15 Best Stephen King Movies, Ranked

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Many authors produce numerous stories, yet few can match the volume of published books, short stories, anthologies, and novels like Stephen King. He’s been a professional writer since his debut novel, “Carrie,” was released in April 1974, and much like many of his works, this book was transformed into a movie.

As a devoted admirer, let me share my excitement: The first time may have been groundbreaking, but it certainly won’t be the last! For decades, filmmakers have been drawing inspiration from the King himself, making him the most prolific living author in terms of adaptations. To date, there have been at least 56 movies based on or inspired by Stephen King’s novels, novellas, and short stories, with many more television shows, limited series, and films also derived from his works.

Some of King’s movie adaptations are regarded as all-time classics, whereas others fall short. Interestingly, some of his finest novels haven’t been turned into films yet, so the cinematic journey continues. However, the good movies surpass the bad ones, and these 15 stand out as the best, with their rankings based on combined scores from Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and IMDb.

15. Pet Sematary (1989)

1983’s Stephen King novel “Pet Sematary” was transformed into a film in 1989, with King himself penning the screenplay. The cast of “Pet Sematary” may not have been packed with famous faces, but they delivered outstanding performances that effectively portrayed the chilling narrative. In this movie, burying the deceased in a misnamed pet cemetery (created by children using a misspelled sign) resurrects them, though it’s not always what was originally buried. The film’s climax is encapsulated by the iconic quote, “Sometimes, death is preferable.

In the movie “Pet Sematary,” the resurrected deceased transform into ruthless killers. The story revolves around a toddler, Gage Creed (played by Miko Hughes), who, upon his return, becomes a bloodthirsty entity, leading to tragic outcomes for all characters involved. Despite being financially successful and entertaining for audiences, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Stephen King enthusiasts appreciated it, though, and in 2019, there was a remake that was generally considered inferior.

Cast: Dale Midkiff, Fred Gwynne, Denise Crosby

Director: Mary Lambert

Rating: R

Runtime: 103 minutes

Where to watch: Fandango, Roku, Paramount+

14. Cujo

In a chilling firsthand account, I can’t help but express my deep-rooted concern about the gripping reality of rabies, as powerfully portrayed in Stephen King’s novel “Cujo.” This terrifying viral disease is brought to life in the most harrowing fashion, and the 1983 movie adaptation does an exceptional job of highlighting its dangerous implications. The story revolves around a seemingly harmless St. Bernard, who becomes the unfortunate victim of this insidious infection.

As the tale unfolds, the initial stages of the disease are subtle, giving way to a slow but inevitable transformation that’s nothing short of horrifying. This once gentle and friendly pet turns into a relentless force, causing devastation and fear wherever it goes. The climax of the story sees Cujo attacking and maiming several innocent victims before trapping a woman and her child in their inoperable Ford Pinto.

The heart-pounding tension that builds as they struggle to survive within the confines of their vehicle is a testament to the unpredictability and terror that rabies can bring, making it an unforgettable cautionary tale about the dangers lurking just beneath the surface.

In an unusual act of aggression, Cujo refuses to listen to reason and persists in attacking the car, attempting to enter and harm the two individuals who used to be his friends. Due to the scorching heat and scarcity of water, they are left with few choices, leading them to make a brave yet flawed escape attempt. However, Cujo doesn’t manage to claim his prize, but he comes very close. Critics generally praised “Cujo,” but audiences seemed less convinced by the portrayal of the rampaging dog.

Cast: Dee Wallace, Daniel Hugh-Kelly, Danny Pintauro

Director: Lewis Teague

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 minutes

Where to watch: YouTube, Roku, Fandango

13. The Running Man (1987)

1987’s “The Running Man” is derived from an early novel penned by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. This movie takes us to a dystopian future, specifically the year 2017, where reality TV has reached a degraded level as a popular show known as “The Running Man.” In this program, both entertainment and state-sanctioned justice collide, with criminals, or “runners,” pitted against over-the-top villains from the 80s, complete with corny one-liners. Despite its cheesy dialogue, bad puns, and questionable costumes, it’s a timeless classic.

