When a film or television show is near perfect, we often seek to keep our favorite characters with us through sequels and extra seasons. When we inevitably have to say goodbye, it is quite sad. However, with the passage of time, some titles get the remake treatment such as Mortal Kombat II and its 2021 predecessor, Mortal Kombat, as the 1997 original was rebooted. While some remakes can be classed as essentials — like the 1960 Rat Pack film, Ocean’s Eleven, directed by Steven Soderbergh — others get shelved under the disappointing column, wherein the remakes fall horribly short of the standards set by the original titles.

For better or for worse, Zack Snyder has made a name for himself with films that have impressive visuals, meticulous montages, and unforgettable soundtracks. Though sometimes an acquired taste, all of these elements came together magnificently in the 2009 feature film adaptation of Watchmen. An ambitious film for any director, Watchmen was adapted from Alan Moore’s graphic novel that questions fascism and the hero worship of superheroes in a complex and immersive tome. Adapting one of the best graphic novels to date would be a high order for anyone, which could have been the reason that Watchmen didn’t find its audience early on. In recent years, however, the film has become more embraced by audiences who were admittedly too hard on it at first.