If you’re at the theater this weekend and happen to see the marquee for the Roman epic Ben-Hur, you might think studios are dry on ideas. Of course, some theater-goers might have felt the same way in 1959, when the Charlton Heston-starring Ben-Hur was released: That “original” was a remake of a 1925 silent film, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, and both had chariot races that wowed audiences of two different generations. Check out some other well-known films that could be classified as three-makes.
1. Night of the Living Dead (2006)
Rather than ask why George Romero’s influential zombie classic has been remade twice, it’s better to wonder why it hasn’t been remade more often. Because the distributor left a copyright symbol off the 1968 original, Romero’s basic premise—the undead chase down a small band of human survivors—can be legally swept up by anyone. Although several independent filmmakers have taken a stab at it, there are only two major theatrical remakes: a 1990 film directed by effects expert Tom Savini, and a 2006 effort titled Night of the Living Dead 3D. While Savini had Romero’s blessing, the most recent version didn’t consult with him. It made just $271,000 in theaters.
2. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
In the 1990s, Tom Hanks could do no wrong—and neither could Meg Ryan. After coupling in the 1993 hit Sleepless in Seattle, they re-teamed for You’ve Got Mail, which was also a hit—as was the movie that inspired it. Producer Julie Durk had caught a television broadcast of 1940’s The Shop Around the Corner, which featured Jimmy Stewart sparring with a business rival without realizing they’re exchanging love letters; Warner Bros. updated it to reflect the email era. But Durk wasn’t the first to have the idea for a remake. Nearly 40 years prior, The Shop Around the Corner had been remade as a musical, In the Good Old Summertime, starring Judy Garland. The New York Times called Garland’s version “wonderfully rich entertainment,” but later declared Hanks had none of Stewart’s “lanky grace or leading man patina.”
3. House of Wax (2005)
Only Chad Michael Murray completists would remember this disappointing horror film about a wax museum that does a good job of preserving everything inside but the young tourists. The movie was a remake of the 1953 version starring Vincent Price, which is held in much higher regard: Price’s version took some cues from a 1933 film, Mystery of the Wax Museum, but added 3D and a novel three-track audio. Mystery of the Wax Museum was filmed using an early version of Technicolor, which needed lights so powerful that they melted the wax props and even seared some of the actors’ eyes.
4. Kiss of Death (1995)
Nicolas Cage turns in one of his typically subtle performances as unhinged gangster Little Junior Brown, leader of a crime ring that entraps reformed criminal Jimmy (David Caruso). The plot was taken from 1947’s Kiss of Death, long hailed a classic by film noir buffs and featuring a classic scene with psychopath Richard Widmark giggling while he pushes an old woman down the stairs. (Trivia note: the stunt person for the woman was Rod Amateau, who later directed 1987’s movie.) 20th Century Fox remade the film as a Western titled The Fiend Who Walked the West in 1958. It’s notable for being one of the last acting roles of future producer Robert Evans’ career.
5. Down to Earth (2001)
Where did co-writers Chris Rock and Louis C.K. get the idea for a comedy about a man who dies young and returns to earth in another body? From Warren Beatty’s 1978 film, Heaven Can Wait, which featured Beatty as a pro quarterback instead of Rock’s comedian character. Where did Beatty get the idea? From Here Comes Mr. Jordan, a 1941 comedy with Robert Montgomery as a boxer who gets a chance at delaying the afterlife. While Beatty likely didn’t solicit advice from Montgomery, Rock said he had lunch with Beatty prior to watching Heaven Can Wait, which he hadn’t yet seen. Beatty, he said, was just “the guy from Dick Tracy.” Both Beatty and Montgomery received Oscar nominations for their performances.
6. The Jazz Singer (1980)
When Neil Diamond decided he wanted to get into the acting business, a remake of 1927’s The Jazz Singer was considered a viable option—even with one dated and offensive element. The original featured Al Jolson as a would-be cantor who goes against his family’s advice to become an entertainer. Notable for being Hollywood’s first synchronized film with dialogue and music on the film strip, it also has scenes of Jolson in blackface, a scene Diamond emulated in his own poorly-reviewed film. Before Diamond, the film was remade with Danny Thomas in 1952; Diamond’s version was only modestly successful in theaters, but the soundtrack sold more than four million copies.
7. The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
Jack Nicholson’s fated affair with Jessica Lange played out once before with Lana Turner and John Garfield in the leading roles. Sandwiched between that 1946 feature and Nicholson’s remake was a lesser-known riff, 1953’s Roadhouse Girl, which was made on the cheap. All three are based on James M. Cain’s pulp novel.
8. The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke are set to appear in a remake of the 1960 original later this year. But The Magnificent Seven—about a band of gunfighters hired by a town to protect them from pillagers—didn’t begin life as a Western. The film is an American remake of 1954’s , an Akira Kurosawa epic about a band of samurai in feudal Japan with the same objective. Commenting on the Steve McQueen version, Kurosawa seemed more puzzled than flattered. “The American copy is a disappointment, although entertaining,” he once said. “It is not a version of Seven Samurai. I do not know why they call it that.”
