Every Stephen King adaptation, ranked

Rotten Tomatoes score: 0%

The third adaptation of King's 1977 abbreviated narrative has been ruled the worst. It stars David Anders and Kandyse McClure as a couple, Burt and Vicky, who accidentally stumble upon a death cult of children and teenagers who have sacrificed all the adults in their town to an unseen power known as "He Who Walks Behind The Rows."

"This lazy reimagining of a terse Stephen King abbreviated narrative drags itself through the fear paces, alongside a predictable dilatory build toward a brace of splashy gore sequences," wrote Jeremiah Kipp for Slant Magazine.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 9%

"Graveyard Shift" is according to King's abbreviated narrative of the identical name, which was published in 1970.

It follows John Hall (David Andrews), a latest employ at a rat-infested mill. However, what turns out to really be haunting the basement of this textile factory is no uncomplicated rat.

Matt Brunson of The Film Frenzy called it a "heapjack fear yarn."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 10%

This was the second adaptation of King's 1980 novel concerning Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a young female who struggles alongside destructive pyrokinetic powers, and her begetter Andy (Zac Efron), who volition do item to keep her safe.

"The effects are dodgy and unconvincing. The affectional funding is nil. The operating period is lone 94 minutes long, thus proving there may, in fact, be a merciful higher power out there. It's motionless a four-alarm disaster," wrote Jason Bailey for Rolling Stone.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

The 2020 remake of "Children of the Corn" is a beautiful important departure from the origin material, excising the first characters of Burt and Vicky entirely and focusing on how the children of this town came to power in the archetypal place, starting alongside a young female named Eden (Kate Moyer).

"Boring and bland. What a shucker," wrote The Guardian's Cath Clarke.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

"Cell" costars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, reuniting following their former collaboration in a distinct King adaptation (more on that later), as two survivors of a catastrophic digital indication that causes cellphone users to rotate into rabid killers. It's according to the 2006 novel by King of the identical name.

"This is the undead equal of accelerated food. Some power discover comfort in all these known quantities. Those looking for item of matter would do improved to delay for an upgrade," wrote Steve Greene of IndieWire.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 14%

Somewhat according to a 1973 abbreviated narrative by King called "Trucks," "Maximum Overdrive" is the lone movie that King wrote and directed himself.

It follows the group of Earth following a comet passes by and causes all machines on the earth to rotate into sentient — and yes, they're angry.

"The character development, normally a strength, is practically nonexistent. Perhaps several of this can be explained by the fact that he was at the height of his addictions whenever the movie was made and learning a new imaginative procedure meant that his storytelling prowess got lost," wrote Den of Geek's Rebecca Lea.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 16%

King's decadeslong imagination sequence of books introduces readers to an in-depth cosmos and connects many of King's most celebrated works, specified as "The Stand," "It," and "The Shining," among others.

In retrospect, adapting the sequence was an unattainable task.

Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey gave this movie their best, but it wasn't enough. As Kevin Maher of The Times wrote, "Eight volumes, additional than 4,000 pages, and a multitude of exotic settings and substitute realities entered by two near-mythic antagonists, are current transformed into turgid cinematic slop."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 19%

"Thinner" is the archetypal movie on this catalog to be adapted from a novel written by King under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. It was published in 1984.

In the film, Robert John Burke plays an obese lawyer, Billy, who is cursed following he drives erratically and kills a Romani woman. The curse causes him to endure importance rapidly, no matter how much he eats.

"'Thinner' is jaw-droppingly bad: not lone weirdly amateurish but regularly offensive," wrote Grant Watson for Fiction Machine.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 23%

King's archetypal e-book, the novella "Riding the Bullet," was published in 2000. Four years later, it was adapted into this movie leading Jonathan Jackson as Alan, a university pupil in Maine, who has a traumatizing encounter alongside the soul of George (David Arquette), who has lately died.

Justin Chang of Variety called it "a ponderous, incoherent fear mishmash that turns King's abbreviated narrative into utter nonsense."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 27%

"Dreamcatcher," published in 2001, is a slightly loaded activity for King, as he's afterward stated he wrote it during under the power of OxyContin he was prescribed following a car crash, per Rolling Stone.

The movie certainly didn't enhance upon his work. It stars Damian Lewis, Thomas Jane, Timothy Olyphant, Jason Lee, and Donnie Wahlberg as a collection of (telepathic) younker allies who are exposed to antagonistic aliens who have people.

"'Dreamcatcher' is unspeakably bad — and shockingly so — considering that it's an adaptation of a Stephen King novel, from the director of 'The Big Chill' (Lawrence Kasdan) and the author of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' (William Goldman)," wrote Christy Lemire for the Associated Press.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 27%

"The Mangler" was a abbreviated narrative archetypal published in 1972. The film, released in 1995, stars Robert Englund (best known for playing fear fable Freddy Krueger) as Bill, the owner of a laundry service. Unfortunately for him, among the machines has a intellect of its own,

"I've been additional frightened by the potential of folding my own laundry than by item 'The Mangler' offers up," wrote The Georgia Straight's Steve Newton.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%

"Carrie" was the archetypal novel always published by King, rear in 1974, and it remains one of his most beloved. As such, it has been adapted many times, including the new TV sequence created by Mike Flanagan.

