10 Movie Reboots That Failed Miserably: Movie reboots have become a common phenomenon in the film industry. They offer a chance for filmmakers to take classic movies and give them a new lease of life, hoping to attract a fresh audience. However, not all reboots are successful, and some end up being a complete disaster. Hollywood has seen its fair share of movie reboots that failed miserably, leaving audiences disappointed and critics scathing. In this article, we will be looking at ten such movie reboots that failed to live up to expectations and why they fell short. From superhero franchises to beloved classics, these films have one thing in common- they were all huge letdowns. So, let’s delve into the world of movie reboots and discover why some of them just don’t work.
10 Movie Reboots That Failed Miserably
Planet of the Apes (2001)
When Tim Burton took on the challenge of directing the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes, he knew he had to surpass the classic status of the original 1968 film. However, despite earning decent revenue at the box office, the remake was not well-received by either audiences or critics.
Although the film was commended for its stunning makeup and special effects, the script was heavily criticized for its lack of originality. Critics condemned the film for being too reverent towards the original, without introducing any new or creative ideas. Roger Ebert’s review of the film noted that Burton had created a respectful movie, but that alone was not enough. Ebert predicted that it would be the original 1968 version that would continue to stand the test of time. The 2001 remake was even named the “worst remake” at the 22nd annual Golden Raspberry Awards, highlighting its failure to live up to the expectations set by the classic original film.
Terminator Genisys (2015)
The Terminator franchise has a reputation for being difficult to kill, but even with the return of Schwarzenegger and the support of James Cameron, the 2015 film Genisys failed to live up to expectations. While the first two Terminator movies are considered action sci-fi masterpieces, Genisys suffered from logical fallacies and convoluted narrative logic, compounded by the fact that the biggest plot twist was revealed in the trailers. The Terminator franchise is known for its resilience, but even the most die-hard fans couldn’t save Genisys.
The Mummy (2017)
The Mummy was meant to be the starting point for Universal’s Dark Universe, a shared cinematic world featuring classic monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde (portrayed by Russell Crowe). Unfortunately, the movie was so bad that it ultimately doomed the franchise it was meant to launch. It’s a pity, as Universal had the potential to create something special. The Mummy movies from the late ’90s and early 2000s were not cinematic masterpieces, but they were fun and offered a supernatural-themed alternative to Indiana Jones. If Alex Kurtzman’s Mummy reboot had adopted that same tone and style, added Tom Cruise – a dependable and charismatic leading man – and produced something decent, it could have succeeded.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
The original Nightmare on Elm Street is a horror classic that is considered a milestone in the genre. It spawned one of the highest-grossing horror franchises in history and left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. Freddy Krueger, with his bladed glove, became a symbol of terror for many adolescents, who found it difficult to sleep at night after watching the movie.
However, the 2010 remake of the film, featuring Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger, fails to live up to the original. Rebooting a franchise with a new lead actor is always a challenge, but this film lacks the depth and provocative twists that would have made it memorable. Despite the visual style remaining faithful to the original, it fails to create the same sense of nostalgia as the original.
Terminator Salvation (2009)
The movies Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day have cemented their place in history as two of the most noteworthy action and science fiction movies ever made. However, it seems the quality of the franchise has dramatically declined since then. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was nothing more than an action extravaganza, and Terminator Salvation took the series in a completely different direction, moving away from time travel and following John Connor’s (played by Christian Bale) battle against machines. While they may be watchable on a lazy Sunday afternoon, neither can come close to matching the brilliance of the first two films.
Fantastic Four (2015)
In retrospect, the year 2015 proved to be a disappointment for the movie reboots as Terminator Genisys and Fantastic Four failed to meet the audience’s expectations. Fantastic Four was expected to distance itself from the overly sentimental movies of the 2000s and instead offer a darker and grittier version under the direction of Josh Trank, the acclaimed director of the atypical superhero film Chronicle. Initially, fans were excited about the prospect of a more mature audience, but sadly the 9% score on Rotten Tomatoes reflects how the reboot was worse than anyone could have imagined. It is likely that most people would prefer the return of the colorful characters from the previous films.
Halloween (2007)
John Carpenter’s Halloween is a classic horror film that introduced the iconic killer Michael Myers to audiences. What made Myers such a memorable antagonist was his remorselessness. However, the 2007 reboot directed by Rob Zombie failed to capture this subtlety. Instead, it spent nearly an hour delving into Myers’ childhood, explaining in excessive detail what makes him tick. Moreover, Zombie turned the film into a torture porn-style horror movie by amplifying the violence, losing sight of what made the original film so effective.
Furthermore, Zombie’s version also ruined the character of Laurie Strode, played brilliantly by Jamie Lee Curtis in Carpenter’s film, by turning her into a generic and sexually charged teenager. Although Zombie made a worse sequel, the franchise may still have a chance at redemption with the release of a direct sequel to Carpenter’s original in 2018. Overall, Zombie’s Halloween is a disappointing attempt to capture the terror and nuance of the original, opting instead for excessive gore and clumsy storytelling.
Godzilla (1998)
The classic Godzilla movies have been a hit among moviegoers worldwide since the 1950s. Sony Pictures decided to reboot the film for an American audience in 1998, moving the radiation monster from Tokyo to New York. However, the film did not fare well, despite earning $379 million and being the highest-grossing film globally that year. It only scored a 16 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and received negative feedback from viewers and critics alike. The studio’s original plans for a Godzilla trilogy were terminated despite its commercial success.
In 2014, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures decided to give an American Godzilla another chance with a much better movie. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, and Bryan Cranston, the film received positive reviews and was a hit among audiences. This proved that even with negative reviews, the King of Monsters still has a loyal fanbase that can bring success to the franchise.
Ghostbusters (2016)
The decision to cast all women in the lead roles of the Ghostbusters reboot created controversy and received criticism from passionate fans. However, it is important to note that the film, directed by Paul Feig in 2016, was a reasonably enjoyable action-comedy that paid homage to the original franchise. Unfortunately, Sony invested an excessive amount of money into the production, leading to a financial failure that hindered the potential for a sequel. Despite the film’s moderate performance, it failed to generate enough revenue to cover the budget.
Friday the 13th (2009)
The Friday the 13th franchise is widely recognized for its horror content and its infamous villain, Jason Vorhees, who wears a hockey mask. However, the first movie in the series features a different murderer, and Jason doesn’t wear his mask until the third installment. Fans were fascinated by how Jason evolved throughout the movies and the unpredictability of the plot.
In contrast, the 2009 reboot of the franchise tried to cram 11 movies’ worth of background information into a single 97-minute film. This approach was unsuccessful and resulted in a confusing and disjointed storyline, similar to the aftermath of one of Jason’s attacks.