9. The Squaw Man (1931)
Cecil B. DeMille got his start in Hollywood by directing smaller films, including this adaptation of an Edwin Milton Royle stage play about a respected British officer (Warner Baxter) who is blamed for his cousin’s theft of a charity fund. It was previously filmed in 1918 as a silent feature, also directed by DeMille; the director had also made the 1914 original. While the 1931 version took advantage of the “talkie” era, there was another reason he kept returning to the same tale. “I love this story so much that as long as I live I will make it every 10 years,” DeMille once said.
It’s believed DeMille is the only director in the history of film to remake his own work on three separate occasions, but he could’ve stopped at one and still made history: The 1914 film is considered Hollywood’s first full-length feature.
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The 5 Best Indian Restaurants in the U.S., According to Guy Fieri
Chicken vindaloo in Alaska and lamb curry in New Mexico? These are the unexpected Indian restaurant picks that made Guy Fieri’s list.
ByNitya Rao|May 12, 2026, 8:34 PM EDT
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Guy Fieri has spent decades behind the wheel of his red Camaro, proving that you don’t need a plane ticket to Delhi to find world-class curry. From the high-desert heat of Santa Fe to a hidden gem inside a Utah gas station, the Mayor of Flavortown has uncovered a “real deal” map of Indian cuisine right here in the U.S.
We aren’t just talking about your standard, lukewarm lunch buffets or the neon-red chicken you find at the mall. We’re shouting out five standout restaurants where the spices are toasted fresh, the tandoors are roaring, and the flavors are, in Fieri’s words, “off the hook.”
If you’re ready to trade the burgers for biryani and see how the spice trade meets the American Main Street, explore this mouthwatering list of Fieri’s top five Indian restaurants in the U.S.
- Paper Dosa – Santa Fe, NM
- Tandoori Oven – Logan, UT
- Gandhi Mahal – Minneapolis, MN
- Hari Om Cuisine of India – Fairbanks, AK
- Al Noor – Baton Rouge, LA
Paper Dosa – Santa Fe, NM
Lamb Curry
Santa Fe is world-renowned for its green chile, but Paper Dosa is successfully putting South Indian comfort food on the New Mexican map. This isn’t your typical rich, cream-based fare; instead, Chef Paulraj Karuppasamy offers an aromatic, authentic approach to the subcontinent’s lesser-known culinary region.
While their namesake paper-thin fermented rice crepes are a work of art, Fieri was specifically floored by the lamb curry. The dish features a lighter profile than most Northern Indian stews, relying on fresh curry leaves and toasted mustard seeds rather than heavy dairy. The result is a vibrant, aromatic dish with layers of flavor—”spice,” “smoke,” and “acid,” to be specific—that allow the tenderness of the lamb to shine through. After sampling the spread, from the potato-stuffed masala dosa to the fragrant lamb curry, Fieri noted that a visit here “isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience.”
Tandoori Oven – Logan, UT
Chicken Tikka Masala
In the world of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, some of the best culinary treasures are found in the most unassuming places. Case in point: Tandoori Oven, which is famously tucked inside a Utah gas station. While travelers might stop for a tank of unleaded, locals know to head inside for a “smorgasbord of flavors” that the Arora brothers have been perfecting for years.
When giving Fieri the lowdown on the restaurant’s offerings, Chef Sham Arora clarified that Northern Indian food is typically richer than its Southern counterparts, and the signature chicken tikka masala he later whipped up is a prime example. The secret to this creamy, spicy “Indian stew,” as Fieri describes it, lies in a rigorous two-day marination process that breaks down the proteins until the meat is so tender that your teeth simply sink into it.
After a trip into a traditional clay tandoor oven, the chicken is smothered in a vibrant, orange-red tomato-onion gravy and served with rice, naan, or—if you’re doing it right—both. Between the “perfect blend of spice” and the high-heat char from the clay tandoor, Fieri found himself struggling with the etiquette of eating something so delicious. He joked that his only real anxiety was figuring out how to “shovel it in fast enough” without looking like a dog who had never seen food before.
Gandhi Mahal – Minneapolis, MN
Dal with Naan
Gandhi Mahal is a Minneapolis legend that proves you can be “green” while serving up red-hot curry. Before its original building was lost in 2020, the restaurant was a marvel of urban sustainability, featuring a full aquaponics system in the basement. This high-tech setup allowed the kitchen to grow its own fresh produce and raise fish right on-site. Today, that commitment to fresh ingredients continues through their “Curry in a Hurry” concept.
When Fieri visited, he was immediately floored by the “outstanding” chicken tikka masala, noting it had “such a depth” of flavor. He specifically praised the “richness” of the ground almonds in the sauce and the juiciness of the chicken, which he likened to butter.
But the “next level” experience didn’t stop there. Fieri also got a taste of the plant-based side of the menu, continuing his Indian feast with a helping of earthy dal and blistered naan. The lentils are simmered for hours before being finished with a tarka—a traditional technique where whole spices are tempered in hot ghee to create an explosion of flavor.
