Stephen King at the Movies
In April of 1974, Stephen King was unleashed on the world when his novel “Carrie” was published. The manuscript of that debut novel was literally rescued from the trash by King’s wife Tabitha after being rejected by publisher after publisher. Tabitha sent it to one more publisher and the rest is history. Two years later Carrie made it to the big screen, and horror hasn’t been the same since. Neither have we.
Not even the Interwebs can decide on exact numbers when it comes to King’s work. After doing some research, I landed on some that I think are pretty accurate. Since “Carrie,” King has published 65 novels, 11 collections featuring over 200 short stories, and 20 novellas. No matter how you slice (or dice) it, I think we can all agree that King is extremely prolific.
Equally difficult to nail down is the exact number of King works that have been adapted into movies over the years. Following Carrie in 1976, there were 15 “King movies” in the 80’s, and 17 in the 90’s. King’s works have been adapted into over 50 theatrical movies and 34 television series or mini-series. And things don’t seem to be slowing down as 15 more King projects are in the works.
When this topic was suggested to me, (Thank you again, Cousin Johnny) I immediately knew that I was going to need some help. I also immediately knew who I would ask. My friend, Andrew, is as close to a Stephen King “expert” as you can get. That massive list of literary works detailed earlier? Andrew has read all but one as of this writing. I knew I had my expert. I also had an idea of how to compile the list.
Andrew and I worked together to come up with a list of 20 of our favorite King works. Andrew concentrated on the written work, I concentrated on the movies. Once we had that 20 (I had the Bottom 5 already chosen by then) I had Andrew rank the stories, and I ranked the movies (1-20 in both cases). The list that follows is in the order of the statistical combination of those two ordered rankings.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King’s novels and their movie adaptations, chances are you’ve been disappointed with more than a few of the movies. One of the reasons why is because much of what King writes worms its way into our imagination and sometimes our nightmares. As readers we create (with King’s help, of course) imagery that sometimes cannot be replicated on the big screen, especially those films released before the advent of CGI. So one reason these movies fail is that King’s visions (plus our imaginations) do not transfer to film.
Another reason King’s works may not be “accessible” via film is the length of the source material. Only 15 of his novels are fewer than 300 pages. Many of them are 600-1,000 pages with a roster of characters that will have you making a cheat sheet bookmark to keep them straight. I did this with “The Stand.” TWICE!
When you’re dealing with that much story, it’s virtually impossible to make all that work onscreen. To make things fit, plotlines need to be totally erased, characters need to be eliminated, and the story ends up suffering.
For whatever the reason, there have been more than a few King movie duds along the way. We’ll begin with the five worst, look at a handful of honorable mentions, and then finish with the Top 10.
As always, no spoilers. I won’t reveal anything about a film that’s not included in the trailer or IMDb synopsis. Other than the Bottom 5. I’ll spoil those because there’s really no reason to watch them yourselves!
The Bottom Five
#5: Cujo (1983)
Novel published in 1981
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
This film, about a killer St. Bernard, is on the Bottom 5 list for one reason and one reason alone; the ending.
When we read a novel we like and are excited to see the movie adaptation, we want it to be as close to the book as possible. We know how our imagination processed the written words, let's see how someone else processed it.
Personally, I have no issue with filmmakers altering the source material to adapt it to the screen. In most cases, they simply have to. We lose plotlines, we lose characters. That is the same for EVERY movie on this list, so no extra sins there.
BUT…when you alter the entire ending of the book, I am NOT a fan! In the novel a young boy and his mom are trapped in a sweltering car
by Cujo. The heat is intense, no one is around to help, the boy dies, mom gets rabies. Totally realistic. The film decided to have both boy and mom survive. Most fans hated it.
Turns out Stephen King actually liked it! He regretted killing off the boy in the novel, and would have changed it if he could. Go figure. King approved, Cinema Wellman did NOT.
#4: The Running Man (1987)
Novel published in 1978 - written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
The Running Man is about a futuristic/dystopian game show where convicts are hunted for entertainment in front of a TV audience. It stars future governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Venture along with non future governor Richard Dawson. It was directed by “Starsky,” and Mick Fleetwood pretty much plays Mick Fleetwood.
