet they all retain the opera setting, the iconic chandelier scene, and the suspenseful chase beneath the theater.

‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ (1935)

In this nautical tale, Frank Lloyd is the one responsible for its direction. Charles Laughton portrays Captain Bligh, while Clark Gable steps into the role of Fletcher Christian. The movie follows the journey of HMS Bounty, the strict regime on deck, the ensuing mutiny, and the subsequent events that unfold across the vast Pacific Ocean.

In a later rendition, I found myself captivated by Marlon Brando and Trevor Howard, but even more so when Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins graced the screen in a nautical retelling of the same tale. The subsequent adaptations subtly modified the characters of Bligh and Christian, delicately balancing the turmoil on board with tranquil moments on the island. Additionally, they painstakingly refined the sailing procedures and navigational details based on accurate historical records, making each scene even more authentic and engrossing.

‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (1931)

In this adaptation, Rouben Mamoulian skillfully directs, featuring a captivating dual performance by Fredric March. Through the clever use of dissolves and makeup, the transformation from a respected doctor to his volatile alter ego is beautifully depicted on screen. The film delves into the ethical dilemmas, the dual identity struggle, and the repercussions these have on the lead character’s associates, presenting a compelling narrative.

Originally produced, MGM later recreated the story featuring Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, and Lana Turner, and subsequent adaptations followed for television and global audiences. These reinterpretations modify the love triangle, introduce or eliminate secondary suffering characters, and modernize laboratory settings, all while maintaining the fundamental structure of the experiment, dependence, and downfall.

‘The 39 Steps’ (1935)

In this exhilarating chase-thriller, the renowned Alfred Hitchcock was at the helm. The film featured Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll in leading roles. An ordinary citizen gets entangled in a clandestine spy network, embarks on a journey through untouched wildernesses, and ultimately returns to London to unveil a devious plot linked to a vaudeville performance and a set of blueprints.

The original production was reimagined multiple times. Firstly, it featured Kenneth More, then Robert Powell in a version that enlarged the stage sets. Subsequently, Rupert Penry-Jones starred in a television adaptation. Each remake retained key elements such as the handcuffed duo, the music hall finale, and the clever use of British landscapes to connect rural hideouts with urban landmarks, while altering the antagonists and specific plot devices.

‘The Four Feathers’ (1939)

In natural and easy-to-read language, the film was directed by Zoltan Korda, with John Clements and Ralph Richardson in leading roles. The story follows a young officer who quits before a military campaign, only to be labeled as cowardly by his friends and fiancée. In an attempt to regain his honor, he embarks on a series of daring rescues to retrieve the symbols of his supposed cowardice.

Initially produced as a film, it underwent changes to be titled ‘Storm Over the Nile’. Scenes from its previous version were reused for a television adaptation, followed by another remake directed by Shekhar Kapur, featuring Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley, Kate Hudson, and Djimon Hounsou. The subsequent adaptations modified the colonial background, battle arrangements, and the blend of romance and action elements. However, they preserved the significance of the talismanic feathers and the dramatic desert rescue scenes.

‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three’ (1974)

Joseph Sargent helmed this exhilarating New York subway drama, featuring Walter Matthau as a transit officer and Robert Shaw portraying the main hijacker. The narrative revolves around the strategically orchestrated seizure of a subway train, enigmatic messages, and a multi-faceted urban reaction that encompasses dispatchers, law enforcement, and city hall.

The original story was adapted for television featuring Edward James Olmos and Vincent D’Onofrio, and later transformed into a theatrical film directed by Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. In these adaptations, communication technology is modernized, the means of escape is altered, and the roles of negotiators are broadened, while maintaining the central idea of a train taken hostage between stations.

‘Stagecoach’ (1939)

I had the pleasure of being part of an impressive ensemble directed by the legendary John Ford in a western film, featuring John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Thomas Mitchell, and John Carradine. In this movie, we found ourselves as a mixed group of travelers navigating treacherous landscapes in a single vehicle, with pauses at various checkpoints that unraveled our individual histories and underlying tensions, culminating in an exhilarating finale involving high-stakes action.

