7 Stephen King Movies to Watch That Have Dark Tower Connections

As a die-hard Stephen King fan who’s spent countless nights huddled under blankets while reading his spine-tingling tales, I can confidently say that the author has a unique ability to weave intricate connections between his stories, creating an interconnected universe that is as terrifying as it is captivating.

Stephen King is widely recognized as a literary genius, and his impressive catalog of over 60 published books has led to numerous adaptations for both film and television. Some of these adaptations have even earned Oscar nominations. As King’s work remains popular, there are several upcoming adaptations on the horizon, with fans eagerly anticipating the return of one of his most iconic series: The Dark Tower. This epic 8-book saga is considered by many to be King’s magnum opus. While a feature film adaptation was released in 2017, Mike Flanagan plans to breathe new life into the story with a multi-season TV series.

Explore Roland Deschain’s unyielding pursuit of the enigmatic Dark Tower, the pivotal structure sustaining all realms, as depicted in the series titled “The Dark Tower“. The impending doom of this tower jeopardizes the cosmic equilibrium. Throughout his journey, Roland encounters the deceitful Man in Black, traverses diverse dimensions and epochs, and wrestles with quandaries that challenge the boundaries between fact and fantasy. The narrative is intricate yet serves as a foundation, linking it to almost every tale authored by King. It’s essential reading for admirers of King’s oeuvre, while numerous adaptations of King’s works on screen incorporate elements or references related to “The Dark Tower“. Following this, here are some recommendations to further immerse yourself in King’s multiverse.

The Shining

Back in the ’80s, I found myself accepting a winter caretaker role at the secluded Overlook Hotel in Colorado, a decision that would prove to be quite unsettling for my family and me. During the off-season, the place was eerily quiet, and the silence seemed to wear on my sanity, pushing me towards some perilous behaviors.

The link between “The Dark Tower” and “shine” revolves around a psychic talent that the character Danny nurtures within the hotel. In Roland’s epic tale, this special power is also possessed by Jake Chambers, and it is thought to be so unadulterated that he alone might have the capacity to dismantle the Tower.

The Shining is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

Doctor Sleep

2019’s film introduces us to Danny Torrance, now an older man played by Ewan McGregor, grappling with ghostly presences from the Overlook Hotel and battling alcohol addiction. Homeless, he finds solace in a small town and secures a position at the local hospital. However, his tranquil existence is disrupted when he establishes a psychic connection with Abra Stone, a gifted young girl portrayed by Kyliegh Curran, who also possesses her own extraordinary abilities.

Regarding Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower,” the narrative ventures beyond the concept of “shine” with the introduction of “Tet,” a corporation established to safeguard the Tower from annihilation. In contrast, “LaMerk Industries” serves as the antagonistic force in the film. For the upcoming remake of this epic saga, Flanagan has hinted at incorporating characters from “Doctor Sleep” into the storyline as well.

Doctor Sleep is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

It

One of King’s most famous tales is largely recognized due to the memorable character of the clown named Pennywise. In this narrative, a band of seven adolescents from Derry, Maine unite as the “Losers Club.” As children mysteriously vanish throughout the town, the Losers Club embarks on an investigation, eventually confronting the perpetrator behind these disturbing events – none other than Pennywise.

The storyline shares strong connections with “The Dark Tower”, as it includes Maturin, the Turtle character. Regrettably, this figure wasn’t featured in the 1990 miniseries or the 2017 and 2019 adaptations, nor is he expected to appear in the upcoming HBO prequel series. In Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower”, Maturin is one of the twelve guardians who sustain the Tower, serving as a positive influence. On the other hand, Pennywise is frequently referenced in Roland’s saga as an ominous force of evil linked to “Todash Space”, which is part of the mythology of “The Dark Tower” universe.

It is available to stream on Netflix.

Salem’s Lot

Back in 2024, I got hooked on a chilling film adaptation that breathed fresh life into a tale I’ve always held dear – Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot”. As a devoted cinephile, I was thrilled to see the story unfold once more, this time focusing on Benjamin ‘Ben’ Mears (Lewis Pullman), a successful writer who decided to revisit his old hometown in Maine. His aim? To pen a new novel centered around the ominous Marsten House, steeped in macabre lore. However, things took an eerie turn when the house was purchased by the enigmatic Richard K. Straker (Pilou Asbæk), and strange occurrences started to unfold – people began transforming into creatures of the night.

The central tie between the narratives revolves around Father Callahan (John Benjamin Hickey), who makes an appearance in both tales. Post the occurrences in Salem’s Lot, he encounters Roland and his companions, leading to a friendly bond. Although Father Callahan serves as the main connection between the stories, the epic also sheds light on the outcomes of Ben Mears and another character, Mark Petrie (Jordan Preston Carter).

Salem’s Lot is available to stream on Max.

Hearts in Atlantis

2001’s film “Hearts In Atlantis” narrates the tale of Robert “Bobby” Garfield (Anton Yelchin), who begins to recall his earlier years. In his reminiscence, he recalls a peculiar character named Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins), who appeared in his life. The narrative unfolds their relationship, which significantly alters Bobby’s view of the world and enables him to discern the opportunities that life presented during that period.

The film maintains a non-threatening or ominous atmosphere, yet its link to “The Dark Tower” is substantial due to the character of Ted. Similar to him, Ted is gifted with psychic abilities and is known as a “Breaker,” an individual capable of demolishing the Tower. In “Hearts in Atlantis,” there’s also a distinct nod to the tale through the visual style of a letter that Ted hands to Bobby.

Hearts in Atlantis is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

The Mist

In 2007, the story of The Mist was reimagined, centering around a Maine town that suffered greatly after a storm. David Drayton (Thomas Jane) and his son Billy (Nathan Gamble) ventured out to gather supplies, but a peculiar fog rolled into the town, isolating numerous residents within a supermarket. As David soon found out, this fog held something otherworldly, concealing sinister creatures that lurked inside.

From the very beginning, a connection to “The Dark Tower” is evident, as a scene introduces David with a painting depicting Roland. Yet, it’s the emergence of “Todash Space” that carries greater significance. Similar to “It”, this dimension harbors malevolent entities, thereby weaving an additional thread linking these tales to Stephen King’s broader universe.

The Mist is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Christine

Back in 1983, a captivating adaptation of “Christine” graced the silver screen. Now, it’s set to make a comeback soon. In this chilling tale, I found myself drawn to Arnie Cunningham, portrayed by Keith Gordon, and his unusual attachment to a 1958 Plymouth Fury – a car in dire need of TLC. As days turned into weeks, my devotion to this automobile consumed me, pushing my relationships and connection with the real world aside. Little did I know, my obsession was about to take a dark turn as Arnie’s actions became increasingly bizarre.

In Stephen King’s novel Christine, the main issue revolves around the enigmatic car itself, and though the link to The Dark Tower might seem indirect, it can be found when considering the mythology within King’s interconnected universe. Notably, the previous owner of the car is named Roland D. LeBay, which could potentially share a connection with Roland Deschain, although this has not been confirmed explicitly.

Christine is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

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2024-12-07 04:10