10 Spooky Movies Ripe for a Reboot
On the heels of "Hocus Pocus 2"—which fans have been begging for for decades—and another mega successful installment of the "Halloween" franchise, there's more appetite than ever to revisit our favorite spooky stories.
Of course, we fully believe that if something isn't broke, it doesn't need to be fixed. But when reboots and sequels are done right, they can provide a satisfying sliver of nostalgia. What creepy tales would you like to see revisited? Here are some of our picks:
Casper
This 1995 family film was a massive box office smash, and it still stands up today, thanks to its combination of faithfulness to original source material and dark humor that appealed to older audiences. While this did spawn two direct-to-video sequels in the 90s, this would be a great time to have original star Christina Ricci reunite with everyone's favorite friendly ghost.
Something Wicked this Way Comes
This 1983 adaptation of Ray Bradbury's novel remains as terrifying as it was when we first saw it decades ago, though advances in special effects would undoubtedly make it even more hair-raising now. And although the original film is still creepy today, it is a dated and obscure film that out to be seen by a whole new generation.
Friday the 13th
While it is true that there are 12 "Friday the 13th" films in total, there has yet to be a worthy reboot since the original came out in 1980. In 2009, a half-assed reboot came out and received atrocious reviews, which is why it's high time for a worthy remake of this slasher classic.
The Witch
This indie hit with a cult following from 2015 is still one of horror's more exciting creations of the last decade. Director Robert Eggers nailed the Puritan New England creepiness, and we think there's plenty more demons lurking in those woods.
The Lost Boys
One of the most iconic films of the 80s, "The Lost Boys" has been due for a sequel ever since its release in 1987. Several scripts for a sequel circulated over the years, and director Joel Schumacher made several attempts to make a sequel in the 90s, but nothing ever came of it. Ever a demand for nostalgia, there's no time like the present to resurrect "The Lost Boys."
Poltergeist
Although there was a lackluster, overwritten reboot in 2015, it didn't come close to capturing the fear and menace of the original. Of course, "Poltergeist" was novel in 1982 and scores of supernatural horror films have been released in its image since, so the premise isn't quite as fresh as it used to be. But if Steven Spielberg ever wishes to return to this original story he helped write, maybe he can blow the dust off it in new and exciting ways.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In many ways, this 1992 comedy horror film was a cultural reset that made waves throughout television and film for years to come. The film wasn't exactly what creator Joss Whedon had in mind when he created to story, however, which is part of reason he launched the smash hit television series which ran for seven years. Revisiting this material on the big screen would be a sure thing.
The Faculty
Written by the same screenwriter as "Scream," this is another 90's horror classic that would dial up the nostalgia factor in a major way, especially if the cast is rife with hotties as it was back in 1999. Of course, "The Faculty" draws a bit from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," so the premise is tried and true at this point.
Urban Legend
A resolutely 90's film that rode the post-"Scream" slasher wave all the way to the box office, this 1998 film starred Rebecca Gayheart, Joshua Jackson, Tara Reid, and Jared Leto as college students trying to figure out who's behind a series of urban legend-inspired killings. With scores of urban legends still out there, there's plenty of fodder for an "Urban Legend" reboot.
Trick 'r Treat
A modest hit with a cult following upon its release in 2007 (and wide release in 2009), "Trick 'r Treat" is—surprisingly—a tight and well-executed horror film that touches on all kinds of Halloween traditions, helping it to become an enduring classic. A sequel was announced in 2009, 2013, and again in 2022, though nothing ever materialized.