13 Stephen King Stories That Could Be Hilarious Horror-Comedies!

In terms of tone, Osgood Perkins’ film “The Monkey” deviates significantly from typical Stephen King adaptations viewers are accustomed to. Unlike previous King films, which may include humorous moments or scenes, this 2025 movie takes an unconventional route by using intense horror as a platform for humor consistently. While it remains true to the original content in its unique way, it adds a fresh, innovative spirit to the narrative, making me ponder about other King works that could be reimagined with a similar style.

While humor may not always take center stage in the author’s works, it certainly hasn’t been overlooked as they delve into genres such as horror, fantasy, western, romance, crime, and more. In fact, it’s hard not to find a hint of amusement when reading one of their books. There are several short stories that are downright hilarious or at least brimming with comedic potential, which is why I thought now, with the release of The Monkey in theaters this weekend, would be an ideal moment to bring attention to some of these gems.

Afterlife

The moment I delved into King’s “Afterlife” from “The Bazaar Of Bad Dreams“, I found myself drawn to a comparison with the brilliant Albert Brooks movie, Defending Your Life. This connection likely accounts for its inclusion on this list.

In this revised scenario, upon death, you find yourself in a workplace where you’re presented with two options: A) cease to exist, or B) re-experience your entire life, knowing that past mistakes cannot be altered. There’s an amusing irony in the straightforwardness of this premise, making it ripe for clever and humorous exploration.

Bad Little Kid

Essentially, “Bad Little Kid” shares a resemblance with “The Monkey,” as both stories revolve around a malevolent supernatural figure who torments the main character and eliminates their loved ones. However, what sets “Bad Little Kid” apart is its chilling antagonist: a dreadful young boy characterized by bright orange hair, emerald eyes, and a propeller beanie on his head. In essence, it’s as if a terrifying rendition of Dennis The Menace has come to life.

The Cat From Hell

I’d be all for seeing a standalone film expansion of “The Cat From Hell,” as its original short story is already quite madcap. All a director needs to do is maintain the core concept (a hitman hired to kill a cat) and preserve the spectacular finale (where the cat leaps into the assassin’s mouth), while adding layers of whimsical cat-themed chaos to flesh out the narrative.

Drunken Fireworks

The humor in “Drunken Fireworks” is hard to overlook, as it follows a feud that ensues among lake-dwellers in Maine during their annual Independence Day fireworks competition. The escalating tension and the quirky petty behavior of the characters provide ample comedic opportunities. It could be likened to Neighbors, but with an extra dose of alcohol and pyrotechnics.

Fair Extension

Among the novellas from 2010’s “Full Dark, No Stars,” only one remains unadapted so far – “Fair Extension.” Despite all the stories in this collection being rather grim (with titles like “1922,” “Big Driver,” and “A Good Marriage”), there is a chance for a filmmaker to explore some dark, entertaining themes with “Fair Extension.

In a heart-wrenching twist, a man battling cancer is presented with an offer by a mysterious stranger to prolong his life at the cost of someone he detests. Instead, he opts for his childhood friend whom he secretly despised all along. As the protagonist’s life flourishes, his former friend experiences a downfall – evoking emotions reminiscent of Joel and Ethan Coen’s film “A Serious Man.

Finn

In the story “Finn” from the 2024 collection, “You Like It Darker“, an otherwise grim scenario – a teenager being kidnapped and tortured by a gang – is made more bearable due to the unique characterization of the title character. Finn has been burdened with an extraordinary amount of bad luck throughout his life.

Finn’s unfortunate circumstances transform him into a tragic figure towards the end of King’s tale, yet there’s plenty of room for humor in portraying his life that seems perpetually cursed. To draw an analogy from another Coen brothers film, one could envision a scenario reminiscent of “Inside Llewyn Davis“, where the character is continually met with hardships by fate itself.

The Lawnmower Man

Indeed, a movie titled “The Lawnmower Man” already exists, but it bears little resemblance to Stephen King’s original short story. The author even went to great lengths to legally disassociate himself from the film. Transforming King’s chilling fantasy into a full-length feature could be quite challenging, but one thing is certain: the surreal, disturbing core image – that of an overweight man, naked and pursuing a lawnmower while consuming the grass it expels – is so eccentrically grotesque that it could spawn a film that’s equally as comical as it is terrifying.

Lunch At The Gotham Café

Couldn’t a humorous take on Stephen King’s “Lunch at the Gotham Café” border on being unkind? Possibly. Yet, isn’t there something appealing about an occasional dark comedy? Normally, a tale involving a divorcing couple enduring a terrible event together might conclude with their bond becoming stronger due to the trauma – but that’s not how this story unfolds. Instead, it could be reimagined as a pitch-black romance, with one condition: the final scene of the movie should match the final scene in King’s original work.

Morality

This one could be an exceptional dark comedy, if handled by the right director who can balance the tone effectively. Imagine a film similar to a non-erotic version of “Indecent Proposal,” where a financially struggling couple receives an unusual proposal: for $200,000, the wife is asked to approach a young child in daylight and give him a punch, while the husband records the incident on video. The idea might be shocking, but that’s what makes it humorously unsettling.

Rat

In a humorous twist, an author strikes a deal with a peculiar mouse to conquer his severe writer’s block. The tale, featured in the 2020 collection If It Bleeds, is filled with tension and high stakes as the writer, stricken with illness and isolated in a remote cabin during a storm, chooses to forfeit the life of a cherished one for a spark of creativity. However, the broader context of the story offers ample opportunities for humor.

Rest Stop

In simpler terms, “Rest Stop” is a straightforward tale about a shy writer who temporarily adopts the persona of his tough guy pseudonym to gain the courage to intervene in a case of domestic abuse at a roadside rest area. However, if he were to keep using this alter ego regularly, it could lead him down a potentially dark yet amusing path.

Umney’s Last Case

An entertaining reinterpretation of “Umney’s Last Case” is feasible due to the story’s unique flip in traditional tale structure, where instead of an artist enduring at the hands of their creation, it’s the other way around. The twist lies in the fact that the creation, a fictional private detective named Clyde Umney, gets drawn into reality, while the author who dreamt him up starts living his action-packed, perilous life. This humorous take on the material can be effectively executed within the context of the previously cancelled series Nightmares & Dreamscapes.

Word Processor Of The Gods

Originally released in the 1980s, “Word Processor Of The Gods” is a tale that would necessitate several updates due to technological advancements, but the core concept is what’s vital. In essence, it revolves around a computer with a supernatural power to alter reality. Although the story is adorable as it stands, a filmmaker could easily envision some amusing repercussions without much effort.

Although it’s uncertain if any of these concepts will materialize, one fact remains certain: The future is brimming with forthcoming Stephen King adaptations, as no less than five are scheduled to premiere in 2025. Kicking off this lineup is “The Monkey,” featuring Theo James, Tatiana Maslaney, Elijah Wood, and more, which promises a rollercoaster ride of horror-comedy. Keep an eye on TopMob for extensive coverage of this new release, and don’t miss out on all the latest Stephen King news!

2025-02-21 13:08