We are moments away from Oz Perkins’ The Monkey landing in a theater near you. The film is the newest Stephen King adaptation to hit the big screen. Horror fans are obviously leaning in to see what Perkins will do with this King short story. I took this into consideration while meditating on this week’s streaming guide. I have written many lists covering the most popular Stephen King movies, King’s recommendations, and even Uncle Stephen’s thoughts on some of his films. However, I have never shared my favorite King adaptations.
Most horror fans grew up with Stephen King’s work, and I am not the exception to the rule. My first novel was Salem’s Lot, and I sped through it to watch the Tobe Hooper adaptation on TNT one night. I was too young to know TNT would be airing it for a month, and I could have taken my time. As a teen, I was gifted his novels and novellas for holidays. I still have almost an entire bookcase filled with his books that I hunted down in thrift stores as a teen. Most of them are thick and heavy, which causes me anxiety about the lifespan of my shelves. One of my prize jewels is the Storm of the Century screenplay, the first script I ever read. The miniseries is also my favorite memory of watching King on screen.
With all this in mind, I set out to rank my favorite Stephen King adaptations. These films (no miniseries this time) are all based on King’s work and speak to me for whatever reason. I hope you check them out (or revisit them) as you process how you feel about The Monkey this weekend.
Silver Bullet (dir. Dan Attias)
Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV
Two siblings begin to suspect the brutal killings in their small town might be the work of a werewolf. This is my favorite bad werewolf tale. Silver Bullet imprinted on me as a child who loved werewolves. It was perfect timing for my homeschooled creepy kid vibe, as I also had a huge crush on Corey Haim. Catching this title on ’90s cable at weird times of the night are some of my favorite memories. I still need to read Stephen King’s Cycle of the Werewolf, which the film is based on. However, I think part of the unspoken charm of this movie is that it is one of the adaptations that King wrote himself. If 1980s small-town werewolves are your thing, you might also want to hit play on this one while it is streaming for free.
The Dead Zone (dir. David Cronenberg)
Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV
A man awakens from a long-term coma with psychic abilities. His gift soon becomes a curse as he realizes he might be the only person who can stop an evil politician on the rise. A timely story as anything Stephen King has ever helmed. My introduction to this world was The Dead Zone TV series, which was so good it made me read the book as a teen. So, when I discovered that the film adaptation was directed by David Cronenberg, I practically levitated. One of the sickest (complimentary) directors helming one of my favorite King stories feels like a gift that keeps giving. I do not know if it was the timing or what. However, this Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen moment was everything I needed when I finally watched it. I revisit it more than I should and think it will probably garner more essays from a few of us this year.
Misery (dir. Rob Reiner)
Where You Can Watch: Tubi
A famous writer is rescued from a car crash by his number one fan. He soon finds himself in a living nightmare with a woman who is not well. This is one of the very few Stephen King adaptations that understand the sinister vibes that make us Constant Readers return to his novels. It manages to recreate what makes the book work while tweaking it just enough to crank up the tension. I have watched this James Caan and Kathy Bates chiller too many times. As a kid, it gave me a healthy respect for (and fear of) Bates. I still believe Annie Wilkes is one of the most fascinating characters King has ever given us. I think of her whenever I complain about the lack of deliciously villainous roles for women. You could say that I am her “number one fan.”
It (dir. Andy Muschietti)
Where You Can Watch: Max and Netflix
A group of bullied outcasts band together to stop a shape-shifting monster who preys on the children of their small town. I loved the It miniseries as a child and remember carrying this book around in a backpack because I did not have the strength to hold it for too long in my arms. So, I was hesitant to see this new adaptation set in 1989 with a new cast. This is one of those times I happily ate crow because it was so much fun and is one of my favorite Stephen King adaptations. Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise is a different kind of evil than Tim Curry’s, but I love them both. This is also one of the few movies where every kid in the cast understood the assignment. This 2017 banger was so good that it makes all the issues with It Chapter Two way more depressing.
Carrie (dir. Brian De Palma)
Where You Can Watch: MGM+, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi
An abused teen who is bullied at her high school finally snaps and unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated at her senior prom. I hope to never write an essay about why Carrie White was my role model or how I spent a good chunk of my childhood trying to move things with my mind. No matter how many Uncle Stephen adaptations I ingest, this one hits too close to home to not be my favorite. We can say what we want about Stephen King, but Carrie is one of the most important titles in good-for-her horror. While this is one of King’s most adapted works (it’s even a stage musical), nothing has managed to fill the cute shoes of this Sissy Spacek-led version. This is the ultimate movie that understood the assignment in the plethora of screen adaptations made from the author’s work.
Honorable Mentions
1408 (dir. Mikael Håfström)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
I was late to this creepy chamber piece, but it is easily one of the best Stephen King adaptations I’ve ever seen. A large part of that is the combination of John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in this unsettling movie.
The Mist (dir. Frank Darabont)
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video
I’m not here to pretend this is a great movie. However, I am here for the grocery store chaos, Marcia Gay Harden serving big Karen energy, and that ending. I love a bleak ending, but hot damn! This movie autoplays in my brain at random times. So, it’s clearly one of the most effective King adaptations I have encountered.
Find me on Bluesky if you also get excited when a new Stephen King adaptation hits the streets.
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