11 Horror Remakes Better Than The Original

Though Silence of the Lambs turned Hannibal Lecter into an icon, it wasn't the first film adaptation of Thomas Harris' work. That honour belongs to Michael Mann's Manhunter, based on the novel, Red Dragon. 

Despite tanking at the box office, it's remembered fondly, thanks to its brooding atmosphere and solid performances, especially Brian Cox's understated depiction of Hannibal.

With that said, 2002's Red Dragon has a leg up on its predecessor for a number of reasons. Unlike the first adaptation, the remake maintain's the novel's structure almost scene-for-scene, including the memorable capture of Lecter in the opening. Cox is great as Hannibal but he cannot compare with Anthony Hopkin's scene-stealing portrayal.

Although Manhunter did away with the novel's subplots, Red Dragon embraces them, so there's a better understanding of the characters. It doesn't tone down the violence like its predecessor, keeping the tension permanently elevated.

Ralph Fiennes is magnificent as the villainous Dolarhyde, making the character surprisingly sympathetic, even when he's biting people's jaws off or setting them on fire.

Despite the fact Mann's version deserves more respect than it initially received, it's understandable why the later adaptation made a larger impression.