10 More Horror Movie Remakes That Were Instantly Forgotten
6. Salem's Lot (2024)
Being the most recent entry on our list, Gary Lauberman's Salem's Lot should be fresh in our minds. However, the latest adaptation of Stephen King's novel is so formulaic, it's challenging to remember a single thing about it.
Like the 1979 version, this supernatural horror opens with writer Ben Mears returning to his childhood home for inspiration, unaware that it's been taken over by vampires. Unlike the 1979 version directed by horror legend Tobe Hooper, the remake discards slow-burn gothic horror for heavy action and cheap CGI. Sequences that are intended to be frightening come across as campy due to poor set-up and delivery.
Due to the book's length, you'd expect this adaptation to remove a few unneeded elements. But the filmmakers try to include everything, cramming swathes of the novel. As a result, major plot points are rushed, which dilutes the impact of key moments and character beats.
Warner Bros. probably knew they had a dud on their hands, since Salem's Lot lay in limbo years after filming wrapped.