This TV movie adaptation stars Angela Bettis as the troubled telekinetic titular adolescent and Patricia Clarkson as her mother, Margaret. This type is notable for leaving Carrie living at the end, a departure from the novel.

"Too much of 'Carrie' feels padded, that we're observing an additional 45 seconds or a infinitesimal in certain scenes fair to get them to inhabit out the period until the business interrupt or authorize in additional f/x," wrote Phil Gallo of Variety.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%

"A Good Marriage," according to the 2010 novella of the identical name, stars Joan Allen and Anthony LaPaglia as a apparently happily wed brace — that is, until Darcy (Allen) figures out that her hubby Bob (LaPaglia) power be a notorious serial killer.

"It's serviceable," wrote the Village Voice's Pete Vonder Haar, "demonstrating that perchance the Master's new movie domain can be established in mining his afterward works."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 33%

"The Night Flier" was archetypal a abbreviated narrative published in 1988 before it was turned into a movie nine years later. It stars Miguel Ferrer as a tabloid newsman who becomes convinced that a cord of murders was really committed by a vampire.

"A thuddingly blunt contemporary morality narrative devoid of wit and lone minimally suspenseful," wrote The New York Times' Stephen Holden.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 33%

Not equal the all-star casting of Max von Sydow and Ed Harris could preserve this film, according to the 1991 King novel.

In it, von Sydow plays Leland Gaunt, a mysterious purveyor of antiques who moves to Castle Rock, Maine (a favorite of King's), and promptly starts sowing distrust, hatred, and in several cases, violence, among its citizens. Harris plays the town's sheriff, Alan.

"This is pulp moviemaking at its worst," wrote Clifford Terry for The Chicago Tribune.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 35%

King told Rolling Stone that "The Tommyknockers," a novel published in 1987, was "an awful book" that he wrote during struggling alongside alcoholism and cocaine addiction — in fact, his spouse staged an involvement correct following this publish was published.

Six years later, it was adapted as a miniseries that aired on ABC. It's beautiful norm alien intrusion fare, but it's bolstered by performances from Jimmy Smits and Marg Helgenberger.

"Fans of discipline fabrication and of King's activity volition motionless discover a lot to bask in 'The Tommyknockers.' Even informal viewers can bask the activity of Smits, Helgenberger, and [Joanna] Cassidy, and volition value the story's comments on addiction," wrote David Reddish for CBR.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%

"Creepshow 2," a sequel to "Creepshow," is a fear wit anthology film, alongside three segments according to plant by King: "Old Chief Wood'nhead," "The Raft," and "The Hitch-hiker."

"Just as you can't fairness a '50s humorous publish by its lurid cover, so you can't fairness a cheapo, three-part movie by its sources," wrote Time Out.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%

"In the Tall Grass" is a 2012 novella cowritten by King and his son Joe Hill. The Netflix adaptation premiered seven years afterward in 2019.

The narrative follows Becky (Laysla De Oliveira), a young expecting woman, and her brother Cal (Avery Whitted), who encounter a mysterious young kid who beckons them into a magical cornfield.

"While it's not the sharpest of King's stories, [director Vincenzo] Natali's mold redeems the film's shortcomings," wrote Monica Castillo for Polygon.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%

The archetypal adaptation of "Children of the Corn" is rated the best, although that's not saying much.

This movie focuses additional on Vicky (Linda Hamilton) and Burt (Peter Horton), although it has small of a downer ending than the 2009 version, alongside the brace escaping.

"If there's item worse than a movie concerning a small town filled alongside evil children who are the victims of bulk hysteria and think there's item that 'lives rearward the rows,' it's a movie concerning a small town filled alongside evil children who are correct — there is item rearward the rows," wrote Roger Ebert.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%

The archetypal adaptation of "Firestarter" fared improved than the latest one, although not by much. The '80s type stars Drew Barrymore as the fire-powered tyke, during her begetter is played by David Keith.

"Even before it starts laying discarded to the reputations of mold members, 'Firestarter' is promptly exposed as a derivative embarrassment of a conception," wrote The Washington Post's Gary Arnold.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 45%

"Sometimes They Come Back" is a made-for-TV movie according to King's 1974 abbreviated narrative of the identical name, although the movie takes out several of the additional supernatural hijinks of the story.

It stars Tim Matheson as Jim, an English teacher, whose brother was murdered whenever Jim was fair nine years old by a collection of aggressive greasers. After a lengthy period away, Jim returns home, but is horrified whenever three of his students die mysteriously and are reincarnated as his brother's killers.

The Chicago Tribune's Rick Kogan wrote, "What ensues strictly follows the King formula, entertaining alongside thrills, murders, facing-up-to-fear philosophizing and snappy lines."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 45%

The most latest adaptation of King's second novel, "'Salem's Lot" (originally published in 1975), has additionally been ruled the worst.

Both the HBO Max movie and the narrative are concerning a writer, Ben (Lewis Pullman), who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine, following decades distant in an attempt to compose concerning his childhood. Instead? He encounters murderous vampires.

"''Salem's Lot' in this new incarnation resorts to being comic whenever it oughtn't, gruesome whenever it isn't required, and there is an clumsy awareness of not knowing fairly anywhere to run alongside the rocky shores of Maine," wrote John Anderson for The Wall Street Journal.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%

"Mr. Harrigan's Phone" comes from a gathering of abbreviated stories King published in 2020 called "If It Bleeds."

