American remakes of international horror films have become a major fixture of the genre in the 21st century. On the one hand, a remake reflects the success of the original film, for no studio would choose to recreate something that did poorly the first time around. But on the other hand, a remake is a dicey venture that risks undermining the original creator’s vision or damaging the reputation of the franchise. This does not mean that movies should never be remade, but it’s worth considering the cases where American versions of horror films lose out to their international counterparts. This is especially crucial because English-language remakes often overshadow the originals in terms of popularity and impact. In order to put them back in their rightful places, here are eight international movies that are superior to their American remakes.
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8 The Grudge (2002)
Lionsgate Films
The Grudge, or Ju-On, became a Japanese horror classic when it was released in 2002. Though the Ju-On franchise existed before then, this was its theatrical debut, and audiences responded positively. Studios took note of its success, and Sony Pictures Entertainment quickly greenlit an American remake, which was released in 2004. It performed well above expectations at the box office, but critics did not find it as frightening or appealing as the original. In particular, it lacks the unsettling atmosphere of Ju-On, opting instead for louder, in-your-face scares and jerky editing. If you’re a fan of slow-burn horror, stick to the Japanese version when it comes to The Grudge.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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7 Funny Games (1997)
Concorde-Castle
Though not quite as horror-oriented as the other films on this list, Michael Haneke’s Funny Games is a terrifying, sadistic thriller that sticks with you long after the credits roll. While the 1997 original was a German-language production shot in Austria, it would receive an English remake set in the United States just ten years later. This remake, which starred Naomi Watts and Tim Roth, aimed to recreate the Austrian original shot-for-shot, and it was even helmed by the same director. Despite his best efforts, something was lost in translation, and the original remains the better film. Notwithstanding its lower budget, the 1997 version has better visuals and more restrained performances, making it both scarier and funnier than the 2007 version. It should be your first choice should you choose to enter Haneke’s twisted cinematic world.
6 Rec (2007)
Filmax
Rec is a Spanish-language classic of the found footage subgenre of horror. Released in 2007, it performed well commercially and critically, spawning an American remake — renamed as Quarantine — just one year later. Quarantine changes some of Rec’s core plot points, but it otherwise aims at faithfully recreating the found footage aesthetic of the original. Disappointingly, however, it fails to capture either the grittiness or the energy of the Spanish version. It also avoids including Rec’s religious themes, a move which earned it criticism from the original director.
5 Suspiria (1977)
Toho -Towa
4 The Ring (1998)
Toho
Ring (Ringu in Japan) is the best-known Japanese horror film of all time. Based on the novel of the same name, this 1998 classic popularized the haunted videotape trope, and is one of the most influential scary movies of the last three decades. According to The Atlantic, “it set off a wave of J-horror remakes” in the United States, several of which appear on this list. The 2002 remake starring Naomi Watts was a massive success, but it lacked the subtlety of the original Ring. Additionally, it relied more heavily on CGI, and — thanks to some very aggressive color grading — it has a jarring green tint throughout. So, if you want to see what sparked the explosive rise of J-horror, seek out the 1998 original instead.
3 Let the Right One In (2008)
EFTI
This Swedish gem of horror-romance is one of the nation’s best known films. It tells the heart-wrenching story of an unlikely friendship between a quiet, lonely boy and a girl who turns out to be a vampire. Let the Right One In debuted in Sweden in 2008 before receiving a limited international run. As is so often the case, American production companies couldn’t keep their hands off it, and eventually not one but two remakes came to fruition: a film version called Let Me In and a Showtime series that premiered on October 9, 2022. Your best bet is still the Swedish original if you want to experience this classic story.
2 Dark Water (2002)
Oz Films
2002’s Dark Water is another notable example of “J-horror,” and it received a particularly disappointing American remake in 2005. While there was an admirable attempt made to capture the atmosphere of the original, it was completely lacking in scares. Gone are the suspense and melancholy that earned Dark Water a remake in the first place. Instead, we get a by-the-numbers family drama with a flimsy ghost story pasted over it. You won’t be missing out by sticking to the original.
1 Pulse (2001)
Daiei Film
This brilliant and woefully underappreciated horror film is probably the scariest movie to ever come out of Japan. Released in 2001 during the early internet era, Pulse offered a prescient vision of mankind’s technological future, and the kind of alienation that can occur when real-world connections fall by the wayside. Collider argues that it even “predicted our year of isolation” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it falls under the subgenre of techno-horror, Pulse is also a ghost story, complete with hauntings, possessions, and a whole host of ghastly apparitions. The American remake from 2006 loses much of what makes the Japanese version such a special film, replacing its scariest scenes with tired, flashy attempts at shocking the audience. Perhaps the biggest issue, though, is that the remake lacks the original’s incredible musical score. Unfortunately, what we are left with is a rather cheap imitation of a Japanese horror masterpiece.
