Every Stephen King Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

Since the movie Carrie came out in 1976, many of Stephen King’s books have been made into films and TV shows. However, just because King wrote something doesn’t guarantee it will work well on screen. We’re going to take a look at which adaptations are the best and the worst. This ranking includes every movie based on his work, whether it was released in theaters or on TV. We’ve excluded miniseries—so you won’t see the 1990 version of It, even though it feels like a long movie. We also left out short films, like Disciples of the Crow, which was an early adaptation of “Children of the Corn.” Finally, The Lawnmower Man is so different from the original short story that it barely counts as an adaptation—King even tried to have his name removed from the movie’s advertising.

Let’s also exclude follow-up films like A Return to Salem’s Lot, Pet Sematary Two, and all the many Children of the Corn sequels. Now, we’ll review every movie that was based on a Stephen King story or that he helped write.

63) Cell

The filmmakers behind Cell seem to have believed 1408’s success was simply due to its stars, John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. However, actors need a strong script to work with, and Cell unfortunately lacks one. The movie also fails to create a convincing post-apocalyptic atmosphere, resulting in a surprisingly unremarkable and often unintentionally funny film.

Stream Cell on Prime Video.

62) The Mangler

Tobe Hooper’s last seven films weren’t very successful, and that includes The Mangler, which he directed based on a short story from Stephen King’s Night Shift. Some King stories just don’t translate well to the screen, and a story about an evil washing machine is one of them—even with strong performances from Robert Englund and Ted Levine, known from The Silence of the Lambs.

61) Firestarter (2022)

The new movie Firestarter feels like it was made simply because adaptations of Stephen King’s work became popular again with the success of It. Many of his books and stories, even the less famous ones, are now getting remakes. While Firestarter wasn’t a huge hit even in its original form, and the first movie wasn’t particularly good, this remake is even worse. Though it was unfair to nominate 12-year-old Ryan Kiera Armstrong for a Razzie award, the truth is this movie just wasn’t necessary.

Stream Firestarter (2022) on Netflix.

60) Trucks

The 1997 TV movie Trucks is adapted from a short story of the same name, originally published in Stephen King’s collection Night Shift. That same story also served as the basis for the only film King himself ever directed, Maximum Overdrive. While Maximum Overdrive is famously over-the-top and clearly fueled by excessive indulgence, it’s entertainingly bad. Trucks, however, is simply a forgettable and pointlessly violent take on the same idea. You’ll likely have no memory of it once it’s over, if you manage to finish watching it.

Stream Trucks for free with ads on Tubi.

59) Dreamcatcher

Despite a strong cast, a decent budget, and direction from the creator of Body Heat and The Big Chill, Dreamcatcher ultimately falls apart. Like the book it’s based on, the movie starts promisingly, but quickly becomes overly silly, losing the audience by the third act. It doesn’t measure up to It, either as a story or a film. While Jason Lee and Timothy Olyphant are underused, Damian Lewis overacts, and Morgan Freeman seems aware of the movie’s flaws, Dreamcatcher did at least help launch Tom Jane’s career in Stephen King adaptations. Thankfully, films like The Mist and 1922 are far superior.

Stream Dreamcatcher for free with as on The Roku Channel.

58) Children of the Corn (2020)

The fact that “Children of the Corn” needed three tries – with the 2020 version delayed until a limited theatrical release in 2023 – speaks volumes. And it doesn’t really capture the spirit of Stephen King’s original story. Instead, it’s a prequel that doesn’t offer anything particularly new or engaging.

Stream Children of the Corn (2020) on Hulu.

57) Children of the Corn (2009)

The 2009 remake of Children of the Corn is a prime example of a remake that doesn’t need to exist. The original movie wasn’t amazing to begin with, but this version fails to do even what the first one did, making it a frustrating watch. It’s slightly better than the 2020 remake, though, simply because it at least attempts to tell the same story.