That’s about all you need to know. This was terrible and the only reason to watch it would be if you were looking for a really bad movie that attempts camp, but fails miserably.
All that being said, there’s a reboot coming. Now usually I’d pass, but it’s going to be directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), so…I’m gettin’ in that van!
Oh, and did you check out the poster? Look at the futuristic/dystopian year! It’s 2019!
#3: The Mangler (1995)
Short Story published in 1978 - included in “Night Shift”
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
I remember really liking “Night Shift” when I read it back in high school. The movies, however, dropped the ball. The bottom three on this list were all from the short story collection “Night Shift.”
I actually just watched The Mangler for the first time this month and it was comically bad. For the most part, short stories make for good episodic TV or short films, not feature length films. There’s a reason for this, and it’s obvious. There’s just not enough there to merit 90 minutes of screen time. There have been many movies I watched that I thought would have been an excellent episode of The Twilight Zone, but not a movie. That’s just one of the problems with The Mangler.
The movie centers on a laundry-folding machine at an industrial laundromat straight out of the 1800s even though this is the present day. Robert “Freddy Krueger” Englund is the creepy boss, but he doesn’t help this film at all.
This machine kills people on an almost daily basis and they never shut this place down?!?! Where’s OSHA when you need them?! And, can’t these people find jobs somewhere else?!?
Skip this mess if you ever get the chance.
#2: Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Short Story published in 1978 - included in “Night Shift”
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
I’m a regular Criswell when it comes to Maximum Overdrive. If you’re a fan of Cinema Wellman, you know that this movie showed up in the #1 slot of the Bottom 5 of the September Screenings list. I predicted it’d show up here, and here it is.
As I previously mentioned, I was rooting for all of the machines while watching this. That’s how much I hated all of the human characters. This is just stupid nonsense.
To this day, it’s the only film ever directed by King himself. He has admitted not knowing what he was doing and being coked out of his mind the entire shoot. It certainly shows.
#1: The Lawnmower Man (1992)
Short Story published in 1978 - included in “Night Shift”
Available on hoopla and freevee
Here’s a “Spoiler Alert” for you along the lines of Maximum Overdrive…The Lawnmower Man is going to make the October Screenings Bottom 5 list! This is one of the worst movies I’ve seen this year. Adding insult to injury, the only version I could find online to rent was the “Director’s Cut!” Two hours and twenty one minutes!!!
More to come in the October Screenings blog, but I’ll leave you with this tidbit. This was apparently David Koresh’s favorite movie. So there’s that.
Honorable Mention
I usually don’t do this when I do a Top 10/Bottom 5, but it really needed to be done with this particular topic.
Three of the following were actually television series or mini-series and not what we’d consider “theatrical movies.” Those three are excellent productions and attempt to capture the entirety of the source material. As I mentioned, sometimes this cannot be done in 90-120 minutes. Sometimes we need to go to “extra time.”
I believe that this trend will continue in the future. Some of King’s stories need 10 or more episodes to tell, and I’m in. I’m very much looking forward to The Institute, which is coming soon.
Here are five noteworthy adaptations that are certainly worth a look.
HM: Doctor Sleep (2019)
Novel published in 2013- Andrew’s rank: #11
Available on HBO Max
This is a rarity in the Stephen King written universe. A sequel. King wrote this follow up to “The Shining” that follows a now-adult Danny Torrance still dealing with his powers and trying to help others that also possess them.
The film version was well received by fans and critics alike. Anytime we can return to Room 237 of the Overlook Hotel, it is a terrifying yet welcomed visit.
This is a must see, especially if you’re a fan of The Shining.
HM: The Mist (2007)
Novella published in 1980 - included in “Skeleton Crew”- Andrew’s rank: #16
Available on Netflix
One of the items that pops up in my algorithm over and over is film lists. If someone comes up with some kind of movie list, I am alerted! So I’ve run across lists of “Underrated Stephen King movie adaptations” more than a few times, and I’ve read them all.
When I first compiled my list for this project, I had seen 40 Stephen King film adaptations. I then screened a dozen more to make sure I had things covered. I actually have only THREE King movies left before I’ve seen them all. It’s difficult to keep up!