The movie stars Jaeden Martell as Craig, a lonely teenage boy who befriends the aged Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland). After Harrigan dies, Craig sneaks the old man's division phone into his coffin, but whenever Craig starts receiving different texts from Harrigan's number, he suspects that item supernatural is afoot.

"Hancock and his mold efficiently communicate the regulation of King's story, which is concerning a well-meaning kid learning how item that comes too uncomplicated apt has dreary strings attached," wrote Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%

Based upon King's 1990 abbreviated narrative "Secret Window, Secret Garden," this movie stars Johnny Depp as Mort, a author suffering from writer's obstacle and a damaged bosom following his wife, Amy (Maria Bello), has remaining him. To add criticism to injury, a local man named Shooter (John Turturro) has claimed that Mort's latest narrative is copied from one of Shooter's pieces. Things get wilder from there.

"Anyone alongside a passing cognition of King's jam-packed oeuvre and its spotty movie translations volition be fidgeting in their seats from the get-go," wrote Ian Nathan of Empire Magazine.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%

The solitary narrative in King's bibliography that's chiefly concerning werewolves, "Silver Bullet," is according to the 1983 novella "Cycle of the Werewolf."

"Silver Bullet" stars Corey Haim as Marty, a young boy paralyzed from the waist down, who discovers that his town's pastor is a werewolf and on a slaying spree. He teams up alongside his sister, Jane (Megan Follows), and their eccentric uncle Red (Gary Busey) to halt the murders.

Common Sense Media's Jose Solís called it: "A beautiful part of fear that's far from being perfect, but has a genuine beating heart."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%

Once again, "The Langoliers" is according to a novella taken from a compilation of King's abbreviated stories, this one being 1990's "Four Past Midnight."

"The Langoliers" was turned into a two-part miniseries that aired on ABC. It follows a collection of 10 transporter passengers who mysteriously act a "time rip" and have been sent rear to the past. In command to come back home, they must squad up.

"As the scriptwriter for 'The Langoliers,' [Tom] Holland has strung together several of the clunkiest conversation you're always apt to hear. As the director he has encouraged his mediocre mold to overact shamelessly," wrote The Seattle Times' John Voorhees.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 49%

"Hearts in Atlantis" gets its heading from a 1999 gathering of King's abbreviated stories and novellas, but its narrative comes from the archetypal novella in the book, "Low Men in Yellow Coats."

It stars Anthony Hopkins as Ted Brautigan, a new inhabitant of a small town in Connecticut who bonds alongside a lonely young boy named Bobby, played by Anton Yelchin. Over the way of the film, Ted reveals he has psychic powers and is on the run from a mysterious and nefarious organization.

"'Hearts in Atlantis' weaves a different spell, made of nostalgia and fear. Rarely does a movie create you awareness so heated and so uneasy at the identical time, as Stephen King's narrative evokes the mystery of adolescence, whenever everything seems to be happening for the extremely archetypal time," wrote Roger Ebert.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

In a archetypal for this list, King's 2010 novella of the identical name was turned into a Lifetime movie, and formerly you study what it's about, you won't be surprised.

The TV movie stars Maria Bello as Tess Thorne, a mystery author, who is directed to obtain a local shortcut by the coordinator of a publish event Tess attended. However, this shortcut puts her immediately in the way of a cruel killer known as "Big Driver." After Tess escapes, she discovers how far she's consenting to go for revenge.

"Like several of King's another tales, it loses its way, devolving into a rape retaliation imagination whose potency is diluted by silly gimmicks akin a talking GPS scheme alongside a intellect of its own," wrote Lori Rackl for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

"No Smoking" is notable for being the archetypal Hindi-language movie to be adapted from King's work. It's according to the abbreviated narrative "Quitters, Inc.," which was archetypal published in 1978.

In it, a nicotine reliant named K (John Abraham) finds out how far he is consenting to go to discontinue smoking.

"The movie swirls concerning frantically in the attempt to entertain, has a awful Bob Fosse-like dancing sequence, and mostly overstays its welcome," wrote Derek Malcolm for The Standard.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%

"Tales from the Darkside" was an anthology sequence that aired for four seasons on syndicated TV from 1983 to 1988. It was turned into an anthology movie two years following it ended.

It had three segments, alongside the center section being adapted from King's 1977 abbreviated narrative "The Cat From Hell." It's beautiful self-explanatory.

"This is fair another young female alongside the lines of 'Creepshow' and 'Twilight Zone: The Movie,'" wrote Richard Harrington for The Washington Post.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

The second-most latest adaptation of "Carrie" moved the environment from the '70s to the 2010s — which method Carrie's bullies strip themselves harassing her and upload the footage to YouTube (not the smartest move, but OK).

However, it received middling reviews.

"The new 'Carrie' isn't awful — fair flat and uninspired and compromised by the benevolent of mindless teen-movie 'humanism' that [director Brian] De Palma so punkishly spat on," wrote New York Magazine's David Edelstein.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%

Eight years following she played Carrie's fanatically devout mother, Julianne Moore took on another King character — this period the protagonist of the 2006 novel "Lisey's Story."

The Apple TV+ sequence stars Moore as Lisey, a widow grieving the defeat of her husband, Scott (Clive Owen), who was a prosperous author. Two years following his death, Lisey discovers a scavenger hunt that Scott remaining for her, which leads her to recall several long-forgotten secrets.

