The art of Stephen King went beyond the pages of his books to instill some of the most timeless films in annals of cinematic history. The top 20 movies adapted from books by Stephen King ranging from gripping horrors to psychological thrillers and heartbreaking dramas demonstrate a full variety of his penetration into the film industry. Dive into these adaptations that bring King's unique vision and unforgettable characters to life on the big screen.
The Shawshank Redemption
1994 • IMDb: 9,3
Tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker serving life sentence in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, which in fact he had not committed. Over the years, he befriends fellow inmates, including Red, and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money laundering operation.
The Green Mile
1999 • IMDb: 8,6
Set in a Depression-era Southern US prison, it tells the story of a death row corrections officer called Paul Edgecomb and his run-in with a giant of a man called John Coffey convicted of raping and killing two little girls but who has a mysterious healing power.
The Shining
1980 • IMDb: 8,4
The story revolves around Jack Torrance, a writer and ex-alcoholic who goes to be the caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel for the winter. His son, Danny, has "the shining," an ESP ability to see the hotel's horrific past, a possession which drives increasingly the boy to madness at the bloody impulses of the hotel's supernatural forces.
Stand by Me
1986 • IMDb: 8,1
A rite-of-passage film about four young lads who journey on a hike expedition across country to find the dead body of a kid who went missing. Along the way, they come across many obstacles and experience friendship, loyalty, and other things in life.
Misery
1990 • IMDb: 7,8
After famous author Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash by his "number one fan," Annie Wilkes, he realizes that she has no intention of letting him leave, leading to a struggle for survival as she forces him to write a new book to her liking.
Carrie
1976 • IMDb: 7,4
Famous author Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car accident by his "number one fan," Annie Wilkes, but shortly after realizes that she will not let him leave and keeps him captive, making him write another book for her.
Dolores Claiborne
1995 • IMDb: 7,4
Chronicles the story of a woman accused of having committed murder on her wealthy employer—an accusation which will result in the most intricate investigation, unraveling dark secrets from the past; it includes her struggle in protecting her daughter from abuse.
It
2017 • IMDb: 7,3
The setting is of the story is Derry, Maine, which is a small town with a collection of kids known as the Losers Club, who encounter their personal fears when they come up against an evil clown known as Pennywise. His history of murder and violence is so old that it goes back centuries.
No Smoking
2007 • IMDb: 7,3
One of the Indian movie diverse from the conventional genre of King, is based on a man starts off on the journey to quit smoking by joining up a rehabilitation center equipped with a very rigorous regime caring for the inmates leading to surreal experiences.
The Dead Zone
1983 • IMDb: 7,2
After he wakes up from a long coma, Johnny Smith realizes that he possesses psychic powers which make it possible to see into the life of anybody whom he touches. This leaves him in such situations of moral dilemma and finally in an alarming vision of the future.
The Mist
2007 • IMDb: 7,1
A powerful storm sets off a chain of events that includes a mysterious mist engulfing the town of Bridgton, Maine, with a group of people trapped inside a local supermarket - forces of nature are not the only ones at work here.
Hearts in Atlantis
2001 • IMDb: 6,9
Centered on a boy named Bobby Garfield who vests into friendship with an older man possessing psychic abilities, insight into his life and future as well as connection to the mysterious "Low Men."
Christine
1983 • IMDb: 6,9
In any case, the novel "Christine" by Stephen King can be generally depicted as a horror where a sentient and evil car, namely Christine, becomes possessed by jealous obsession with her owner at high school, Arnie, thus bringing up gory consequences for her favorite boy's enemies and any people who dare come between
1408
2007 • IMDb: 6,8
Follows Mike Enslin—an author who specializes in debunking supernatural phenomena—checking into the notorious room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel, only to discover that he is in a fight for survival against malevolent forces of the room.
Creepshow
1982 • IMDb: 6,8
An anthology horror comedy film where five short stories frame a prologue and epilogue with a young boy reading a horror comic. Segments range from vengeance with a grotesque twist to a darkly comedic family horror.
Apt Pupil
1998 • IMDb: 6,7
A psychological thriller based on a high school student who, one day, discovers that his new neighbor is actually a former Nazi commandant. Fascinated by the atrocities of the Holocaust, he starts blackmailing the man in order to be revealed detailed stories—a game that really gets dangerous.
The Running Man
1987 • IMDb: 6,6
The plot focuses on wrongly convicted man Ben Richards in a dystopian future who's forced to enter the deadly TV game show known as "The Running Man," where he's got to stay one step ahead of professional killers to survive.
Gerald's Game
2017 • IMDb: 6,5
Following the sudden death of her husband from a heart attack, Jessie is left handcuffed to the bed frame of a remote lake house. Fighting for her own survival, she is challenged to break her physical and psychological chains.
Pet Sematary
1989 • IMDb: 6,5
After this man's child dies in an accident, he learns that there exists an ancient burial ground behind his home with the power of the resurrection of the dead - which it may or may not have done.
Secret Window
2004 • IMDb: 6,5
A psychological suspense movie in which successful author Mort Rainey accused of plagiarism by an unfriendly stranger, totally directed to madness while he struggles for proving his innocence.