The Worst American Remakes of International Horror Films

If a country outside of America creates a horror movie that breaks into the mainstream, there’s a high chance it will be remade in the U.S. within the next decade. The American film industry is known for remaking and franchising its own horror films, so it’s no surprise that international hits get the same treatment.

Some American remakes have become iconic. For instance, The Ring, adapted from the Japanese film Ringu, brought Japanese horror into the American spotlight and led to a series of sequels. Similarly, Let Me In, a remake of the Swedish vampire movie Let the Right One In, was well-received upon its release and held its ground against the original. Horror as a genre thrives on collaboration, with filmmakers often remixing and borrowing ideas to give familiar stories a fresh twist.

However, audience skepticism is sometimes justified. When an American remake of a well-known international horror film is announced, the initial reaction often includes a cringe. Witnessing a poorly executed Americanized version of a superior foreign film can be a dreadful experience. (Although, admittedly, not as dreadful as having your head trapped in a cage full of angry bees.) For those who love to cringe, here’s a look at some of the worst instances where American remakes of foreign horror films made us wish Hollywood would stick to their own stories.

In fact, we’d prefer the aforementioned bee scenario over rewatching these American horror remakes.

Source: Various