"It's absolutely crafted, austere and elliptically put together, but it does small to mix the blood," wrote Empire Magazine's Ian Freer.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 54%

"Apt Pupil" is according to a novella published by King in 1982. The movie adaptation stars Ian McKellen as a wanted Nazi criminal, Kurt Dussander, who has now lived for at smallest 20 years in California, and Brad Renfro as a cruel adolescent who figures out Dussander's character and blackmails him into regaling him alongside stories of the Holocaust.

"'Apt Pupil' is a movie that knows it has item to say concerning its subjects, but is a small too obsessed alongside their association to obtain a stage rear and recommendation the spectators a richness that is current in another fear films," wrote Den of Geek's Rebecca Lea.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%

"The Dark Half," initially published in 1989, is akin to another King work, "Secret Window." Both are concerning an author who is struggling alongside a darker part of themselves.

In this version, author Thad Beaumont is played by Timothy Hutton, who is terrorized by George Stark, his prosperous pen name, arrive to life.

"'The Dark Half' ends as a Stephen King movie lone a George Stark could love," wrote Rolling Stone's Peter Travers.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%

"Pet Sematary" stars Jason Clarke as Louis Creed, an ER doctor and begetter of two, who lives in Ludlow, Maine. The family's residence is located on a occupied highway, and an older neighbor, Jud (John Lithgow), cautions the family to observe out alongside their pets and young children about it.

When the family cat, Church, is hit and killed, Jud takes Louis to an eerie pet cemetery located rearward their asset that can reanimate the dead. But, famously, sometimes deceased is better.

The second display type of King's 1983 novel "Pet Sematary" considerably changed the ending of the first story, which rubbed several fans the incorrect way.

"The movie is awfully smug concerning its wicked, unthoughtful new direction, which leads to a climax that is downright silly and, it must be said, benevolent of dull in all its blunt and hurried escalation," wrote Richard Lawson for Vanity Fair.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

"Chapelwaite" aired on MGM+ for one season, and is according to the 1978 abbreviated narrative "Jerusalem's Lot" — not to be confused alongside the novel "'Salem's Lot."

The sequence stars Adrien Brody as Charles Boone, a container captain living in 1850s America. He returns residence to (where else) a small town in Maine following the death of his spouse at sea — but the mansion he lately inherited, Chapelwaite, hides evil secrets.

"'Chapelwaite's' supernatural flank emerges in complete power in its second half, and equal although it maintains its uncomplicated manner and grim tone, it nearly feels akin it switches gears into a distinct display entirely," wrote The AV Club's Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%

This is the second adaptation of King's 1978 epic imagination novel "The Stand," which follows many distinct survivors of a extremely deadly pandemic. Unfortunately, since this constricted sequence aired in December 2020, amid a real-life pandemic, it apt didn't execute as fine as Paramount had hoped.

This type stars James Marsden as our hero, Stu Redman, a naturally immune individual who escapes authorities custody to associate a new community in Boulder. Meanwhile, Randall Flag (Alexander Skarsgard) grows his own collection of dreary followers in Las Vegas. A showdown ensues.

"Stephen King's 1,100-page apocalypse has unfolded in captivating style, maintaining the vibrant Stephen Kingyness of the characters and ratcheting up the strain at volition — equal if all the bouncing about in period makes it awareness fairly choppy," wrote Brad Newsome of The Sydney Morning Herald.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 58%

King's 1980 novella was adapted for the second period in 2017, this period as a sequence that aired on Spike.

In the show, Morgan Spector stars as Kevin Copeland, an everyman who lives alongside his spouse and female in a small town. On a apparently normal day, a thick mist descends upon his town, and group shortly detect that those who go into the mist don't arrive back.

"To basically all character in 'The Mist,' authorize me to paraphrase the champion of the movie type of a distinct Stephen King novella: Get occupied being improved written, or get occupied dying," wrote Daniel Fienberg for The Hollywood Reporter.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 58%

The '80s adaptation of "Pet Sematary" hews much nearer to King's novel, including the ending that leaves Louis (Dale Midkiff) and his wife, Rachel (Denise Crosby), together (seemingly) forever.

"Overall, the acting in 'Pet Sematary' is hit or miss. But whenever it hits, it's a bullseye," wrote Anne Cohen for Refinery 29.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 59%

"The Running Man" was published by King in 1982 under his pen name Richard Bachman.

Both the publish and the movie obtain location in a dystopian forthcoming United States (it's 2025 in the publish and 2017 in the movie) anywhere the broad community tunes in to a aggressive equivalent display called "The Running Man."

The movie and the publish are beautiful different, but in the film, Ben (Arnold Schwarzenegger) joins the mold following escaping prison. For 30 days, all he has to do is evade authorities, hunters, and normal group (all who are trying to slay him) to preserve his allies and family.

David Edelstein of the Village Voice wrote, "As an actor, Schwarzenegger makes Stallone appearance profound. He's beautiful hilarious mold as person called 'the operating man'; he's so muscle-bound he can barely walk."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%

The Rob Savage-directed adaptation of King's 1973 abbreviated narrative of the identical name changes a fair amount from the original. Instead of focusing on Lester, a troubled man who's sharing his narrative of woe alongside his therapist, this movie follows Lester's therapist, Will (Chris Messina), as his family now becomes the new victims of an unseen demon known as the Boogeyman.

