Horror fans often think of authors like Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and Stephen King. If you’re looking to dive into the scary stories of one of the masters of horror, here are some of the best novels by Stephen King.
What are the best Stephen King novels?
Stephen King has been writing for over fifty years, creating a vast collection of stories that cover many different types of horror. He’s also the most frequently adapted author in film and television. Unlike some horror writers who are known for just a few works, King continues to publish new material – his latest novel, Never Flinch, came out in May 2025.
Stephen King has written a massive amount of work – over 65 novels and hundreds of short stories, often under a pen name. The vast majority are incredibly well-written, and even his less popular novels are often adapted into TV shows. If you haven’t already, The Outsider is a great example of his compelling storytelling.
The Shining
Published in 1977, The Shining is King’s third novel and the book that really established him as a leading horror writer. The story was inspired by a frightening stay he had at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, and also by his own struggles with alcohol. Many people know the film version, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest horror movies ever made.
Both the novel and the film tell the story of Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny, who has psychic abilities. The family takes a job as winter caretakers at the remote Overlook Hotel in the Colorado mountains, hoping Jack can find peace and quiet to write. However, when a blizzard cuts them off from the outside world, the hotel’s sinister nature emerges, slowly driving Jack insane. Wendy and Danny must then struggle to survive as the family retreat turns into a nightmare.
It
The story unfolds in the town of Derry, Maine, and centers around seven friends who call themselves the Losers’ Club – a group who don’t quite fit in. During the summer of 1958, they encounter an ancient evil hiding beneath their town, most notably in the terrifying form of a clown named Pennywise. After a frightening ordeal, they manage to defeat the creature, making a pact to return if it ever reappears. Almost thirty years later, when the killings start up again, the now-grown-up friends reunite to face the nightmare they believed they had left behind.
Published in 1986, this is one of Stephen King’s most expansive and ambitious novels. It powerfully explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and seamlessly fits within the horror genre, boasting a truly terrifying villain. It’s a lengthy book – nearly 1200 pages – but every page is worthwhile. While Stephen King is sometimes criticized for being overly verbose, this novel justifies its length completely.
11.22.63
11/22/63 is a captivating blend of historical fiction and thrilling time travel. The story follows Jake Epping, an English teacher, who discovers a way to travel back to 1958. Encouraged by a friend, he embarks on a seemingly impossible quest: to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The journey to that pivotal date is full of challenges, and the novel explores the potential consequences if Jake were to succeed. But you’ll have to read it to discover what happens!
This critically acclaimed novel, published in 2011, quickly became a New York Times Bestseller, staying on the list for 16 weeks and winning awards for both thriller and science fiction elements. It’s a genre-bending story with broad appeal. Although Stephen King initially conceived the idea in 1971, he put it aside due to the extensive historical research needed. Thankfully, he returned to it, resulting in one of his most impressive and satisfying books yet. The 2016 limited series adaptation is also highly recommended.
Misery
Stephen King says the idea for the character Annie Wilkes came to him in a dream while he was flying across the Atlantic, and he began writing the novel on a cocktail napkin. He initially planned to publish Misery under the name Richard Bachman, a pseudonym he used to try and establish himself as an author independent of the “Stephen King” brand and prove his success wasn’t just about his name. This decision was also influenced by the negative reaction to his 1984 novel, The Eyes of the Dragon, which some fans disliked because it wasn’t a typical horror story – as if Stephen King shouldn’t ever venture outside of the supernatural genre!
Misery was Stephen King’s brilliantly unsettling answer to his own recovery from a near-fatal accident. The story centers on Paul Sheldon, a popular novelist famous for his Misery Chastain romance series. After a car crash leaves him severely injured and isolated in the Colorado mountains, he’s found and helped by Annie Wilkes, a former nurse who is his biggest fan. Paul is initially thankful, but the situation quickly becomes terrifying when Annie learns that Paul has killed off her favorite character, Misery, in his newest book. This leads to a cruel and mentally damaging ordeal, as Annie forces Paul to rewrite the story to her liking.
The Stand
Stephen King’s The Stand might not be his most famous book, but many consider it to be among his very best. It’s been recognized as one of the greatest novels ever written by publications like Rolling Stone, The Modern Library, Time, and the BBC. If you’re unsure whether to read it, those lists speak for themselves.
The story opens with the Department of Defense creating a dangerous, highly contagious virus that can’t be stopped by any known medicine. An accidental release quickly spreads the virus, wiping out almost everyone in the United States. The narrative then follows the survivors as they struggle to live in this destroyed world and become entangled in a conflict between opposing forces of good and evil.
How we picked the best Stephen King novels
We chose the best Stephen King novels by considering what fans and critics loved, and which books are most representative of his impressive career. These selections showcase his range as a writer. While we picked our top five favorites, we also want to acknowledge other great books like Pet Sematary, Salem’s Lot, The Dead Zone, and his first novel, Carrie.
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2025-11-13 03:58