Few things in life can be stated without pause or equivocation: that Stephen King is a skilled writer with a prodigious output is one such statement. The fact that his novels and stories attract the attention of some of the most influential directors is only further testament to King’s ability to tuck truly memorable stories into those sticky, dark corners of our collective imagination.
As I noted in my recent list of the Top 10 Science Fiction Lit-to-Film adaptations, any list is bound to generate controversy. I mitigate some risk with a quasi-methodological approach that begins with rankings (as distinct from unranked lists) from Thrillist, Rolling Stone, and Rotten Tomatoes. This initial sorting was then cross-referenced against world box-office figures provided by The Numbers to create a list that acknowledges input from both critics and audiences.
The top five adaptations are as close to a slam dunk as you will find in this type of listing exercise.
Carrie (1976)
Although Kimberley Pierce’s 2013 remake grossed over three times as much as the original, Brian DePalma certainly set the adaptation bar high with the first-ever film adaptation of a King novel. Beautifully stylized and driven forward by Sissy Spacek's masterful performance as a shy, tormented teenager, it is as much a social allegory as a horror film. Given ongoing concerns with youth bullying and social media, it is also a film with a central message that remains relevant today. Bonus points if you remember that John Travolta was cast in the role of Billy Nolan.
The Shining (1980)
Directed by the great Stanley Kubrick, with Jack Nicholson in a career-defining role. Not an endorsement for the writing life, to be sure, it blends mind-bending isolation, a classic haunting tale, and a child with a rare psychic gift to see both past and future. Interestingly, King was highly critical of Kubrick’s direction of Shelly Duvall in the role of Wendy, calling it "one of the most misogynistic characters ever put on film. She's basically just there to scream and be stupid." Bonus points if you know the answer to the Redrum puzzle.
Stand By Me (1986)
Rob Reiner was in the director’s chair for this adaptation of King’s novella The Body (1982). It features Richard Dreyfuss as a writer reminiscing about the summer of 1959 when he sets out with a group of friends to find a missing boy's body. This was one of King’s favorite movie adaptations, and it still resonates with anyone who struggled while straddling the thin line between childhood and adolescence. Boasts an all-star cast and poses the question that haunted a generation: can Mighty Mouse beat up Superman?
Misery (1990)
Reiner and King reunited for another story about a writer trapped in an isolated house, this time a snowbound cabin in the woods with an obsessed fan who is less than happy that his most recent novel kills off her favorite character. James Caan is great as the writer Paul Sheldon, but we all know that Kathy Bates steals the show with her portrayal of crazed fan Annie Wilkes. She returns to star in another King adaptation: Dolores Claiborne (1995).
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Based on King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption his adaptation were nominated for seven academy awards. A powerful story of hope and friendship starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, this movie appears on numerous best of all-time lists. Filling out the list was a bit more difficult given King’s prolific output and Hollywood’s seemingly endless appreciation of his work.
It (2017)
The highest-grossing of the King movie adaptations and a boost for Halloween costume manufacturers worldwide, It is another King story about disappearing children, a demonic haunting (of a town, not a house), and the importance of friendship. Hugely successful, it is also a leader in the classic the-book-was-better race.
1983
Ok, so not technically an adaptation or a book, but it was a remarkable year even by King standards. Three adaptations hit the big screen: The Dead Zone (directed by David Cronenberg), Christine (John Carpenter), and Cujo (Lewis Teague). Although the lowest grossing of the three, The Dead Zone gets the nod from this trio for its casting of Christopher Walken as a New England schoolteacher who awakens from a five-year coma with a terrifying new ability: he can see the future of anyone he touches. Striking a particularly contemporary cord is Martin Sheen’s portrayal of Greg Stillson, a right-wing politician with presidential aspirations who makes a name for himself due to his unconventional behavior and bizarre campaign promises at his populist rallies.
Honorable Mentions: Creepshow (1982) The Mist (2007) The Green Mile (1999).