"The haunted home subgenre gets a caller coat of lifeblood and fear alongside this spine-tingling thrill journey driven by grief, rage, and fear," wrote Kristy Puchko of Mashable.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%

This is one of King's most ubiquitous stories — "Cujo" has rotate into shorthand for a scary dog. The novel was initially published in 1981, not that the author could inform you — King himself has stated he has no recollection of penning "Cujo" as it was at the height of his addiction.

Unlike many of King's another stories, "Cujo" isn't supernatural. In fact, it's fair the tragic narrative of a affable St. Bernard who gets bitten by a rabid bat and becomes an obsessive monster that's the dog equal of the shark from "Jaws."

The movie stars Dee Wallace and Danny Pintauro as the mother and son whom Cujo targets and traps inner an overheating car.

"This adaptation on a humble prosperity from Stephen King's bestseller concerning a rabid St Bernard is a pleasing example of the filmic simplicity at the bosom of King's improved writing," wrote David Pirie for Time Out.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%

Glen Powell enters the Stephen King Cinematic Universe alongside "The Running Man," the second adaptation of King's novel written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman.

This type of the narrative was much additional loyal to King's novel, including retaining Ben's base narrative for joining the competition (to lift prosperity for his daughter's medicine) and the $1 milliard expansive prize.

Brian Truitt of USA Today called the movie "a lively, satirical stab at modern-day actuality TV, scary big-brother technology, traditional dissension and rampant earnings inequality, all slathered in blood-soaked ultraviolence and bonkers charm."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 62%

"It" is perchance King's most celebrated work, and was archetypal published in 1986. It clocks in at a whopping 1,138 pages.

Therefore, it came as no astonishment that the 2010s adaptation would be divided into two (long) films. "Chapter Two" introduces the grownup versions of the Losers Club, archetypal seen as preteens in 2017's "It."

Twenty-seven years following they defeated Pennywise (aka It), the Losers are called rear to Derry, Maine, to visage their fears again and end It formerly and for all.

"While 'Chapter Two' plant absolutely fine as a complement to 'Chapter One,' it motionless falls abbreviated in that the nearer our heroes arrive to triumphing complete 'It,' the additional they get from a satisfying conclusion," wrote Vox's Aja Romano.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

"Haven" aired on Syfy from 2010 to 2015, and was loosely according to King's 2005 novel "The Colorado Kid."

The display starred Emily Rose as Audrey Parker, an FBI delegate dispatched to Haven, Maine, a town that's plagued by supernatural problems called "The Troubles" by locals. But as Audrey spends additional period in Haven, she discovers she may have a profound association to this town she doesn't remember.

"Viewers sad concerning the end of 'Happy Town' and looking for another creepy municipal perform filmed in Canada may discover this a harbor in the storm," wrote Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%

"The Institute," which premiered in July 2025, is according to the 2019 King novel of the identical name.

It stars Joe Freeman as Luke, a adolescent who discovers he has telekinetic powers and is subsequently whisked off to a concealed facility filled alongside another kids who have powers akin him. It's run by the mysterious Ms. Sigsby (Mary-Louise Parker).

It's already been renewed for a second season, which premieres this November.

Variety's Aramide Tinubu wrote, "'The Institute' isn't a ideal series, particularly as it stumbles to its conclusion. Yet, it volition undoubtedly keep the notice of audiences desperate to reveal the mystery at the center of the story."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%

"The Stand," which aired on ABC throughout four nights, was acclaimed in its time, equal earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding miniseries.

This type stars Gary Sinise as our hero, Stu Redman, during Jamey Sheridan takes on the mantle of the evil Randall Flagg. Molly Ringwald, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, and Rob Lowe additionally costar.

"Muddled, certainly, but Stephen King's 'The Stand' is clever adequate to keep you wondering what could perchance happen next," wrote John J. O'Connor for The New York Times.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%

The archetypal "Creepshow" consists of five stories written by King; two are according to pre-existing plant (1976's "Weeds" and 1979's "The Crate"), during the another three ("Father's Day," "Something to Tide You Over," and "They're Creeping Up on You!") are first to the film.

"Bringing in plentifulness of name talent, the anthology-style movie is additional fun than scary," wrote The Austin Chronicle's Jerry Renshaw.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

When this CBS sequence premiered in the summer of 2013, "Under the Dome" was a phenomenon, and it had a Rotten Tomatoes mark of 82%, but the next two seasons weren't as successful.

"Under the Dome" is according to a 2009 novel by King that hews nearer to sci-fi than horror. In the two the display and the novel, a mysterious apparent dome descends upon the town of Chester's Mill, cutting it off entirely from the remainder of the world.

Unfortunately for King, he didn't akin the CBS version. In fact, he openly stated he wanted Netflix to redo it.

"'Under the Dome' manages to be a family drama, a catastrophe film, and a horror-filled science-fiction narrative rolled into one, alongside several romance, humor, and pathos thrown in for fine measure," wrote Jace Lacob of The Daily Beast.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%

The second adaptation of King's vampire novel stars Rob Lowe as the troubled author Ben returning to Jerusalem's Lot to reconcile his childhood, and James Cromwell as the town's priest. It aired throughout two nights on TNT.

