Stephen King is known for being the Master of Horror. He has published over 60 books and has written well over 200 short stories and there is no slowing down for him. King’s work is known for its horror, fantasy, and thriller aspects that can give even the bravest person goosebumps while reading. King’s written work has been adapted into films, television, comic books, and stage – we will never forget the play based on Carrie. Since there are already more adoptions in the works we have gone through and found the top five best Stephen King adaptations for TV and film.
Best Stephen King Adaptations – 1922
Netflix is known for its great adaptations when it comes to books and 1922 is no different. 1922 is based on the novella that was published in a collection Full Dark, No Stars in 2010. The film follows an Omaha, Nebraska farmer, Wilfred, as he starts to deal with hardships with his farm. Wilfred does not want to sell the farm as his wife does and convinces his son, Henry, that they need to kill his wife/mother.
To cover up the murder, Wilfred moves his wife’s body to a dry well on their property where rats soon begin to feed on her crops. As the years go by Henry becomes very disgruntled about what he and his father did and runs away with his pregnant girlfriend. Wilfred has to deal with the rat infection that is happening at his house. See how this story plays out and watch the full movie on Netflix.
Best Stephen King Adaptations – Mr. Mercedes
A great television adaption of one of King’s works is Mr. Mercedes. Mr. Mercedes is based on the trilogy that King released about Bill Hodges which contains the novels of Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch.
The television series follows a retired detective, Bill Hodges who is still haunted and obsessed with the serial killer known as Mr. Mercedes. Hodges takes it upon himself to form a team to find the killer. Make sure you are subscribed to Audience because you do not want to miss this show.
Best Stephen King Adaptations – IT
Released in two parts is King’s famous book IT, that is sure to make anyone afraid of clones. Part one of IT was released in 2017 and was a box office success. Part one follows teenager Bill, as he is still hopeful about his brothers disappearance months before summer hit.
Now Bill and his friends are trying to find Bill’s brother, but end up in more trouble. The friends must stick together to stay alive and beat Pennywise. This first part of a two-part franchise is one that everyone needs to watch if they love getting scared.
The Shining
A movie that will have everyone saying “redrum” is The Shining. The Shining was one of the earliest adaptations made from any of King’s books. In the movie, we meet Jack Torrance who is an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic as he accepts a caregiver position during the offseason of a hotel in Colorado Rockies.
What the Torrance family does not know is that the previous caregiver went insane and killed his whole family last winter. With supernatural forces in play, Jack starts to lose his sanity and starts to go after his own family. This movie is a classic that still holds up its own in today’s world. So make sure you rewatch The Shining before the sequel Doctor Sleep comes out!
The Shawshank Redemption
A cult classic that is based off King’s novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, is The Shawshank Redemption. The Shawshank Redemption follows a banker Andy Dufresne who is sentenced for two consecutive life sentences in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, even though he claims to be innocent.
In prison, Andy meets Red and the two form a friendship as the two serve out their time. In the movie, we see how brutal and unjust prisons are. So make time to watch Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in one of their most iconic performances in The Shawshank Redemption.