In any event, The Mist was a title that kept showing up over and over. So I decided to give it a shot, and I was pleasantly surprised.
A man and his son avoid a freak thunderstorm and take refuge in a supermarket. Then the mist arrives and all hell breaks loose.
This is suspenseful, atmospheric, and it also explores mob mentality, which can be as terrifying as monsters. It also has an absolute stunner of an ending. I couldn’t believe the ending. This is underrated and worth a look.
HM: Mr. Mercedes (2017-19)
Novel published in 2014- Andrew’s rank: #5
Available on hoopla and Peacock
This is the only movie on this list that’s not really a movie. It’s not a movie or a tv mini-series. It’s a full blown television series. It ran for three seasons and a total of 30 episodes. Each episode runs close to an hour. In retrospect, I should have disqualified this from inclusion. But, as my daughter Hannah always reminds me…this is my thing and I make the rules, so it’s here because you should see it. So there.
It’s about a madman who drives a stolen Mercedes into a crowd. Brendan Gleeson is excellent as the old detective trying to catch him. Makes for compelling series television. Great cat and mouse stuff.
HM: The Outsider (2020)
Novel published in 2018- Andrew’s rank: #8
Available on HBO & HBO Max
Okay, so The Outsider is a “mini-series” not a “series.” So it definitely qualifies since I’m making all of the rules anyway.
This was mind blowing. Extremely creepy. Any time shapeshifters are part of the equation, the answer is eww.
HM: Lisey’s Story (2021)
Novel published in 2006- Andrew’s rank: #4
Available on Apple TV+
Even though this is a mini-series, it’s more accessible since it’s only eight episodes and runs a combined 6:41. Kind of the same length as your average comic book movie.
Lisey’s Story stars two friends of Cinema Wellman; Maude Lebowski herself, Julianne Moore and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Clive Owen plays Moore’s author husband.
Lisey is the target of a demented stalker who is obsessed with her husband’s work. Moore is tremendous as the title character and this is worth watching for her performance alone. The written work was well regarded by Andrew, earning the #4 spot on his list.
Now that the “fence-sitting” section is complete, it’s on to the best of the best.
As a reminder, the 10-1 order is based on the combined scores of Andrew scoring the books, and me scoring the movies. In other words, you can’t go wrong reading/seeing ANY of these.
Let’s see what’s happening in Room 237, shall we?
The Top Ten
#10: 11/22/63 (2016)
Novel published in 2011- Andrew’s rank: #6
Available on hulu
At a whopping 849 pages the novel is not for casual readers. But I was in when I heard that Stephen King had written a book about the Kennedy Assasination. Then I heard that it also involved time travel. I didn’t care if it was a million pages, I was going to read it. I loved the book. There’s a love story attached that actually made me cry. Once I finished the novel, I knew the movie wasn’t far behind.
I also knew that this couldn’t be a two hour movie. It ended up being broadcast on hulu as an eight episode mini-series. It’s the only mini series on this Top 10 list, although there is a TV movie later on. I’m not a big James Franco fan, but I still thought it was a fantastic adaptation of King’s sprawling and complex novel.
A must for any time travel fan or JFK assassination geek. Boy, do I know a lot of those! You know who you are!
#9: Stand By Me (1986)
Novella published in 1982 as “The Body” - included in “Different Seasons”- Andrew’s rank: #14
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
Blueberry pie, anyone? This slice of life coming of age story about friendship isn’t a horror story at all. Yes, there’s a dead body that is discovered by the boys, but this is really a story about loyalty and love.
Not only does King know how to write horror, he is an expert when it comes to writing kids. Especially kids in peril. The young cast; Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and the late River Phoenix are certainly in peril and they are all amazing in this movie.
Stephen King considers this one of the best adaptations of his work, and Rob Reiner considers it the best movie he’s ever directed. That’s saying a lot.
Watching this will always make it summer and it will also always make you think of old friends. You can’t go wrong there.
#8: Carrie (1976)
Novel published in 1974- Andrew’s rank: #15
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
I remember the first time I watched this movie. I was in 9th grade and watched it in my room on HBO long after everyone had gone to sleep. It scared the hell out of me. I was so scared that I slept with the lights on for days. The ending especially haunted me, and still does at times.