"In the expansive tradition of Don't-Go-in-There! fear movies... TNT presents a thoroughly fun mini-series remake of the Stephen King vampire tale," wrote The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Storm.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%

Horror fable John Carpenter directed this adaptation of King's 1983 traditional in which a 1958 Plymouth Fury is possessed by a demon and goes on a slaying spree.

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw wrote, "'Christine' is a absolutely fun narrative of the macabre, which can be peruse as a satirical parable of that particularly masculine benevolent of arrested betterment which manifests itself in car obsession."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%

"Cat's Eye" is yet another anthology movie according to King's work, this period adapting "Quitters, Inc.," "The Ledge," and "General."

"The catalog of films that genuinely grasp the soul of Stephen King — the darkness, humor, and cleverness that made his books and stories so irresistible — is amazingly short. But 'Cat's Eye' deserves a location on that list," wrote Flavorwire's Jason Bailey.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%

For a generation of '80s kids, this is the conclusive type of "It." A two-night event on ABC, "It" stars Tim Curry in one of his most iconic performances of all period as Pennywise the Clown.

Barry Garron of The Kansas City Star called "It" "a taut, terror-filled movie."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%

This adaptation of "The Mist" is the rare example anywhere the film's ending is darker than King's first novel — usually, Hollywood softens King's conclusions.

We won't spoil it for you, since this movie is certainly value observing alongside no idea what's coming.

"H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos has lengthy been one of King's directing influences, and Frank Darabont's adaptation of 'The Mist' honors that association during additionally operating as a 21st-century governmental parable," wrote Adam Nayman for The Ringer.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%

While we don't have a mark for the six-season USA show, we do cognize that its archetypal period garnered affirmative reviews.

Somewhat according to King's 1979 novel of the identical name, it stars Anthony Michael Hall as Johnny Smith, a instructor who, following being in a coma for six years, wakes up alongside psychic powers. He helps to resolve crimes alongside his new powers alongside his ex-wife, Sarah (Nicole de Boer), her new hubby and town sheriff, Walt (Chris Bruno), and his bodily therapist, Bruce (John L. Adams).

"It is entirely riveting. And Anthony Michael Hall has grown up to be not lone a terrific actor, but a hunk and a half. There is all kinds of innovative photography, fine writing, and a heck of a premise," wrote Linda Stasi for The New York Post.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%

Director Osgood Perkins' follow-up to "Longlegs" was this adaptation of King's 1980 abbreviated narrative of the identical name, in which Theo James plays a brace of traumatized twins who have been stalked by a cymbal-playing toy monkey that kills people.

Kim Newman of Sight & Sound wrote, "In its own terrifying, challengingly comical way, 'The Monkey' stands as horror's State of the Union address."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%

Here's the archetypal of two King adaptations nominated for finest image at the Academy Awards. This one, directed by Frank Darabont, is according to the 1996 novel of the identical name. It stars Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, a corrections authoritative on the death-row obstacle at Cold Mountain Penitentiary.

Paul discovers that among the prisoners, John Coffey (an Oscar-nominated Michael Clarke Duncan), a convicted murderer, has magical powers — and perchance has been wrongfully convicted.

"Much of the three-hour movie takes location in the prison, but the resonant characterization, extended plotting, and judicious use of exterior locations and flashbacks rotate the walls into windows," wrote Chicago Reader's Lisa Alspector.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%

Did you cognize that King wrote a sequel to "The Shining" in 2013, 36 years following he introduced the earth to Jack Torrance and the Overlook Hotel? He did, and it's called "Doctor Sleep."

Six years later, Mike Flanagan directed an adaptation leading Ewan McGregor as a grown-up Danny Torrance who must come back to the Overlook Hotel and visage his (literal) demons.

"A build of activity that benefits from hindsight and consideration — unexpected pleasures for a fear movie, which must be why they awareness so welcome," wrote K. Austin Collins for Vanity Fair.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%

The archetypal team-up between John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in a King adaptation was this 2007 film, according to King's 1999 abbreviated narrative of the identical name.

Cusack plays Mike Enslin, a fear author who is skeptical concerning the supernatural. He receives an anonymous postcard telling him to inspect out area 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel, a supposedly haunted room. Jackson plays Gerald Olin, a inn clerk who tries to convince Mike to depart the area alone.

"Cusack, who is in nearly all scene, is astutely cast: his sardonic persona gradually disintegrates as the area plays its malevolent tricks on him," wrote The Telegraph's David Gritten.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

Coming from the identical 2020 gathering of novellas, "The Life of Chuck" is the third King activity to be adapted by Mike Flanagan.

This is the narrative of Chuck Krantz, played by Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak, and Cody Flanagan throughout his life. What makes this narrative different, though, is that it starts at the end of Chuck's existence and goes backwards.

"Is it a awesome King adaptation? No. Is it a fine one? Yes," wrote Bill Goodykoontz for the Arizona Republic.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%

"Welcome to Derry" is a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 films "It" and "It: Chapter Two," respectively. The archetypal period aired from October to December 2025, and it was renewed for a second period in August 2026.

The display included connections to King's wider canon, specified as the character of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), who appears in "The Shining" and "Doctor Sleep," in its archetypal season, which took location in the '60s. It'll be engaging to see what King references could pop up in the second season, which volition obtain location during the Great Depression.