As a fan, I can’t help but appreciate the dynamic between Richard Dawson and Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Running Man.” Despite its lackluster financial performance and mixed reviews from critics at the time, the movie has an undeniable charm that makes it stand out. Looking back, its cheesy aspects are endearing reminders of its 1980s origins. Initially, it didn’t make a significant impact, but over time, it’s been reevaluated and now stands as a cult classic, embodying the essence of late-1980s sci-fi cinema.

Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, María Conchita Alonso, Richard Dawson

Director: Paul Michael Glaser

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 minutes

Where to watch: AMC+, YouTube, Philo

12. The Monkey

As a dedicated gamer, I recently stumbled upon a chilling short story from the 1980s, penned by none other than Stephen King – “The Monkey.” This tale is quintessential King, delving deep into the realm of the supernatural. The narrative revolves around a cursed toy – a wind-up monkey that was all the rage back when King brought this chilling tale to life. When you wind up this monkey, it claps its cymbals together (or strikes a drum in the movie adaptation), and an unsuspecting person meets a gruesome end as if chosen by fate.

The film centers around twin siblings, Hal and Bill (portrayed by Theo James), who strive to prevent a monkey from launching another murder spree when it reappears in their world, 25 years after they believed they had permanently destroyed it. However, their actions unwittingly lead to further fatalities, with victims meeting grisly ends similar to those depicted in the “Final Destination” series. Known as “The Monkey,” this thrilling journey offers unexpected plot developments and harks back to the intense horror reminiscent of Stephen King’s earlier works.

Cast: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery

Director: Osgood Perkins

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 minutes

Where to watch: YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango

11. The Mist

In the small town of Maine, as depicted in Stephen King’s novella “The Mist,” a supernatural fog descends, concealing terrifying Lovecraftian creatures that indiscriminately kill anyone outside. The story unfolds within a grocery store where a group of people are trapped, and it delves more into their interactions and survival strategies than the monstrous threats lurking beyond.

In essence, “The Mist” focuses more on character exploration than action, with the mysterious entities shrouded within the fog serving as a catalyst for the narrative progression. Eventually, a band of survivors manage to exit the store in a vehicle and make an attempt at escape. However, their car malfunctions and the mist appears endless in every direction, leaving them no choice but to enact one of the most unsettling scenes in “The Mist” as well as in most horror films. The conclusion is emotionally wrenching, logical, and ominous.

Cast: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden

Director: Frank Darabont

Rating: R

Runtime: 126 minutes

Where to watch: YouTube, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime

10. It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019)

Originally aired as a television miniseries back in 1990, Stephen King’s “It” was later transformed into a two-part movie released in 2017 and 2019. The first part of the film, which came out in 2017, covers the initial half of the novel and focuses on a group of youngsters battling a terrifying supernatural entity that feeds on children every 27 years, often appearing as Pennywise the Clown (played by Bill Skarsgård).

In the initial movie, the children vanquish Pennywise, but years later in the sequel, his terror resurfaces, along with many of the characters from the initial tale who have grown up. They battle Pennywise again and finally eliminate him using an old ritual. The films deviate somewhat from the original content, but the first one was more successful than the second. Skarsgård’s portrayal of Pennywise is exceptional, leaving a lasting impression on numerous children that extends into their adult years.

Cast: Jaeden Lieberher, Bill Skarsgård, James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader

Director: Andy Muschietti

Rating: R

Runtime: 135 and 169 minutes

Where to watch: Max/Max, Amazon Prime/Amazon Prime

9. 1408

In 1999, Stephen King penned a captivating short story that became the movie “1408.” The eponymous hotel room attracts Mike Enslin (played by John Cusack), a disbelieving author of supernatural fiction, who books a stay there despite the hotel manager’s efforts to deter him. This room in Room 1408 has been the site of close to 60 deaths over nearly a century. Despite the warnings, Enslin persists and ventures into the room with the intention of staying for only an hour – that being the longest anyone has ever stayed.

The room bombards him with every sort of ghost, apparition, and terrifying recollections, leading him to believe he’s managed to flee when in fact he hasn’t. Despite multiple endings being filmed – one for the 2007 theater release and two more somber versions included in the DVD, Blu-ray, and television broadcast editions of the movie – “1408” stands out as a gripping horror tale that guides viewers on a journey through themes of self-acceptance, healing past traumas, and coping with loss.

