Discover the Top Stephen King TV Shows You Can’t Afford to Miss!

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Stephen King is not just famous for writing lengthy novels; he also has a deep affection for screenplays and has showcased his skills in this area. Throughout his career, King has taken on the role of a writer for numerous film projects. He first ventured into screenwriting with George A. Romero’s “Creepshow” in 1982, followed by writing the horror anthology film “Cat’s Eye” in 1985.

1986 saw Stephen King penning and directing the film version of his short story “Trucks,” titled Maximum Overdrive. However, this project turned out to be one of his greatest disappointments. The movie received poor reviews and even landed him a Razzie nomination for Worst Director.

Even though King decided to step away from directing, he remained active in scriptwriting. Today, you’ll find numerous TV series, some entirely penned by him, while others include episodes written by him. Surprisingly, these series are not just adaptations of his previous works but also new creations he has joined. You’re sure to enjoy them all, whether they stem from his creative mind or projects he has lent his talents to. Here’s a list of shows that bear the author’s narrative influence.

9
‘The Shining’ (1997)

It’s well-known that Stephen King harbored disdain towards Stanley Kubrick’s interpretation of ‘The Shining’. This discontent led King to produce a television adaptation based on the same novel. Similar to the movie, the character Jack Torrance seeks employment at the Overlook Hotel with the intention of earning some extra money. However, sinister forces ultimately transform him into a psychopathic killer, as portrayed in both the film and the book.

Fighting Kubrick

Directly speaking, this adaptation falls significantly short of Kubrick’s classic film in terms of quality. However, Steven Weber delivers a performance remarkably similar to Jack Nicholson in the role of Jack Torrance. His facial expressions skillfully portray the emptiness and immorality lurking within the character, making us detest him even further. Beneath his cold gazes, there are some striking shots of walls and furniture. Yet, one can’t help but yearn for more, despite knowing that the Emmys recognized it as a Best Miniseries nominee.

8
‘Under the Dome’ (2014)

I find myself drawn into the captivating tale set in a fictional town named Chester’s Mill, where an enigmatic dome has mysteriously descended, isolating us from external contact. The military and media scramble to our side, yet as we grapple with this confounding phenomenon, our primary concern becomes the struggle for survival amidst dwindling resources.

Survival for the Cunning

More than ten years have passed since “Under the Dome” first premiered, but it continues to feel as captivating and new. If you’re a fan of Stephen King’s works that aren’t horror-centric, this show is definitely worth checking out. It’s not just well-structured, but also masterfully portrays the intricacies of survival situations. You’ll find scenes about protecting children, scavenging for food, and forming alliances with similar individuals.

Interestingly, King only penned the script for Season 2’s premiere. This might be a positive aspect as the narrative benefits from the input of multiple writers. For instance, the dome in the show remains for months instead of just a week, which offers ample opportunity for character growth. However, some plot twists can seem rather confusing at times.

7
‘Lisey’s Story’ (2021)

In “Lisey’s Story”, Julianne Moore portrays Lisey Landon, a woman dealing with the loss of her husband Scott. Scott, a renowned author, had left behind numerous unpublished works, but Lisey shows no inclination to share them with others. This decision ignites the anger of an obsessive fan, who considers her actions as denying the world access to Scott’s untapped genius. Consequently, he embarks on a pursuit to harass her.

King Loves Writing about Authors

In Stephen King’s works, his characters frequently inhabit distorted settings where normalcy intermingles with the bizarre. He predominantly abandons clear-cut reality in favor of fantasy and the uncanny, a strategy that proves effective.

Similarly, the show shares this theme, serving as a sharp commentary on harmful fan culture and disregard for personal boundaries.

Moreover, the main title design is impressive enough to have garnered an Emmy nomination at Primetime.

6
‘Kingdom Hospital’ (2004)

Stephen King particularly enjoys Lars von Trier’s movie, “The Kingdom”. His appreciation for the Danish film blending absurdity and supernatural horror was so strong that he transformed it into “Kingdom Hospital”, a series centered around a hospital haunted in Maine. The narrative centers around Dr. Hook and other staff members as they grapple with peculiar events stemming from the hospital’s unsettling history tied to the American Civil War.

A Rare ‘Remake’ Move by King

King highly appreciated the show as “my favorite among all my works” and it’s evident that he had a great time working on it. He retains many characters from the original production and introduces some fresh, intriguing personalities. The dialogue given to the hospital staff is particularly noteworthy. In fact, King was so enamored with the original work that he bartered its film rights with Columbia Pictures for the rights to his novella, Four Past Midnight.

