As fans continue to renew interest in classic movies from the past, there is also the case that several of these beloved feature films would garner further acclaim if crafted with the use of modern filmmaking. Despite the nature of remakes deterring some viewers, there have been many great iterations of timeless stories retold for a new era, which, more often than not, invites audiences to discover engaging narratives for the first time.
Whether due to advanced technology, intricate writing or deeper character development, many classic films can become fleshed out through the lens of modern analysis and, given the limitations of the past, the current status quo of moviemaking would assuredly delight anyone seeing better variations of classic films on the largest screen possible.
10 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Highlights a Rousing Adventure Plot
Jules Verne's Work Would Thrive on the Modern Big Screen
Based on the iconic novel by Jules Verne, Richard Fleischer’s 1954 sci-fi adventure flick 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea cements its critical acclaim with stylized special effects that earned the film multiple awards when released. However, considering the continued advancement of visual effects in the current landscape of cinema, the film would have the potential to deliver some eye-popping spectacles if made today.
Brimming with fascinating characters, the narrative of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has plenty of depth to support a contemporary remake. With the assistance of modern production value, a remake of the legendary film could help audiences become invested in the entangled lives of navy men as they are thrust into harrowing action deep underwater.
9 Ball of Fire Charms With Its Rapid-Fire Comedy
Silly Romance Stories Are Crucial to Entertaining Viewers
Leaning on clever dialogue and acting chemistry, Howard Hawks’ 1941 screwball comedy feature Ball of Fire efficiently dissects the cultural aspects of its era and invests moviegoers with the budding romance between its two leads. Though the original film is obviously a bit dated 80 years after its debut, with some minor tweaks, its narrative could thrive today by exploring the complex dynamics of modern relationships.
Jam-packed with gags or passionate tension, Ball of Fire has always swayed audiences across the board. With the lack of love stories permeating modern cinema, a new version of Ball of Fire can easily shine alongside the best rom-coms in recent memory while also being an example of how great writing can still entertain viewers without having an inflated budget to muddy the narrative.
8 Captain Blood Displays Fun Swashbuckling Action for Audiences
The Pirate Genre Needs a Comeback in Cinema
Tackling the book by Rafael Sabatini, Michael Cutiz’s 1935 swashbuckling pirate flick Captain Blood exudes an adventurous spirit and enjoyable action that stands proudly alongside its peers during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Almost a century later, the film’s core concepts would almost undoubtedly thrive in the modern market of action movies yearning for creativity. Teeming with engaging pirate storytelling, the straightforward plot can offer filmmakers freedom for a huge sense of scope that would equally require visually stunning practical effects.
By utilizing a dedicated production design, a Captain Blood remake could dazzle viewers theatrically. In the current landscape of familiar blockbuster movies, the film’s specific genre status can add a revitalized interest in pirate characters who are not only fighting for treasure and glory but also become entangled in the political dealings of nations outlawing pirating.
7 Charade Combines Laughs and Thrilling Plot Twists
Big Stars Could Reinvigorate the Intricate Narrative
Quick-witted and bursting with high energy, Stanley Donen’s 1963 romantic screwball comedy-mystery Charade was a defining part of 1960s media. Equal parts laughs and suspense, the film follows a recent widow who gets involved with a mysterious man, ultimately entangling the two in a grand international conspiracy.
With its whirlwind plot, a new version of Charade would open up multiple possibilities for entertaining spectacles set around the modern world. Considering the element of surprise has been lacking in many modern studio movies, the film would be perfect for rejuvenating fan engagement with the thriller genre.
6 Suddenly Crafts an Effective Political Crime Story
A Notable Act of Violence Has Huge Dramatic Weight
The 1954 noir crime flick Suddenly details a thrilling plot of average citizens trying to stop madmen from assassinating the President of the United States. Tightly structured and well-acted, the film has several elements that can be mined for a newer interpretation and one that could simultaneously bring back the noir genre that, at one point, was a staple in cinemas across the world.
