Stephen King isn’t just the king of horror novels—he’s a pop culture juggernaut whose stories have been adapted into films and TV shows for decades. From genre-defining classics to lesser-known gems (and a few misfires), King’s work continues to evolve across screens big and small. With The Long Walk trailer now trending, there’s never been a better time to revisit the full slate of Stephen King adaptations. Below is an up-to-date list as of 2025.
🎬 Major Film Adaptations (Chronological)
- Carrie (1976) – Directed by Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek; Oscar-nominated
- The Shining (1980) – Stanley Kubrick’s controversial but iconic take with Jack Nicholson
- Cujo (1983) – A claustrophobic thriller featuring a rabid St. Bernard
- Christine (1983) – Directed by John Carpenter; a killer car with a mind of its own
- Children of the Corn (1984) – Creepy kids, cult vibes, and lots of cornfields
- Firestarter (1984) – A young Drew Barrymore harnesses pyrokinetic power
- Stand By Me (1986) – Based on “The Body”; one of King’s most emotional stories
- Maximum Overdrive (1986) – King’s directorial debut; machines revolt
- The Running Man (1987) – Loosely based on his Bachman book; Arnold vs. dystopia
- Pet Sematary (1989) – Sometimes dead is better
- Misery (1990) – Kathy Bates won an Oscar for her unhinged performance
- The Lawnmower Man (1992) – Loosely inspired; known more for its CGI experiment
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Widely considered one of the greatest films ever
- Dolores Claiborne (1995) – A dark psychological drama
- Thinner (1996) – A cursed man wastes away
- The Green Mile (1999) – Emotional and mystical, with Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan
- Dreamcatcher (2003) – Aliens, telepathy, and a love-it-or-hate-it reception
- 1408 (2007) – A haunted hotel room traps a skeptical writer
- The Mist (2007) – A shocking ending that even surprised King
- Carrie (2013 remake) – A modern retelling with Chloë Grace Moretz
- Gerald’s Game (2017, Netflix) – A powerful one-woman survival story
- It: Chapter One (2017) – The return of Pennywise, with record-breaking box office success
- 1922 (2017, Netflix) – Guilt and madness on a Nebraska farm
- It: Chapter Two (2019) – The Losers Club reunites as adults
- Doctor Sleep (2019) – A sequel to The Shining, blending King and Kubrick
- Firestarter (2022 remake) – Modern update, but with mixed reviews
- Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022, Netflix) – A tech-meets-haunting tale
- The Boogeyman (2023) – Based on King’s short story, a creature-feature revival
- Salem’s Lot (2025, expected release) – A long-awaited remake of the vampire classic
- The Long Walk (2025, upcoming) – Dystopian horror that King wrote as a teen
📺 Television & Streaming Adaptations
- Salem’s Lot (1979, TV miniseries)
- It (1990, TV miniseries) – Tim Curry’s Pennywise still haunts a generation
- The Stand (1994, miniseries) – An epic post-apocalyptic battle of good vs. evil
- The Shining (1997, TV miniseries) – More faithful to the novel
- Storm of the Century (1999) – Original teleplay by King
- Rose Red (2002) – Haunted mansion horror in miniseries format
- Kingdom Hospital (2004) – Based on a Danish series; infused with King’s vision
- Nightmares & Dreamscapes (2006) – Anthology series based on short stories
- Haven (2010–2015) – Loosely based on “The Colorado Kid”
- Under the Dome (2013–2015) – A town trapped under a mysterious barrier
- 11.22.63 (2016, Hulu) – Time travel to stop JFK’s assassination
- Mr. Mercedes (2017–2019) – A retired detective vs. a serial killer
- Castle Rock (2018–2019, Hulu) – A psychological thriller set in King’s universe
- The Outsider (2020, HBO) – A brutal murder and supernatural paranoia
- The Stand (2020, Paramount+ reboot)
- Lisey’s Story (2021, Apple TV+)
- Chapelwaite (2021, Epix) – A gothic horror prequel to Salem’s Lot
Adaptations You Might Not Know Are Stephen King
- The Shawshank Redemption – Based on the novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”
- Stand By Me – Based on “The Body”
- The Running Man – Written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman
- 1408 – Based on a short story from “Everything’s Eventual”
- Apt Pupil – A disturbing tale from “Different Seasons”
Books Still Waiting for a Great Adaptation
Despite dozens of adaptations, several major Stephen King novels are still waiting for the treatment they deserve:
- Duma Key – A haunting tale of creativity, trauma, and the supernatural.
- Insomnia – Ties deeply into the Dark Tower universe but remains untouched.
- The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon – A suspenseful survival story, perfect for a minimalist film.
- The Regulators – A Bachman book that plays with reality in dark, cinematic ways.
- Rose Madder – A dark psychological thriller with themes of abuse and empowerment.
Upcoming & In Development
- The Long Walk (2025)
- The Jaunt (in development)
- The Monkey (James Wan producing)
- Revival (Mike Flanagan previously attached)
- The Dark Tower (TV reboot by Amazon Studios)
- The Talisman (produced by Steven Spielberg & The Duffer Brothers)
🧾 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Stephen King movie adaptation?
While opinions vary, The Shawshank Redemption, Misery, and It (2017) are frequently ranked among the top.
Which Stephen King book has never been adapted?
Books like Duma Key and Insomnia have yet to see a screen version.
What is the scariest Stephen King adaptation?
The Shining, It, and The Mist are consistently rated as the most frightening.
Stephen King’s Influence on Modern Adaptations
Stephen King adaptations span decades, platforms, and genres—from pure horror to emotional dramas and dystopian thrillers. Whether you’re just catching up or trying to rewatch before The Long Walk premieres, this guide will help you explore every eerie, suspenseful, and unforgettable chapter of King’s screen legacy.
King’s influence reaches far beyond just horror. Filmmakers like Mike Flanagan, the Duffer Brothers, and even Jordan Peele have cited his storytelling as foundational to their creative work. From the small-town dread of Castle Rock to the psychological layering in Doctor Sleep, the King DNA is everywhere in modern cinema.
His adaptations are more than just genre entries—they’ve shaped how horror is framed cinematically and emotionally. And with new projects like The Long Walk and The Dark Tower reboot on the horizon, there’s no sign of that momentum slowing down.
Bookmark this page—we’ll keep it updated with every new Stephen King adaptation as it drops.
