5 Unforgettably Bad Movie Remakes

Despite the recent success of The Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, remakes have a well-earned reputation for disappointing audiences. Typically, the first offense is betraying a beloved storyline or rehashing a movie plot not worthy of one version let alone two. Odd casting choices, bad acting and half-baked plot lines are also common problems.

Here are the five worst movie remakes.

The Stepford Wives (2004)

After her family moves to the exclusive, picturesque suburb of Stepford, Connecticut, Joanna Eberhart (Nicole Kidman) wonders why all the women are blissfully domestic and subservient to their husbands. She and two of the other spouses decide to investigate the secrets of the Stepford Men's Association and get an unpleasant surprise.

What went wrong?

On its own, the remake was not so bad, but it does not compare to the original version with a darker feel and potent social commentary. The modern version's storyline has an unbelievably tidy ending and contradicts itself in explaining the wives' transformations.

House of Wax (2005)

Car trouble derails a road trip to a college football game. The stranded friends end in up in the secluded town of Ambrose and discover the bloody truth about Trudy's House of Wax.

What went wrong?

The two previous versions of House of Wax centered on the same story involving a wax museum. The new version is remarkably different and should have a different title to reflect the change. Nostalgia aside, House of Wax is a gruesome, gory horror movie with some pacing issues. The presence of an overexposed Paris Hilton can be a pro, she has a bloody death scene, or con, she was in the movie.

The Shaggy Dog (2006)

Tim Allen made successful family films, including Toy Story and The Santa Clause, but The Shaggy Dog is a dud. Despite the title, it is primarily a remake of The Shaggy D.A.movie from 1976. Allen plays Assistant District Attorney, Dave, who is too busy to spend time with his wife and two children. The clueless dad clashes with his teenage daughter over her pro animal rights beliefs. His son yearns for a role in the school musical, but plays football to appease him. After being bitten by a 300-year-old Tibetan dog, Dave periodically changes into a dog and grows closer to his family while in canine form.

What went wrong?

The original film was not that great, but it was simple. The updated version tried to touch on too many social issues and cover all the bases from slapstick comedy to science fiction to serious drama. The shaggy dog's mystique was a convoluted sci-fi plot that fizzled. The original Disney film got it right by leaving it a mystery, instead attributing the transformation to a magical amulet. Who can question magic?

Some of the plot lines ended without resolution. For example, did the son get a role in the middle school musical? Worst of all, was the inclusion of Baha Men's hit song "Who Let the Dogs Out".

Pyscho (1998)

A woman vanishes from the Bates Motel, prompting her sister (Anne Heche) and boyfriend (Viggo Mortensen) to visit the motel in search of her. Instead, the two encounter the bizarre proprietor, Norman Bates (Vince Vaughn).

What went wrong?

Remaking a Hitchcock classic is practically guaranteed to end in disaster. The shot-by-shot remake of the 1960 film leaves one wondering why they bothered making the "new" version. Anne Heche's performance pales in comparison to Janet Leigh's powerful rendition in the original.

Dishonorable Mention: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Adapted from Roald Dahl's book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory reveals the magical decadence inside the Wonka candy factory as five winning children tour the facility. The eccentric factory owner, Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) heads the one-of-a-kind tour.

What went wrong?

Depp's costume and performance were creepy, seemingly bizarre for the sake of being bizarre. It was difficult to watch and detracted from the fun of the movie. In fairness, the original film version starring Gene Wilder was considered too dark the 1970s, but is now popular with children and adults.

Your Pick for Worst Movie Remake

This list is the result of casual observation and personal experience. Feel free to add your own pick for worst movie remake in the comments section.