Every Sci-Fi Movie Based On Books By Stephen King, Ranked

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Stephen King is famous for writing scary stories, and he first became well-known with novels like Carrie, Salem’s Lot, and The Shining. Since then, he’s published over 60 books. While he’s mostly known for horror, he’s also written in other genres. For example, he’s penned epic fantasy novels like Eyes of the Dragon and The Dark Tower, and crime thrillers such as Billy Summers and Mr. Mercedes.

Stephen King is best known for horror, but he’s occasionally ventured into science fiction. While he doesn’t have many sci-fi stories, a remarkable number of them have been turned into movies or TV miniseries. Here’s a ranking of the ten best science fiction adaptations of his work, from best to worst – and the quality varies greatly.

10) Lawnmower Man

Often cited as one of the worst Stephen King adaptations ever made, The Lawnmower Man is a truly frustrating film. So much so that Stephen King actually sued to have his name removed from it! The special effects haven’t aged well – they were bad even when the movie came out and now look particularly awful. The story follows a man with developmental disabilities who undergoes experimental treatment to boost his intelligence, eventually wanting to exist solely as a digital entity. It wasn’t memorable when released and is now known for being notoriously bad.

9) Cell

As a big Stephen King fan, I was really excited for the 2016 movie Cell. The book came out in 2006, and the premise – everyone going crazy because of their cellphones – sounded fantastic. Sadly, the film was a complete mess. It was meant to be a bit of a reunion for John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, hoping to recapture the magic of their 2007 King adaptation, 1408. But honestly, it just didn’t work. Both actors seemed totally disengaged, and the script really highlighted all the weaknesses of the source material. It felt like a really shallow take on a Black Mirror episode – basically, “what if phones…but gone wrong?” It just didn’t deliver, which was a huge disappointment.

8) Firestarter (2022)

The 2022 remake isn’t a failure because of its young lead, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who performs well despite the weak script. The problem is the movie doesn’t offer anything fresh or compelling – it feels like a remake simply for the sake of remaking, rather than having a good reason to exist.

This new version of Firestarter doesn’t succeed as either a science fiction film or an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. It retreads familiar ground – a young girl with fire-starting abilities is pursued by a government agency – but lacks visual flair and a clear vision. It’s only slightly better than some truly awful movies, but ultimately feels flat and uninspired.

7) Dreamcatacher

While not a masterpiece, Dreamcatcher benefits from a generally engaging cast. The film follows a group of friends linked by telepathy as they battle an alien invasion – a premise that sounds exciting, but unfortunately plays out at a slow pace. (The slow pace is a deliberate nod to the film’s plot.)

One of the strengths of Dreamcatcher is its unique take on the alien encounter story. The film consistently subverts expectations, which can be both a positive and a negative. While Stephen King fans might be surprised to see it ranked this highly, remember that the standard for a good sci-fi adaptation of his work isn’t very high to begin with.

6) Firestarter (1984)

Okay, let me tell you about the original Firestarter. What really stood out to me was how impressive the special effects were – and remember, this was all done practically, no CGI! Plus, Tangerine Dream’s score is fantastic, and Drew Barrymore and George C. Scott both deliver really captivating performances. The problem is, honestly, the story itself isn’t one of Stephen King’s strongest. It’s a sci-fi idea he actually handled better in Carrie, a true horror classic. Ultimately, Firestarter might not stick with you forever, but I appreciate that it gives it a good effort.

5) The Running Man (1987)

The movie The Running Man strayed from Stephen King’s original, satirical story, opting for a more action-packed, blockbuster feel. However, it remains an enjoyable film that presents a bleak, futuristic world. The story follows Ben Richards, who is forced to compete in a deadly game show after refusing an unjust order, and must fight for his life while being hunted as part of the show.

While not a great film overall, “The Running Man” stands out for two key reasons. First, it features a memorable group of villains facing off against Arnold Schwarzenegger, who truly shines in this role. Second, Richard Dawson, best known as the host of “Family Feud,” delivers a surprisingly brilliant and deceptive performance as the game show host, and it’s this performance that ultimately gives the movie its biggest strength: the ability to constantly surprise viewers.

4) The Running Man (2025)

Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man is slightly better than the original. This is largely because the script closely follows the plot of Stephen King’s story, allowing it to delve deeper into the sci-fi elements and update them for a modern audience. Additionally, Wright’s energetic and visually dynamic action sequences elevate the film beyond its predecessor.

The main weakness of this film version of The Running Man is its ending, which significantly departs from Stephen King’s original story. While the movie’s finale might be more satisfying for today’s viewers, the film otherwise follows the book’s plot, making the change in direction feel abrupt.

3) Maximum Overdrive

Stephen King’s sole directorial effort is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a delightfully cheesy classic. The movie, based on his short story “Trucks,” features a strange comet that causes technology to come alive and turn hostile. Everything from ATMs and vending machines to cars begins attacking people, leading to a widespread and chaotic revolt of machines against humanity.

King’s movie captures the essence of his story better than the written page. The idea of cars coming to life and attacking people is naturally a bit ridiculous, and Maximum Overdrive leans into that fun, over-the-top tone. Plus, the visual effects are surprisingly good, even today.

2) The Long Walk

While The Long Walk doesn’t feel like typical science fiction, its depiction of a bleak, dystopian future is a common element of the genre, making it worth mentioning. More importantly, the film successfully adapts a novel once thought unadaptable, resulting in a truly original cinematic experience.

While Francis Lawrence’s direction holds the audience’s attention, the performances in The Long Walk truly make it special and elevate it to classic status. Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson are particularly captivating, adding impressive work to their careers, and Mark Hamill delivers a chilling performance as the menacing Major. The acting in The Long Walk is strong enough to place it among other beloved Stephen King adaptations like Stand By Me.

1) The Mist

While it might not be Frank Darabont’s most critically acclaimed work, The Mist stands out as the best science fiction movie based on a Stephen King story. The film depicts a strange mist that descends upon a town, bringing terrifying creatures with it. Both King’s novel and Darabont’s adaptation cleverly explore the idea of what truly makes a monster, handling this theme with more skill and nuance than other similar films.

As a fan, I think what really makes a movie like The Mist work is a story that gets right to the point, genuinely frightening creatures we haven’t seen before, and actors who completely sell the situation. This film absolutely hinges on its cast, and Thomas Jane and Marcia Gay Harden give some of their best performances ever. Honestly, The Mist holds up incredibly well, and it’s easily one of the strongest Stephen King adaptations we’ve seen this century.

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2025-11-20 18:18