North American literature has a great legacy of terror made up of figures such as Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe and HP Lovecraft among many others. Some believe that Stephen King has enough arguments to belong to this select list, although there are many others who consider it a merely popular writer for the adaptation of his works into commercial films.
Whatever your opinion, no one can deny that the Maine native has written several of the great horror works of recent times. Not satisfied with this, the North American has also taken the time to explore other types of stories, but no less effective for that reason. With these credentials, no one is surprised that his bibliography has been transferred to film and television on numerous occasions.
From autobiographical dramas to great—and very controversial—classics of world cinema, we take a tour of the twelve best adaptations of his work. What is your favorite of the films based on works by Stephen King?
12. Total eclipse (Dir. Taylor Hackford, 1995)
Kathy Bates is often remembered for Miserybut the actress had another approach to Stephen King’s work in films with total eclipse. The adaptation of the novel of the same name left paranormal horrors behind to focus on Dolores Claiborne, a woman who suffers all kinds of abuse from her husband, including the rape of her own daughter. This will lead her to orchestrate a plan that will change her life forever, but that will guarantee the safety of both women.
Despite its realism, the way the story harnesses a total solar eclipse as a quasi-hypnotic force stands out. This leads our protagonist to take the definitive step that allows her to end her suffering. What is even more notable is that this phenomenon is the same as that which appears in the later Gerald’s Game. Conclusive proof of the numerous literary connections that have paved the way for KINGdom.
Where to see Total eclipse? HBO Max.
eleven. Supernatural (Dir. Frank Darabont, 2007)
One of the most famous stories in Stephen King’s work took almost 30 years to be made into films. This did not cause his jump to lose its spectacularity, especially under the direction of Frank Darabont. The fog which would be his third approach to the author after Escape dream and Unexpected miracles. The difference is that The fog It does not tell another hopeful story, but rather takes us into a world dominated by fear. Both the monsters that live outside and the people who act unpredictably in a dangerous situation. The final blow comes with a disturbing final twist. This ending marks an important change to the original text, and has been praised for its rawness.
Where to see Supernatural? Prime Video and HBO Max.
10. Unexpected miracles (Dir. Frank Darabont, 1999)
Stephen King’s literary universe has so much evil that we sometimes forget that it also includes noble emotions as a counterbalance. Such is the case of Unexpected miracles, which takes us into a prison that holds the condemned who wait patiently for their execution. Their sins do not make them fearsome villains, as they are people who have embraced their destiny and achieved their own redemption in confinement. This is how we meet John Coffey, a man gifted with miraculous strength who is wrongly accused of the murder of two girls. This does not change his kind nature, which even motivates those who accompany him in this world of pain and death. A wonderful adaptation made by specialist Frank Darabont and starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan, who stole the story with an impressive performance that even earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Where to see Unexpected miracles? Prime Video.
9. That (Dir. Tommy Lee Wallace, 1990; Andy Muschietti, 2017/2019)
Labeled by many as the great masterpiece in Stephen King’s bibliography and starring what is usually classified as his best character: Pennywise. With these qualities, it is not surprising that the two adaptations made so far enjoy such good acceptance among audiences. The first is a modest television production that made great efforts to remain faithful to the complex source material and made Tim Curry its greatest reference.
The second, divided into two parts directed by Andy Muschietti, took advantage of the good chemistry of his young Losers Club to show that friendship and innocence are the best weapons against pure evil, and the talent of actors like Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy to face the final battle. The first chapter shined, the second failed to emulate the charm of its predecessor, but both work as a disturbing unit.
Where to see That? Miniseries for digital purchase/rental on iTunes; movies on HBO Max.
Continue reading: Best movies based on Stephen King books.
8. Doctor sleep (Dir. Mike Flanagan, 2019)
The adaptation of Doctor sleep It seemed like an impossible mission. It involved bringing to the cinema a novel that never enjoyed great acceptance and that would invariably refer to The glow by Stanley Kubrick who, by the way, never pleased Stephen King. However, Mike Flanagan figured out how to capture the essence of both creatives, which resulted in a great film that recalls the horrors seen in 1980 without neglecting the humanity of Dan Torrance now an adult, while introducing one of the characters most memorable of KINGdom in Rose, who was brilliantly played by Rebecca Ferguson. It not only conquered audiences, but also the writer himself, who after seeing it confessed to having found peace with the old ghosts of the cinematic Overlook.
