20 Surprisingly Great Horror Movie Remakes

15. The Ring

When a remake of 1998's beloved J-horror film Ringu was announced, it was tough not to be incredibly skeptical of Hollywood's ability to retain its dread-soaked atmosphere.

That scepticism was only enhanced when Gore Verbinski - who at the time had never directed a horror film - was hired to helm a script written by Ehren Kruger, fresh off the divisive Scream 3 and widely panned Reindeer Games.

But 2002's The Ring isn't just the first major J-horror remake - it remains the very best of the bunch.

Far from an empty big-budget retelling, The Ring uses its comparatively monstrous budget in the service of only enhancing the elemental scares at the core of the story.

It's packed with nerve-shredding set-pieces, boasts one of the most distinctive aesthetics of any 2000s horror film, and you've also got Naomi Watts putting on an acting clinic front and centre.

Though many still prefer Ringu, Verbinski's remake defied any and all expectations to both respect and build upon what came before.