Reboots are always tricky territory, especially for the people making them – trying to make their own mark on the story, while also keeping the integrity of the OG film alive – there’s a lot that can go wrong.
Every now and then, there’s a reboot that defies the odds, and proves to be worthy of our precious time (as if I haven’t just been watching Hype House tour vlogs all weekend… who am I kidding?)
I’ve gone ahead and curated some reboots that definitely give the originals a run for their money.
Valley Girl (2020) – Stan
The original Valley Girl stars a very young and hunky Nicolas Cage. You’ll come for the story and stay for the surprisingly beautiful family connection with Alicia Silverstone playing a mother.
Josh Whitehouse, best known for playing opposite Vanessa Hudgens in one of her MANY Christmas films, actually has a lead role in the iconic reboot. Josh joined us on our podcast, It’s Been A Big Day For to talk about the art of reboots and why polyester should be banned from all film sets.
The Baby-Sitters Club (2020) – Netflix
Alicia Silverstone has been bloody BUSY because she’s in this too! She also plays a mum, and it is just SO sweet.
The reboot follows five young girls who start a baby-sitting business, with a modern twist. Definitely add this to your list of reboots worth giving a shot.
Freaky Friday (2003) – Disney+
There’s another Freaky Friday reboot from 2019 but we pretend that never happened – THIS is the reboot worth your time. Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan were absolutely iconic in this and you need to watch, or re-watch, if you somehow missed out on this piece of history.
It is a very touching story about a mother and daughter who magically swap bodies in order to better understand each other – what’s not to like?
The Great Gatsby (2013) – Netflix
The Great Gatsby reboot is the only one I know, and the only one that matters. For a 1920s film full of glitz, glamour, horror and tragedy, Baz Lurhmann is the only one who can do it justice.
It is shot beautifully, the entire production is enormous and, well, Leo.
Hairspray (2007) – Stan
An oldie but a goodie (does anyone still say that?) Zac Efron, Tayla Parx and Brittany Snow are all in this so you KNOW it’s good. This reboot follows the racial injustice that the world was facing in the 1960s.
This film is arguably just as relevant today as it was at the time, where the world is still fighting against the racial imbalance and mistreatment of people of colour.
This list is just a few of the reboots that deserve your time, but that shouldn’t stop you opening up to the possibility of an iconic story being retold through a modern lens.
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