56) Carrie (2002)

Despite being written by Bryan Fuller and featuring strong performances from Angela Bettis and Patricia Clarkson, the 2002 TV movie remake of Carrie doesn’t quite succeed. The effects are unimpressive, it’s too long, and for most of the runtime, it retreads ground already covered by a superior film. Essentially, it felt like a failed attempt to launch a Carrie television series.

Stream Carrie (2002) on fuboTV.

55) The Dark Tower

Stephen King’s Dark Tower books are incredibly detailed and sweeping in scope. However, the 2017 film adaptation feels like a generic action movie – something that could have been made by anyone. The story would have been much better suited as a TV series instead of being condensed into a 90-minute film.

Stream The Dark Tower for free with ads on Prime Video.

54) Needful Things

Watching a small town descend into chaos can be compelling, but the film adaptation of Needful Things just isn’t enjoyable. Despite a convincingly unsettling performance by Max von Sydow, the movie struggles to find its footing. It constantly shifts between being silly and trying to be serious, which ultimately makes it hard to stay engaged.

53) Riding the Bullet

The movie Riding the Bullet unfortunately struggles to build any real excitement. While director Mick Garris has adapted Stephen King’s work well in the past, this film doesn’t quite deliver its intended message. On the bright side, David Arquette seems to be enjoying himself.

Stream Riding the Bullet for free on Plex.

52) Quicksilver Highway

Quicksilver Highway, another film produced by Garris King, is a largely overlooked movie featuring two separate stories. While it’s debatable if it truly qualifies as an anthology film, it unfortunately doesn’t live up to the potential of its source material, which came from two horror legends: Stephen King and Clive Barker. It feels like a promising opening episode for a *Tales from the Cryptstyle series that was never made.

51) Mercy

Though inspired by Stephen King’s “Gramma” (from Skeleton Crew), the movie Mercy is surprisingly obscure. Despite a strong cast including Frances O’Connor, Shirley Knight, Chandler Riggs (of The Walking Dead), and Dylan McDermott, and backing from Blumhouse, the film doesn’t offer anything new to the supernatural horror genre. Luckily, it’s a brief 79 minutes long, so the lack of originality doesn’t overstay its welcome.

50) The Dark Half

Like some other Stephen King stories and their movie adaptations, The Dark Half starts strong but becomes disappointing as it goes on – it’s almost as flawed as It. You might be better off stopping it halfway through. And compared to George A. Romero’s other film based on a King novel, this one isn’t as good.

Stream The Dark Half on fuboTV.

49) The Night Flier

I’ll admit, The Night Flier does a good job of creating a genuinely creepy atmosphere, and it maintains that throughout. And it was great to see Miguel Ferrer – he always brought something special, like in RoboCop. But honestly, the movie itself is pretty slow-paced. If you’re interested in the story, just skip the movie and read the original short story in Nightmares & Dreamscapes. You’ll get the impact without the drag.

48) Hearts in Atlantis

Hearts in Atlantis leans more towards over-the-top drama than realistic storytelling. While Anthony Hopkins and Anton Yelchin give strong performances, other adaptations of Stephen King’s work offer more compelling dramatic experiences. It’s the kind of movie you might casually have on while doing chores.

Stream Hearts in Atlantis on Prime Video.

47) A Good Marriage

The film A Good Marriage centers around a woman who discovers her husband has a dark secret – he used to be a serial killer. While the premise sounds exciting, the movie itself is a bit slow-paced and doesn’t deliver enough compelling plot points to fill its hour and 42-minute length. Joan Allen’s performance is strong enough to keep viewers engaged despite these shortcomings.

Stream A Good Marriage for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

46) Desperation

Despite having a strong director like Mick Garris, a script written by Stephen King himself, and a talented cast, the movie Desperation doesn’t quite live up to its potential. Ron Perlman delivers a great performance as the possessed Sheriff Collie Entragian, but the other characters aren’t particularly memorable. Like many Stephen King adaptations, the first half of the film is more compelling than the second.

