I try not to be too precious about movie remakes and reboots, because I understand Hollywood is all about putting butts in theater seats. Remaking classic movies is one of the best ways to get people to go see a movie. But, putting the nostalgia aspect aside, there are some '90s movies that should never be remade. These movies are either too iconic or too perfect to ever be improved upon. Many of them feature performances that were so unique that it would be hard to watch anyone else try to step into the roles. These '90s movies need no embellishment, and Hollywood should look elsewhere for their next remake inspiration.
Every film era has at least one unfortunate remake. Never forget what Hollywood did to The Planet of the Apes in 2001. I am all for expanding universes, but taking an already good movie and adding nothing to the story but modern special effects is heartbreaking. As a child of the '90s, I admit that I am biased, but I hope Hollywood never tries to recapture the magic of Titanic or replace Jim Carrey in The Truman Show.
Remakes of any one of these 16 movies from the '90s would no doubt be disastrous.
1. Titanic (1997)
Hey, if Hollywood wants to make another movie about the Titanic, I say go for it as long as it has nothing to do with Jack and Rose. Their love story will never be more magical than it already is.
2. Clueless (1995)
Clueless took inspiration from Emma, but writer and director Amy Heckerling made the story her own by creating a film that not only embodied the '90s, but changed the way teens spoke. Clueless is the '90s, which makes the idea of a remake totally nonsensical.
3. The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
Unless someone can figure out how to clone Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, there is no way this movie will ever be scarier or more beautifully acted. Hollywood should find a new fictional serial killer to court.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Heath Ledger's charming, roguish performance was a once in a lifetime deal.
5. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
In the hands of any other actor, Mrs. Doubtfire would have been a hot mess of silliness, but Robin Williams infused the character with so much heart that the movie became a classic too precious to ever be touched by anyone else's hands.
6. Pretty Woman (1990)
I honestly cannot even begin to imagine what Pretty Woman would look like today, but I know it would be missing its unexpected sense of innocence and the instant star power of a young Julia Roberts.
7. Never Been Kissed (1999)
Between the content (an adult woman pretends to be a teen and the English teacher falls in love with her), and the movie's adorable sense of late '90s style, Hollywood should just be happy this storyline worked out so beautifully the one time.
8. Fight Club (1999)
The brand of masculinity the movie was selling is deeply outmoded, and that twist is only going to work once.
9. The Truman Show (1998)
In a time where people are voluntarily filming nearly every move they make for public consumption, Truman's journey is more relevant than ever. But the movie is so perfect a remake would have nothing new to offer.
10. Groundhog Day (1993)
It is just too iconic. Groundhog Day has inspired countless television episodes and movie parodies, and a remake could never capture the sincerity of the original.
11. Thelma & Louise (1991)
Part of me would love to see a version of this movie that didn't end in tragedy, but Thelma & Louise made a powerful statement about women and feminism in the early '90s. To diminish its message with a remake would be downright sacrilegious.
12. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Remaking a Quentin Tarantino film sounds as ill-advised as remaking an Alfred Hitchcock film. It's just a terrible idea.
13. Ghost (1990)
Again, Ghost is such a unique product of its time that I cannot imagine it being as funny or heartfelt in the age of smart phones and a thousand ghost adventure shows. Would Sam even need to enlist the help of a medium now? He would probably just send Molly a text from the beyond the grave.
14. My Girl (1991)
Look, this movie could not possibly be any sadder, so why even try?
15. Matilda (1996)
Mara Wilson is Matilda. This is not up for debate.
16. The Sixth Sense (1999)
A remake would need a new twist, but, even if it came up with something totally unexpected, it still wouldn't top the original's final act whammy.
Hands off these '90s gems, Hollywood. You got them right the first time, so there's no need to mess with perfection now.
Images: Paramount Pictures; Giphy (17)
