My gut preference is that a remake solely for a newer, younger audience that's updated and chronology adjusted doesn't work. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” is a good example to me. “Time Machine is another.”
I think where remakes have some value is where there is some production value (like technology) at the time were limited. Godzilla is one example to me - the second being better than the first.
Just because a script is low hanging fruit in that rights, words and story are basically already done is no excuse to pander to the ignorance of youth. Fickle. And most often, something is lost in the update, be it star personality, presence, whatever. One example for me that I think would typify this would be “Gone With the Wind.” Sure, fantastic gimmickry could be worked, but the acting could never be replace IMO.
return of the living the dead was good, just for the sound track and the hinky humor
respun for a new generation
“...Godzilla is one example to me - the second being better than the first.”
Add to the list Zero Hour - it was remade into a big hit: Airplane.