This is a season of rebooted films, and it is time for you to explore the best rebooted movies of all time that proved themselves even better than the original ones.
We are living in an era of reboot, and the film industry is an evident example of that. Every year, you can find a new movie releasing based on an older story, and that is how movie reboots are made. This is not just mere adaptation but more of reinventing a story again based on the modern audience base. The reboots are not particular sequels or prequels of a franchise where the main story gets extended through multiple parts or movies, which showcases a continuation. Reboots are films that offer a rendition of an old story rather than creating an extension.
The modern era of films is working on ‘Requels’, which refers to movies that can also be considered as rebooted sequels. Such films usually contain a major portion of the original story while adding new elements, which make it even more captivating for the audience with the perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh elements. The latest movie, ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’, is a perfect example of a requel. If you are looking forward to enjoying such rebooted materials, here is a list of the top 15 best rebooted movies of all time that created a huge buzz among audiences.
- Evil Dead (2013)
The classic Evil Dead movie is considered one of the cult classics in the genre of horror movies. Sam Raimi’s 1981 cabin-in-the-woods story offered a lot of gore effects, innovative camera work, and a hefty dose of thrill and drama that captivated audiences back in the ‘80s and in the next decades as well. With a pure love for classic horror movies, the audiences wanted more of Evil Dead, and director Fede Álvarez listened to them. His rendition of Evil Dead in 2013 can be considered as a sequel, but more like a well-made rendition that removed the subtle comedy and added more blood and gore.
- Halloween (2018)
Danny McBride dropped the first Halloween back in 2009, and in that era, people enjoyed the slasher movies more than anything. This subgenre of horror is enjoyed by many, as people find the killing of people satisfying. Well, nobody in 2009 would believe that Danny is going to reboot the movie in 2018, and the director made the trilogy gracefully. The reboot of the classic horror franchise in the modern era did not disappoint the audiences and made sure to keep its originality with the small details.
- Bumblebee (2018)
Michael Bay might have done a great job with the Transformers series, but there was nothing new to seek in the stories other than Optimus Prime’s leadership and voice. Instead of focusing on heavy metal-pounding actions and Megan in a tank top, Bumblebee offered audiences a wholesome story that can fill your eyes with tears of joy. There is no doubt that Bee is the show stealer of the whole franchise as the non-verbal, yellow, small Autobot has the ability to knock everyone back to their senses, even Prime! However, this fearless Autobot is also filled with a childlike energy, and sometimes you want to enjoy a story about a young girl and her rusty bot who would do anything for her.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
The fans of Star Wars knew that ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ was not the end but another beginning for the Star Wars franchise. After the release of ‘Revenge of the Sith’ in 2005, it took another decade for the franchise to come up with a new film that could hold its own in terms of gravity and relevance. Revered director J.J. Abrams made sure to bring some relatable moments from the previous films, which made the audience feel more nostalgic. Creating a new generation with the lovable characters ensured that this story took it to a whole new level. The Force Awakens surely made many audiences become crazy fanatics again.
- The Muppets (2011)
Jason Segel from ‘How I Met Your Mother’ is a favorite to many, and this man is an ardent fanatic of The Muppet Show. With his fascination and manifestation, the actor became the co-writer for this film, which was released back in 2011, and he is also one of the lead characters in the film. Director Jason Segel did a good job of bringing back the classic elements of the puppet show, even though it was heavily Disneyfied for commercial reasons. Well, it does not bring back the days of the ‘80s, but it definitely captivates everyone with a relatable feeling that is both nostalgic and refreshing.
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
Evangelion is perhaps the most inspiring and traumatic anime creation that has heavily inspired young audiences. Whether it is the painful and mentally persuasive incidents of Shinji’s life or the artistic biblical references with huge kaiju-like creatures called Angels, the TV show Neon Genesis Evangelion became the staple food of entertainment for many generations of people. Director Hideaki Anno rebooted the series through a single feature film and added more elements to the story to make it more engaging for audiences of all ages and preferences. The saga further continued with 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0, offering the complete saga and closure for the fans. We are happy to see mature Shinji smiling.
- Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Long before Zack Snyder created the zombie heist movie ‘Army of the Dead’, he created one of the greatest zombie movies of all time, known as ‘Dawn of the Dead’. The 20024 movie was also a reboot of George A. Romero’s original classic, which was created based on an anti-capitalist subtext, and Snyder made sure to keep the satirical angle alive through his rendition as well. The script for the movie was written by James Gunn, and it seems like the modern directors of superhero movies are no longer great at making zombie films that haunted audiences for more than two decades.
- Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
The original classic of Planet of the Apes has set a permanent benchmark in the sci-fi film genre that questioned the direction of evolution. However, things got pretty intense in the reboot by Rupert Wyatt called Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which was released back in 2011 and continued with a trilogy that completes the saga. The story is based on the protagonist ape known as Caesar, the leader of the ape clan, who embarked on a new world of revolution. Wildly entertaining and highly satisfying, this first film for the modern trilogy literally embarked on a new era for the franchise. Caesar proved the fact that the real ‘beast’ lives within the very human mind.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
This is the first Spider-Man movie by Marvel that featured Tom Holland and Spider-Man, along with Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. This first Spidey debut film by MCU offered listeners a lot of hope for the new universe where Spidey is also becoming a part of the Avengers or a bigger superhero group. It is the same old Peter Parker story, but this time, Peter is just a teenager from New York. Close to a comic-accurate version with a lot of fun and adventure, this film offered the perfect introduction to the youngest member of the Avengers. While it is not as great as the Amazing Spider-Man by Sony featuring Andrew Garfield, director Jon Watts sure did a good job.
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
The mighty X-Men were once in shambles after that dramatic fall of the ‘Last Stand’, but the franchise made sure to make an epic comeback with ‘First Class’. 20th Century Fox did something that nobody from Marvel would expect, and that was the reboot of the X-Men, and they did it successfully. With a fresh new cast and old mutants working with the new ones, the plot for Days of Future Past has already been brewing, and The Last Stand helped to create the perfect merge of the timelines. The combination of the stories, the characters, and their developments helped to create an iconic saga by Marvel.
- Star Trek (2009)
Well, a lot of fans of the franchise might argue on this, but the 2009 Star Trek was perhaps the coolest one as director J.J. Abrams had only one strong concept for the movie, and that was to “Make it cool.” The classic Trek era has been continuing for a long time, and it was time for the franchise to bring in something cool and modern, yet following the old roots. The cast for this movie was absolutely perfect, and the writers did a good job with the script, with some subtle layers of comedy and conspiracy. The movie saved the franchise instead of ruining it.
- The Matrix: Resurrections (2021)
There is no doubt that Matrix has offered the most compelling sci-fi stories of all time, and people are still exploring the classic movies to this day. The compelling stories finally reached the fourth and final chapter of the saga, which is called The Matrix: Resurrections. This movie was released back in 2021, and the fans were more than happy to see Keanu or Neo on screen fighting the prevailing evils. While a lot of fans did not appreciate the fourth installment, the movie was made to offer a happy ending or closure to the saga that has been going on for decades. And fans can finally get the answers to questions that they have been holding on to for too long.
- Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
This 2022 film is the perfect reboot for Tom Cruise’s high-octane aviation movie franchise, Top Gun. Age is just a number, and stunt-freak Tom Cruise is the biggest example of that. Continuing with the legacy of the military jet pilots, Maverick, the most skillful pilot of the defense, comes back after 30 years to train the rookies, and it seems like a close call for Tom himself. With amazing cinematography, dog fights in jets at sonic speed, and the brilliant supporting characters, like rooster and hangman, this reboot of the franchise is a successful attempt that gained much attention from both old and new audiences.
- Dredd (2012)
Judge Dredd is not dreadful, but a stoic cop character who can take on anybody involved in crimes. In 1995, Danny Cannon tried to create a live-action cartoon on this character, but it did not work out. After seventeen years, a movie was made in 2012 based on the cop with the name ‘Dredd’. It is a merciless piece of art that is gory, straightforward, and offers a picture of the corrupted society in a futuristic setup. Long before Karl Urban was known as the Butcher, he gained a lot of attention with his amazing performance in Dredd. Judge Joseph Dredd will teach you how you need to be a superhero to fight for justice.
- Mission: Impossible (1996)
Well, this franchise seems to never end, with another installment being released in 2025. However, the most gripping story was offered in the first part only. While most reboots cannot surpass their predecessors, this movie has successfully done so by taking inspiration from an iconic 1960s TV show, which debuted with the same name. The Mission: Impossible franchise is still ongoing, and Tom Cruise seems to be proud of it. But nothing can beat the first installment of the movie series that showcases the launch of agent Ethan Hunt. Stay tuned as Mission: Impossible might come up with another sequel.