Carrie is the ultimate “bullied beyond the breaking point” story, and you do not want to mess around with Carrie. This movie may be one of the reasons I never wanted to go to a prom.
Brian DePalma directed and both Sissy Spacek (Carrie White) and Piper Laurie (Carrie’s mom) were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances.
Spacek is especially amazing and was a true gamer during production. For continuity purposes, she slept in her blood covered prom dress for three days. She also agreed to be buried alive for the end sequence. What a trooper! Not enough money in the world to get me in that box.
There was a reboot of Carrie made in 2013 with Chloe Grace Moretz as Carrie that was serviceable, but if you’ve seen neither, start with the original. As always.
#7: Needful Things (1993)
Novel published in 1991- Andrew’s rank: #10
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
The inclusion of Needful Things on this list may surprise some people, but it really is an excellent movie. One of King’s “Castle Rock” stories, it revolves around the small town and a mysterious outsider who arrives to open a curio shop. It just so happens that this shop stocks everything to fulfill the deepest desires of those in town.
Max Von Sydow is intimidating and creepily charming as Leland Gaunt, the owner of “Needful Things.” Von Sydow is actually great in just about everything he’s ever made. He’s so perfect as Gaunt, you’d think King wrote the character for him. Ed Harris and Bonnie Bedelia also turn in very strong performances. This one’s kind of a sleeper.
As the poster warns, “Buy now. Pay later.”
Everything has its costs.
#6: The Green Mile (1999)
Novel published in 1996- Andrew’s rank: #7
Available on HBO Max
“The Green Mile” was first published in the old school “serial style” when it came out in 1996. Between March and August of that year, six 100 page paperbacks were released. I had never experienced such a thing as a reader and I ate it up! As soon as one came out, I picked it up and read it in a day. Then I had to wait a month to see how the story continued.
The film is phenomenal. It was directed by Frank Darabont who also directed The Mist and the #4 movie on this list! The cast is filled with accomplished and trusted performers including Tom Hanks, Michael Jeter, Sam Rockwell (despicable and disgusting in this!), Barry Pepper, and Patricia Clarkson. The late Michael Clarke Duncan plays the giant John Coffey, a man who possesses powers and is on “The Mile” for a crime he did not commit. This is some heavy duty stuff.
If Cinema Wellman ever does a segment on the best prison movies, this will certainly have to be considered.
#5: Misery (1990)
Novel published in 1987- Andrew’s rank: #9
Available on HBO Max
Stephen King was so impressed with director Rob Reiner’s work on Stand By Me that he sold the rights to his novel “Misery” on the condition Reiner would direct the film version. Reiner delivered once again.
This film is really a two person show. Oscar winner Kathy Bates plays Annie Wilkes who is author Paul Sheldon’s biggest fan. Keep in mind that “fan” is short for “fanatic,” and you’ll see where this is headed.
When Sheldon (James Caan) has a nasty car accident, he is saved by Annie who brings him back to her place during a snowstorm.
The roads are impassable and phone service is out for days while Annie nurses Paul back to health. It’s all a nice good samaritan story until Annie shows signs of being something other than a kind soul.
You will never look at a sledgehammer quite the same way after seeing this. This is an extremely tense thriller with phenomenal performances.
#4: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Novella published in 1982 as “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption” - included in “Different Seasons”- Andrew’s rank: #13
Available on HBO Max
The “Different Seasons” short story collection ends up with #9 and #4 on this list. Not too shabby.
Here’s director Frank Darabont again in another prison movie that’s a cinch to be near the top of that list when it’s compiled.
This is at times a brutal prison movie. It’s also a movie about redemption (it’s in the title!), second chances, and what happens when evil people are in control of institutions.
There’s no horror here (other than prison horror). There’s no supernatural here. No rabid St. Bernards, no sentient laundry folding machines, no haunted hotels. It really doesn’t appear to be a King story at all in many ways. For those reasons, it’s also my first line of defense when someone tells me King is a one trick pony as an author. This is a great story, and it’s a great story made into a great movie.
The ending of this film is so satisfying on so many levels. I have made it clear that I usually have no time for Tim Robbins, but I always have time for this movie.