45) Thinner

“Thinner” is possibly the most disturbing film adaptation of a Stephen King story. Similar to the novel, the main character is deeply unlikeable, and we almost don’t care when he’s cursed. However, it’s rare for a King (or Bachman) story to have an ending that surpasses everything that happens before, and this film achieves that.

Stream Thinner on MGM+.

44) Maximum Overdrive

We’ve reached that point in Stephen King’s filmography where the movies are so bad, they’re actually enjoyable. And what better place to begin than with the one he directed himself, Maximum Overdrive? This movie is wonderfully absurd and makes you wonder if it ever intended to be frightening. While it’s not a good movie in the conventional sense, it does feature a man getting killed by a vending machine, and that makes it a lot of fun. It’s a genuinely good time.

Stream Maximum Overdrive for free on Tubi.

43) Sleepwalkers

Stephen King only wrote one original screenplay – meaning it wasn’t based on one of his books or stories – and that was Sleepwalkers. It’s a delightfully campy horror movie featuring appearances from famous horror directors like Joe Dante and Clive Barker. Horror fans should definitely watch it once and enjoy its over-the-top silliness.

Stream Sleepwalkers for free with ads on Tubi.

42) Graveyard Shift

Graveyard Shift is the kind of movie you enjoy watching late at night on cable when you’re younger. Stephen King described it as a fast-paced, low-budget horror film, and that’s a fair assessment. It’s got a creepy atmosphere, features a monster bat, and includes a strong performance from Brad Dourif, even though he isn’t used enough. Stephen Macht also delivers a memorably unpleasant character. Plus, the movie poster is striking and similar in style to the one for the 1981 film, My Bloody Valentine.

Stream Graveyard Shift for free on Hoopla.

41) Dolan’s Cadillac

“Dolan’s Cadillac” is a solid, suspenseful novella, and a standout story from Stephen King’s Nightmares & Dreamscapes collection. The 2009 film adaptation, though limited by its direct-to-video release, is surprisingly good and deserves more attention.

The story centers around Tom Robinson (Wes Bentley) and his wife, who unfortunately witness a murder committed by the gangster Jimmy Dolan (Christian Slater, who excels as a menacing villain). When Dolan kills Tom’s wife, Tom devises a plan to trap Dolan, leading to his armored car falling into a pit. Now, Tom is burying the car, while a desperate Dolan pleads with him to stop.

40) In the Tall Grass

While it might be the weakest of the four Stephen King adaptations on Netflix, In the Tall Grass deserves credit for trying something different. Unfortunately, that ambition is also part of what holds it back. The original novella by King and Joe Hill is a quick read, about an hour long, but the movie stretches to over an hour and forty minutes. To reach that length, the filmmakers added a lot of extra material to a story that already worked, resulting in a confusing time loop plot. Despite this, Patrick Wilson delivers a genuinely frightening performance as the villain.

Stream In the Tall Grass on Netflix.

39) Big Driver

Big Driver is a classic Lifetime revenge thriller. It doesn’t break any new ground, but Maria Bello delivers a strong performance. Plus, Joan Jett is in it, which is always a fun addition!

Stream Big Driver on Prime Video.

38) The Boogeyman

I thought The Boogeyman was visually appealing, with a good use of red and black. However, the story itself felt pretty thin and didn’t really offer anything fresh or exciting to the horror genre. It just didn’t feel like it brought anything new to the table.

37) Carrie (2013)

This remake isn’t really necessary and doesn’t quite live up to the original, especially when compared to Piper Laurie’s performance. However, Portia Doubleday shines as Chris Hargensen, and the film generally manages to capture the heartbreaking essence of the story.

Stream Carrie (2013) on fuboTV.

36) Mr. Harrigan’s Phone

Despite being advertised as a horror movie, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone is actually a touching drama centered around dealing with loss, with a touch of mystery. It’s not particularly memorable, but it’s an enjoyable film, thanks to strong performances from Jaeden Martell and the late Donald Sutherland.

Stream Mr. Harrigan’s Phone on Netflix.

