Stephen King is one such storyteller who can play with your brain with his innovative takes, even on straightforward stories. He can give you chills with his compelling ability to brew suspense and horror in a way that no other can match. Be it the eerie atmosphere of The Shining’s Overlook Hotel or the wind-up monkey toy of The Monkey movie, King never disappoints. So, if you wonder what films of Stephen King stand out in the crowd, here’s a list of the top 20 Stephen King movies you shouldn’t skip.
20. Children of the Corn
- Release Date: March 9, 1984
- Director: Fritz Kiersch
- Cast: Peter Horton, Linda Hamilton, John Franklin, Courtney Gains, Robby Kiger, Anne Marie McEvoy, Julie Maddalena, R. G. Armstrong
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 5.6/36%
Honestly, it’s quite surprising that Children of the Corn has an RT rating of lower than 40%, because trust me, it’s a great story that doesn’t shy away from gore. Maybe, just maybe, it was tough to digest the brutality shown in the movie at the time. But you’ll surely enjoy this one if you watch it today.
The film is about a cult of children who want to kill everyone above the age of 18. Yeah, now you know why several people didn’t like this film back in the day. Now, a couple, Burt and Vicky, who stumble upon this cult, must survive death at the hands of these children. But to survive, they must go against these children, which makes the fight more complicated for them.
19. Firestarter
- Release Date: May 11, 1984
- Director: Mark L. Lester
- Cast: David Keith; Drew Barrymore; Freddie Jones; Heather Locklear; Martin Sheen; George C. Scott; Art Carney; Louise Fletcher
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.1/40%
If you love the creative yet disturbing tales by Stephen King, then you definitely shouldn’t be missing out on Firestarter. And no, I am not talking about the 2022 adaptation starring Zac Efron; instead, I am talking about the very first movie adaptation of the story, released in 1984. Honestly, the story was way ahead of its time, and Mark L. Lester sort of did it justice by giving fans a good adaptation.
The film is basically about Charlene “Charlie” McGee, a young girl who gets pyrokinetic abilities. Hierparents, Andy McGee and Vicky Tomlinson, must guide this child to adjust to this world. However, there are a few powerful enemies who won’t stop until they can use Charlene to fulfill their villainous agenda.
18. Silver Bullet
- Release Date: October 11, 1985
- Director: Dan Attias
- Cast: Gary Busey, Everett McGill, Corey Haim, Megan Follows, Terry O’Quinn, Bill Smitrovich, Robin Groves, Leon Russom, Lawrence Tierney, Kent Broadhurst, Heather Simmons, James A. Baffico, James Gammon
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/43%
Sure, Silver Bullet may not seem appealing when you see the ratings, but trust me, it’s still worth your attention. While it wasn’t as great as other Stephen King movies on the list, it’s still a story that makes you pay attention.
The movie is set in a small town that is haunted by a series of murders. While the people think that the murderer is a psychopath, Marty Coslaw, a young boy, thinks that it’s a werewolf who’s killing all these people. So, with the help of his sister Jane, Marty goes on an adventure to kill this monster. The concept of Silver Bullet is great, but it felt short in execution. However, the story still has great potential, and I wouldn’t be surprised if another filmmaker decides to bring this tale to the modern cinephiles with another movie adaptation.
17. Pet Sematary
- Release Date: April 21, 1989
- Director: Mary Lambert
- Cast: Dale Midkiff, Fred Gwynne, Denise Crosby, Brad Greenquist, Michael Lombard, Miko Hughes, Blaze Berdahl
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.5/58%
There was a Pet Sematary movie that was released in 2019, and it was also based on King’s novel, but here, we’ll talk about the 1989 movie adaptation. Of course, the ratings might not look great on this one, but that doesn’t mean the movie isn’t good. In fact, it’s a great movie with engaging storytelling, captivating cinematography, and of course, incredible performances from the cast.
I’ll refrain from spoiling the plot of the movie for you, but let’s just say that it’s about bringing the dead to life. It’s centered around Louis and Rachael Creed, who settle in a new home with their children. A burial ground near the house is said to bring the dead to life, and while the Creeds don’t believe it at first, they learn their lesson the hard way.
16. In the Tall Grass
- Release Date: October 4, 2019
- Director: Vincenzo Natali
- Cast: Harrison Gilbertson, Laysla De Oliveira, Avery Whitted, Will Buie Jr. Rachel Wilson, Patrick Wilson
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 5.5 /78%
After hearing cries of a young boy named Tobin, a brother and sister duo enter a vast field of tall grass to help him. However, soon they get separated and realize that an evil force doesn’t want them to leave. While struggling to navigate each other in the nightmarish labyrinth, they stumble into Tobin’s parents and discover some dark secrets of the field.
The film is about survival and isolation. It is about a supernatural entity that isn’t a ghost of someone who died tragically, but it is the tall grass that plays with time, space, and also with the minds of the ones who get trapped in it. So, it basically tortures the victim by isolating them.
