8 Black Movie Remakes You Probably Didn't Know About

In honor of Black history month, I would like to list Black movie remakes. Some of these I've seen, and others I haven't, but I want to, so that I can compare. For this I will base it on my personal viewing and research on these films, whether it be theatrical, straight to video, or a TV movie. So without further ado, and in no particular order, I give you my list of Black movie remakes!

1- 'The Nutty Professor' (1996)

• Budget: $54 million
• Box Office: 274 million
• Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
• IMDb: 5.6
• My Rating: 7

'The Nutty Professor' (1963)

• Budget: NA
• Box Office: $3.5 million
• Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
• IMDb: 6.7
• My Rating: On my to do list

Age Gap: 33 years

Which one is better?

It’s hard to say at this time, since I haven’t seen the original yet, but once I do, I will compare and decide. As for now, I’m gonna have to say the Eddie Murphy one.

Another remake?

After Eddie Murphy's sequel, I don't think we'll be expecting another remake, but who knows?

2- 'The Princess and the Frog' (2009)

• Budget: $105 million
• Box Office: $104, 400, 899
• Rotten Tomatoes:
• IMDb: 7.1
• My Rating: 8

'Faerie Tale Theatre: The Tale of the Frog Prince' (1982)

• Budget: NA
• Box Office: NA
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• IMDb: 7.8
• My Rating: 9

Age Gap: 27 years

Which one is better?

I think they’re equally good in my book. The 1982 version you see Robin Williams in his earlier stages in his career. In the 2009 version, we see a fresh new look on the story, with a cool twist, and it’s one of the last cartoon animated films from Disney. I miss the classic Disney cartoons personally.

Another remake?

I don’t think we should be expecting another remake any time soon. Both adaptations are equally good in their own way.

3- 'Cinderella' (1997)

• Budget: $12 million
• Box Office:
• Rotten Tomatoes:
• Audience: 74%
• IMDb: 6.5
• My Rating: 5

Cinderella(1950)

• Box Office: $263.6 million
• Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
• IMDb: 7.3
• My Rating: 8

Age Gap: 47 years

Which one is better?

To me, it is “impossible” to replicate the Disney cartoon classic, so I’m going with the 1950s version.

Another remake?

Well we did have the 2015 version, but I don’t think we’ll be expecting another remake anytime soon, unless it’s adapted from the book Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

4- 'The Karate Kid' (2010)

• Budget: $40 million
• Box Office: $176, 591, 618
• Rotten Tomatoes: 66%
• IMDb: 6.2
• My Rating: 5

'The Karate Kid'

• Budget: $8 million
• Box Office: $91 million
• Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
• IMDb: 7.2
• My Rating: 7

Age Gap: 27 years

Which one is better?

No contest! The 1984 version is better. The newer one was laughable; it should've been called The Kung Fu Kid if we’re going to be technical here.

Another remake?

After the first one spawned a trilogy and a TV spin-off on YouTube Red, I think it’s safe to say that we don’t need another remake.

5- 'Annie' (2014)

• Budget: $65 million
• Box Office: $85, 911, 262
• Rotten Tomatoes:
• IMDb: 5.3
• My Rating: Not really interested in watching this one.

'Annie' (1982)

• Budget: $50 million
• Box Office: $57,059,003
• Rotten Tomatoes: 53%
• IMDb: 6.5
• My Rating: 7

Age Gap: 32 years

Which one is better?

Obviously the classic with Tim Curry is better. It’s hard to remake a classic.

Another remake?

Most likely not. Let’s just keep the classic and enjoy the Broadway Musicals instead.

6- 'Polly: Coming Home' (1990)

• Budget: NA
• Box Office: NA
• Rotten Tomatoes: NA
• IMDb: 7.9
• My Rating: 9

Pollyanna (1960)

• Budget: $2.5 million
• Box Office: NA
• Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
• IMDb: 7.4
• My Rating: 8

Age Gap: 30 years

Which one is better?

I think both are good in their own way, but I do think that Polly: Coming Home (1990) is slightly better than the original. It deals with segregation and trying to bring everybody back together.

Another remake?

I say no need. Both are equally good.

7- 'The Wiz' (1978)

• Budget: $24 million
• Box Office: $21, 049, 053
• Rotten Tomatoes: 41%
• IMDb: 5.3
• My Rating: On my to do list

'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

• Budget: $2.777 million
• Box Office: $25,739,492
• Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
• IMDb: 8
• My Rating: 9

Age Gap: 39 years

Which one is better?

Hard to say on this one since I haven’t seen The Wiz, but I would say it would be difficult to replicate the original.

Another remake?

Well a little bird (Twitter) tells us that a number of remakes of this film will be made. There’s one called The Land of Oz with no release date, an Untitled Wizard of Oz/Horror Project, and the Writer from Now You See Me is developing a TV series based on the books. I’m actually excited for the two last ones. I’m actually writing a script or book based on The Wizard of Oz; I’m calling it Reign and Bows.

8- 'Dr. Dolittle' (1998)

• Budget: $70.5 million
• Box Office: $294.4 million
• Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
• IMDb: 5.4
• My Rating: 6

'Doctor Dolittle' (1967)

• Budget: $17 million
• Box Office: $9 million
• Rotten Tomatoes: 32%
• IMDb: 6.2
• My Rating: On my to do list.

Age Gap: 31 years

Which one is better?

Hard to say, since I’ve only seen one of them. So for now it will have to be the Eddie Murphy one.

Another remake?

Apparently we’re getting a remake entitled The Voyage of Dr. Dolittle (2020). Robert Downey Jr. will play Dr. Dolittle. I don’t know about you, but I’m actually excited for this one.