Where to see Doctor sleep? HBO Max and Prime Video.
7. Misery (Dir. Rob Reiner, 1990)
Misery It was not the first novel written by Stephen King, but many of his readers agree that it is the best way to enter his work. This is because it does not include the complications of other supernatural stories, but it still tells a plot disturbing enough to affect the most daring. Rob Reiner perfectly captured these emotions in an adaptation starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, highlighting that the latter was recognized with the Academy Award for her brutal incarnation of Annie Wilkes, a woman obsessed with a writer and willing to do anything to get a hold of him. last story. It would not be her last appearance in Stephen King’s films, nor her last foray into the genre that continues to give her such good results to this day.
Where to see Misery? Prime Video.
5. 1408 (Dir. Mikael Håfström, 2007)
1408 It is not the most famous text in Stephen King’s work. It is a modest story that was part of the audiobook blood and smoke and which had gone unnoticed by many until its 2007 film adaptation.
The success of this film is due to the successful combination of several elements. The first is the good direction of Mikael Håfström, who knew how to capture the author’s disturbing vision in a chilling, but also intimate and painful film. To this we add the wonderful performances of John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, the first as a disenchanted writer willing to do anything to prove the non-existence of evil, and the second as a hotel manager who refuses to give a new victim to the room. damned. Finally, the already mentioned anonymity of the source material that allowed it to be released without great pressure of being compared to the source material.
Maybe 1408 It may not be the most famous text in Stephen King’s work, but the film is among the best and most chilling adaptations of his bibliography, to the extent that many consider it largely responsible for the current furor that paved the way for KINGdom. that has caused so many nightmares.
Where to see 1408? Netflix and Prime Video.
Continue reading: Best movies based on Stephen King books.
4. Carrie (Dir. Brian De Palma, 1976)
First great literary success in Stephen King’s career, not only for its chilling story, but for its original narrative constructed from diaries, interviews and newspaper clippings. The adaptation was difficult, but the talent of Brian De Palma did it justice by taking advantage of Sissy Spacek’s talents to capture youthful cruelty, family abuse—filthy lumps—and the paranormal horrors that would later rise among the most characteristic elements of the American writer. . A classic from his time, which more than 40 years later would try to be equaled by a remake which simply fell far short of the feat.
Where to see Carrie? Prime Video.
3. Count on me (Dir. Rob Reiner, 1986)
Childhood innocence is a recurring element in Stephen King’s work, as examples: That, The glow and The Mystery of Salem’s Lot. With a very different style Count on me, is perhaps the best exponent of all. The adaptation presents us with a group of young friends who set out in search of a lost corpse to live one last adventure before fate separates them forever and makes them take the final step into adulthood. A coming-of-age nostalgic and memorable film that has been a source of admiration since its premiere and has even been cataloged by Stephen King as one of the most brilliant explorations of his work.
Where to see Count on me? Netflix.
2. The glow (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s direction has been reason enough for many to think that The glow It is the best film adaptation of Stephen King’s work. However, there are those who differ with this statement, including the American writer himself who has always expressed his suspicion of alterations to his history.
Which side are you on? Although it is easy to understand the author’s annoyance, it cannot be denied that the film has enormous technical and narrative quality. The glow It has been placed among the best films of the British filmmaker and the great classics of all time. Special mention for Jack Nicholson, whose incarnation of the disturbed Jack Torrance has inspired satire, tribute and many nightmares.
Where to see The glow? HBO Max.
1. Escape dream (Dir. Frank Darabont, 1994)
It’s ironic that the best adaptation of the darkest writer in recent times is not a horror film. That honor belongs to a drama based on a story of a man unjustly convicted and detained, which leads him to design an elaborate plan that allows him to regain his freedom.
Escape dream It does not have great recognitions to support its greatness—it lost the Oscar for Best Picture to Forrest Gump—, but the statuettes take a back seat to his legacy: impeccable direction by Frank Darabont. Impressive performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, left us one of the greatest gems of contemporary cinema. This is also confirmed by the accumulated criticism of 92% and the spectacular acceptance of the public, which on many occasions has classified it as the best film in all of history.
Where to see Escape dream? HBO Max.
Luis Miguel Cruz Someday I’ll join the X-Men, the Rebel Alliance, or the Night’s Watch. Proud member of Cine PREMIERE since 2008.