There is perhaps no more notorious writer in the horror genre whose books and movies tend to toe the line between perfect and preposterous than Stephen King.
His books are beloved by readers around the world, but his film adaptations are either ingenious or insane. For every Green Mile, there's a Langoliers. With that in mind, have a look at these ten books who sured their movie adaptations.
It
On many levels, It works better as a film than it does a novel. Not everyone can thoroughly enjoy or ingest a book well over 1000 pages long, which is why Stephen King's killer clown was perfect for a screen adaptation. That being said, compared to the original miniseries, Tim Curry brilliance or not, it removes quite a bit of essential lore and greatly (though appropriately) waters down some of the key horror elements.
Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep isn't a bad Stephen King adaptation, it's a great Stephen King adaptation. However, rather than be a sequel to King's The Shining, it was a sequel to Stanley Kubrick's '70s horror classic.
The film leaves several elements from the book out, including some very interesting ventures into science fiction that readers will definitely notice upon first viewing, not to mention the heavily altered ending and a deeper tie between Abra and Dan. The book just has more to offer.
The Lawnmower Man
Stephen King's short story, The Lawnmower Man, is almost absolutely nothing like the film adaptation. So much, in fact, the main thing they share is the title. While the film is a sci-fi thriller that no doubt has its audience, the story that inspired it is a surreal and strange horror short featuring an incarnation of Pan and a maniac lawnmower gone berserk. It's not for everyone, but it's great for those wanting a more wild side of the author.
Carrie
Being his first novel, Carrie is truly a testament to King's writing prowess. While Brian de Palma's adaptation is without a doubt a masterpiece, other adaptations haven't exactly been kind to Carrie.
That all being said, the novel is truly a different experience altogether. Carrie's struggle, dealing with her powers, and the incredible cruelty of her peers practically bleed from the pages of the book with King's impeccable pedigree for horror. It's simply a must-read for any fans of the author.
Pet Sematary
While the original film was a perfectly fine adaptation of the novel, with Stephen King writing the script how could it not be, the book on its own is a darker and more personal dive into the darkest parts of the author's imagination. With the absence of a few explicit chapters as well as the presence of the wendigo, a more in-your-face type of imagery is more prevalent in the book than the film.
The Mist
Similar to the previously mentioned Pet Sematary, both the screen and novella adaptations are two different species. But the number one thing that drives the wedge between the two is the famous duo of endings.
In an ironic twist, it's the version penned by King that's actually the brighter of the two, leaving the reader with an essence of hope and the slightest hint that the characters may survive the titular mist.
Trucks/Maximum Overdrive
Maximum Overdrive was Stephen King's directorial debut and while it might not be the scariest adaptation, it definitely had his mark. That being said, the movie and the short story on which it was based couldn't have any more opposing moods. The film was an AC/DC fueled chunk of the '80s, the story was claustrophobic and tense like an episode of The Walking Dead. Living machines or not, the story alone seems to have the most substance.
Children of the Corn
There isn't too much difference between the film and the short story of the same name, aside from blatant spousal abuse, it all comes down to a matter of presentation. Creepy kids will always be something of a horror trope, but the monsters of the mind are always more terrifying than those of the silver screen.
Issac and his cornfield cronies are a touch campier than those presented on the page. Either way, both versions are icons of King.
The Shining
While Stanley Kubrick's adaptation is one of the most discussed horror movies in history, it's drastically different from the novel that inspired it. The film is a mind-twisting fever dream, but the novel is a long and gradual dive into the realms of isolated horror and haunting visuals. The most drastic difference is the representation of the main character, though Jack Nicholson isn't exactly the subtlest in the first place.
The Gunslinger
Though an attempt at a Dark Tower film was made with Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, the books are a trifle more difficult to adapt than just one blanket representation. The first book in the series is a journey all its own and should be a mandatory read for any fantasy fan. Just keep in mind, it's about the journey and not the destination.
