The Top 10 Best American Movies Based on Foreign Films

American Movies Can Sometimes Get Remakes Right.

American movies aren’t always the most original, but even when they’re ripping off better foreign films they can sometimes get it right. While Stars & Popcorn already has a list of some of the best movie remakes out there (and some of the worst), it seemed appropriate to honor a few of the better- Americanized ripoffs to hit theaters over the years. After doing some research, I was surprised by a few of the flicks that made it on this list because I honestly had no idea they were remakes of foreign films. The only rule I enforced for this list is that they have to be American made movies based on films from outside the country, so, unfortunately, you won’t find any spaghetti westerns on here. That being said, there’s a little something for everyone among this eclectic mix that includes dramas, comedies, horror, and action flicks. It just goes to show if America can get one thing right, it’s remakes (sometimes).  

10. True Lies (Based on La Totale!)

One of the best movie spies of all time kicks off this list of great American movies based on foreign flicks. True Lies is probably one of the best Schwarzenegger features of all time (though the bar isn’t necessarily set that high) and is based on a French film with, well, pretty much the same exact premise. To be honest, the film doesn’t exactly depict what we might call a “healthy relationship” since it’s about a guy who built his entire marriage on a lie (hence the title). However, with the help of some international terrorists, he manages to save his relationship with his wife thanks to the magic of mass murder. It’s an absurd concept, but damn if I don’t love dropping everything to watch this movie when it comes on basic cable every other Sunday.

9. Cold Pursuit (Based on In Order of Disappearance)

Despite the fact that Liam Neeson did his best to ruin this movie for me it’s opening week, I have to say that Cold Pursuit is actually one of the more pleasant surprises of 2019. The original film was a Norwegian thriller starring Stellan Skarsgård as a mild-mannered snow plow driver seeking vengeance for the wrongful death of his son at the hands of a drug ring based out of his small town. The American version captures everything I liked so much about the original but injects a keen sense of humor in order to off-put the brutally realistic violence throughout it. While I’ve never been a huge fan of geri-action movies in general, I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with this remake. Then again, that’s probably because it was in the same capable hands as the original thanks to the return of director Hans Petter Moland.

8. The Magnificent Seven (Based on Seven Samurai)

With out a doubt, the more recent 2016 remake would qualify for a spot among these American movies. However, it turns out that even the 1960’s version was an American flick and not a spaghetti western. While it’s not quite as good as the original Akira Kurosawa movie, but even the best remakes often fall short. Still, it’s what I like to call a classic “dad movie” that men can’t help but gravitate towards once they reproduce (something no doubt passed down from our cave-dwelling ancestors). The film stars action heroes of yesteryear playing gunslingers coming together to take on a suicide mission save a village from an army of bandits. The Magnificent Seven is easily one of the best westerns of all time, which means it’s a perfect addition to this list.

7. Scent of a Woman (Based on Profumo di donna)

American movies love celebrating holidays, mostly because it allows them to make a ton of money every year when they’re shown on TV. Of course, Profumo di donna didn’t take place over Thanksgiving weekend because, well, it’s Italian, but I won’t hold the lack of holiday against it. The American version stars Al Pacino as a blind colonel who hires a prep school kid (Chris O’Donnell) to be his assistant for one last romp through New York City. Don’t be fooled though, because this isn’t a movie that all fun and games, and Pacino’s character has a pretty dark secret. He seems like he’s got the world on the string, the colonel is in a pretty dark place and the whole weekend is one last hurrah (or oorah) before he attempts suicide. Not exactly a barrel of laughs, but it’s a damn good movie.

6. The Birdcage (Based on La Cage aux Folles)

Strangely enough the classic farce The Birdcage feels more relevant than ever today. The film tells the story of a gay couple played by Robin Williams and Nathan Lane who have to hide their sexual identity (and Jewish heritage) from their son’s future in-laws who just so happen to be… Republicans! What ensues is a hilarious night where everything goes wrong in the best possible way. Lane and Williams are spectacular together, but Hank Azaria steals every scene he’s in as their loveable, if not a bit clumsy, house boy. It’s just a shame that this is one of those absurd American movies that doesn’t seem quite so absurd any more with the direction this country is going in.