Adaptations of novels are fairly common in the movie world, with many of the year’s best films usually are those adapted from novelized storytelling. The whole reason for the “Best Adapted Screenplay” Award at the Oscars was created for that very reason. And it’s easy to forget how many older films that are typically ranked among the greatest of all-time are actually literary adaptations, to the point where some films are arguably more famous than the books they were based off.
While it’s common for many films to be adapted from novels, there are two types of adaptations: Stephen King adaptations and everything else. Known mainly for his entries in the horror genre, Stephen King currently has 61 novels to his name, along with ten collections of short stories, as well as nonfiction work, graphic novels, and essays. A large portion of his bibliography have been adapted in either movie or television form, and have become something of their own unofficial subgenre. While they all drastically range in quality, they all still maintain a shared distinct feel that makes all of them almost instantly recognizable as being from the mind of the legendary author.
The latest adaptation to hit the big screen is It Chapter Two, a sequel to 2017’s It, both films being adapted from the gargantuan novel of the same. While the film wasn’t received as positively as its predecessor, it was still mostly praised for its performances and scares, and considered by most to be another solid adaptation of King’s novels.
To coincide with the release of It Chapter Two, we’re going to look at which ten films are the best visual representations of King’s vast body of work.
Honorable Mentions
Christine, The Dead Zone, Dolores Claiborne, Gerald’s Game, Pet Sematary (2019)
10) Carrie
The first Stephen King film brought to the big screen is still one of the best. While there are aspects in the way Carrie was filmed that are a bit dated, with its aesthetic almost reminiscent of an exploitation film, there’s no denying just how unsettling it can be. The sequences of Carrie unleashing her powers are moments of true intensity, while Sissy Spacek’s performance that’s heavily reliant on facial expressions is something to behold. Though the real standout of the film is Piper Laurie as Carrie’s fanatically religious mother who torments her at every chance she can get, under the guise of trying to cleanse her, giving one of the finest performances in any Stephen King film. The movie’s also notable for being one of the first major roles of John Travolta shortly before he shot to stardom with Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
9) The Running Man
Yeah, The Running Man may be silly and over-the-top at times, but there’s no denying just how fun it could be. Based on one of the few books that King wrote under his Richard Bachmann pseudonym, this film is a more over-the-top 1984, taking place in a futuristic totalitarian society in which convicted criminals fight for their lives in game shows screened to the public. Arnold Schwarzenegger leads as a helicopter pilot framed for murder, and while the film is very much a Stephen King movie, it’s also very much an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, filled with his usual cheesy one-liners and ridiculous action scenes that are done with such a sense of self-awareness it’s hard not to smile at them. Like Carrie, it’s dated at times, but it’s a lot of fun.
8) It Chapter Two
Say what you want about this sequel, but It Chapter Two was a damn good movie. Despite some issues such as some formulaic sequences, and a subplot that was arguably not needed, these scenes were still all overall entertaining, and the story very engaging. The film bordered on horror-comedy in plenty of moments, especially thanks to the performances of Bill Hader and James Ransone as two of the adult versions of the Losers Club from the first film, but it was still extremely creepy. And this was especially thanks to Bill Skarsgard who once again turned in a truly terrifying performance as Pennywise the Clown. The film is nearly three hours in length, though despite the general complaints about this, it mostly moves very quickly and is an emotionally satisfying conclusion to the story. Click here for the full review.
7) The Mist
While The Mist wasn’t poorly received by any means, it’s definitely one of the most underrated when it comes to Stephen King adaptations. It does contain elements of other Stephen King stories, with supernatural monsters and religious fanatics, but they are really well done here. The film feels extremely claustrophobic, taking place mainly inside a supermarket, where tensions between the inhabitants rise as they try to protect themselves from the monsters lurking in the titular mist. And the one creating much of the internal tension is Marcia Gay Harden, in the film’s standout role as the aforementioned religious fanatic, who becomes a character you wind up loving to hate pretty quickly. The film also contains one of the best endings in a Stephen King movie, with the film version drastically differing from the original novel, something which King himself approved.
