It’s probably true that most remakes aren’t great, but it’s interesting that some of the greatest classics in cinema history are remakes, but people have forgotten the originals—depending on how one defines “remake” of course. Like, is John Carpenter’s The Thing a remake of The Thing From Another World? Bram Stoker’s Dracula? Is that a remake of…something? What about It! The Terror From Beyond Space! which some claim was remade (uncredited) as Alien?
Setting aside classic monster movies, which you kinda have to, the best Wizard of Oz is indisputably the 1939 version, but the 1925 silent version got a sound sequel in 1932.
The are four versions of A Star Is Born but, generally, the second one with Judy Garland is considered the best.
His Girl Friday is the first remake of The Front Page and probably the best, compared to the early one with Adolphe Menjou, though some might prefer the Lemmon/Matthau version Billy Wilder directed in the '70s.
So, you can find great remakes, sometimes in unexpected places.