15. The Monkey
- Release Date: February 21, 2025
- Director: Osgood Perkins
- Cast: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott, Elijah Wood
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6/78%
Starring Theo James in the central role, The Monkey follows twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn, who encounter a cursed wind-up monkey that eventually tears their family apart. Even though the boys try every possible way to get rid of the monkey, it comes back in their lives after twenty-five years and starts a new trail of killings.
The way Stephen King has used a toy to create the horrifying aspect in The Monkey movie is truly admirable. If you are someone who isn’t afraid to watch top-notch gore on the screen, this Stephen King movie is for you.
14. 1922
- Release Date: October 20, 2017
- Director: Zak Hilditch
- Cast: Thomas Jane, Neal McDonough, Molly Parker
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.2 /92%
The story follows a farmer, Wilf, who, having his teenage son Henry by his side, kills his wife Arlette for monetary gains. He feeds her corpse to the rats in a dry well. As time passes, Henry parts ways with his father and elopes with his girlfriend. Wilf adapts to alcoholism as he starts to see the things that aren’t a part of his reality.
1922 explores the theme of supernatural horror and isolation. It also blessed the industry with some good graphics and a complex yet thought-provoking storyline that most of the films of the modern age lack.
13. It Chapter 1
- Release Date: September 8, 2017
- Director: Andy Muschietti
- Cast: Jaeden Lieberher, Bill Skarsgard, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, Nicholas Hamilton, Jackson Robert Scott
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.8/85%
It follows a group of seven children who are terrorized by a clown known as “Pennywise the Dancing Clown.” These outcasts must fight their inner demons to confront the evil clown, as he is a spirit who enjoys feeding on his prey’s worst fears.
They say clowns are a child’s best friend, but Stephen King left no stone unturned to make the clown an evil entity. The film’s popularity stems from the eerie atmosphere and Bill Skarsgard’s portrayal of Pennywise.
12. The Mist
- Release Date: November 21, 2007
- Director: Frank Darabont
- Cast: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher, Toby Jones
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.1 /73%
After getting their home destroyed in a storm, David Drayton and his family leave in search of food supplies. However, they soon get stuck in a grocery store with some other people as a mysterious mist engulfs the town. Spider-like creatures start showing up and end up killing people.
Being a horror fanatic, if you are missing out on this Stephen King movie, you’re certainly missing out on something huge. The movie sheds light on the emotions that a person feels under pressure, and besides that, without spoiling the entire game for you, just letting you know that the ending of The Mist is unmatchable, and you might not have witnessed something like this in the history of horror cinema.
11. Doctor Sleep
- Release Date: November 8, 2019
- Director: Mike Flanagan
- Cast: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.3/78%
Doctor Sleep is the sequel to “The Shining.” Ewan McGregor replaces Danny Lloyd and steps into the shoes of Dan Torrance, Jack’s son, who is all grown up in this film. Doctor Sleep is the continuation of the events that traumatized Dan when he was too young to understand anything. In this film, he is seen as an alcoholic adult who is plagued by the demons of his past.
The film didn’t perform well at the box office when it was released, but over time, it garnered the attention of fans of The Shining and the horror genre as a whole.
10. Carrie
- Release Date: November 3, 1976
- Director: Brian De Palma
- Cast: Sissy Spacek, John Travolta, Piper Laurie
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.4 /94%
Carrie follows a socially awkward girl named Carrie White, who is usually bullied by her peers and everyone around her. She also gets physically abused by her mother at home. The girl never stood up for herself until she discovered the telekinesis powers within herself. Things take a violent turn when she starts using the powers to punish the ones who tortured her.
The film explores the themes of adolescent struggles, self-discovery, bullying, and physical abuse. There are many adults out there who have been bullied by someone in their early lives, and Carrie gives them a story to resonate with.
9. The Life of Chuck
- Release Date: June 6, 2025
- Director: Mike Flanagan
- Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Carl Lumbly, Benjamin Pajak, Jacob Tremblay, Mark Hamill
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.7/82%
We all have different experiences, be it childhood fun, trauma, adulthood, that first love, and whatnot; Stephen King lets us explore all these through this film. It follows a man named Charles “Chuck” Krantz and explores his life struggles from childhood to his death at the age of 39.
King’s Life of the Chuck sheds light on the beauty of the little occurrences in our daily lives that we often ignore. Apart from that, it also teaches us to embrace our relations and ourselves, no matter what the circumstances are. The film essentially allows us to experience life through the eyes of the main character.
8. Stand By Me
- Release Date: August 8, 1986
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Cast: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 8.1/92%
Stand by Me came out in the 80s, but it is still considered one of the greatest stories told on a big screen. It’s a coming-of-age drama film that focuses on the lives of four innocent boys who embark on a dangerous journey to find the body of Ray Brower, another young boy who went missing for reasons unknown.
In the movie, we see these four kids battling their inner demons so that they can stay together. The lives of these kids haven’t been easy as they all went through abuse one way or another, and that shared trauma doesn’t let them let go of each other. In the end, Stand by Me is a great film that will stay in your heart for years to come.
