Top 20 Best and Worst Stephen King Movie Adaptations

You win some, you lose some! For this list, we’ll be ranking the silver screen adaptations of Stephen King novels or short stories, alternating best and worst, until we get to our number one pick. Our countdown of Stephen King adaptations includes "The Mist", "It: Chapter One", "Misery" and more! What’s your favorite King adaptation? Did any leave you cold? Let us know in the comments!

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[WatchMojo]

What’s your favorite King adaptation? Did any leave you cold? Let us know in the comments!

[LucareonVee]

Am I the only person who thinks that “The Dead Zone” with Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen at the very least deserves an honorable mention? Seems like no one talks about it ever.

[michaellynes]

Stephen King didn’t like Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining, ” but King did admit that Kubrick’s adaptation was the most terrifying horror movie he had ever seen.

[tylerwatson]

I absolutely love how Stephen King adaptations can either be the most beautiful thing you’ve seen in your life, or the biggest piece of garbage you will ever lay your eyes on

[mydumblife]

I actually am floored that Pet Sematary 1989 wasn’t mentioned as one of the best, there’s not a ton of changes from the book, it’s a damn good adaptation 😡

[mr.t]

The Green Mile will always be my go to movie when I feel like crying🥺. Can't believe Michael Clark Duncan(r.i.p) didn't win an Oscar for his performance.

[trinaq]

The acting from all of the child actors in "Stand by Me" is fantastic across the board, but special mention has to go to River Phoenix. During the scene where Chris confesses to Gordie about the Milk Money, I sob along with him every single time. Who knows what he could have accomplished if not for his untimely passing? 😢💔

[Doomted]

I found Children of the Corn in my dad's movie stash when I was like 12 and thought "that sounds like a good movie for a kid to watch!"

We lived in Illinois... surrounded by corn fields... never told my dad why I wouldn't go near the rows... but I think he knew.

[MsRapture]

One of my favorite movies of all time is "Misery". The hobbling scene still scares (and pains) me to this day. I couldn't believe she was so obsessed with James Caan to do ha to him. But I loved it from start to finish!!! I also didn't think "Thinner" deserved to be on the worst list though. I thought it was well done and the ending was heart wrenching because the main character knew the inevitable.

[silkecanada]

THE STAND!! For a "non filmable" book they did a pretty good job (the old version with Molly Ringwald and Gary Sinise)

[joshuamohlman]

Shawshank Redemption deserves the top spot on this list. The performances, music, and the ending all make it such a memorable film. It is definitely my favorite movie adaptation of any of Stephen Kings novels

[meyeboy]

Dolores Claiborne is a really great adaptation of the book, one of my favorite movies

[kasatka]

I'm surprised the Pet Sematary(s) weren't mentioned. They were arguably more famous and worthwhile to mention. They definitely can't hold a candle to the book.

[wheatgerm]

I know there's a lot to choose from, but I would definitely include "Christine" in the Best category. It's a downright creepy read, and the movie does a decent job of presenting both the horror and the tragedy of the story.

[BrandonMichelle]

I've never thought of Carrie as a horror, I consider it a tragic tale of a bullied girl who was pushed too far.

[sister_bertrille]

I thought for sure that 1408 would be on here for best. It's super creepy, and John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson are at their best playing off each other.

[Parzival_Z]

I was into Maximum Overdrive thanks to the Green Goblin Truck. Probably the most coolest truck I’ve ever seen in film. The menacing goblin face, combined with the Detroit Growl, it’s so AWESOME!!!

[guilhermino]

Thinner was nightmare fuel in for me as a child 😢

[richardhoehn]

Secret Window? 1408? Pet Sematary? Dolores Claiborne? Apt Pupil? Dr. Sleep? Maybe you could get a list out of these adaptations.

[moosepocalypse]

I didn't hate the remake of IT, in fact it was really good... but I think for the original, Tim Curry is more than worth the price of admission 🤘