10 Movies That Would Work Better As Horror
9. I Am Legend
Based on Richard Matheson's novel of the same name, Francis Lawrence's I Am Legend revolves around a scientist called Robert Neville, portrayed by Will Smith. After most of humanity turns into vampiric cannibals called Darkseekers, Neville desperately looks for a cure.
Despite the fact Matheson's book was very horror-oriented, this adaption is a blockbuster above all else.
However, the film would closer resemble the source material if one single thing was remedied - the Darkseekers. Though these creatures were meant to be brought to life with practical effects, they were replaced at the last-minute with atrocious CGI, eroding any potential scares.
Though the Darkseekers are cunning, and manipulative in the novel, the film turned them into mindless zombies. Also, the Darkseekers are significantly scarier when off-screen. As such, I Am Legend would've been nerve-shredding if these nocturnal beasts were implemented sparingly.
Also, the most hard-hitting part of the original story is when it's revealed the Darkseekers are intelligent and compassionate, meaning Neville had spent years killing innocent people. Although this ending was shot, it was switched out with a traditional climax.
If the film kept the practical effects and maintained the initial ending, I Am Legend would've been legitimately frightening.