It can be hard to predict what movies get sequels and remakes in Hollywood, but there are some untouchable classics that should be left alone. In a world where movies like Psycho, Total Recall and 12 Angry Men can get rebooted, nothing seems sacred.

It’s often the case that belated sequels, reboots and remakes fail to capture the essence of the original movie. There are some notable exceptions, of course, but reviving an old classic is always a huge risk. Most of the time, it’s not worth angering the fans and dulling the brilliance of the original.

10

Taxi Driver (1976)

Martin Scorsese’s Influential Crime Drama Almost Got A Sequel

Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro announced that they were working on a Taxi Driver sequel in 2005, but this never materialized. This is probably for the best, because Taxi Driver is firmly rooted in New York City in the ’70s, and a sequel would lack the same atmosphere.

Taxi Driver‘s ending doesn’t seem to leave room for a worthwhile sequel, and making another movie would only wipe away the fascinating ambiguity of Travis Bickle’s final thoughts. Since Taxi Driver has inspired so many other movies, like Joker, a remake is unnecessary.

9

Back To The Future (1985)

Back To The Future Is A Sentimental Favorite For Many People

The idea of a sequel or remake of Back to the Future has often been floated over the years, but it’s quickly been shouted down by fans who insist that the original needs no improvement. In many ways, it’s a perfect movie for what it’s trying to achieve, with a тιԍнт structure, an exciting adventure and an unbeatable cast.

Robert Zemeckis has stated that there won’t be another Back to the Future sequel or a remake for as long as he’s alive to do anything about it. He can count on his fans to continue this legacy long into the future, because Back to the Future has become a sacred, sentimental favorite to millions.

8

Fight Club (1999)

A Fight Club Remake Wouldn’t Feel As Powerful

The shocking impact of Fight Club‘s big twist is just one reason why a remake or reboot would never feel quite as resonant. It would be hard to sell a new movie to an audience that already knows the truth about Tyler Durden, and this twist is also why a sequel would be completely toothless.

Fight Club is rooted in a specific strain of anti-corporate malaise that categorized a lot of American culture in the 1990s. It champions an anti-establishment, primal philosophy without much nuance, because none is needed. Films like Fight Club and American Psycho offered a preview of issues relating to masculinity in the 21st century.

7

The Truman Show (1998)

The Truman Show Would Feel Completely Different In The Modern Age

The Truman Show came out at the perfect time, and a sequel or a reboot now wouldn’t feel the same at all. While The Truman Show‘s concept is still fascinating, the rise of social media and smartphones means that it couldn’t take place today, because societal atтιтudes toward surveillance and celebrity are constantly shifting.

The ending of The Truman Show is best left with a little ambiguity. A sequel would only ruin the limitless potential of Truman’s new life as he steps outside his bubble for the first time. Fortunately, The Truman Show still has the power to make audiences think, despite the many ways that the world has changed since 1998.

6

The Godfather (1972)

Coppola’s Masterpiece Can’t Be Bested

The Godfather is widely recognized as one of the best movies ever made, and so is its first sequel. The much more divisive The Godfather Part III proves that Francis Ford Coppola’s gangster epic can outstay its welcome, and another sequel at this late stage would be unthinkable, whether it used a new cast or not.

The Godfather has one of the most legendary movie casts ever ᴀssembled, with Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, Diane Keaton and more huge talents firing on all cylinders. Any reboot way down the line would have a tough act to follow, especially without Coppola’s dark, brooding style.

5

Superbad (2007)

Superbad Already Looks Like A Retro Comedy

Superbad captures a very specific moment in time, and it’s now woven into the fabric of millennial American idenтιтy. Although it’s arguably the funniest teen movie ever, there are some superficialities which mean that it only applies to a certain generation of young people.

A sequel to Superbad now could ruin the movie, since the characters are meant to represent the darkly hilarious anxieties of youth. A remake would be unrecognizable in the modern era, since youth culture has shifted too much since 2007. It’s still a great comedy, but Superbad is way past feeling timely.

4

The Princess Bride (1987)

Rob Reiner’s Nostalgic Comedy Would Only Be Ruined By An Update

Few movies are as synonymous with the 1980s as The Princess Bride, even though its fairy tale gives it a timeless appeal. Although it feels like an adaptation of a much older story, it takes inspiration from William Goldman’s 1973 novel, and the practical effects and overall look ground it in a more modern era.

The Princess Bride is one of the most rewatchable comedies ever. It begins with a grandfather reading a story to his grandson, and this sums up just how warm and comforting the romantic fable is, with plenty of action, adventure and humor. Remaking an icon of ’80s culture today would be soulless, as would a sequel.

3

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Tarantino’s Style Is Hard To Replicate

Quentin Tarantino is one of cinema’s master stylists, and Pulp Fiction demonstrates his idiosyncratic approach perfectly. It’s been aped by lesser filmmakers ever since, but a true remake would only ever feel like a hollow copy. Since Tarantino doesn’t seem too interested in sequels, Pulp Fiction will probably be left as it is.

Pulp Fiction‘s tangled timeline leaves no clear path for a sequel of any kind, and a spinoff about any of the characters would only rob them of their mystique. The only really feasible Tarantino sequel would be a follow-up to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but the director has pᴀssed control of this project to David Fincher.

2

WALL-E (2009)

WALL-E Is One Movie That Pixar Should Leave Untouched

In recent years, a lot of Pixar’s best movies have been getting unexpected sequels. Along with the ongoing Toy Story franchise, classics like Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Inside Out have gotten follow-up movies that nobody expected, many years later. This is part of the studio’s plan to mix new ideas with reliable franchises.

WALL-E is one Pixar classic that should remain sacred, partly because its ending is so satisfying that it leaves no questions unanswered, and partly because the joy of meeting the characters for the first time is such a unique experience. It would also be a challenge to replicate the power of the environmental themes after the conclusion of the story.

1

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Not All Spielberg Movies Are Made To Be Blockbuster Franchises

A lot of Steven Spielberg’s best movies have gotten sequels over the years, whether he was involved or not. While Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurᴀssic Park obviously had franchise potential from the beginning, even movies like Jaws have had sequels that weren’t exactly vital.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial definitely falls into the latter category, which explains why Spielberg himself has been so resistant to the idea of building a franchise based off of his 1982 sci-fi classic. The basic formula of E.T. has been imitated by many other movies, meaning that a remake wouldn’t have the same spark.