Paced with intense suspense and crisp dialogue, the script has all the right facets to satisfy fans. Playing into either the action or thriller undertones in the narrative, Suddenly’s modern take can produce more action sequences, as well as bigger set designs to fully capture the scope of an assassination conflict, forcing the protagonists into danger by deranged individuals out to make some money.
5 It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Boasts Huge Comedic Giants
Comedy Films Are Necessary in Bringing People Together
Released as a comedy showcase for many performers in its era, Stanley Kramer’s 1963 epic comedy feature It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World conducts an engaging madcap plot about a group of colorful strangers racing to find some stolen cash, where multiple comedians create some lively gags to engage viewers as much as possible. Formulating another variation of the film with the newest generation of comics and comedic actors would not only give the comedy genre some fresh material but also bring large audiences back to theaters.
Huge in scale and precise with its writing, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World blends blockbuster filmmaking with comedic storytelling in a way that majorly resonates with modern cinema. Judging by the minimal number of great comedy movies made in the last few years, a remake of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World can improve upon the original’s somewhat dated humor and remind moviegoers how the power of laughter watching a hilarious tale can be so rewarding.
4 Play Misty for Me Reveals the Dangers of Celebrity Obsession
Psychotic Admirers Are Prevalent in Modern Times
Best remembered as the directorial debut of Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, the 1971 psychological thriller flick Play Misty for Me expresses realistic fears about obsession and the nuances of celebrities being overwhelmed by manic individuals. Although made in the 1970s, the film’s themes can easily and effectively be retooled to fit contemporary society by incorporating technological paranoia or the frighteningly creative ways in which unhinged fans can go beyond the limits of admiration by ruining a celebrity’s life.
Well-acted and atmospheric, Play Misty for Me establishes an intriguing story ripe for a fresh new angle. Utilizing some talented actors and a notable director at the helm, the film can be a great insight into the collective anxieties everyone has about stalkers and the price at which fame can consume one’s peace of mind, which, unfortunately, has only gotten worse in modern times.
3 The Stranger Plays Into Criminal Paranoia Nicely
Evil People Can Never Outrun The Past
Orson Welles’ 1946 thriller film noir feature The Stranger recounts a familiar story of good vs. evil, though it is captured in a stylistically engaging manner that worked in its time. That said, the film would be further developed today with a deeper look at how evil people can walk among average citizens and become integrated into society without much of a thought.
Dealing with morally corrupted characters, the film’s message about outing evil still rings true almost 80 years later. Mostly constructed as a detective narrative, The Stranger’s modern version could still play up this storytelling device and, most importantly, incorporate a character study angle with its main villain, thereby truly looking into the complexities of how human beings can commit heinous deeds while believing that their crimes can be erased forever.
2 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Features a Timeless Horror Figure
The Duality of Man Still Frightens Horror Fans
Adapting the work of Robert Louis Stevenson, Rouben Mamoulian’s 1931 horror flick Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is still the best-known version of the legendary character. An early pioneer that helped define the horror genre, the film can still be retooled for a modern lens with bigger stylistic choices and a better understanding of the human psyche. Also, by removing the Victorian-era setting and replacing it with the present day, the plot can address social and personal conflicts within a horror story.
Primal and visually exciting, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s narrative always reaches into people’s consciousness. Thematically, a remake can also expose the current landscape of identity crisis’ occurring in society and how the growing number of amoral people are what drives culture down and, most chillingly, have managed to get away with their bad deeds.
1 Soylent Green Presents Prescient Fears Stylistically Well
The Current Status of Earth Needs to Be Addressed
Loosely detailing the novel by Harry Harrison, Richard Fleischer’s 1973 dystopian thriller feature Soylent Green follows a conspiracy plot in a depressing future littered with current issues such as overpopulation, depleted resources, poverty, and more. With its dark, mature sci-fi premise, the film can display a bigger-budget look while having a gritty sensibility that connects viewers to the characters.
Bold and timely, Soylent Green’s futuristic outlook describes manmade horrors with an entertaining spin. The film’s cinematic examination of environmental issues never really dives into the visceral human element, where beyond disaster films, a modern Soylent Green can easily reveal the magnitude in which the elite can control the lower classes and destroy the Earth with little care.
