Remakes, reboots, and “requels” have never been more popular. Old franchises are resurrected with quasi-reboots / legacy sequels (Scream); animated features are remade as live action films (The Little Mermaid); foreign films are remade for English audiences (A Man Called Otto); and classics are updated with a modern spin (Hellraiser). It feels as though there’s a new one every other month.

Recently, remakes have gotten a bad name because there has been a growing trend of studios cashing in on popular IP for the sake of turning a quick buck, making them feel soulless and unnecessary. The best remakes are the ones that build upon the flawed foundation of the original to help realize its full potential. And ones that modernize the material, making it feel urgent and contemporary. The Thing (1982), Scarface (1983), and West Side Story (2021) come to mind as remakes that get it right.
Thanks to recent improvements in filmmaking technology and CGI, along with the need for streaming content, now would be the perfect time to dig through the back catalog of old action flicks and find ones to revive with a modern twist. Here are 15 action movies that deserve an awesome remake.
RELATED: Reboots That Radically Changed the Source Material

15 Blast of Silence

Blast of Silence is an independent film-noir directed by Allen Baron and released in 1961. The film stars Baron as Frankie Bono, a hitman traveling to New York City during the Christmas season to carry out a dangerous assignment. Along the way we learn more about Bono’s backstory as he interacts with a varied cast of eccentric characters, including a love interest from his past and a dangerous gun dealer with pet rats.
Although film-noirs are not as popular as they used to be, Blast of Silence could make for a really fun remake; one that pays homage to the timeless appeal of noir cinema while offering a fresh take on the genre, maintaining the atmospheric aesthetic of the original while infusing it with a contemporary setting and sensibility.

14 Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia

United Artists

This may be a controversial opinion, because director Sam Peckinpah single-handedly revolutionized the action genre with his groundbreaking western The Wild Bunch. He’s the fore-father of bloody, slow-motion shootouts, and his films continue to be a major source of inspiration for aspiring and working directors. But one of his lesser-known films, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, while not without its charms, could really benefit from a remake.
The 1974 film follows Bennie, a down-and-out American living in Mexico who is offered a large sum of money by a powerful cartel leader to track down Alfredo Garcia, kill him, and then…you guessed it, bring them his head. Forced to tag along is Bennie’s lover Elita, who is the only person who knows what Garcia looks like.
As you could probably surmise from the (amazing) title and Peckinpah’s reputation as a raging, cynical drunk, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia is not an easy watch; it’s a grimy movie filled with unsavory and nihilistic characters, and as a result the movie’s thematic undercurrent is drowned out by its oppressive tone. A remake that maintains the blunt brutality of the original while incorporating more sympathetic characters – something in line with Sicario – could make for some compelling cinema.

13 Fear is the Key

Paramount Pictures

Fear is the Key is a British actioner released in 1972 and directed by Michael Tuchner. The movie stars Barry Newman as John Talbot, a grieving family man who goes undercover as an international smuggler to find and kill the people responsible for the death of his family.
Fear features a number of really thrilling action scenes, but they are nevertheless limited by the film’s budget and the technology of the time. A remake of Fear is the Key would provide an opportunity to update the film’s visual flair and really make those action sequences pop off the screen.

12 Runaway Train

The Cannon Group, Inc.

Andrei Konchalovsky’s 1985 action film Runaway Train stars Jon Voight and Eric Roberts as Manny and Buck, two escaped prisoners who find themselves trapped aboard a runaway train hurtling through the Alaskan wilderness. The film was overall well-received upon release – a surprise considering it was produced by the typically-schlocky Cannon Pictures – and even earned Jon Voight an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Although there’s nothing particularly wrong with the original, a remake would nevertheless be a lot of fun. The film features two gripping performances that any actor would love to sink their teeth into, and plays out like a non-stop thrill ride; it’s Speed and Unstoppable mixed with The Grey. What’s not to love?

11 The Warriors

Paramount Pictures

Despite repeated efforts to get a remake of The Warriors off the ground, nothing has panned out. There was a time when Tony Scott was attached to direct a remake, but plans obviously fell through following his unfortunate death. Mark Neveldine also tried and failed. Most recently, the Russo Brothers have been planning to turn the film into a television series. But there haven’t been any developments on that iteration of the project since 2016.
Walter Hill’s film follows a street gang known as The Warriors, who must fight their way from the Bronx to their home turf of Coney Island after they’re falsely accused of assassinating a respected gang leader. It’s one of those classic, balls-to-the-wall action movies that’s grounded in reality but also enjoyably over-the-top (sort of like the John Wick movies). A remake could set the film in any city around the world, take inspiration from that culture, feature all new gangs and rules, and just go crazy with it. In other words, it’s incredibly adaptable. A remake could honor the original while carving its own wildly original path.

