In Hollywood, the word "remake" often sparks groans. For every misstep like a certain ill-fated Nicolas Cage venture or a questionable live-action Disney update, there's a triumph like the iconic 1983 Scarface. The ultimate validation for any film, original or not, is winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Remarkably, in the Oscars' long history, only three remakes have ever achieved this feat.
We're setting aside films that are new adaptations of the same source material (like different takes on Hamlet) to focus on true cinematic second takes. The trio in question are William Wyler's Ben-Hur (1959), Martin Scorsese's The Departed (2006), and Sian Heder's CODA (2021). Which of these Oscar-winning do-overs truly earned its golden statue? Let's rank them.
3. 'CODA' (2021)
Landing in third place is the heartfelt crowd-pleaser CODA. This coming-of-age dramedy about the only hearing member of a Deaf family is a solid, feel-good film. However, its Best Picture win in 2021 often feels like the surprise of the bunch. While undeniably charming and authentic, its story beats can feel predictable, especially when stacked against other nominees that year like the dazzling West Side Story or the profound Drive My Car.
CODA is a remake of the 2014 French-Belgian film La Famille Bélier, which was a hit at France's César Awards but less known internationally. The win for CODA signaled the Academy's embrace of streaming (it was an Apple TV+ release) and a smaller-scale, human story. It's a worthy film, but history may remember it more for the category it represents than as a towering cinematic achievement on the level of its fellow remake winners. For more under-the-radar gems, check out our list of Hidden Horrors: 10 Under-the-Radar Scares From the Past Decade, Ranked.
2. 'Ben-Hur' (1959)
Soaring into second place is the monumental Ben-Hur. This epic tale of betrayal, revenge, and redemption wasn't just a remake of a 1925 silent film; it was a technological and cinematic event. Director William Wyler harnessed the full spectacle of late-1950s Hollywood to create something that felt genuinely new and awe-inspiring, most famously in its legendary, heart-pounding chariot race sequence.
With a runtime over three hours, Ben-Hur earned its 11 Oscars (a record at the time) through sheer scale and execution. It defined the biblical epic for a generation and remains a benchmark for production grandeur. While some later epics may have refined the formula, few have matched its sheer, jaw-dropping ambition. Its legacy is so powerful that it utterly overshadows the ill-fated 2016 remake, proving just how definitive this version became.
1. 'The Departed' (2006)
Taking the top spot is Martin Scorsese's gritty, masterful The Departed. This Boston-set crime thriller, a remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, is the rare remake that not only matches its source but arguably surpasses it. Scorsese transplants the core story of moles in opposing police and criminal organizations into a uniquely American context, fueled by razor-sharp dialogue, relentless tension, and career-defining performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson.
The Departed finally won Scorsese his long-overdue Best Director Oscar, and its Best Picture win felt like a victory for sheer directorial bravura and airtight storytelling. It's a complex, morally murky, and endlessly rewatchable film that has cemented its status as a modern classic. Unlike some remakes that feel unnecessary, The Departed justified its existence by becoming a definitive work in its own right and in its director's storied filmography. It stands as proof that a remake, in the right hands, can be a masterpiece. For other films that redefined their genres, explore Beyond the Briefcase: Three Tarantino Masterpieces That Outshine Pulp Fiction.
So, while the road for remakes at the Oscars has been narrow, these three films prove that a second take can sometimes lead to a first-place finish. From the epic sands of Rome to the gritty streets of Boston and the intimate world of a fishing family, each of these winners remade not just a story, but the potential of what a remake can be.