7. The Shining
- Release Date: May 23, 1980
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
- Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers, Danny Lloyd
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 8.4/83%
Written by Stephen King, The Shining is one such movie that revolutionized the horror genre. The film follows Jack, a troubled writer who is unable to produce something new. So, he decides to travel to the Overlook Hotel situated in an isolated area. He also takes his wife Wendy and son Danny and becomes the winter caretaker of the hotel. However, soon the dark secrets of the hotel start to emerge, transforming Jack into a maniac who wants to kill his own family.
It’s not Jack or any other human character appearing in the form of a ghost that makes The Shining a horror story, but it’s the spookiness of the hotel that gives all the chills.
6. The Green Mile
- Release Date: December 10, 1999
- Director: Frank Darabont
- Cast: Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Graham Greene, Doug Hutchison, Sam Rockwell, Barry Pepper, Jeffrey DeMunn, Patricia Clarkson, Harry Dean Stanton
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 8.6 /79%
Taking place in 1935, it follows a death row prison guard named Paul Edgecomb, portrayed by Tom Hanks. He witnesses the convicts getting executed, but when a Black man accused of murdering two girls arrives, things take a disturbing turn. The Black Man’s child-like demeanor and his fears change something within Paul and push him to see beyond good and evil.
This is a thought-provoking film that changes your perception of life. Despite being a supernatural film, this also makes you shed some tears with the emotional elements.
5. The Long Walk
- Release Date: September 12, 2025
- Director: Francis Lawrence
- Cast: David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Marcellus Cole, Toye Olukoya, Conor Sherry, Christian Frazier, Mark Hamill
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.8/88%
The Long Walk is the latest addition to Stephen King’s roster of movies, and like everything else from the author, it’s an incredible story with mind-blowing twists. It is based on the 1979 novel of the same name, which was set in the 1970s. However, the movie gives it a modern touch by setting it in the 20th century.
The movie is about a government regime where an annual event called “the Long Walk” is hosted by the government to spark patriotism. This event also aims to bring the country out of economic depression. Basically, it involves around fifty young individuals who have to walk hundreds of miles without stopping. On top of that, they have to maintain a certain speed, and if they stop or move slowly, they are shot dead by the soldiers. Overall, it’s an interesting premise that surprises you at every turn, so if you haven’t watched it, you’re surely missing out on something great.
4. The Dead Zone
- Release Date: October 21, 1983
- Director: David Cronenberg
- Cast: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom, Martin Sheen, Anthony Zerbe, Colleen Dewhurst
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.2/89%
The Dead Zone is yet another Stephen King story that was way ahead of its time. It features a rather simple concept, but the execution and the intricacies of the story make it one of the best sci-fi stories.
The film is about Johnny Smith, who has an accident that puts him into a coma for five long years. He eventually wakes up, but everything around him has changed. And no, I am not just talking about his relationships, but something within his body also changed. Apparently, he develops psychic abilities that let him see anyone’s past, present, and future by simply touching them. Overall, it’s a great story that doesn’t shy away from experimenting with new ideas, so it should definitely be on your watchlist.
3. The Shawshank Redemption
- Release Date: September 23, 1994
- Director: Frank Darabont
- Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, James Whitmore
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 9.3 /89%
The Shawshank Redemption is one of the greatest movies of all time, and no one can argue with that. Based on the story penned by Stephen King, the movie tells the story of a man, Tim Robbins, who is wrongly accused of doing a terrible thing. Tim is convicted of the crime and spends most of his adult life behind bars.
Tim goes through so much inside the prison, but there’s one thing he doesn’t let go of: Hope. Tim hopes for better days, and that optimistic attitude helps the man get out of that hellhole. The Shawshank Redemption teaches you several things, but the main thing that sticks with viewers is that one should never, ever let go of “hope.”
2. Gerald’s Game
- Release Date: September 19, 2017
- Director: Mike Flanagan
- Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Carel Struycken, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Chiara Aurelia, Adalyn Jones, Bryce Harper
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.5/91%
If you think Stephen King can’t get any more creative with his stories, then you should watch Gerald’s Game. The 2017 movie is based on a 1992 novel that, surprisingly, was considered unfilmable for a long, long time. However, Mike Flanagan did create a movie and a good one that pleased fans and critics alike.
The movie tells the story of a couple, Jessie and Gerald Burlingame, who go out for a romantic getaway. In a strange house, Jessie is handcuffed to the bed for some weird fantasy, and Gerald, the husband, dies of a heart attack. Now, Jessie must find a way to get out of this hellhole while also fighting her inner demons. It’s a psychological thriller that, at most times, is disturbing to watch, but it still manages to surprise you with its incredible depth.
1. Misery
- Release Date: November 30, 1990
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Cast: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Frances Sternhagen, Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, Graham Jarvis, Jerry Potter
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.8/91%
Misery is yet another masterpiece from Stephen King, but it stays underrated due to the influx of psychological movies we see in modern times. However, if you’re truly a fan of King, then you must watch Misery at least once.
The film is about a famous novelist, Paul Sheldon, who gets trapped inside a house that belongs to Annie. He had an accident, so Annie takes care of him, but it turns out she is a big fan of Paul’s novels. At first, it’s all fine, but she reads the unpublished manuscript of Paul’s novel and doesn’t like the ending. And that’s when the torture begins, and it won’t end until Paul changes the novel’s ending.