The remake featured Alex Cord and Ann-Margret initially, later transformed into a TV film starring Kris Kristofferson and some of the Highwaymen’s members. Through each reimagining, the social spectrum and Apache danger remain consistent, while character jobs, connections, and settings are adapted, relocating key scenes to different locations. The essential elements like the river crossing, chase, and saloon showdown, however, continue to be preserved.

‘Nosferatu’ (1922)

As a devoted cinephile, let me share that an unauthorized rendition of the Dracula lore, titled here as ‘Nosferatu’, was masterfully directed by F. W. Murnau. In this production, Max Schreck breathed life into the chilling figure of Count Orlok. This cinematic marvel, far from a conventional studio setting, employed location shooting, ingeniously crafted shadows, and character names subtly altered to weave an eerie tale. The story follows the journey of an ordinary clerk who inadvertently introduces a supernatural menace to his very own town.

Werner Herzog reimagined it as ‘Nosferatu the Vampyre’ starring Klaus Kinski and Isabelle Adjani, and more recently, Robert Eggers has filmed a new version with Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp. These remakes either keep the original character names or use variants of Orlok, alter city backdrops, and modify the conclusion while maintaining the key elements such as the arrival by ship, the outbreak of the plague, and the chilling image of the vampire at the window.

‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ’ (1925)

Fred Niblo was the director of this grand silent movie featuring Ramon Novarro and Francis X. Bushman. The film showcased massive group scenes, a naval battle, and a chariot race that set a precedent for action movie production. The narrative revolves around a Jewish prince who endures treachery, enslavement, and a journey towards vengeance and spiritual renewal.

The story was retold twice – first by William Wyler starring Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd, then by Timur Bekmambetov with Jack Huston and Toby Kebbell. The newer versions modernized the chariot scene using innovative camera work, altered the focus between personal struggles and religious themes, and added or streamlined plotlines related to family dynamics and Roman politics.

Or: Two different adaptations were made – one by William Wyler featuring Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd, followed by Timur Bekmambetov’s version with Jack Huston and Toby Kebbell. The newer versions brought updates to the chariot scene through advanced camera work, shifted the emphasis between personal disputes and religious context, and developed or reduced subplots related to family and Roman power struggles.

‘The Shop Around the Corner’ (1940)

Ernst Lubitsch was the director of this charming office romance, featuring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. In reality, two sales clerks engage in a personal rivalry, but unbeknownst to them, they are also penning affectionate correspondence. The film’s settings include gift counters, team meetings, and festive holiday sales.

The story was adapted into two different musicals: ‘In the Good Old Summertime’ featuring Judy Garland and Van Johnson, and later ‘You’ve Got Mail’ with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Both adaptations maintain the core elements of secret correspondence and a retail setting, but update the means of communication from letters to modern-day electronic messages, and adjust the supporting characters to reflect various eras of customer service.

‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

In simpler terms, Akira Kurosawa was the one who led this group action drama with Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, along with many other actors. The plot revolves around villagers hiring masterless swordsmen to safeguard their lands. It includes scenes of training, construction of defenses, and combat sequences skillfully orchestrated based on the elements and terrain.

The original was later reimagined as ‘The Magnificent Seven’ featuring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, and others, and more recently as a contemporary western with Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. Regardless of the era, the remakes maintain the same basic structure: recruitment of a group of fighters, their defense of an isolated community, and the presence of classic heroic characters. The central elements remain, such as swords being replaced by firearms, and the moral compass is adjusted to reflect changing times.

The original story was told again with different casts, first as ‘The Magnificent Seven’ in the past and later as a modern version called ‘A New Western’. The main ideas – like choosing a team of heroes, protecting a town, and having iconic characters – stayed the same. However, instead of swords, they used guns, and the story was set in different times to fit current society.

Share your picks for the originals that inspired the best remakes in the comments.

2025-09-04 17:51