Ranking the Best Horror Movie Remakes of the 21st Century
Horror remakes often get a bad rap, with fans worrying they’ll tarnish beloved classics. But the 21st century has seen some bold reimaginings that breathe new life into old scares, proving remakes can stand tall on their own.
From gritty slashers to chilling supernatural tales, these films honor their roots while delivering fresh terror. Here’s my ranked list of the ten best horror movie remakes since 2000, counting down from tenth to first.
10. Fright Night (2011)
The 1985 ‘Fright Night’ was a campy vampire romp, but the 2011 remake leaned into teen horror with a modern edge. Colin Farrell’s charismatic vampire neighbor Jerry is both seductive and terrifying, stalking Anton Yelchin’s Charley in a Las Vegas suburb.
The remake trades some of the original’s humor for tension and slick visuals. Its strong cast, including David Tennant as a cheesy magician, and updated setting make it a fun, scary ride that respects its predecessor.
9. The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Alexandre Aja’s remake of Wes Craven’s 1977 mutant cannibal classic amps up the brutality. A family stranded in a desert faces gruesome attacks from deformed hill-dwellers, with Aaron Stanford and Emilie de Ravin delivering standout performances.
The 2006 version dives deeper into visceral horror, using practical effects and a sun-scorched setting to create relentless dread. It’s a bloody test of endurance that outshines the original’s raw but dated feel.
8. House of Wax (2005)
Loosely remaking the 1953 Vincent Price film, ‘House of Wax’ (2005) carves its own path. A group of friends, including Elisha Cuthbert and Jared Padalecki, stumbles into a ghost town with a wax museum hiding gruesome secrets—real bodies encased in wax.
The gory kills, like Paris Hilton’s infamous death scene, and a creepy setting make it a cult favorite. Its inventive action and grim atmosphere elevate it beyond the original’s tamer chills.
7. Slumber Party Massacre (2021)
The 1982 ‘Slumber Party Massacre’ was a campy slasher parody, but the 2021 Syfy remake flips it into a feminist reimagining. A group of girls at a cabin face the Driller Killer, with sharp commentary on misogyny in horror.
The diverse cast and clever gore keep it fresh, poking fun at tropes while delivering scares. It’s a bold update that respects the original’s spirit but feels more empowering and rewatchable.
6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Tobe Hooper’s 1974 ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ was groundbreaking, but the 2003 remake matches its intensity. Jessica Biel’s Erin leads friends hunted by Leatherface’s sadistic family after picking up a hitchhiker.
The remake’s polished visuals, gruesome kills, and strong cast make it a standout slasher. It stays true to the original’s raw terror while adding modern grit, earning its place as a horror benchmark.
5. Let Me In (2010)
Remaking the 2008 Swedish gem ‘Let the Right One In’, ‘Let Me In’ follows lonely Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee) befriending Abby (Chloë Grace Moretz), a vampire girl. Set in 1980s America, it explores childhood isolation and gothic horror.
Matt Reeves keeps the original’s emotional core while adding chilling visuals and a Reagan-era backdrop. Critics praised its balance of heart and horror, making it a rare remake that rivals its source.
4. Evil Dead (2013)
Sam Raimi’s 1981 ‘The Evil Dead’ was a low-budget cult classic, but Fede Alvarez’s 2013 remake is a gore-soaked beast. A group in a cabin unleashes demons via the Book of the Dead, with Jane Levy’s Mia battling possession.
The remake ditches the original’s slapstick for brutal horror, with intense practical effects and a nod to the iconic Oldsmobile. It’s a relentless, squirm-inducing triumph that honors Raimi’s legacy.
3. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Zack Snyder’s remake of George Romero’s 1978 ‘Dawn of the Dead’ trades slow zombies for fast ones. Survivors, including Ving Rhames and Sarah Polley, take refuge in a mall as a zombie outbreak ravages the world.
The film keeps Romero’s social commentary on consumerism but adds pulse-pounding action. Its larger cast and nightmarish pace make it a thrilling reimagining that complements the original’s bite.
2. It (2017)
The 1990 miniseries of Stephen King’s ‘It’ had Tim Curry’s iconic Pennywise, but the 2017 remake elevates the terror. Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise haunts the kids of Derry, Maine, with Jaeden Martell and Sophia Lillis shining as young outcasts.
Andy Muschietti’s film blends coming-of-age drama with visceral scares, breaking box office records for R-rated horror. Its stylish visuals and emotional depth make it a modern classic.
1. The Ring (2002)
Gore Verbinski’s remake of 1998’s Japanese ‘Ringu’ set a new standard for horror. Naomi Watts plays a journalist investigating a cursed videotape that kills viewers in seven days, with the ghostly Samara crawling out of TVs.
The film’s eerie atmosphere, jump scares, and sleek visuals made it a cultural phenomenon, sparking a wave of J-horror remakes. It streamlines the original’s story for maximum dread, cementing its place as the century’s best horror remake.
Which of these remakes scared you the most, or did I miss a hidden gem? Share your picks in the comments!