35) Sometimes They Come Back

“Sometimes They Come Back” is a surprisingly well-made TV movie. It’s a classic ghost story about revenge, and Tim Matheson gives a strong performance. While it doesn’t offer anything new, it’s a fun and spooky horror film set in a small town.

Stream Sometimes They Come Back for free with ads on Tubi.

34) Firestarter (1984)

While not one of the best Stephen King adaptations, Firestarter stands out thanks to its memorable score by Tangerine Dream and a strong performance from Drew Barrymore, who handled a challenging role well.

33) Children of the Corn (1984)

The movie has a fittingly bleak atmosphere, and John Franklin and Courtney Gains deliver strong performances as Isaac and Malachai. However, it’s a fairly lackluster adaptation of Stephen King’s work, making its massive 147 sequels all the more puzzling.

Stream Children of the Corn (1984) for free with ads on Tubi.

32) It Chapter Two

Many consider the ending of Stephen King’s It to be disappointing, and the second film adaptation, It Chapter Two, unfortunately doesn’t improve things. While it was always going to be hard to follow the first movie, the sequel falls short, largely because Pennywise isn’t as frightening when facing adults. However, strong performances from Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader do help to make it watchable.

Stream It Chapter Two on HBO Max.

31) Secret Window

While Secret Window follows a fairly typical Stephen King formula, it’s a perfectly enjoyable movie to have on in the background. John Turturro’s performance is particularly engaging and adds to the film’s overall charm.

30) The Green Mile

Many people disagree with this, but The Green Mile doesn’t quite live up to expectations. It’s overly sentimental, though Michael Clarke Duncan’s performance is truly memorable. Honestly, you’re better off watching The Shawshank Redemption instead.

Stream The Green Mile on Netflix.

29) Pet Sematary (2019)

The new Pet Sematary isn’t necessary, but it’s a better film than the Carrie remake from six years ago. While some viewers dislike the changes from the original story, this version at least shows an effort to be original, which is something for a remake that wasn’t really needed.

Stream Pet Sematary (2019) on Paramount+.

28) Cat’s Eye

There have been four movies that combine different segments based on Stephen King’s work, and overall, they’re all pretty good. However, Cat’s Eye is the weakest of the four. The reason it ranks last isn’t because of the quality of the film itself, but because one of its segments isn’t based on a King story. The other two segments, “Quitters, Inc.” and “The Ledge” (originally from his collection Night Shift), are both really entertaining.

27) Creepshow 2

While not as strong as the source material and feeling a bit less substantial, “The Raft” segment of Creepshow 2 is truly excellent. It’s no surprise that it’s the only part of the movie adapted from a Stephen King story. The other two segments are pretty good too! Creepshow 2 as a whole is underrated – it’s not flawless, but it deserves more recognition.

Stream Creepshow 2 for free with ads on Tubi.

26) ‘Salem’s Lot (2024)

While Tobe Hooper’s original ‘Salem’s Lot is often considered the definitive version, the 2024 adaptation released on HBO Max is surprisingly good and deserves more recognition. Its biggest flaw is that it feels a bit rushed, but it successfully captures the essence of the novel. It also boasts a striking blue color scheme, recreates the iconic look of Kurt Barlow from the classic miniseries, and effectively introduces Lewis Pullman as a leading actor.

Stream ‘Salem’s Lot (2024) on HBO Max.

25) The Monkey

If you enjoy darkly humorous movies, The Monkey is a great choice. It’s also perfect if you’re in the mood for something shocking and over-the-top. However, if you’re looking for a typical scary movie, this isn’t it.

Stream The Monkey on Hulu.

24) Apt Pupil

“Apt Pupil” is a captivating thriller that explores important themes, and it’s a well-done adaptation of one of Stephen King’s less typical stories. The film is particularly strong thanks to the excellent performances by Brad Renfro and Ian McKellen.

Stream Apt Pupil on Prime Video.

