5 Stephen King TV Shows Better Than IT: Welcome to Derry

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I was so excited when Warner Bros. announced they were continuing the story after Andy Muschietti’s IT movies! Those films – the ones from 2017 and 2019 – were massive hits, becoming two of the highest-grossing horror films ever. It just made sense to explore more of Stephen King’s world and the terrifying Pennywise, especially with all the rich history King built around Derry. It felt like a really promising decision.

Okay, so the show… it didn’t quite land with most viewers – around 82% didn’t love it, actually. A lot of people said the special effects looked cheap, and it felt like they were just retreading the same ground as the original IT movie. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed by how little Bill Skarsgård was in it, especially early on. They are making a Season 2, and it’s supposed to be even scarier, but we’ll be waiting a while for that. Good news is, if you’re craving more Stephen King on TV, there are tons of other shows out there that are even better!

Without The Dead Zone, There Is No IT: Welcome to Derry

The show was inspired by Stephen King’s 1979 novel and built on the popularity of the 1983 film, which was a very thorough adaptation. Its success was significant, encouraging the USA Network to produce higher-quality crime dramas. Before this show, most Stephen King stories had only been adapted into movies or limited-run series.

The TV series aired between 2002 and 2007, starring Anthony Michael Hall, known from The Breakfast Club. Hall offered a fresh interpretation of the central character compared to Christopher Walken’s portrayal. Similar to IT: Welcome to Derry, the show expanded on the original novel, adding richer backstory and character development – a technique that became common in many TV adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

While the TV show leaned more towards a superhero crime drama than the complex, politically driven story in the original novel, it’s undeniably been a hit and easy to watch, running for six seasons.

Castle Rock Gives Viewers All the Glorious Stephen King Lore, While Keeping a Fresh Story

Despite being cancelled after just two seasons, Hulu’s Castle Rock remains one of the most unsettling and original adaptations of Stephen King’s work. The show featured entirely new stories, but they were deeply connected to King’s characters and the eerie atmosphere of the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine.

The show’s frequent references to Stephen King were well-received by both critics and audiences, earning it high scores on Rotten Tomatoes – 87% for Season 1 and 89% for Season 2. Plus, with only two seasons, it’s a quick and easy show to binge-watch.

The way the show Castle Rock connected to Stephen King’s various books and stories created a sense of mystery and kept viewers engaged. While the connections weren’t official parts of King’s original stories, seeing characters like Sheriff Alan Pangborn and Annie Wilkes reappear sparked curiosity about their backstories and how they arrived at the events of the show.

The show also featured a lot of familiar faces for Stephen King fans. Several actors who had previously appeared in adaptations of his work joined the cast of Castle Rock, including Sissy Spacek from Carrie, Tim Robbins from The Shawshank Redemption, and Bill Skarsgård, who starred in IT: Welcome to Derry.

11.22.63 Is One of Stephen King’s Most Unique Stories, and the Show Is Top-Notch

Although Stephen King is known for his horror novels, 11/22/63 is a science fiction story—and many consider it one of his best. It’s a historical fiction tale about a teacher who travels back in time to try and prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, but he quickly learns that the past doesn’t like being altered.

Starring James Franco, Sarah Gadon, George McKay, Academy Award winner Chris Cooper, and Josh Duhamel, 11.22.63 was incredibly popular when it first streamed on Hulu. Now that it’s a new exclusive on Netflix, even more people are watching it.

Stephen King’s 11.22.63 is a highly captivating adaptation, consisting of only eight episodes and falling somewhere between a traditional TV show and a limited series. The series excels due to its strong core elements, delivering a compelling, historically rich, and emotionally resonant story. The adaptation successfully captures the brilliance of Stephen King’s novel, widely considered one of his best works.

Mr. Mercedes Is a Three-Season Crime Masterpiece That Deserves More Love

Brendan Gleeson recently received widespread praise for his work in The Banshees of Inisherin, but those who watched the series Mr. Mercedes already knew how talented he is. His portrayal of the character is arguably one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King story, second only to Kathy Bates’ performance.

The series Mr. Mercedes centers on the pursuit of a mass murderer by a retired detective. It’s adapted from Stephen King’s crime thriller trilogy—Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch—and the show covers the events of all three books.

Despite receiving high praise from critics (a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), the show initially struggled with low viewership as it aired on the Audience Network. Thankfully, it recently found a new home on Peacock. Beyond Brendan Gleeson’s excellent performance, Harry Treadaway was captivating as the villainous Brady Hartsfield, and their on-screen dynamic was incredible. The series also marked the first appearance of Holly Gibney, a character Stephen King considers one of his favorites.

The Outsider Is the Best Stephen King TV Show Ever Made

Imagine the creepy, shape-shifting monster from IT, but instead of a story about kids facing it, it’s a detective investigating a crime. That’s essentially The Outsider. With a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show unfortunately came out during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which likely impacted its viewership.

The show didn’t have a strong marketing push when it first came out, especially considering TV and movies weren’t as central to entertainment then. However, it still delivered fantastic stories and outstanding performances by Ben Mendelsohn, Jason Bateman, and was connected to the storyline of Mr. Mercedes.

Richard Price, the writer behind shows like The Wire and The Night Of, created The Outsider, a gripping 10-episode series. It’s a dark and intense story about loss, and a cleverly crafted crime mystery that works even if you haven’t read the original book. The Outsider didn’t need flashy effects or cheap thrills; instead, it built a truly unsettling atmosphere through smart writing and exceptional acting, making it the best TV adaptation of a Stephen King story so far.

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Stephen King’s Creepiest TV Worlds: A Quiz on the Best Adaptations
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2026-05-11 00:40