4. The Thing (1982)
Released in 1982, John Carpenter’s The Thing is one of the most beloved sci-fi movies of all time. It’s impossible to explain the film’s cultural significance without delving deeper than we’re willing to go, but it’s a movie that remains as iconic and influential as ever even decades after its release. Put simply, The Thing is a near-perfect film, and deserves all of the praise it receives.
That said, it’s not as original as many seem to think. It’s based on a 1938 novella called Who Goes There?, which was also adapted to the screen in 1951 as The Thing from Another World. The fact that The Thing‘s story had been told before isn’t well known, because the remake is quite simply better than the original.
Unlike many remakes, though, The Thing is considered a superior movie when compared to the original. The Thing from Another World is not only less faithful to the novella, but misses key elements of the story. The Thing is far more faithful, and brilliantly captures a sense of isolation and paranoia that makes it truly unforgettable. Ultimately, the remake is the better movie, which is why the original has been largely forgotten.