"In five episodes, I never felt akin I was seeing the identical scare twice, and for a fear TV show, that's an accomplishment in itself," wrote Zach Moser for Screen Rant.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

"11.22.63" is a period journey narrative in which Jake Epping (James Franco) is convinced to journey rear in period to the '60s to forestall the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The Hulu sequence is according to King's 2011 novel "11/22/63."

Allison Keene of Collider wrote, "'11.22.63's' aesthetics are tantalizing, the acting compelling, and the twists and supernatural elements are genuinely shocking."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

The most latest King adaptation is yet another obtain on his archetypal novel, "Carrie." This is an eight-episode TV period streaming on Prime Video and was developed by none another than Mike Flanagan.

This sequence shifts the environment to 2026 and introduces Carrie as a new pupil at her elevated school, marking her passage from homeschooling to community school. This allows Summer H. Howell to portray Carrie as equal more naive than former iterations.

Flanagan additionally adds nods to the King canon, akin a citation to Carrie's telekinetic powers as "shine," but we'll keep silent on another big changes he makes to the story.

Although the display has been billed as a miniseries and has not been renewed for a second season, Flanagan stated he sees it as a three-season story, People reported.

"For all its small hiccups, 'Carrie' does create one awareness sad perchance 80% of the time, and concerned the remainder of it, which is to say it does its job," wrote the Los Angeles Times' Robert Lloyd.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

"The Shining" is extensively regarded as among the finest films of all time, anchored by Stanley Kubrick's exact direction and performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall as the Torrances, a brace going through difficult times who rotate into the winter caretakers of an secluded Colorado inn that is residence to dozens of ghosts. Meanwhile, their son Danny is evolving his own telepathic powers known as "shine."

But famously, King himself doesn't akin it. In fact, he went so far as to call it "a maddening, perverse, and disappointing film," and equal stated it was "a awesome big beautiful Cadillac alongside no motor inside" during an interview. He didn't akin that Kubrick took many liberties alongside what King considered a deeply individual narrative concerning alcoholism and fatherhood.

Too bad for Mr. King, though: This movie is a classic.

"The movie is not concerning ghosts but concerning madness and the energies it sets free in an secluded circumstance primed to magnify them," wrote Roger Ebert.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

"Nightmares & Dreamscapes" is a fear anthology sequence that aired on TNT for one season. Each event is according to a distinct King abbreviated story. It has an all-star cast, including William H. Macy, Tom Berenger, William Hurt, Claire Forlani, Kim Delaney, Ron Livingston, and more.

"Most display adaptations lean to cut out all but the most crucial storyline points. But by adapting abbreviated stories ('Battleground' is lone 10 pages long), 'Nightmares & Dreamscapes' preserves their soul too," wrote Daniel Carlson for Pop Matters.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%

The 2017 "It" was a full-blown event upon its release, earning $704 myriad worldwide and introducing a terrified new generation to Pennywise the Clown, this period played horrifyingly by Bill Skarsgard (though, we do affection the footage of him joking about alongside the kids in complete costume).

"The movie depends — and succeeds — entirely on the power of their performances, and for two hours that speed by all too quickly, it's not too much of a extend to awareness akin we're on summer holiday alongside them," wrote Karen Han for Slashfilm.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

Besides being a classic, "Misery" can additionally boast that it's the lone Oscar-winning adaptation of a King work. Kathy Bates won finest actor for playing the misguided superfan Annie Wilkes, who traps her favorite author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), in her secluded division to power him to keep penning her favorite series.

The novel it was according to was published in 1987.

Desmond Ryan of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, "Bates turns Wilkes into the nastiest caregiver to attain the display since Louise Fletcher tormented Jack Nicholson in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.'"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%

The archetypal adaptation of "Salem's Lot" — which was additionally the archetypal King TV adaptation, duration — was a two-part miniseries that aired on CBS. Not lone was it the first, it's additionally been ruled the finest by critics. It was equal nominated for three Emmys.

"[Director Tobe] Hooper comes near to creating a modern-day Hammer fear film, punctuating a steady, stately dread alongside moments of shocking power," wrote Paste Magazine's Max O'Connell.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%

"Dolores Claiborne" was initially published as a novel in 1992 before being turned into a movie three years later. It's among the few adaptations on this catalog alongside no supernatural qualities at all — fair the horrors that happen to group all day.

It stars Kathy Bates as the titular Dolores, who is suspected of slaying her aged employer, Vera (Judy Parfitt), by a local detective (Christopher Plummer). The detective (and the remainder of the town) are already doubtful of Dolores as they all accept she killed her hubby Joe (David Strathairn) years prior.

Instead, Dolores tells her complete narrative to apparent her name and hopefully reconcile alongside her daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh).

"There are no sequence saws, prosthetic hooks, apparitions or deceased pets here, but you're kept at the border of your place nearly to the end," wrote Desson Howe of The Washington Post.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

"Castle Rock," which aired on Hulu for two seasons, isn't according to any one King story, but alternatively takes characters, places, and actors from all throughout King's oeuvre and plops them in the town of Castle Rock, Maine.

For example, there's an inmate at the Shawshank State Penitentiary; there's the niece of Jack Torrance; person is a doctor at the hospital in Jerusalem's Lot; Annie from "Misery" pops up … the catalog goes on.

