9. North by Northwest
Perhaps Alfred Hitchocks most influential film isnt a horror, rather a more exciting affair. North By Northwest is the archetypal action film to which the Bond, Bourne and Die Hard franchises owe a huge debt. It features a classy hero in Cary Grant, a gorgeous girl, a team of really nasty villains and some of the most memorable (and referenced) set pieces in movie history. Homage is perfectly fine, theres nothing up with referring back to a great film, but you remake a classic at your peril. The Mission: Impossible series proves that Tom Cruise is a perfectly adequate action star and he doesnt need to think about a remake. Just keep the nods and winks to the master of suspense subtle and dont try and copy him outright (Im looking at you, Gus Van Sant!)