Recently, we’ve been seeing a lot of remakes on classic films hitting theaters at a rapid pace. This is mostly being done by Disney where they are popping out live-action remakes of original 2D classics from left to right.
Sometimes movie remakes can be pretty incredible, as we’ve seen with The Fly (1986) as well as It (2017). Yet most of the time, unfortunately, these reboots can never compare to the magic of the original. Here are 10 classic movies that are so great, Hollywood would never dare remake them.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (1961)
What makes Breakfast at Tiffany’s such a timeless film is the fact that Audrey Hepburn stars in it. Although Truman Capote (aka the author of the novel for Breakfast at Tiffany’s) wanted Marilyn Monroe to play the part of Holly Golightly, we think Audrey Hepburn was the perfect fit. She brought sophistication and class to a troubled character who needed guidance and care. She added a sense of charm and charisma that no one else could possibly replace.
We feel as though the film is a staple of the ’60s when it came out, and trying to redo the classic would just be a futile cinematic attempt.
STAND BY ME (1986)
Stand By Me, directed by Rob Reiner, is a movie that is based on Stephen King’s novella titled The Body. Although nostalgia is a big element in today’s world of pop culture as we can see with shows and movies such as Stranger Things and Mad Men, we feel as though there is no point in redoing Reiner’s version of the film because it is flawless just the way it is. The movie doesn’t require any fancy special effects, considering the main focus of the story is friendship.
Why touch something that is already a masterpiece? Because the cast of the movie and the directorial work is so great, we think it would be best if it was left alone. No need for reboots in the near future.
THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985)
The Breakfast Club cannot possibly be remade because it is such an iconic classic. Who else could direct this specific movie but John Hughes? How could it be redone in a way that adds something new to the table? It feels as though there is nothing new to add because the movie is already flawless enough as it is.
The idea of replacing Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy with different actors just seems absurd. Touching this movie at all and trying to reboot it would be a big mistake. This is not to say that the movie doesn’t have faults, because it most certainly does, but it was a product of its time and to remake this 80s classic would just be a disservice to the film.
THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
Judy Garland is the one and only starlet to properly master the role of Dorothy Gale. Imagining anyone else for this role is simply impossible. The reason The Wizard of Oz was such a revolutionary film in the history of cinema was because it was one of the first live-action films to be shot in technicolor.
The transition from black and white to the colorful “over the rainbow” Oz was so unique back in 1939 when the film came out, and therefore it was so highly regarded back then when shooting in color was so expensive. It’s still such a powerful movie to this day and there is no need to change this glorious gem of a film because it is perfect just the way it is.
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY (1989)
The idea of anyone writing this film other than Nora Ephron just seems absurd. Ephron was the queen of writing romantic comedies (especially the ones starring Meg Ryan) and although others could potentially come close to her amazing writing abilities, we’re not sure anyone else could capture the essence of When Harry Met Sally quite like Ephron.
Sadly, the romantic comedy genre seems to be fizzling out, so we hope to see more films in this genre that are as fantastic as When Harry Met Sally, rather than watching a remake of this untouchable classic. Plus, Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan (along with Carrie Fisher) were made for these roles.
TITANIC (1997)
Titanic is one of the most epic films of all time, and we can’t imagine it being altered in any way that could possibly add to the movie. Who else could create such a colorful and alluring masterpiece other than James Cameron? And why would we want anyone else to star in the movie other than Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet?
These two are famous for having a tremendous amount of chemistry on and off-screen, and there is no better pair to fulfill the role than these two. The special effects in the film are already perfect, so we wouldn’t really want to see a remake of a movie that is already flawless.
FORREST GUMP (1994)
Forrest Gump will always be regarded as an epic film that is so emotional, it could end up making the toughest person sob like a baby. For those who have yet to see this classic, all we suggest is that you do so with several boxes of tissues by your side. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. This role was designed for Tom Hanks and if anyone else took the role of Forrest Gump, it could never level up to what we have already been exposed to with Hanks’ acting chops.
Everything from the directorial work to the cast and the score are so perfect and irreplaceable that we would never want to see a remake of this gorgeous film.
MEAN GIRLS (2004)
There would be nothing more depressing than a remake of Mean Girls because the 2004 film is already “so fetch” just the way it is. First of all, why would we want anyone else to write the film other than Tina Fey?
Secondly, the idea of having a cast with anyone other than Rachel Mcadams, Lindsey Lohan, and Amanda Seyfried just seems like an utter waste of time. The original cast is perfect, the movie is perfect, and we simply don’t need a reboot considering most of us watch this movie on a monthly basis and still never get tired of it.
2. THE SHINING (1980)
The Shining is such an artistic gem that is so unique due to Stanley Kubrick’s vision. If anyone else tried to replicate Kubrick’s work, it would just feel like a cheap attempt. Who other than Jack Nicholson and Shelley Long could play the roles of Jack and Wendy Torrance? Although Doctor Sleep (2019) was a wonderful movie that included memorable moments from The Shining, it was no match for the original film based on Stephen King’s classic novel.
We’re ignoring the fact that there was a 1997 televised adaptation of the novel, but it overwhelmingly panned by audiences and critics alike.
CLUELESS (1995)
Clueless is a 90s classic and it is a movie that couldn’t be done in any other decade. Everything from the 90s clothing to the 90s slang cannot be repeated at a different time. What’s the use? And who other than Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphey, and Paul Rudd could make the movie as iconic as it is?
This is one of those movies that belongs in the 1990s, and we will continue to watch it as much as possible whenever we’re feeling particularly nostalgic for the last decade of the 20th century.
We’re, like, totally expecting a more dramatic television reboot next year, by the way. Yeah, whatever.