10 Race with the Devil

20th Century Fox

Jack Starrett’s gonzo action-horror film Race with the Devil follows a pair of couples on a cross-country RV road trip who unwittingly become the targets of devil-worshiping cultists after witnessing a secretive satanic ritual. It is Joy Ride crossed with The Wicker Man and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
While not a critical success upon release, Race with the Devil has gained a small cult following over the years. Its unique blend of road-action and horror has made it stand apart from other exploitation films of the era, but Race with the Devil isn’t without its flaws. Like most B-movies of the era, the story and characters are pretty flat, but it features brief flashes of horrific brilliance. A proper remake with a meatier script, directed by genre filmmaker like Jason Eisner or Ben Wheatley, could make for a gorey good time.

9 Where Eagles Dare

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Where Eagles Dare is a 1968 World War II film directed by Brian G. Hutton, based on a novel of the same name by Alistair MacLean. The story follows British intelligence officer Major John Smith (Richard Burton) and Lieutenant Morris Schaffer (Clint Eastwood) as they lead a team of commandos on a daring mission to rescue an American general being held captive in a heavily fortified Nazi castle high in the Bavarian Alps. But upon their arrival, they realize the mission may have had an ulterior motive.
Where Eagles Dare is known for its intricate plot, filled with twists and double crosses, as well as its gripping battle scenes, including an impressively-shot climax. The film’s use of stunning location shots in the Austrian Alps also adds to the grandeur and authenticity of the wartime setting. A big-budget modern retelling with a cast of A-listers (which is admittedly asking a lot) can really revitalize this classic and introduce it to a new generation of filmgoers, much like the recent Oscar-winning film All Quiet on the Western Front.
RELATED: Best World War Two Movies of the 1960s, Ranked

8 Black Rain

Paramount Pictures

Ridley Scott’s underrated late-’80s actioner Black Rain stars Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia as two New York City police detectives tasked with escorting a Yakuza gangster back to Osaka, Japan. However, as these situations tend to go, the gangster escapes and the two detectives find themselves embroiled in a potential Yakuza gang war.
The original film is pretty good, but has been criticized for its stereotypical depiction of Japanese culture (it was the 80s, after all) and predictable plot; all those stylish action scenes don’t matter much if the story surrounding them isn’t very enticing. A remake could improve on the original while also paying homage to Ridley Scott, whose stylish direction undoubtedly stands the test of time.

7 Paycheck

Paramount Pictures 

Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, Paycheck stars Ben Affleck as Michael Jennings, a brilliant engineer who is hired by high-profile corporations to replicate and improve their competitors’ inventions. However, as part of his contracts, his memory is erased after each job to protect proprietary secrets. After completing a three-year project for a secretive corporation, Jennings wakes up with no memory or money and a massive target on his back.
Paycheck was a rare misfire from John Woo, the Hong Kong action legend who directed the movie. Common complaints were the shallow characters and unimaginative action scenes. But most of all, the movie just didn’t take full advantage of its fascinating concept. Therefore, a remake of Paycheck – one that remains true to the source material while balancing high-octane action and mystery – could be a huge hit as a movie or miniseries.

6 Logan’s Run

United Artists

Logan’s Run is a 1976 dystopian science-fiction movie set in the year 2274; humanity exists within a domed, idyllic city. Everyone’s lifespan is strictly regulated to the age of 30, upon which time individuals are required to undergo a ritual known as “Carousel,” in which they believe they will be granted eternal youth. However, the ugly truth is they’re executed as a means of rationing resources. Those who attempt to escape their fate are known as “runners,” and the people responsible for tracking them down are “sandmen.” Our protagonist, Logan 5, is a sandman who discovers the truth about their society, and goes on the run in search of the fabled Sanctuary, a reported safe haven for runners.
Logan’s Run is a sci-fi spectacle, but it’s also almost fifty years old. As a result, the CGI is dated and cheap-looking. Sure it adds to the film’s charm, but it also detracts from the film’s potent themes, which explore topics of individuality and the pursuit of freedom within an oppressive society. It’s a genuinely thought-provoking plot, and feels more timely with each passing year. A reboot with state-of-the-art visual effects and updated commentary that reflects our modern world would make for a truly compelling movie, especially in the hands of someone like Shawn Levy or Edgar Wright.
Neon-auteur Nicolas Winding-Refn (Drive, Copenhagen Cowboy) has been attached to a remake of Logan’s Run for close to a decade, and technically still is. But it’s been years since there has been any movement on his project.