- The Batman (2022)
Do we need another Batman movie every year? Probably not, but the project executed by Matt Reeves has offered a whole new taste of Batman, just like Nolan did in his trilogy. However, this movie offers a more gothic and moody imagery than Nolan did, and it goes perfectly with the theme and tone of the movie, along with a realistic layer of vigilante and criminal minds. Other than Robert Pattinson’s amazing portrayal of Bruce Wayne, the other characters have also embraced the movie to a whole new level. There is Selena Kyle as Catwoman, Commissioner Gordon, Riddler, and Collin’s best performance as the Penguin. Batman is not just a criminal-beater but also a beacon of hope for everyone, and that is well depicted through this movie, along with some crazy action scenes.
- Shin Godzilla (2016)
Well, Godzilla has arrived at the theaters in many shapes, sizes, and expressions through different eras. While the Monarch series offered a different view of the titans like Godzilla and Kong, Shin Godzilla showcased a mutating monster that has a far more devastating power. This is the reboot of Ishiro Honda’s 1954 classic ‘Gojira’, and you will be able to find many classic elements. While you might not like this version of Godzilla, which does not appear to be attractive or sentient, you will love the way the destruction is shown through its atomic breath, which is a concentrated laser of Godzilla’s firepower.
- 21 Jump Street (2012)
This movie was released back in 2012 and is still one of the best comedic films featuring Jonah and Channing Tatum. This film offered a taste of the ’80s oddity along with a comedic script that offers a fun watch for everyone. The two protagonists are young cops undercover who solve a case while acting like high school students, and it is quite funny. The presence of Ice Cube as their senior officer is even funnier.
- Batman Begins (2005)
This is the first installment of Nolan’s Batman trilogy, where Christian Bale took on the role of Batman. Bale is a method actor, and he knows how to be in the skin of every character, even if it is a portrayal of a DC character or hero who looks after Gotham City. You can also find the compelling villains like Scarecrow and Ras-Al-Ghul in the movie along with Batman’s origin story. It is a superhero story with a grounded structure that does not appear overwhelming, but is very relevant.
- The Mummy (1999)
Talking about this movie offers a fresh dose of nostalgia as it is the first installment of the Mummy series. Previously, it was only a concept of horror, and the attempt in 1932 did not prove to be good. Thanks to the remake of 1999, which offered audiences a more acceptable and engaging movie that is based on the concept of treasure hunt, adventure, and a subtle dose of horror that also comes with comedy. The movie made a huge impact on pop culture and continued with many other sequels.
- Blade Runner 2049
Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 has set an example in Hollywood for the sci-fi genre with its amazing storytelling and cinematography. This visually striking movie featuring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford is a perfect reboot of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and offers a perfect aftertaste. The steampunk noir set in the futuristic world is truly captivating, and the story thoughtfully builds up, which can hook you till the end of the movie.
- Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
The Ocean’s series is rebooted, but nothing could beat the first rebooted story, which gained attention from a lot of audiences. This heist movie has set a standard for many other generations, and George Clooney’s charismatic appearance cannot be ignored.
- Casino Royale (2006)
Casino Royale offered a far more evolved personality of James Bond through the screen presence of Daniel Craig. The gritty and raw nature of Bond is well depicted through Craig’s performance, which was missing in most other installments where Bond is only portrayed as a lucky Casanova. This reboot is around two decades old, and it has aged magically.
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
When it comes to the post-apocalyptic genre, nothing can beat the first installment of Mad Max, which was released in 2015 with inspiration from its predecessors. The grimy dystopian world where everybody is fighting for water and food is something that you might like when it also includes modified cars, gore, killing, chase scenes, and heavy metal energy. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron offered the best ever experience for everyone with their rough chemistry.
- Creed (2015)
Well, many of the fans would disagree, but Creed actually offered a good progression in Rocky Balboa’s life. A legend cannot stay a legend forever, and a new kid on the block must fill that place. Rocky, as a mentor continuing his legacy through his pupil, is something you do not want to miss. Make sure to watch this reboot and the sequels as well.