23) The Running Man (1987)

If you’re looking for a fun, over-the-top gladiator movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 1987 film is a cult favorite, but it doesn’t follow the original book very closely. For a more faithful adaptation of the story, check out the next movie on our list.

Stream The Running Man on fuboTV.

22) The Running Man (2025)

Glen Powell shines in The Running Man (2025), a fast-paced and enjoyable thriller. The movie follows the book closely, though the novel’s ending was stronger.

21) Pet Sematary (1989)

Despite being delightfully cheesy—and featuring what many consider the greatest on-screen scream of “No!” ever—Pet Sematary is a fun movie to watch late at night. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable. Plus, Fred Gwynne and Miko Hughes gave incredible performances that remain iconic.

Stream Pet Sematary (1989) on MGM+.

20) 1922

Considered by many to be Tom Jane’s best film and the second-best Stephen King adaptation on Netflix, 1922 is a chilling and atmospheric historical horror movie. It’s a masterclass in slow-building tension, and Jane gives a career-defining performance.

Stream 1922 on Netflix.

19) Silver Bullet

Often overlooked, Silver Bullet is a delightful 1980s coming-of-age story boosted by a fantastic performance from Gary Busey. While the werewolf effects haven’t aged perfectly, they’re rarely shown, and the film instead focuses on the menacing presence of Everett McGill, who consistently excelled at playing villains.

Stream Silver Bullet for free on Hoopla.

18) Cujo

The novel Cujo is highly regarded because of its incredibly suspenseful and gripping final section, which is also powerfully performed. The parts focusing on marital issues are less engaging and can be easily skipped over.

Stream Cujo on fuboTV.

17) The Long Walk

Despite being considered impossible to adapt for the screen, Francis Lawrence has done an excellent job bringing The Long Walk to life. It’s a relevant and well-acted dystopian film, with a standout performance by Mark Hamill.

16) 1408

Unlike the sprawling story of Cell, 1408 is a focused, chilling supernatural thriller – and it works incredibly well. Stephen King clearly excels at crafting scary stories set in hotels.

Stream 1408 on Starz.

15) Dolores Claiborne

While not Kathy Bates’ best King adaptation, Dolores Claiborne is a strong, emotional drama with a sad atmosphere. David Strathairn gives a fantastic performance as a truly unlikeable character. Similar to the novel it’s based on, Dolores Claiborne feels deeply personal to Stephen King.

14) The Mist

With a strong atmosphere and great performances, The Mist is another solid adaptation of a Stephen King story by Frank Darabont. However, it’s the film’s incredibly powerful and heartbreaking ending that truly makes it stand out.

Stream The Mist on MovieSphere+.

13) Tales from the Darkside: The Movie

I’m a big fan of Tales from the Darkside: The Movie – to me, it’s basically the Creepshow 3 we deserved, and it’s a shame it doesn’t get more love. It’s a really solid ’90s horror film. Only one of the stories, The Cat from Hell, is based on a Stephen King story, but it’s done incredibly well. Honestly, even if you skip that one, Lover’s Vow alone makes the whole movie worth watching!

12) It (2017)

While it uses some computer-generated imagery, Andy Muschietti’s It was a huge success, and rightfully so. The film beautifully portrays the joys of childhood, Bill Skarsgård’s performance as Pennywise is truly memorable, and the entire young cast is fantastic.

Stream It on HBO Max.

11) The Life of Chuck

The Life of Chuck is easily the most uplifting and feel-good movie based on a Stephen King story. It’s the kind of film that makes you think about what truly matters in life and be grateful for what you have. Along with The Long Walk, it demonstrates just how great Mark Hamill is in King adaptations.

10) Doctor Sleep

It’s surprising that Doctor Sleep worked as well as it did, both as a book and a film. Following up The Shining seemed like a huge challenge, but the creators delivered something that largely stood on its own. Hopefully, Mike Flanagan’s movie will find a wider audience now that it’s available outside of theaters.

Stream Doctor Sleep on Netflix.