5 F/X

Orion Pictures

Robert Mandel’s 1986 action thriller F/X follows special effects’ artist Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown), who is hired to create realistic effects for a staged assassination. However, he soon finds himself caught in a dangerous conspiracy when he becomes the target of a real hit. Utilizing his expertise in special effects, Rollie uses his skills to outsmart his pursuers and create elaborate ruses to protect himself and expose the conspirators.
F/X is an overlooked ’80s gem, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a remake; one that could tighten the admittedly loose narrative of the original, and incorporate more modern social and technological commentary relating to surveillance and media manipulation. All in all, it would make for a seriously fun throwback flick.

4 Streets of Fire

Universal Pictures

Streets of Fire is a very-80s action-romance-musical directed by Walter Hill. The story is set in a dystopian, retro-futuristic world and centers around Tom Cody (Michael Pare), a mercenary whose lover, singer Ellen Aim (Diane Lane), is kidnapped by the evil Raven Shaddock (Willem Dafoe), the leader of a brutal motorcycle gang. Cody takes it upon himself to kill Raven, defeat his gang, and rescue his love.
Since Streets of Fire is so unique in its own right, a remake would need to differentiate itself in order to work. It will definitely be a challenge, but a filmmaker with a strong voice and grasp on tone – someone like someone like Taika Waititi – could really turn it into something special.

3 Kelly’s Heroes

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Director Brian G. Hutton followed up Where Eagles Dare with another World War II pic, but this time he kept it more light-hearted. Kelly’s Heroes stars Clint Eastwood as Private Kelly, the leader of a small crew of soldiers who learn about a secret stash of gold bars deep behind enemy lines. Driven by the promise of riches beyond their wildest dreams, the soldiers hatch a plan to pull off a massive heist deep in the heart of Nazi Germany.
Sometimes all you need is a good old-fashioned adventure film, and Kelly’s Heroes is just that. It’s witty, fast-paced, and filled with memorable characters. Although Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods and J.C. Chandor’s Triple Frontier both feel like modern takes on Kelly Heroes’ basic premise, a proper remake of the film – that is, a WWII-era treasure hunt featuring memorably charismatic characters – could make for an excellent time at the theater.

2 Sphere

Warner Bros

Director Barry Levinson made the rare leap into science-fiction territory with his 1998 film Sphere, an adaptation of the Michael Crichton novel of the same name. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson, Sharon Stone, and Liev Schreiber, the movie revolves around a team of scientists tasked with exploring a mysterious extraterrestrial spacecraft discovered at the bottom of the ocean. Unbeknownst to them, the alien craft is inhabited by a strange force that has the power to manifest their deepest fears and desires.
Unfortunately, Sphere was a critical and commercial disaster. Fans of the Crichton’s novel felt the movie lacked the nuance and complexity of its source material, and casual filmgoers found the movie too slow and confusing. It was, in short, a misfire. Which means it would be an absolutely perfect candidate for the remake treatment. Thoughtful science-fiction movies are on the rise, and the right team of creatives could turn Crichton’s novel into a movie worthy of the esteemed author’s name.
RELATED: 10 Obscure Sci-Fi Movies That Should Be Remade

1 Blue Thunder

Columbia Pictures

John Badham’s Blue Thunder is an action thriller from 1983. The story revolves around Frank Murphy (Roy Schneider), a skilled helicopter pilot and Vietnam War veteran elected to test-fly a prototype helicopter codenamed “Blue Thunder,” equipped with advanced surveillance and military capabilities. But Murphy soon discovers a conspiracy involving government officials misusing Blue Thunder’s power for their own political purposes, making him a target of some very dangerous and powerful people.
The biggest reason why Blue Thunder would make for an awesome remake is its impressive aerial sequences and intense action scenes; it essentially plays like a grittier version of Top Gun. The thrilling set pieces, including helicopter chases through city streets and intense aerial shootouts, would look incredible on an IMAX screen. And the story – which deals with government corruption and police militarization – could not be more timely.