As a die-hard fan of Stephen King’s works, I’ve seen my fair share of adaptations – some that left me spellbound and others that made me question the sanity of those involved in their production. The three films we’re discussing today are undoubtedly the latter.
Stephen King’s novels don’t always make for successful movies. While some of his works have been big-screen hits with both commercial success and critical praise, others have fallen flat. Not every film can be as iconic as “The Shining.”
Referencing his name certainly lends credibility, but even so, it wasn’t enough to boost ticket sales for these films. Though some have gained cult followings and the author himself might appreciate them, they were commercial disappointments. Herein lies a rundown of Stephen King’s most significant box office letdowns.
10 The Dark Half (1993)
Production Budget: $15 Million – Box Office Gross: $10.6 Million
In Stephen King’s novel “The Dark Half“, protagonist Thad Beaumont aims to distinguish his more serious writing from the mystery books he releases under the pen name George Stark. However, things take a sinister turn when Beaumont decides to eliminate Stark and supposedly buries the pseudonym in a grave. The issue arises when Stark materializes as a real entity, causing harm to others. Not surprisingly, Beaumont is suspected as the culprit since Stark bears his exact likeness.
Under the guidance of famed director George A. Romero, the intriguing movie titled The Dark Half offers a compelling performance by Timothy Hutton in one of his best roles. Regrettably, this adaptation of Stephen King’s work didn’t quite reach its potential due to disappointing box office results, which might have been influenced by the film’s delayed release as a result of Orion Pictures’ financial troubles. It currently holds a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
You can stream The Dark Half on Tubi
9 Apt Pupil (1998)
Production Budget: $10 Million – Box Office Gross: $8.8 Million
The story “Apt Pupil” centers around a teenager named Todd Bowden, who stumbles upon a former Nazi residing in his town. Rather than reporting this to the authorities, Todd develops an unusual bond with the elderly man, Kurt Dussander. Initially, Dussander desires to forget his past. However, Todd’s fascination with war rekindles Dussander’s inner demons, leading them both on a destructive path.
In the realm of movie criticism, Apt Pupil is a disputed film adaptation of Stephen King’s work, boasting an intriguing concept but falling short in its execution, leaving many viewers unimpressed. Despite strong acting performances, the film failed to sustain interest, primarily due to the production controversy: Director Bryan Singer filmed a shower scene featuring underage boys without clothing, leading promptly to a lawsuit.
You can stream Apt Pupil on Tubi
8 Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Production Budget: $9 Million – Box Office Gross: $7.4 Million
In the vein of Stephen King’s short story “Trucks“, the movie “Maximum Overdrive” follows a group of survivors who seek refuge at Dixie Boy Truck Stop following an inexplicable event where machines appear to gain sentience and resort to killing people in various ways. This phenomenon occurs when Earth approaches a comet, causing all inanimate objects to come alive. While trucks are conspicuous due to their size, have you ever imagined a vending machine turning into a lethal instrument?
In his sole directorial venture, Maximum Overdrive, received widespread criticism (with a low rating of 14% on Rotten Tomatoes) and even garnered several nominations for the Razzie Awards. King himself admitted that the movie was disorganized, and he can barely recall making it due to his intoxicated state during production. Notably, the soundtrack was contributed by the iconic Australian rock band AC/DC.
7 Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
Production Budget: $4 Million – Box Office Gross: $6.8 Million
In the sequel to “Children of the Corn,” I find myself drawn into the tale of those who survived the horrifying events of the first film. The once peaceful town of Gatlin was overrun by children, acting under the influence of a malevolent entity that had led to the massacre of all adults. A nearby town takes in these troubled young ones, but it isn’t long before they understand that the danger is far from over – He Who Walks Behind the Rows continues to wield his sinister power.
Stephen King didn’t contribute to the movie “Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice,” but it is derived from the original source material used for the superior film made in 1984, based on his story. To be frank, “The Final Sacrifice” is quite cheesy in concept, and it continues as a typical ’90s sequel within a franchise that surprisingly persists. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of only 30%.
6 Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996)
Production Budget: $7 Million – Box Office Gross: $2.4 Million
As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but delve into the captivating narrative of “Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace.” Picking up where the initial tale left off, our protagonist, Jobe Smith, manages to elude a cyber assault, demonstrating his ability to manipulate things in the tangible world – a realm we physically inhabit. In this sequel, Jobe reestablishes contact and sets out to persuade a visionary in virtual reality research to provide him with a chip that would grant him dominion over all digital systems.
As a devoted admirer of Stephen King’s work, I must admit that “Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace” is a project loosely associated with him due to the source material. Since everyone from the original team was occupied with their schedules and unable to reprise their roles for the sequel, it became necessary to bring on new talent. The success of the first film, grossing over $150 million, undeniably sparked plans for a follow-up. However, “Beyond Cyberspace” falls short as a worthy continuation, with its convoluted concept failing to captivate even the most ardent fans of the original. The movie currently boasts an 18% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the lowest-rated films on this list.
