Most remakes compare poorly to the original movie, but occasionally there is a good remake here and there that turns out to be better than the original movie.

So this thread is for listing remakes that you (yes, YOU!) personally thought were better than the original movie.

The Crazies

The Thing (1982)
The Fly
The Crazies
The Blob
Cat People
Invasion of the Body Snatchers '78
The Omega Man
Scarface

I assume you mean the John Carpenter remake and not the remake (and pretend prequel) from last year.

You know things are bad when you have to put the year next to a remake because of the other remake.

True Grit (2010 version from the Coen Brothers)

I think it is better in almost every way than the John Wayne version.

True Grit, for sure.
The Thing (1982)
The Fly

I've never seen Romero's The Crazies but as a text, the remake has a great relationship as a couple between the 2 leads.

I actually liked the My Bloody Valentine Update from a few years ago better than the original.

It had hotter chicks and the old one just felt dated.

The Hills Have Eyes

Might sound blasphemous but I thought Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead was better than George Romero's.

I dunno, man. Zombie baby makes less sense than Zombies in general. It has elements of a great film in there but stuff like that and the cliche mall guys or the whole montage of making that vehicle really knocks it down for me. Otherwise...it's great elements are that guy from the gun shop and well..the filmmaking for the most part. I really like the beginning and that our lead is a woman. It's a mixed bag. But a good film still.

Well, here's my blasphemy...

Night of the Living Dead (1990 remake directed by Tom Savini)

Although the historic importance of the original is overwhelming and cannot be denied, simply comparing these two as just "movies" and I think the remake is the overall better film. The original is hampered by its low budget and the fact that it was first. In the remake, the zombie effects are a lot better, the acting is better, and it is much better paced.

I think this is a textbook example of how to make a "good remake" by both completely respecting the original but also making some changes here and there to be its own thing.

ehhh... I can see that. Depending on what mood I'm in, I could say the same thing. Both are great.

Also wish to add that I think the following remakes are just a tad better than the originals:
The Ring - from Ringu
The Departed - from Infernal Affairs

Not a "pretend" prequel at all. They go to great lengths to establish continuity with the John Carpenter film.

As for the question on the thread title, I pick The Maltese Falcon (1941).

I agree with a lot of these, but let me add one that hasn't been mentioned yet: Ocean's 11.

And while we're at it, let me toss in a couple of likely unpopular choices: Solaris and Friday the 13th.

Ben Hur (1959) is also a big step up from the previous film.

I agree with a lot of what has been mentioned. I'm mostly thinking of horror titles at the moment..

The Last House on the Left (the original hasn't aged well at all in my opinion)
Night of the Living Dead (the original is great but I saw this version first and I've always liked it)
Ocean's 11
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (maybe not better but I like it about the same)
The Thing (1982)
True Grit

Not really a full on remake. It's more like taking elements of the first three or so and kind of combines them into one movie. Either way it had way more problems than good things for me to enjoy it.

The Ring & True Grit.

Agreed.

The ten commandments (1956)

king of kings (1961)

His Girl Friday (1940) - The Front Page is always fun, but the gender role change here and Howard Hawks allows this version to reign supreme

TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
HORROR OF DRACULA, DRACULA(1979),DRACULA (1990's)

You're normally one of the few sane posters on this forum, but this is just nuts.