How Zack Snyder's 'Dawn of the Dead' Became the Best 2000s Horror Remake

While rebooting any classic film that has stood the test of time is an unenviable task for prospective filmmakers, horror remakes in particular present a unique challenge. What is or is not considered "scary" changes based on the political and social climate of the era it is released in, so to simply reiterate an antiquated narrative may be counterintuitive. The early 21st century saw many horror remakes emerging, with Michael Bay’s production company Platinum Dunes producing remakes of such classics as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Hitcher, The Amityville Horror, and Friday the 13th. A majority of the films from this era were simply unoriginal and unimaginative, utilizing the audience’s familiarity with the material as a stand-in for any genuine inventiveness. While it was initially considered a sacrilegious effort with little potential of success, Zack Snyder’s remake of Dawn of the Dead is among the rare remakes that was worthy of its original.