Fieri was so impressed by the bite of smooth dal and pillowy naan that he declared the combination “multi-layered perfection.” For Fieri, the soulfulness of the cooking made it the perfect entry point for any skeptic: “If you don’t think you like Indian food, let this be your visa.”
Hari Om Cuisine of India – Fairbanks, AK
Chicken Vindaloo
If you think you have to be in a major metro area—or even the mainland—for authentic spice, Hari Om in Fairbanks is here to prove you wrong. Located just a few hours south of the Arctic Circle, this eatery provides a fiery contrast to the Alaskan chill thanks to the expertise of Chef Amit Paul.
With nearly three decades of experience, Paul has mastered the Dum Pukht tradition—a specialized slow-cooking method where the pot is sealed, allowing the food to steam in its own juices. This technique is likely why Fieri was so impressed with the texture of the chicken vindaloo, noting that the chicken was so tender it “just fell apart.”
The dish features a thick sauce built from a potent paste of red chiles and vinegar, a combination that hits all the right notes for the Mayor of Flavortown. “I love the spice, and I love the acidity,” Fieri remarked, adding that the dish has a “really nice mix of spices” and a distinct “zip.” While the vindaloo brought the heat, Fieri also sampled the lamb korma, a rich, nut-based curry that showed off the kitchen’s range.
Ultimately, Fieri concluded that the meal is “everything you want it to be, especially on a cold day in Fairbanks.”
Al Noor – Baton Rouge, LA
Lamb Kebabs
Baton Rouge might be the land of gumbo and crawfish, but Fieri found a culinary powerhouse tucked away in a suburban strip mall at Al-Noor. Chef Khalad Al-Noor famously walked away from a career in corporate engineering to return to his roots, and the result is what Fieri calls “Indian Soul Food.”
The lamb sheekh kebabs are a masterclass in tandoori cooking. The process starts with fresh ground lamb mixed with a total of 16 flavorful ingredients, including fresh ginger, garlic, and a custom blend of toasted spices. Next, the supple meat is hand-molded onto long metal skewers and lowered into a roaring clay tandoor. The intense heat renders the fat perfectly, creating a kebab that is incredibly juicy with a signature charred exterior.
While Fieri called the restaurant’s unique espresso-rubbed venison “off the hook,” it was the lamb that he deemed truly “outrageous,” noting that the spices aren’t just on the meat—they’re in it.
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Quiz: Can You Name the ‘70s Sitcom By Its Main Character?
The 1970s had some great sitcoms, but how well do you remember them?
ByAlexandria Ingham|May 18, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
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When it comes to sitcoms, there’s a reason we all turn to those from the past. The 1970s were among the best decades for comedy shows, but just how well do you remember them? Can you name the titles just from the names of the main characters? We’ve got a quiz for that!
Did you manage to score a perfect score? If you did, we’re impressed! While there were some ‘70s sitcoms named for their main characters, there were others that focused on the groups or a feeling. We didn’t want to make this one too easy, because we wanted to make sure you had bragging rights if you got them all right.
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Best Sitcoms of the 1970s
When it comes to the 1970s, there are always going to be some shows that stood out more than others. They’ve managed to stand the test of time, whether it’s because of their excellent leads, the heartfelt stories they added in with the comedy, or just the brilliance of the writing. Which ones do rank the best? IMDb users have weighed in!
One particular list puts Laverne & Shirley in fifth place for the best ‘70s sitcoms. The show has become a reference for pop culture, and it all comes down to the iconic plot. It followed two single women on their adventures throughout the 1950s and 1960s, bringing an element of nostalgia to the past.
Then in fourth place is Happy Days, and that’s not surprising considering a whole pop culture term was coined because of it. You know the term “jump the shark?” Well, that term was coined thanks to Fonzie literally jumping a shark while on a surfboard. It was the point at which the show started to go downhill, but it brought us some laughter and joy throughout its 10-year run.https://www.youtube.com/embed/u6zl5x8r9Bs?feature=oembed
Mary Tyler Moore then sits in third place, which was very much like Laverne & Shirley in the way of following a single woman. It was rare that shows during this time period would have single women in the lead, and both of these shows were done just right. The best thing about Mary Tyler Moore was that we got to see her with her friends, manage her workload, and find balance at home.
M*A*S*H comes in second place, and if you haven’t started to hum the theme tune, then you definitely didn’t grow up on this show! The series followed the staff of a Korean War Army hospital, trying to deal with the severity of their situation with laughter. Of course, it was the Korean War, and that meant some horrors and heartbreak, and M*A*S*H was able to combine both.
Finally, All in the Family takes the top spot on the list, following a working-class man who constantly fights with his family. Of course, there’s still plenty of love and laughter throughout, bringing a side of real life to our TV screens, and it remains relevant today!
Do you love to test your TV and movie knowledge? Check out the Mental Floss quiz page for more challenges.
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