It might come as a surprise to you, but many movies that are considered as modern classics are in fact remakes of older films we never heard of. From classic gangster films to beloved heist flicks, check out these movies you didn’t realizer were remakes.
About Last Night
About Last Night (2014) is a romantic comedy film starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall and Joy Bryant. It is a remake of the 1986 film of the same name; both films are based on the 1974 David Mamet play Sexual Perversity in Chicago.
Man on Fire
The 2004 action-thriller centering on John Creasy (Denzel Washington), an alcoholic, former U.S. Marine turned bodyguard, who goes on a revenge-induced rampage after nine-year-old Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning), is abducted in Mexico City. Is actually adapted from the 1987 film starring Scott Glenn as Creasy. Both which were adapted from the 1980 novel by A.J. Quinnel.
The Manchurian Candidate
The 2004 film starring Denzel Washington set during the Persian Gulf War was adapted from the political thriller starring Frank Sinatra set during the Korean War in 1965. Both were based on the 1959 book by the same name.
Ocean’s Eleven
The 2001 heist comedy film that spanned into the Ocean’s franchise, is a remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name.
The Preacher’s Wife
The 1996 classic directed by the late Penny Marshall and starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Courtney B. Vance is a remake of the 1947 film The Bishop’s Wife. Both are based on the novel, The Bishop’s Wife by Robert Nathan.
Scarface
The 1983 version most of us know starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana is based on the 1929 novel of the same name and the 1932 adaptation of the novel.
Major Payne
One of the most quotable movies, Major Payne starring Damon Wayans, is a loose remake of the 1955 film The Private War of Major Benson, starring Charlton Heston.
The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor was made iconic by Eddie Murphy in 1996 but it is a remake of the 1963 comedy starring Jerry Lewis.
The Taking of Pelham 123
The 2009 action thriller led by Denzel Washington is actually the third adaptation of the John Godey novel of the same name. It was first adapted in 1974 and then again in 1998 as a TV film.
Death at a Funeral
The all-star cast 2010 comedy is a remake of the 2007 British film of the same name. Dean Craig penned both films.
Magnificent Seven
The 2016 western action film was directed by Antoine Fuqua and starred Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett, and Peter Sarsgaard. It was a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, itself an adaptation of the 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai.