The next adaptation of Stephen King’s novels will be The Shawshank Redemption, which many will be surprised is a story by Stephen King.
Letterbox ratings reflect how audiences feel about King’s works, with each entry receiving one of its own. However, only a select few have attained the best scores, as most narrate King's story and terror with precision.
10 Christine (1983) - 3.5
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Christine is a supernatural horror film that follows Archie Cunningham, who is gradually corrupted under the influence of the 1958 Plymouth Fury car named Christine. As Archie becomes more turbulent, it turns out that Christine is a supernatural construct who intends to turn him evil fully.
Christine isn’t generally brought up among the most classic Stephen King works, but those who have seen the film have thoroughly appreciated it. The film deserves credit for managing to turn a car into a scary entity, which is properly adapted from King’s novel.
9 The Dead Zone (1983) - 3.5
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The Dead Zone is a sci-fi thriller, where main character Johnny Smith wakes up from a coma and realizes he’s acquired the powers of foresight. Johnny learns he can alter the future by accessing the “dead zone” in his mind and sets out to avert disaster.
The Dead Zone was praised for the tense atmosphere it carries even though it doesn’t qualify as a horror. As one of the first films based on Stephen King works that went beyond just scaring viewers, The Dead Zone was praised for keeping audiences hooked on Johnny’s attempts to change fate.
8 It Chapter One (2017) - 3.5
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It Chapter One was massively popular upon release, telling the story of a group of outcast children who are targeted by the eponymous entity. It Chapter One sets the seeds for the protagonists’ conflict with the being, which spreads across decades.
The film is primarily beloved by Stephen King fans for the portrayal of Pennywise, who comes across as menacing as he’s meant to be. It Chapter One benefits from a very capable cast of young actors who portray the insecurities of their characters well, which is the reason why Pennywise targets them.
7 Dolores Claiborne (1995) - 3.6
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Dolores Claiborne is a psychological drama following the titular character as she’s charged with seemingly killing her employer. Dolores’ daughter arrives back in town out of obligation, only to uncover horrific truths about her past which makes her see her mother in a different light.
Dolores Claiborne is another one of the underrated films based on Stephen King’s novels, but it’s still appreciated by hardcore fans. The story makes viewers question Dolores’ innocence time and again until the shocking finale, which puts the entire plot into clear context.
6 Carrie (1976) - 3.9
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It all started for Stephen King with Carrie, as the film is the first adaptation of his works for what was also the first novel by the author. Carrie is a supernatural horror about a high school student, who is mercilessly bullied before she decides to fight back in violent ways.
Carrie remains very popular even almost half a century after its release, as fans can relate to the titular character’s angst despite her brutal acts at the film's conclusion. Carrie has been remade multiple times over the years, but it’s the original that has easily stood the test of time.
5 Misery (1990) - 3.9
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Considered by many to be among Misery is a psychological thriller that looks into the dangers of obsession. The story is about the capture of writer Paul Sheldon by Annie Wilkes, who holds him against will amid far more sinister intentions.
Misery’s quality is boosted by incredible performances by James Caan and Kathy Bates, with the film almost entirely depicting Annie’s twisted treatment of Paul. While that covers the thrilling aspect of things, Misery has a marvelous payoff when Paul decides to fight back.
4 Stand By Me (1986) - 4.1
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While most know it as one of the Stand by Me is based on Stephen King’s novella The Body. The story is about four boys in 1959 who plan on locating the body of a missing child, during which they confront their own issues.
Stand by Me has none of Stephen King’s trademark scares since the story is firmly a coming-of-age drama. Fans love the chemistry between the cast and the different personalities of each main character, which helps viewers understand their motivations for what is a heartfelt journey.
3 The Green Mile (1999) - 4.1
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The Green Mile is a fantasy drama set during the Great Depression, where an innocent man named John with extraordinary abilities is on death row, as the prison guard and inmates witness his gifts. The film is a tragic tale, detailing the events that lead to John’s execution.
The Green Mile is appreciated for Michael Clarke Duncan’s portrayal of John, who is generally seen as among the most likable and emotional characters to follow. The Green Mile represents a blend of fantasy and dramatic themes that Stephen King fans aren’t accustomed to, but enjoy all the same.
2 The Shining (1980) - 4.3
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iconic movies from the ‘80s and quite possibly the most famous horror movie based on a Stephen King novel. The story is about Jack Torrance and his family’s stay at a hotel, where he gradually begins to lose his grip on reality under the influence of supernatural forces.
The Shining remains scary as ever, having an evergreen quality thanks to the hotel's stifling atmosphere. Fans liked how the movie feels so open-ended, with many questions deliberately left hanging in order to create a sense of paranoia that contributes to the horror-filled atmosphere.
1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - 4.5
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Long seen as one of the greatest films that somehow flopped at the box office, there’s also quite a surprise for fans when they learn that The Shawshank Redemption is based on a novella by Stephen King. The drama remains beloved as ever, telling the story of Andy Dufresne and his life in prison.
The Shawshank Redemption won’t ever wane in popularity as new audiences continue to discover and enjoy it. The film is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, with viewers rooting for Andy to make it out of prison while understanding how the lives of its inmates work.
