10 Favourite Stephen King Film Adaptations

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Posted 2020-10-19 by Steven G ⇒ follow

While I live in Australia and all Hallowe'en means is culturally appropriating something from pagan Europe that has already been appropriated by American companies that make lollies and chocolate (candy), it is becoming more "there" as we are slowly being Americanised. And with that incredibly cynical opening out of the way…

Hallowe'en is my bread and butter because I write horror and my sales often go up in October. But I rarely do anything else with it because I don't live in the northern hemisphere and… yeah. I'm not going to beat that dead horse.

So, I have decided to look at horror films. How? Well, I have already mentioned that my favourite book is by Stephen King – Christine. I also mentioned that I was not a fan of the film (except the car repairing itself – those shots are gorgeous!). So, I thought, why not look at my favourite adaptations of Stephen King stories into movies or the like?

Now, a quick definition – adaptations are based completely on a Stephen King work. This means one of the best King films – Creepshow ( mentioned previously ) – does not count because a lot was written for the film. Also, episodes of shows like Twilight Zone and Tales From The Dark Side I have decided do not count (which is a shame because 'Word Processor Of The Gods' is awesome!). I should also point out that I ignore Rotten Tomatoes because this is my opinion, not a website's, and not one that is wrong way too often for my liking.

Oh, one last thing – I am not a huge fan of Kubrick's The Shining because the over-acting just gets to me and it changed too much of the book… and the documentary Room 237 makes it seem even more stupid.

So, in chronological order, 9 movies and one TV mini-series, adapted from works by Stephen King!
**Carrie (1976)
Directed by Brian De Palma
Starring Sissy Spacek**

This is an amazing film. Maybe a little of its time, but the split screens, the blood, and Spacek's simply incredible performance make it a genuinely scary film. I saw this film probably two years after I read the book, and it scared me. Genuinely scared me. That hand at the end was one of the best jump scares ever. Well acted and it looks so good, and it does seem to come from a point of liking the source material.
**Salem's Lot (1979)
TV Miniseries
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Starring David Soul & James Mason**

I saw this on TV in the 80s, which means its release was either delayed in Australia or else it was repeated. I watched it with my mum and its image of the vampire is still what I associate with a vampire, even more than Bela Lugosi. There was an awesome atmosphere and it also scared me, but not as much as Carrie. I have only seen this once since, but not for over 20 years. I need to find this somewhere.
**Cujo (1983)
Directed by Lewis Teague
Starring Dee Wallace**

Dee Wallace. This, E.T. and The Howling… the woman was in so many films of my early teen years. This film about a mother and her son trapped in a car by a rabid and enormous St Bernard dog is so well done. But there is one thing about it – as a teenager, I preferred the film (don't act so shocked) because I liked the happier ending of the film better. It was more cathartic. Despite that, this is a tense film. Really well done.
**Children Of The Corn (1984)
Directed by Fritz Kiersch
Starring Peter Horton & Linda Hamilton**

Based on a short story, there are plenty of bits added to make it movie length, and the couple are not as dysfunctional, but I still really enjoyed the film and especially the concept of a town run by children under some entity living in the corn. Not a bad film with some really creepy scenes. But the ending is really different. Really different.
**Firestarter (1984)
Directed by Mark L. Lester
Starring David Keith & Drew Barrymore**

While some of the acting of young Ms Barrymore is a little dodgy, I do really like this film and it does a reasonable job of translating the film to the screen. I know not many like it, but I find it quite enjoyable, especially at the end when Charlie goes all mind-psycho on everyone and everything. It is under-rated, in my opinion.
**Stand By Me (1986)
Directed by Rob Reiner
Starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell & Kiefer Sutherland**

Based on the novella The Body. Not a horror film, more a coming of age film, this is still an incredible work, and one of the few films I have ever seen in which child actors act really well. This is a beautiful film and is very close to the story. Four boys go to look at a dead body… and find it. Simple? No – this is a stunning character study. Great film.
**Pet Sematary (1989)
Directed by Mary Lambert
Starring Dale Midkiff & Fred Gwynne**

One of my favourite King books that is not Christine – the atmosphere created is stunning. And the film manages to capture a lot of that atmosphere. It sticks pretty much to the book's story and my only issue is I am not a huge fan of Fred Gwynne and the child acting – especially the young girl – is not good. But this is a scary film and it is really well done. And it looks magnificent.
**Misery (1990)
Directed by Rob Reiner
Starring James Caan & Kathy Bates**

Caan, star of my favourite film , and Rob Reiner appearing on this list again, along with a magnificent Kathy Bates and you have what I consider the best King Adaptation. The book is fine; the film is incredible. The hobbling scene alone makes it worth the price of entry. Genuine psychological horror, awesome acting and a film that feels claustrophobic, focused on two characters. Brilliant. If you see one film on this list – see this one!
**The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman**

Based on the novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, from the same collection as The Body (Different Seasons). Many consider this non-horror film the best King adaptation and it is very good, with magnificent acting, and I can see where they come from. This is a story of hope, not a horror work, and it is really quite stunning.
**The Mist (2007)
Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring Thomas Jane**

Another film where the ending from the original short story/novella was changed. Some people prefer it because it is more definitive, but me… Well… The film's… holy crap! What a downbeat, depressing, gut-punch ending! But the rest of the film is tense, with the gradual build-up of monster sizes in the mist that brings them to the town… and ending with the Leviathan Cthuloid monstrosity before that car finish… What a film. (Oh, and Frank Darabont again!) Still not sure about the ending…
Okay, not all of them are horror, but they are all based on King works, and I like them all and would recommend them all to anyone who wants a good scare, a good film or just a fun night. Stephen King has been adapted an awful lot and while I have not seen everything, I have seen a lot and I do not like most of it. Why? Because when I read his work, my imagination creates a better scene than many film-makers. But in these cases – the films are great. And, clearly, Reiner and Darabont understand King – let them direct all the adaptations from now on!

Enjoy your Hallowe'en, everyone.