The Best Stephen King Movie Finally Returns to Streaming on HBO Max (But the Sequel Is Missing)

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Stephen King has been publishing books for more than 50 years, and his stories have been adapted for film, television, animation, and even the stage. One creator has given us decades of scares, resulting in numerous adaptations and sequels – including some truly great horror movies, and a few we’d all rather forget. As Halloween approaches, horror fans have something to celebrate: what many consider to be the best Stephen King movie is now back on streaming. However, it’s disappointing that its excellent sequel isn’t available at the same time.

Horror fans constantly debate which Stephen King movie is the best, with films like Brian De Palma’s Carrie, Andy Muschietti’s IT, Rob Reiner’s Misery, and Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption often mentioned as contenders. However, there’s a strong consensus that Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, The Shining, is the clear winner. Good news for fans: after a short time being unavailable, this iconic horror movie is now once again available for streaming on HBO Max, as of October 1st.

Why The Shining Is Still the Best Stephen King Movie

I know Stephen King himself hasn’t been happy with the 1980 film version of The Shining for a long time – he’s talked about it a lot since it came out. And honestly, when it *did* come out, most people didn’t really like it. But even so, you can’t deny that Kubrick’s version of the story has really stuck with people and continues to influence things today.

The success of The Shining largely comes down to the acting. Jack Nicholson delivers a wildly energetic performance as Jack Torrance, while Shelley Duvall plays Wendy Torrance with a famously frightened demeanor. Danny Lloyd portrays the quiet and reserved Danny, and Scatman Crothers is both brave and funny as Dick Hallorann. These four characters not only make the film’s spooky and uncertain atmosphere feel real, but they’re all so different from each other, creating a truly exceptional and memorable combination.

Another reason The Shining remains a classic horror film is something Stanley Kubrick excelled at: building suspense slowly. The movie doesn’t rush its setup or its scares; instead, it carefully creates a feeling of anticipation that eventually leads to a powerful climax. Even today, contemporary horror films are trying to achieve both the detailed world-building and the truly terrifying imagery that The Shining perfected.

The Shining Isn’t Alone on HBO Max, But the Sequel Is Missing

If you’re a fan of Stephen King, HBO Max is likely the best streaming service to have in October. It features The Shining, and that classic is joined by many other popular titles, such as the 2017 adaptation of IT, and 2019’s IT: Chapter 2 (with the new IT: Welcome to Derry prequel series on the way). You’ll also find the original 1990 IT mini-series. HBO Max also offers the 2024 version of ‘Salem’s Lot, Rob Reiner’s Misery, and the HBO original series, The Outsider. And there’s even more: HBO Max includes the original Children of the Corn, Firestarter, and Christine.

However, HBO Max is missing the 2019 film Doctor Sleep, which continues the story of The Shining. It cleverly combines Stephen King’s 2013 novel sequel with the visual style of Stanley Kubrick’s original film. Many thought this project wouldn’t succeed, but director Mike Flanagan has proven himself capable of overcoming such challenges time and again. Doctor Sleep manages to both recreate the atmosphere of The Shining and update it for a modern audience without diminishing the impact of Kubrick’s work. Plus, the movie delivers satisfying moments for King fans and brings a decades-long storyline to a close.

Currently, if you want to watch Doctor Sleep without paying extra, you’ll need a Hulu subscription. Both The Shining and Doctor Sleep were made by Warner Bros., so they might end up on the same streaming platform eventually. However, as of now, they are available on different services, just like when they were first released.

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2025-10-03 16:13