Stephen King is famously adapted for film and television. Since the first movie based on his novel Carrie came out in 1976, over 100 productions have been inspired by his work, including classics like The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, and Stand by Me. However, surprisingly, only one Stephen King movie has ever won an Academy Award, and it’s about to disappear from Netflix.
Rob Reiner’s classic 1990 film, Misery, will be leaving Netflix after a short run. It arrived on the platform March 1st and is scheduled to be removed on April 1st. Based on Stephen King’s 1987 novel, Misery is considered one of the best adaptations of his work, and it’s the only one to have won an Academy Award. Kathy Bates took home the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as Annie Wilkes, a disturbing and obsessive former nurse who kidnaps her favorite author, Paul Sheldon, and forces him to rewrite his book. Bates also won a Golden Globe for the role, and the film received nominations for Saturn Awards in categories like Best Horror Film and Best Writing, though it didn’t win those awards.
Misery Is One of the Best Stephen King Adaptations Ever
As a huge movie fan, I always say Misery absolutely deserved that Oscar. Kathy Bates’ performance as Annie Wilkes is just legendary – seriously, one of the most chilling and unforgettable villain portrayals ever. What’s amazing is how she could switch on a dime between being sweet, motherly, almost innocent, and then instantly become completely terrifying and unhinged. I read she even researched real stalkers to get into the role, and it shows. She really created an iconic villain with Annie Wilkes, and made history as the first actress to win an Oscar for a horror/thriller performance – it’s a masterpiece!
Misery isn’t just a great movie because of Kathy Bates’ famous performance – it’s a truly masterful thriller. The film expertly builds tension by trapping the characters in a confined and isolated environment, creating a gripping psychological showdown that lasts until the very end. It’s consistently ranked among the best Stephen King adaptations, boasting an 86% score from critics and a 90% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Stephen King himself agrees, telling The New York Times in 2025 that he actually prefers the movie to his original book, praising the “magic” of James Caan and Kathy Bates’s chemistry and the film’s added touch of humor.
Where to Stream Misery After It Leaves Netflix?
Despite being a classic film, Misery is becoming harder to find on streaming services. It was removed from Netflix on April 1st and isn’t currently available on any other major platforms. While you can still watch it with an MGM+ subscription or by renting or buying it digitally, it’s likely to show up on another streaming service again soon.
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2026-03-31 21:42