Cast: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack

Director: Mikael Håfström

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 104 and 112 minutes

Where to watch: YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime

8. Dolores Claiborne

“Dolores Claiborne” is the second film adaptation of a Stephen King novel where Kathy Bates played a role she considers her career’s best. In this 1995 movie, the narrative primarily unfolds through flashbacks, revealing and unveiling the emotional and physical abuse inflicted by Dolores’ (Bates) late husband (David Strathairn). After the elderly woman she had been caring for passes away, there’s a widespread town belief that Dolores might have murdered her husband years prior, leading to suspicion falling on her.

In a turn of events, Jennifer Jason Leigh, who is estranged from Dolores, makes her way back home after a long absence, offering assistance to her mother during difficult times. As memories resurface, the truth about her father’s past unfolds. The story reaches a climax as the two women find common ground and heal their strained relationship. However, the detective played by Christopher Plummer continues his pursuit of Dolores for a crime that he falsely accused her husband of committing – the murder of a woman whom Dolores deeply cared about. Critics and audiences alike have lauded this film, praising its performances and making it one of Stephen King’s most successful adaptations that doesn’t adhere to his usual supernatural horror themes.

Cast: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Strathairn

Director: Taylor Hackford

Rating: R

Runtime: 132 minutes

Where to watch: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime

7. The Green Mile

The Green Mile”

The story unfolds during the Great Depression within a prison’s death row, where an extraordinary detail – a green-carpeted hallway leading to the electric chair – adds to its grim atmosphere. The narrative centers around Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), the lead guard, and John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a colossal inmate with an extraordinary gift for healing ailments.

Although wrongfully accused of killing twin girls, John Coffey remains on death row, awaiting his execution. Despite his innocence, he continues to touch the lives of everyone around him – even those who are prison guards.

1999’s movie delves into topics like life, death, injustice, and suffering, frequently seen as a symbolic portrayal of Jesus Christ through the character Coffey. Throughout the story, Coffey is led along the green mile to his execution, despite efforts to prevent it. The conclusion of “The Green Mile” leaves viewers pondering the essence of sacrifice and the exceptional individuals who possess an inherent goodness but are still punished.

Cast: Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan

Director: Frank Darabont

Rating: R

Runtime: 189 minutes

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple TV

6. The Dead Zone

The 1979 novel “The Dead Zone” by Stephen King tells the story of Johnny Smith, a schoolteacher who wakes up after being in a coma for five years and discovers he has special powers that allow him to see into people’s pasts, presents, and futures just by touching them. By using his abilities, Johnny finds “dead zones” or gaps in his visions where he can alter the future.

In the movie “David Cronenberg’s 1983 film,” the character Johnny, gravely ill with a brain tumor, takes action when he envisions a presidential candidate (portrayed by Martin Sheen) initiating a nuclear war. Despite the risk to his own life, he decides to intervene. The movie poses an intriguing question: if given the chance, would you eliminate someone like Adolf Hitler as a baby to prevent the atrocities he would later commit? Although it was not initially successful upon release, the film handles this moral dilemma skillfully.

Cast: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt

Director: David Cronenberg

Rating: R

Runtime: 103 minutes

Where to watch: Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime, Apple TV

5. The Shining

1980’s “The Shining” stands out among many films for its genre-defying transformation, a feat largely attributed to the extraordinary talents of director Stanley Kubrick and actor Jack Nicholson. In this chilling narrative, Nicholson portrays Jack Torrance, a man attempting to overcome his alcohol addiction, who relocates with his family for the winter to manage the isolated Overlook Hotel. As he becomes more and more unstable under the influence of the eerie environment, isolation, his past struggles with alcohol, and the hotel’s supernatural powers, Jack succumbs to madness.

In the grips of insanity, I, Jack Torrance, transform into a ruthless killer, setting my sights on my wife Wendy and our son Danny. You see, Danny has this special gift – “shining” – that makes him psychic. As much as Stephen King himself may not approve, Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of “The Shining” is generally hailed as a classic for its grand scale, chilling visuals, and Kubrick’s unique directorial style. However, years later, King penned a teleplay that was truer to his original vision, which became a TV miniseries in 1997.

Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, Danny Lloyd

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Rating: R

Runtime: 146 minutes

Where to watch: Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime

4. Misery

Kathy Bates initially delved into Stephen King’s universe through the 1990 film “Misery.” This was her only Oscar-winning role (Best Actress), a distinction that remains unique among all King adaptations as of 2025. The chilling psychological drama revolves around Paul Sheldon, portrayed by James Caan, a romance novelist stranded in a blizzard and rescued by Annie Wilkes, a nurse living nearby (played by Bates). It turns out to be beneficial for both characters as Paul is injured, and Annie professes to be his most ardent fan, pledging to look after him until the storm subsides.

Instead, she restricts him to his bed and gradually raises her expectations towards him, tormenting Paul by compelling him to pen another novel since she dislikes the one he recently finished. As time progresses, Annie becomes increasingly threatening, eventually devising a murder-suicide plan for when Paul completes the new book. King drew inspiration for this story from his encounters with certain fans, and it’s a gripping portrayal of obsession and insanity – featuring an exceptional performance by Bates – that keeps audiences tense throughout its entire duration.

Cast: James Caan, Kathy Bates

Director: Rob Reiner

Rating: R

Runtime: 107 minutes

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube

3. Stand By Me

Stand By Me” is adapted from Stephen King’s novella “The Body” and takes place in Castle Rock, Maine. The movie follows four adolescent friends in 1959 as they embark on an adventure to find a missing boy’s body. Their goal is to be recognized as heroes, leading them to traverse the train tracks. However, their journey isn’t without danger; they narrowly escape being hit by a fast-moving train, and they encounter a harrowing experience involving leeches in a pond. Tensions eventually rise among them when they face off against a group of older kids over who found the body first.

The movie delves into the complexities of loss, self-realization, and reminiscence. Discovering the dead body serves as their initial encounter with mortality, possibly leading them to make their first mature choice. Unlike Stephen King’s usual works, “Stand By Me” is not a terrifying or supernatural narrative; instead, it’s a deeply emotional story that resonates profoundly with the author, who appreciates its adaptation.

Cast: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland

Director: Rob Reiner

Rating: R

Runtime: 89 minutes

Where to watch: Max, Hulu, YouTube

2. Carrie

“Carrie,” written by Stephen King, served as his initial novel and the first of his works to be translated into a movie. The 1976 film version centers around Carrie (played by Sissy Spacek), a socially awkward teenager who is mistreated at school and tormented at home by her extremist religious mother. After an embarrassing incident at the senior prom, her hidden psychokinetic powers emerge, resulting in a tragic series of events. “Carrie” has been highly praised among King adaptations and boasts a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In his assessment, film critic Roger Ebert highly praised “Carrie,” describing it as a gripping horror movie that delivers an unexpected shock, similar to “Jaws.” The film captivates its viewers due to its deep exploration of the protagonist Carrie, focusing more on her character development than her supernatural powers. This allows viewers to empathize with Carrie, making this horror production relatable and one of the finest adaptations of Stephen King’s work thus far.

Cast: Sissy Spacek, John Travolta, Piper Laurie

Director: Brian De Palma

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 minutes

Where to watch: Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime

1. The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption” frequently graces lists featuring the finest films in cinematic history, rightfully so. This movie narrates the tale of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder of his wife and her lover. Throughout his incarceration, he forms both friendships and adversaries within the prison system – such as Red (Morgan Freeman) – eventually facing the brink due to the tyranny of the corrupt warden (Bob Gunton). However, Andy ultimately manages an escape, which triggers the demise of the wicked warden and his complicit guard.

In the dismal environment of Shawshank Prison, the film’s primary message revolves around hope. This theme is subtly woven throughout the narrative, culminating in a moving and emotional climax. “The Shawshank Redemption” stands out as one of Stephen King’s movies with widespread appeal, making it his most successful adaptation. It garnered seven Academy Award nominations, though it didn’t win any. However, this film has endured as a cherished classic, admired not only by fans of Stephen King but also by those who haven’t read his books.

Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton

Director: Frank Darabont

Rating: R

Runtime: 142 minutes

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, MGM+, YouTube

If you’re facing difficulties due to addiction problems or are a victim of domestic abuse, please reach out to these helpful resources:

  • Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
  • Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

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2025-05-22 21:33