Here it is: The 15 Best Stephen King Movie Adaptations of All Time

Even as a kid, Stephen King loved to read books and comics (his favorites were The Castle of Frankenstein and watched horror movies), and he also started writing himself first. Thus came a series of “Mr. Sneaky Rabbit” stories from the pen of a seven-year-old boy, for which he received 25 cents each from his mother.

“There’s nothing else I want to do. I started writing short stories because I like to write short stories. That’s why I do it. I really can’t imagine doing anything else, and I can’t imagine not doing what I’m doing.”

It was his first writing experience and first payroll that paved the way for the future “king of horrors” to publishing, and he now has hundreds of stories, novels, short stories, and even plays, and has earned the title of one of the most filmed authors. It’s our time.

Yes, cinema has gravitated towards the work of Stephen King for almost 50 years: there was Brian de Palma’s reference to “Carrie” and Stanley Kubrick’s controversial “The Shining” and Frank Darabont’s cult “Shawshank Redemption.” . Without striving for himself, although he was not always satisfied with the result, he had a huge impact on the entire film culture (“Escape” can be safely called the best film in the world, thanks to the top positions in the world ratings). On the birthday of the author of the most mystical, scary and dramatic stories, we remember the best adaptations!

“The Price of Bondage” (1994)

Seven-time Oscar nominee, Nelson Mandela’s favorite movie and Stephen King’s favorite movie adaptation. It seems that this is the same movie that everyone (everyone in general) should definitely watch, because the story of Andy Dufresne, the accountant wrongly accused of murder, has already captivated millions of viewers and will surely conquer more than a million.

“Green Mile” (1999)

After Frank Darbont’s “Escape”, it is practically in no way inferior to its predecessor (the four Oscar nominations are proof of this). This is a mystical drama starring Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, the head of the death block at the prison, where each of the inmates once walked the “green path” on their way to the place of execution. He saw many prisoners, but the giant John Coffey, accused of a terrible crime, became one of the most unusual inhabitants of a terrible place.

“Carrie” (1976)

Written by Brian de Palma, it is the first film adaptation of Stephen King and is a film that practically does not deviate from the original source. The story of the timid and naive Carrie, who is bullied at school and at home and discovers strange and terrible powers within herself, is still alive: in 1999 she received a sequel, in 2013 – a remake and its characters. In one of the episodes of “Riverdale” they are staging a musical of the same name.

“Shine” (1980)

Stanley Kubrick refused the help of Stephen King while working on the film, and this was not without consequences for him: in the future, the “king of horrors” never spoke favorably about the film adaptation of The Shining, refusing to participate. He was featured in an advertising campaign and described it as one of the worst movie adaptations of his books. One way or another, one of the most controversial movies in history (simultaneous two nominations for the Golden Raspberry award, including worst director, and a cult-list spot) is still considered a model of the genre, and all films of the haunted house subgenre, inevitably It is compared to the story of Jack Torrance’s family at the Overlook Hotel. Here is johnny!

“It” (1990, 2017)

Perhaps the scariest clown in popular culture. He first got screen recognition in 1990 in a TV movie for his brilliant performance of Tommy Lee Wallace and Tim Curry as Pennywise, and then reappeared in our nightmares in 2017 with his red balloon. Needless to say, this image has become so catchy that a lone red ball has only been associated with “O” ever since?

“Pet Cemetery” (1989)

This adaptation of Stephen King was filmed in Maine, exactly where the action of his books takes place – and is also based on a spooky novel that scares even the author himself. The thriller about the undead child once received a mixed response from critics, but it still has forever gone down in history as the gold standard of film adaptations of The King of Horror (largely due to the observance of the medium). And especially for the movie, the author’s favorite band The Ramones composed a song!

By the way, almost 20 years later, in 2019, another version of “The Graveyard” was released.

“Stay With Me” (1986)

An unusually frightening yet touching drama based on Rob Reiner’s personal story “The Body” about his childhood in Castle Rock in the 1950s. Two Oscar nominations, one Golden Globe nomination, and young River Phoenix, who starred right after that work. The story of four teenagers who set out in search of a missing child at the end of summer cannot leave anyone indifferent.

“Wretched” (1990)

Rob Reiner is back in business and again very successful. “Misery” gave lead actress Kathy Bates an Oscar and a Golden Globe, giving audiences the image of Annie Wilks, one of the most memorable “fans number one” in movie history. At the center of the plot is writer Paul Sheldon, who does not remember a heavy snowfall, a car accident, and escape from death, but remembers how he woke up in the house of a woman he did not know.

“1408” (2007)

One of the scariest horror movies of all time, with an amazing performance by John Cusack. The famous writer Michael Enslin, author of the horror book, writes another book about unusual phenomena in hotels and the poltergeist, but, not believing in the existence of the afterlife, decides to settle in the infamous room “1408” of the Dolphin Hotel. He has no idea what kind of nightmare this night will turn into for him.

“1922” (2017)

Netflix gave us a chilling story about the destruction of a family. In the early 20th century, a farmer kills his wife with the help of his son and throws her to pieces by rats. But they’ve been following him ever since, breaking life and driving him insane.

“Gerald’s Game” (2017)

Another dramatic thriller from Netflix, followed by Stephen King, commissioned director Mike Flanagan to work on an adaptation of the Doctor Sleep novel (the sequel to The Shining). In the middle of an intimate game, the young woman is left chained to the bed when her husband faints from a heart attack. But his loneliness will be short-lived: all the fears he has ever felt will come true, and the secluded house will slowly turn into an ominous torture chamber.

“Dead Zone” (1983)

Horror movie (A Dangerous Method), directed by David Cronenberg, starring Christopher Walken. The story of a man who, after an accident, discovers extraordinary abilities within himself: By touching a person’s hand, he can see their future and prevent a disaster. But where some are saved, others inevitably perish.

“The Fog” (2007)

Third work by Frank Darabont with lyrics by Stephen King! A supernatural fog covering a small town cuts people off from the outside world, and a group of heroes who find themselves in a supermarket are forced to engage in an unequal battle with the monsters living in the fog. In the final you will find only one perfect scene!

“Hearts in Atlantis” (2001)

A drama about a student and mentor with the brilliant Anthony Hopkins. This is the story of an 11-year-old boy who melted into Connecticut in the 1960s and befriended the man who rented a room in his house.

“Dolores Claiborne” (1995)

All her life, she worked with her husband, who had died many years ago, and her daughter, who hadn’t visited her for 15 years, in the luxury home of the wealthiest resident of a small American island, and after the death of his mistress, he became the prime suspect in his murder. Especially since the local detective has had a grudge against him for years.