The 7 Best Stephen King Adaptations To Watch This Halloween Season
From his earliest film projects up to his most recent box-office hits, here are some of our absolute favorite Stephen King adaptations yet.
Has there ever been an author more deserving of the title “The King of Horror” than Stephen King? A prolific writer who remains synonymous with horror, King’s impressive contributions to the genre cannot be overstated. Breaking into the literary world by the late 1960s, King has penned some of the most brilliant and terrifying works of the past century, from spine-chilling tales of zombies, ghouls, and vampires to psychological horror novels featuring demented serial killers and demonic, shapeshifting monsters.
As often as King is acclaimed for his beloved horror novels, the veteran author has also graced the literary world with more dramatic works, providing the basis for such audacious films as Stand by Me and The Shawshank Redemption. From his earliest film projects up to his most recent box-office hits, here are some of our absolute favorite Stephen King adaptations yet.
Misery (1990)
Mastering King’s dramatic work with Stand by Me, director Rob Reiner turned his attention to capturing one of King’s most horrifying novels with his 1991 follow-up, Misery. Led by a sensational Kathy Bates as the obsessive Annie Wilkes, Misery unfolds like a celebrity’s most claustrophobic nightmare. Gradually upping the narrative stakes throughout, the movie’s increasingly suspenseful storyline never fails to gauge audiences’ interests, with Annie Wilkes slowly transforming from a quirky, maternal nurse into a cold, calculating killer willing to do anything to spend time with her favorite author.
The Dead Zone (1983)
The Dead Zone seldom gets the same love and attention as King’s other films, but that doesn’t mean this underrated David Cronenberg film isn’t an exceptional thriller in its own right. A faithful recreation of King’s 1979 novel, The Dead Zone emphasizes the same existential questions presented in King’s book, right down to the philosophical conversations about changing the future by committing a monstrous act in the present.
It (2017)
The most successful King adaptation of the modern era, It also reimagines King’s horror story for a new era, transposing its ‘50s-set narrative to the late 1980s. Employing a talented cast of young actors in the lead roles, It also relies on the career-defining performance of Bill Skarsgård in the titular role. Dark, twisted, and endlessly enjoyable from start to finish, it’s a film that will leave your heart racing in more than a few places.
The Shining (1980)
A landmark entry in the psychological horror genre, The Shining doesn’t exactly adhere to the underlying plot elements of its source material (a serious point of contention for the famously flippant King). While longtime fans of the book might take issue with this, more appreciative viewers continue to acclaim The Shining for its slow pace and headier atmosphere. Brought to life by the legendary director Stanley Kubrick, The Shining’s haunting tone and ambiguous narrative leaves plenty of room for interpretation, with modern audiences furiously debating the film’s deeper meaning almost five decades later.
Carrie (1976)
Fittingly, the first film adaption of King’s work happened to be based on the author’s debut novel. With Carrie, director Brian De Palma retains the harrowing portrayal of adolescence featured in King’s book, allowing audiences to form a deeper, more meaningful connection to Sissy Spacek’s sympathetic lead character. Through this, we’re left even more devastated by the movie’s tragic third act, forcing us to helplessly watch Carrie’s vengeful reign of terror reach its horrifying conclusion.
Stand by Me (1986)
The first Stephen King film adapted by Rob Reiner, Stand by Me also faithfully recreates the core components of King’s novella, “The Body.” Providing an in-depth look at a group of pre-teen friends who experience their first brush with adulthood, Stand by Me’s heartrending tone leaves a lasting impression on almost every viewer. Bolstered by some impeccable performances from its younger cast, it’s a tense yet relatable study of childhood that underscores the importance of friendship – especially those we leave behind as we grow up.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
It’s almost comical to note that the greatest film based on a Stephen King story isn’t a horror movie at all. Rather, it’s a joyous celebration of life in the midst of tremendous heartbreak and anguish, as seen through the eyes of Tim Robbins’ wrongfully convicted Shawshank prisoner, Andy Dufresne. Though loaded with emotionally devastating scenes left and right, The Shawshank Redemption balances its hard-hitting drama with numerous uplifting sequences, encouraging each of us to never take our freedom or time for granted. (Or as Morgan Freeman might eloquently put it, “Get busy living or get busy dying.”)