Top 20 Hollywood Remakes of Foreign Films: The Ultimate Ranking as Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest Premieres at Cannes

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

As celebrated director Spike Lee unveils his latest neo-noir crime thriller Highest 2 Lowest at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, interest is reignited in Hollywood’s long tradition of remaking acclaimed foreign-language films. In tribute, a new ranking has been released spotlighting the 20 best U.S. remakes that successfully reimagined international cinema for American audiences.

Topping the list is the iconic western The Magnificent Seven (1960), a masterful adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s legendary Japanese epic Seven Samurai (1954). With a cast led by Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen, the remake transformed the samurai drama into a stirring cowboy saga, enriched by Elmer Bernstein’s unforgettable score.

At number two is William Friedkin’s Sorcerer (1977), a gripping retelling of Henri-Georges Clouzot’s The Wages of Fear (1953). Despite initial commercial struggles, Friedkin’s intense thriller about transporting explosives through a Latin American jungle has earned cult classic status.

Quick Change (1990), Wrath of Man (2021), and The Ring (2002) round out the top five, each film offering distinct reinterpretations of their original material—ranging from tense action to psychologically charged horror.

Also earning spots in the top ten are Let Me In (2010), The Departed (2006), The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011), True Lies (1994), and Sweet Charity (1960), showcasing Hollywood’s continued fascination with international stories and styles.

The ranking also features notable remakes such as Insomnia (2002), Vanilla Sky (2001), and Unfaithful (2002), which, despite being set in different cultural landscapes, manage to capture the emotional core of their original counterparts.

Among recent additions is Speak No Evil (2024), a psychological horror remake of the Danish-Dutch film, praised for James McAvoy’s chilling performance and a more mainstream narrative approach. Meanwhile, Oldboy (2013) and Funny Games (2007) highlight the challenges and creative liberties involved in adapting distinct cinematic voices from Asia and Europe.

While some purists argue that remakes dilute the essence of the originals, these 20 films prove that with the right vision, cultural translation can lead to cinematic excellence. As Highest 2 Lowest makes its mark in Cannes, this list serves as a timely reminder of the dynamic relationship between global cinema and Hollywood reinterpretation.