The 10 essential Stephen King movies: Ranking iconic horror author’s books turned films
Almost as long as that legendary master of horror Stephen King has been keeping book lovers up at night, filmmakers have been adapting his novels and short stories. Which means there have been some stone-cold classics ("The Shining," anyone?) and more than a few clunkers over the decades.
In 2017 alone, "The Dark Tower" completely crashed and burned, but two months later, a new version of "It" scared up enough dough to make it the highest-grossing horror film of all time.
The latest adaptation, the 1960s-set prequel "Pet Sematary: Bloodlines" (streaming Friday on Paramount+), isn't exactly topping the King charts. (Fortunately, it's no "Dreamcatcher" or "The Mangler," either.)
The hardcore completist Constant Readers might want to check out that new "Sematary" but if you're in the mood for a creepy treat, there are better viewing options. Here are the most essential King movies, ranked:
10. '1408' (2007)
In the most underrated King movie, a supernatural skeptic (John Cusack) who writes about haunted places takes interest in the legendarily creepy room of a New York high-rise. It's astoundingly kooky but also a thoughtful study of cynicism and belief.
Where to watch:Pluto TV
9. 'Doctor Sleep' (2019)
Ewan McGregor stars in "The Shining" sequel as a grown-up Danny Torrance, decades past surviving the horrors at the Overlook Hotel, now sober after years of alcoholism and helping a young psychic girl (Kyliegh Curran). It mines familiar ground by carrying over "Shining" themes and characters, but it's best going its own way as a reluctant hero's journey.
Where to watch: Max
8. 'Stand by Me' (1986)
King is as much a master of Americana as he is frights, and Rob Reiner's coming-of-age tale of four misfit youths and their adventures to find a dead body is top notch at capturing the unbreakable bond of friendship and the fleeting, fragile nature of childhood innocence.
Where to watch:Netflix
7. 'The Mist' (2007)
How do you make a King novella even more bleak? Director Frank Darabont manages to do that rather well with this story of small-town Maine folks stuck in a supermarket, thanks to a mysterious mist and monstrous hidden creatures outside. Come for the paranoia and tribalism, stay for the gut-punch ending.
Where to watch: Peacock
6. 'Misery' (1990)
A modern take might have nutty Annie Wilkes making a TikTok or simply sliding into the DMs of author Paul Sheldon to profess her fandom but it wouldn't have been so malevolently perfect as this pre-Internet chiller. Kathy Bates earns her Oscar and then some, taking Annie's terrifying adoration for James Caan's Sheldon to a disturbing, hide-your-eyes level.
Where to watch: Apple TV and on-demand platforms
5. 'The Dead Zone' (1983)
Christopher Walken is a psychic schoolteacher who “sees” someone’s secrets if he touches them, including a vision of a nuclear holocaust after shaking the hand of a senatorial candidate (Martin Sheen). Did we mention this thing feels kinda timely?
Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand
4. 'Carrie' (1976)
Sissy Spacek exudes quiet, tortured grace as a teenager just blossoming into womanhood, leading to bullying from classmates and her abusively religious mom (Piper Laurie). The last 30 minutes is a jaw-dropping transformation from childhood innocence to murderous hysteria.
Where to watch: Max
3. 'It: Chapter One' (2017)
Taking the friendship stuff from "Stand By Me" and weaving in a deliciously evil clown in a poufy wardrobe, "It" works magic on a lot of different levels and leaves you desperately seeking more Pennywise. Warning: May not be for those skeeved out by buckets of blood shooting out of a sink.
Where to watch: Max
2. 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994)
There’s not much scary here other than some jail guards. Instead, what makes "Shawshank" an all-timer is the core friendship of two inmates (played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman) who figure out they'd better “get busy living or get busy dying."
Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand
1. 'The Shining' (1980)
King notoriously disliked Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, but it’s by far the best of the entire lot. Come for the infamous scenes – “Heeeeere’s Johnny,” anyone? – and stay for the exceptional exploration of isolation, one man’s descent into madness, and the terrifying effect on his family.
Where to watch: Max
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