You can stream Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace on Tubi
5 The Mangler (1995)
Production Budget: $1.5 Million – Box Office Gross: $1.8 Million
In this tale, dubbed “The Mangler“, we delve into the mysteries surrounding an old laundry press machine instead of sentient machines at large. Named fittingly after its seemingly malicious behavior, this machine seems to be connected to a series of unexplained deaths that baffle agent Hutton and his brother-in-law, Mark. However, it’s revealed that the owner of the laundry service, Bill Gartley, harbors a troubling past which may explain the machine’s apparent bloodlust.
Under the guidance of renowned horror director, Tobe Hooper, The Mangler is a divisive movie adaptation of Stephen King’s work, with some fans raving about it while others find it disappointing. Among the few commendable aspects of the film are Robert Englund’s captivating performance as Gartley and the impressive production design, despite its 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
4 Cell (2016)
Production Budget: $20 Million – Box Office Gross: $1.3 Million
As a devoted film enthusiast, I’d rephrase that as follows: “Stephen King’s ‘Cell’ serves as a chilling warning about our overreliance on tech devices. In this tale, my character, Clay Riddell, makes a desperate call from a pay phone at an airport, only to discover everyone around him transforming into something terrifying—zombies. The common thread among the victims? They were all engrossed in their cell phones, which had been infected by an ominous electronic signal capable of turning ordinary people into ravenous flesh-eaters.”
Initially, Eli Roth was involved in the project, but later chose to withdraw due to artistic disagreements. Subsequently, lesser-known director Tod Williams took over, working alongside John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. Together, they produced what many critics consider Stephen King’s worst film adaptation and one of the biggest flops when evaluating the ratio of production budget to box office earnings.
At this moment, the film Cell is currently rated at 11% on Rotten Tomatoes. This movie had a minimal screening in cinemas before it was relegated to the realm of direct-to-video releases.
3 Children of the Corn (2020)
Production Budget: $1.5 Million – Box Office Gross: $575,000
In the story titled “Children of the Corn,” the small town of Rylstone is experiencing crop shortages. The elders opt to destroy their crops and appeal for aid from the government, but Eden, a foster child, expresses discontentment. The youngsters stage a sham trial to convict the adults, yet Eden takes matters seriously and starts eliminating them systematically. She is obeying instructions from an entity known as He Who Walks, who commands the children to slay all the grown-ups for sacrifice purposes.
In a contemporary reimagining, “Children of the Corn” marks the eleventh installment within the series and the initial return to cinemas since the 1992 sequel titled “Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice.” Unfortunately, this revamp didn’t resonate with all audiences, earning just $500,000 during its 18-day theatrical release. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently holds a critic’s rating of 12%.
2 Riding the Bullet (2004)
Production Budget: $4 Million – Box Office Gross: $264,505
Hitching a Ride chronicles the journey of a young artist and student named Alan Parker, who harbors an unhealthy fascination with death. Convinced his girlfriend will abandon him, he toys with the idea of suicide, inadvertently conjuring the Grim Reaper. However, fate intervenes, and Alan is miraculously rescued. The following day, compelled to visit his ailing mother, Alan embarks on a road trip. Along the way, he experiences a succession of encounters and visions that challenge the boundaries between life and death.
The 2004 film “Riding the Bullet,” a work of Stephen King’s frequent collaborator Mick Garris, is generally inspired by one of King’s novellas but falls short in delivering the suspense and supernatural elements as Garris aimed for a more serious interpretation. Ultimately, “Riding the Bullet” became an unmemorable film adaptation that managed to make less than $250,000 in a brief period and garnered a poor 23% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
You can stream Riding the Bullet on Tubi
1 The Night Flier (1997)
Production Budget: $3 Million – Box Office Gross: $126,000
In “The Night Flier,” journalists Richard Dees and Katherine Blair embark on a quest to unravel a string of mysterious airfield-related killings. Separately, they delve into their individual investigations, but eventually, Dees comes to understand that they’re confronting a supernatural entity, which feeds off its victims by draining their blood while piloting aircraft.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that my anticipation for the movie’s release was high, but the rollout plan left me scratching my head. The TV premiere followed by a theatrical run a year later seemed unusual. Critics weren’t too kind (only 33% approval on Rotten Tomatoes), and sadly, many viewers didn’t take the chance to watch it when it hit theaters. Despite some enjoyable scenes due to the peculiar plotline, overall, it’s safe to say that this film adaptation ranks as Stephen King’s most significant box office disappointment.
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2024-09-02 23:02