10 Movie Remakes Better Than The Original

6. Little Shop Of Horrors

Little Shop Of Horrors Dentist
Warner Bros.

Sure, the original has Jack Nicholson (as sadistic dental patient Wilbur Force), but the 1986 version is vastly superior to Roger Corman’s 1960 attempt in almost every way.

Made on a shoe-string budget with some Corman veteran stock actors and a left-over set, the 1960 version has its cult appeal. And it’s charming in its own way - which makes the fact that it was literally completed from rehearsals to principal photography in SIX DAYS - but it misses the theatricality of the musical it was based on.

That’s one place where the 1986 version really improves: not only are the performances - particularly by Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and Ellen Greene - delightful, but the songs are a joy. “Suddenly Seymour” and “Somewhere That’s Green” are modern musical treasures (and so is Greene herself). The music actually helps the whole grotesque element - the baroque staging clashing with the grubby reality of Skid Row. It’s not just functional, it’s aspirational.

It’s being remade again as a dark non-musical, which is a travesty, but hopefully it’ll just direct more attention to the 1986 version.

[Simon Gallagher]

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.

Contributor
Contributor

WhatCulture's former COO, veteran writer and editor.

Gaming Editor
Gaming Editor

WhatCulture's Head of Gaming.

Contributor

Writer. Mumbler. Only person on the internet who liked Spider-Man 3

Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.

Contributor
Contributor

Resident Evil Aficionado. Video Games & Fried Chicken are my passions. Occasionally some Wrestling. I used to work in Film & TV, but now I Write, Edit & Present for this website and its Youtube Channels.