5
‘Rose Red’ (2002)

As a devoted fan, I’ve always found the “haunted house” trope to be a captivating staple in cinema, and it’s no surprise that master storyteller Stephen King decided to delve into it. In the chilling tale of Rose Red, I, as Dr. Joyce Reardon – a dedicated university psychology professor – gather a team of investigators to explore a haunted mansion in Seattle, known ominously as Rose Red. Our mission? To establish a connection between science and unexplained supernatural occurrences. Little did we know that our presence would awaken the malevolent spirit lurking within the house, leading to a harrowing chain of events where tragedy soon unfolded.

Dangerous Territory

Drawing inspiration from Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel “The Haunting of Hill House”, King crafted a chilling miniseries that explores the dark side of human curiosity. Originally envisioned as a movie, the detail-focused writer opted for a miniseries format to accommodate his intricate writing style. As he put it, “I’m more about adding details than removing them”, which is evident in this captivating production. Additionally, King’s dedicated fans will appreciate the subtle references to characters from his other works scattered throughout the series.

4
‘The Stand’ (1994)

Wow, what a gripping tale! The Stand is set in a world where a deadly strain of flu, known as “Captain Trips,” has decimated the human population almost entirely. The remaining survivors find themselves divided into two distinct groups: one led by the peaceful Mother Abagail in Nebraska and another ruled by the menacing Randall Flagg in Las Vegas. Over time, a few courageous individuals embark on a mission to vanquish Flagg.

Crowded But Fun

Up for six Emmy awards, “The Stand” has earned the title of winner. Its stark cinematography, unrelenting tension, and sparingly used musical score create a raw realism that feels worlds away from everyday happenings. The characters, too, come at you unexpectedly from all angles. There are 125 distinct speaking roles, but rest assured, each one is captivating.

3
‘The X-Files’ (1993-2018)

Stephen King penned an episode titled “Chinga” for the fifth season of The X-Files. In this installment, FBI Special Agent Dana Scully (played by Gillian Anderson) takes a weekend vacation in Maine, but instead finds herself embroiled in a peculiar case involving a doll that has been responsible for causing its victims to self-inflict wounds.

Stephen King’s Chucky

Chinga” delivers a visually captivating and serene experience through its minimal dialogue and carefully crafted shots, despite being part of the well-trodden killer doll genre. The cinematographer invites you to savor the ordinary moments that often go unnoticed in other productions, while also showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Maine’s verdant landscapes through the camera lens. While the writing may not be flawless, it still holds a certain charm that surpasses much of what is available elsewhere, particularly given its association with Stephen King.

2
Golden Years (1991)

In the series titled “Golden Years“, janitor Harlan Williams (Keith Szarabajka) finds himself stuck in a monotonous life until he begins to suspect that the scientists at his workplace are involved in something ominous. Before he can fully comprehend this, an explosion occurs and he miraculously survives. However, he soon discovers that he’s not just surviving – he’s actually aging backwards. To make matters worse, a clandestine group called “The Shop” is hot on his trail.

Sci-Fi with a Splash of Horror

Compared to other productions by King, the show Golden Years was made with a small budget but stands out due to its compelling narrative about struggle and persistence. The plot is filled with surprising twists that help clarify the conspiracy, while the stunning scenery and witty dialogue enhance viewing pleasure. This TV series is so engrossing it feels like childhood joy, leaving you questioning if you’ve experienced a form of reverse aging, similar to Williams’ character.

1
‘Storm of the Century’ (1999)

The blockbuster movie titled Storm of the Century originated not from a novel by Stephen King but from a screenplay he penned. In this film, a mysterious figure (Colm Feore) appears and spreads fear throughout Little Tall Island, Maine, following an enormous snowstorm that isolates the residents. He threatens them, saying “If you give me what I want, I’ll leave.” However, it remains unclear as to precisely what his true intentions are.

The Storm Isn’t Over

Boasting a budget of $35 million, “Storm of the Century” delivers an impressive visual experience. The skillful, on-the-move cinematography results in remarkably smooth sequences. At the same time, Stephen King, via his script, strives to illuminate the complexities and hypocrisies of human nature. Each episode attracted an average audience of 19 million viewers, making this one of King’s most successful forays into television adaptation.

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2025-03-15 06:03