I do not regret my shunning of Robbins in the luxury box buffet line at MSG. I stand by that!
#3: Salem’s Lot (1979)
Novel published in 1975- Andrew’s rank: #1
Available to rent on Amazon Prime
This was a made for television movie that was presented as a mini-series. The run time is 183 minutes. There is also a 112 minute version.
I had only seen the 112 minute version so I watched the longer one on Friday, and I’m happy I did. I hadn’t seen the other one since watching it on television in 1979.
Salem’s Lot is about vampires setting up shop in a small New England town. The head vamp is Mr. Barlow and he’s a hissing Nosferatu style vampire as opposed to the sophisticated Count Dracula vampire we’re more used to. I kind of prefer the old school Nosferatu vampire myself.
Mr. Barlow’s assistant is played by James Mason and James Mason is money. In everything. His voice is one of the best in film history, and everytime he says “Mr. Barlow” it gives you chills (especially since you know who Mr. Barlow really is!).
It has held up well over time, but you can tell it was a tv movie due to some of the segues between scenes (commercial slots), and the soundtrack sounds like it was from a TV movie. It also lacks the gore of a theatrical film, but the suspense and the scares are still there.
There was another TV mini-series made in 2004, but I can’t vouch for that. I’ve never seen it. And if that’s not enough versions for you, there’s a new one that’s coming out. Stay tuned for that.
I guarantee that this 1979 Mr. Barlow will creep you out.
#2: The Shining (1980)
Novel published in 1977 - Andrew’s rank: #3
Available on HBO Max
Welcome to Room 237!
Stephen King doesn’t like this movie. He once called it, “A fancy car without an engine.” In 1980, most reviewers didn’t like the movie. It received middling reviews at best. King fans initially thought director Stanley Kubrick ruined the book.
The Shining is now regarded as one of the best horror movies ever made. Go figure.
This film certainly has a conflicted legacy. I think the cause of this is that the novel was so highly regarded, and fans just didn’t expect a Kubrick version of that story.
The stories from the production are infamous as actress Shelly Duvall was pretty much tortured by Kubrick throughout the shoot. I still believe her performance wasn’t acting. She was truly terrified and panicked because of her treatment during filming. Kubrick even told the crew to ignore her. Just brutal.
Some of the imagery in this film is extremely frightening. The elevator filled with blood, the creepy twins, the decomposing woman in the tub, Roger the Dog Man. This is some wild, wild stuff.
#1: It (2017 & 2019)
Novel published in 1986 - Andrew’s rank: #2
Both available on HBO Max
Both It and It Chapter Two are based on the same novel. The second film pretty much tells the story of the second half of the book. The two are listed here together as one entry because they really should be seen back to back.
The novel is tremendous. It’s full of horrifying situations and, once again, children in peril.
There was a television mini-series made in 1990, but it pales in comparison to these films. Don’t bother with that, just start here. The Shining also got the tv mini-series treatment in 1997. Same thing there, don’t bother.
I mentioned that the children in It were in peril. That peril comes in the form of Pennywise the Clown. Enough said.
Personally I am terrified of clowns, so every time Pennywise shows up, my blood runs cold. Red balloons scare the hell out of me now, and I never look in storm drains when I walk past them because I’m afraid Pennywise is down there.
How’s that for evidence in support of It being #1 in our rankings?
If you love horror movies, you need to see this as soon as possible. Trust me. You’ll float too.
Well, that wraps up this Halloween special covering some of the best and worst films in the Stephen King Universe. I obviously love movies, but I have to admit that in a vast majority of cases…
The Book Was Better
Platforms in case you’d like to see for yourself!
For Rental on Amazon Prime
Cujo
The Running Man
The Mangler
Maximum Overdrive
Stand By Me
Carrie
Needful Things
Salem’s Lot
HBO Max
Doctor Sleep
The Outsider
The Green Mile
Misery
The Shawshank Redemption
The Shining
It (and It: Chapter Two)
hoopla
The Lawnmower Man (also available on freevee)
Mr. Mercedes (also available on Peacock)
Apple TV+
Lisey’s Story
hulu
11/22/63
Netflix
The Mist
Do you have a favorite Stephen King film
that didn’t make our list?
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