9) Christine

Though Christine might have been a job for John Carpenter more than a creative dream, he still delivers an excellent film. While his directing and music are strong, the standout performance comes from Keith Gordon as Arnie Cunningham.

Stream Christine on Netflix.

8) Creepshow

The fact that Creepshow features five stories, and they’re all incredibly enjoyable, speaks volumes. This is one of Stephen King’s strongest screenplays, and it’s a fantastic showcase of his affection for classic EC horror comics – delivering scares with a healthy dose of humor.

7) Gerald’s Game

Of Mike Flanagan’s three Stephen King adaptations so far, Gerald’s Game stands out as the strongest. Like The Long Walk, it’s a remarkably successful adaptation of a novel many considered impossible to bring to the screen. Flanagan masterfully captures the book’s intensely claustrophobic atmosphere, and Carla Gugino delivers a career-defining performance. The film also deserves credit for fearlessly tackling the source material’s difficult themes of trauma and abuse.

Stream Gerald’s Game on Netflix.

6) Misery

When it comes to adapting Stephen King’s work, Mick Garris, Frank Darabont, and Mike Flanagan consistently deliver, but they’re all still behind the legendary Rob Reiner. Reiner only directed two King adaptations, and both are considered classics. While Misery is fantastic and features an incredible performance by Kathy Bates (arguably the best in any King movie, even better than Jack Nicholson’s), it still doesn’t quite reach the level of Reiner’s other horror masterpiece.

What makes Misery so impressive is that it was director Rob Reiner’s first true thriller. He was primarily known for comedies – four out of his five previous films were comedies – but he proved with Misery that he could expertly build suspense to a nearly unbearable level. While Stephen King’s original novel is excellent, many believe the film adaptation is even more gripping.

5) The Dead Zone

David Cronenberg is famous for his unsettling body horror films, but he proved his range with The Dead Zone, a surprisingly emotional story. This adaptation of Stephen King’s excellent novel is remarkably well-done. Christopher Walken perfectly captures the sadness and selflessness of the main character, Johnny Smith, while Martin Sheen brilliantly portrays the future president as a dangerous, greedy, and corrupt individual.

Stream The Dead Zone on fuboTV.

4) Stand by Me

We’ve already mentioned the sad story of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, so I’ll be brief here. Just like he expertly built suspense in Misery, he perfectly captured the feeling of youthful friendship in Stand by Me.

This film is the ultimate coming-of-age story. It brilliantly portrays these four characters as genuine people, making you deeply connect with their struggles and truly believe in their youthful wonder.

Stream Stand by Me on Netflix.

3) The Shawshank Redemption

Compared to The Green Mile, Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption feels more emotionally resonant and avoids being overly long. It’s a story with many genuinely touching moments, and it doesn’t suffer from the same extended length as some of his other work.

The movie beautifully explores themes of hope and friendship, with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman sharing a fantastic on-screen connection. The entire cast is excellent, and this film is considered the best of director Frank Darabont’s Stephen King adaptations – and a true classic loved by many.

2) Carrie (1976)

This film is a standout work from director Brian De Palma, who proved his talent with earlier movies like Sisters and Hi, Mom!. Sissy Spacek gives a remarkably authentic and heartbreaking performance.

Piper Laurie is truly chilling as Margaret White, though perhaps not as startling as a quick flash of glowing eyes during the film. Both Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie rightfully earned their Academy Award nominations for their performances.

Stream Carrie (1976) for free with ads on Tubi.

1) The Shining

There’s been a lot said about The Shining, and it almost feels unnecessary to add more praise. However, despite Stephen King’s own issues with it, this version remains the most faithful and impactful adaptation of his novel.

Stanley Kubrick brilliantly portrays the Overlook Hotel as a truly menacing presence. Though Stephen King has noted that Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrance is somewhat disturbed from the start, it’s still a fantastic performance. Shelley Duvall and Scatman Crothers also deliver outstanding work in their roles.

Stream The Shining on The Criterion Channel.

2025-12-19 15:49