6) Stand By Me
One of the very few Stephen King stories that doesn’t contain any horror or fantasy elements, Stand By Me is a rare straightforward drama for the author. The film features many early performances from actors who would go on to become extremely well-known, including River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, and John Cusack. Part of what makes this film so enjoyable is watching the four main characters simply hanging out and conversing with each other, as they felt real, natural, and honest. Their dialogue was often hilarious, and at other times heartbreaking. When it comes to coming-of-age dramas, this is often mentioned as one of the quintessential entries in the genre, and it would go on to influence countless other films (including one we’ll talk about shortly on this list).
5) The Shawshank Redemption
While The Shawshank Redemption received positive reviews at the time of its release, it didn’t do well at the box office, and it wouldn’t truly shine until its home video release a year later. And it went from being just another adaptation of a Stephen King novel to one of the most recognizable movies of all-time. This film has so many quotes and scenes that are now staples in the movie world, and would go on to establish Morgan Freeman as one of the best voices to narrate on film. By far one of the most heartbreaking depictions of life inside prison, the film evokes so many emotions thanks to some truly standout performances from an excellent cast.
4) The Green Mile
The second prison drama that was adapted from King’s work also happens to be helmed by the same director, Frank Darabont (who also directed The Mist). And while The Shawshank Redemption is often considered the better of the two, The Green Mile is the true winner for me. Unlike Shawshank, this film contains some fantasy elements that give it this fairy-tale like quality in certain instances, though that doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking to watch, especially in the sequences depicting some of the cruel treatment of the prisoners by one particular sadistic prison guard. Though there’s an even greater sense of hope in The Green Mile, brought out thanks to the fantastic performance by Michael Clarke Duncan, and it’s hard to not crack a smile despite plenty of moments that don’t feel like they pan out for certain characters. Touching, humorous, and overall powerful, The Green Mile is a true underrated classic.
3) The Shining
Not only one of the best-known Stephen King adaptations, but one of the greatest horror movies of all-time. Unfortunately, it’s also well-known for just how much King himself hates it. The film was helmed by legendary director Stanley Kubrick, who shifted around certain elements of the novel and gave it his own personal touch, and is the one of the few Stephen King movies that feels less like an adaptation of one of his works and more like a filmmaker’s own vision. But that doesn’t make The Shining any less worthy, as it’s still bone-chillingly creepy, with its terrifying imagery, and long extended shots that do an excellent job at building up suspense. Plus, it contains one of the finest performances from Jack Nicholson, who alone spews an endless supply of quotable dialogue that has since gone on to become some of the most memorable in movie history.
2) It (2017)
I know it’s so recent for it to be ranked so high, but It brings out so many emotions that it’s difficult to resist. It’s as if Stand By Me was a horror movie, perfectly recapturing the camaraderie of the characters from that film, down to the hilarious banter, while also being extremely creepy on top of it all. Bill Skarsgard, like in the sequel, is the true standout as Pennywise, and while Tim Curry’s portrayal of the character in the 1990’s miniseries is iconic in its own right, Skarsgard turns the character into something much more sinister. His delivery in the infamous “sewer scene” at the beginning is enough to send chills up one’s spine. The film does a great job creating well-developed characters the audience can really care about, while not skimping on any of the thrills or scares. It’s one part character drama, one part supernatural horror, and overall the definition of a modern classic.
1) Misery
A writer with two broken legs trapped in a house against his will with someone who claims to be his biggest fan and wants him all to herself. That’s all that’s needed for the best Stephen Kng adaptation. Despite movies about haunted hotels, killer clowns, and mysterious creatures inside a mist, this movie is truly more terrifying than all the others, for just how real it feels. Annie Wilkes, played masterfully by Kathy Bates, is the sort of person who can easily exist in real life, and just knowing that is enough to make one’s skin crawl every moment she’s on screen. This is the role that brought Bates to stardom, and it remains her absolute best. Her manic, over-the-top reactions tend can get a laugh one minute, and bring on the claustrophobia another minute later. And it’s not just Bates who makes this move work so well. James Caan, as the aforementioned writer Paul Sheldon, also does a fantastic job here, and isn’t given enough credit for just how great of a performance he gives. His own reactions to Bates are enthralling to watch, due to his many pained, forced interactions with her as he attempts to subtly plot his escape. Misery is a masterful depiction of cat-and-mouse drama, and is not only the best Stephen King adaptation of all-time, but one of my favorite films of all-time. This is a classic, and certainly one that should not be missed.
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