Julia Holmes of The New Republic wrote, "'Castle Rock' offers additional than nostalgic horror; it shows the horrific nature of nostalgia."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

"The Long Walk" is a particular one for King fans. Though it was not his archetypal publish to be published, it was the archetypal he wrote; he began operating on it as a university freshman in 1966. It was eventually published 13 years afterward under Richard Bachman's name.

"The Long Walk" is a "Hunger Games"-esque narrative in which the United States, now a dystopia, sponsors a competition in which a teenage boy from all province competes to see who can stroll the longest. If you dilatory downward or halt walking, you're immediately killed. Last one strolling wins.

"[Director Francis] Lawrence wisely casts this movie alongside influential actors who create the period continue quickly. Most of this movie is fair a bunch of actors walking, alongside random bursts of gore and death. The chemistry between [David] Jonsson and [Cooper] Hoffman carries the movie," wrote The Boston Globe's Odie Henderson.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

This is the other King adaptation to be nominated for finest picture, formerly again directed by Frank Darabont. This film, according to King's 1982 novella "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," stars Tim Robbins as Shawshank Prison's newest inmate, Andy Dufresne. He's been convicted of slaying his spouse and her lover, but he maintains his innocence; regardless, he's been stated a existence sentence.

While inside, he bonds alongside chap inmate Red (an Oscar-nominated Morgan Freeman) and starts to launder prosperity for the prison's corrupt warden.

"You've never seen a jail movie fairly akin it, and I established its eccentric rhythms and the performances of co-stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman nearly irresistible," wrote Jack Mathews for Newsday.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"Stand by Me," directed by Rob Reiner, is according to the King novella called "The Body," published in 1982.

The narrative follows a collection of allies who, following hearing that the build of a missing boy is location in their local woods, go on a journey to discover it and rotate into hometown heroes. The film, which was nominated for finest adapted screenplay at the Academy Awards, is notable for its mold of kid stars, which includes Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, and Kiefer Sutherland.

Dan Webster wrote that it's "a fine theatrical departure for a director who made his position in comedy" in The Spokesman-Review.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"The Dead Zone" was directed by fear icon David Cronenberg and stars Christopher Walken as Johnny Smith, a man who has lately awoken from a five-year coma and has discovered that, whenever he touches people, he can see their past, present, and future.

The novel, published in 1979, is a bit different, but Johnny has akin powers.

"Mr. Cronenberg's direction is vivid and effective; his pacing is a small unemphatic at times, but the film's idiosyncratic scenes are extremely fine staged," wrote The New York Times' Janet Maslin.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

The 2014 novel of the identical name was King's archetypal true detective story. It focuses on former detective Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) and a serial killer who taunts him (Harry Treadaway). It aired for three seasons on the now-defunct Audience Network and was developed by TV fable David E. Kelley, the man rearward shows akin "Big Little Lies," "Boston Legal," and "Ally McBeal."

"David [Kelley] and Stephen King have been entertaining the masses for many decades now, yet in 'Mr. Mercedes,' they're the two doing several of their finest activity in years," stated NPR's David Bianculli.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

"The Outsider" is another one of King's detective novels, this one published in 2018. Two years later, it was turned into an HBO sequence leading Ben Mendelsohn as Ralph Anderson, a detective struggling alongside the death of his son, Jason Bateman as Terry Maitland, a man suspected of slaying a child, and Cynthia Erivo as Holly Gibney, a personal investigator called in to assistance alongside the case.

Roxana Hadadi of Pajiba wrote, "The whirlingly macabre, ruthlessly tense, and transfixingly spooky mood of 'The Outsider' makes the mini-series a must-see this spring."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

The archetypal Mike Flanagan/King collaboration was the 2017 Netflix movie "Gerald's Game," according to the novel of the identical name published in 1992.

In it, a woman, Jessie (Carla Gugino), is engaging in roleplay alongside her husband, Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), at an secluded lake house. After Gerald handcuffs her to the bed, he has a fatal bosom attack, leaving Jessie stuck to the bed alongside no one to comprehend her begging for help.

"Flanagan has a command of how to create the most of a sole location, and 'Gerald's Game' frequently captures a awareness of mounting strain and fear through small touches," wrote Keith Phipps for Uproxx.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

No, it's not another "Yellowstone" spinoff. "1922" is a Netflix movie according to King's 2010 novella of the identical name. It stars Thomas Jane as Wilf, a Nebraskan farmer who is reluctant to market his ranch and move to Omaha. Instead, he enlists his son Thomas to assistance him slay his spouse (and Thomas' mom) fairly than move.

We won't enter it, but fair remember: There are so many rats in this movie. Be warned.

"The movie is not lurid in its scares, and alternatively depicts its protagonist's suffering mostly as a dilatory rot," wrote The Hollywood Reporter's John DeFore.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

And we eventually have the highest-rated King adaptation: Brian De Palma's "Carrie." In supplement to being the finest adaptation of King's work, it was additionally the first, kicking off 50 years and counting of movie and TV.

This type stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie, a shy and lonely elevated schooler who discovers she has telekinetic powers, and Piper Laurie as her unstable, abusive mother. Both Spacek and Laurie were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances.

"'Carrie' is a terrifying lyrical thriller. The director, Brian De Palma, has mastered a teasing manner — a perverse blend of wit and fear and tension," wrote Pauline Kael of The New Yorker.