Not just horror. Stephen King's iconic stories on screen
A new film adaptation of Stephen King's fantasy novel "The Running Man" will soon be released in cinemas. The premiere in Ukraine is scheduled for October 11, 2025. For fans of the writer, this is a special event: the story of a dystopian future and a deadly reality show has already been adapted for the big screen once before in 1987 – then the main role went to Arnold Schwarzenegger. The new film promises to be a modern film version of the cult plot, preserving sharp social motifs that are still relevant today. And it will also be much closer to the original work than the film with Schwarzenegger.
Stephen King is the true "king of horror", but his works have long gone beyond the boundaries of one genre. Dramas, thrillers, mysticism and dystopias - almost every one of his works has become the basis for a film or TV series. And although the writer himself is sometimes skeptical about adaptations, they are what made his works recognizable to millions of people who have never even picked up his books.
So, in anticipation of the new premiere of The Running Man, we suggest recalling the best cinematic adaptations of the author's works, which have already become classics and are a must-see for every movie lover. The films in the list are sorted alphabetically.
Carrie
Release year: 1976 | IMDb: 7.4
Stephen King's classic story about a lonely teenager Carrie, who grows up with a strict and religious mother. At the same time, the girl has a hidden incredible ability - telekinesis, which slowly matures along with her emotions. At school, her isolation and eccentricity make Carrie an easy target for ridicule from her peers. But when Carrie experiences a particularly humiliating event during the school dance, her superpowers go out of control, leading to a bloody disaster.
The film skillfully combines psychological thriller with horror, showing fear, loneliness and retribution. A remake was also released in 2013, starring Chloe Moretz and Julianne Moore, but it was the first screen version in 1976 that became a cult classic of the 1970s and one of the most famous adaptations of King's works.
Christine
Release year: 1983 | IMDb: 6.8
A film adaptation of King's 1983 novel of the same name (the book was released in April, the film in December) from another master of horror – director John Carpenter (Halloween (1978), The Thing (1982)).
This is the story of a 17-year-old boy and a 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christina. The car has a will of its own and knows what it needs better than the teenager. And she is also a very jealous and possessive person who kills those she doesn't like. Including her owners. Although it is still a question of who is the owner of whom.
Dolores Claiborne
Release year: 1995 | IMDb: 7.4
The film tells the story of a middle-aged woman who becomes a suspect in the mysterious death of her wealthy employer. Through interrogations and flashbacks, her difficult life is revealed: years of hard work, humiliation, and a struggle to survive under the rule of a strict family and circumstances.
The film skillfully combines psychological drama and detective story, showing the strength and endurance of a woman capable of resisting injustice. Through memories and flashbacks, the viewer gradually learns about the dark secrets of the past, the motives of the heroine's actions, and the moral difficulties she had to overcome.
It
Release year: 2017 | IMDb: 7.3
A group of children in the town of Derry are confronted by a terrifying clown named Pennywise, who awakens every 27 years to prey on the fears of the residents. Each of the group has their own personal problems and fears, which Pennywise skillfully uses against them. In order to survive, the children unite to overcome their own inner demons and fight back against the true evil that lurks in the sewers of Derry.
The story continues in the film It: Chapter Two (2019), starring James McAvoy. Although the second part received a slightly lower rating, IMDb – 6.5, and is inferior in tension to the first, it still immerses the viewer in the lives of the characters, with their fears and unresolved problems in adulthood, and the final battle puts a bright point in this creepy but exciting story.
Misery
Release year: 1990 | IMDb: 7.8
A psychological thriller that immerses the audience in a terrifying story of addiction and obsession. Famous writer Paul Sheldon gets into an accident and finds himself in the isolated house of a devoted admirer, Annie Wilkes. At first it seems that the woman saves his life, but it quickly becomes clear: she is not just a fan, but a dangerous fanatic who is ready to do anything to keep her idol by his side. The atmosphere of claustrophobia, the brilliant acting of the actors and especially Kathy Bates, who won an Oscar for this role. Even Stephen King himself considers this film one of his favorite adaptations.
Stand by Me
Release year: 1986 | IMDb: 8.1
A moving adaptation of Stephen King's novella "The Body," about four boys who set out on a journey through the woods surrounding their hometown in search of the body of a missing teenager. This is not just an adventure, but a symbolic journey from childhood to adulthood, where each character faces fears, dreams, and challenges that change their lives forever.
The film became a cult classic and remains one of the most honest depictions of childhood friendship in cinema. Its influence is still felt today - many directors refer to "Stand by Me", even the Duffer Brothers, the creators of Stranger Things, have repeatedly mentioned that they were inspired by the atmosphere of childhood friendship from this picture. And there is simply a fantastic ensemble of performers, many of these teenagers later became famous actors.
The Dead Zone
Release year: 1983 | IMDb: 7.2
A terrifying and at the same time tragic story about a man who wakes up after a long coma with strange new abilities. Touching another person opens the door to the past and future for him, forcing him to see things that others cannot even imagine. But this gift quickly turns into a burden: with each vision, the hero understands more and more that knowing the future does not always allow him to change it. The young Christopher Walken (in fact, the actor has been in this film for 40 years - ed. note) brilliantly embodied this complex role, conveying both supernatural fear and human vulnerability of his hero.
The Green Mile
Release year: 1999 | IMDb: 8.6
This is not a typical King horror film, but a deeply moving drama that combines the realism of prison life with elements of mysticism. Within the walls of the prison, the fates of people doomed to their last walk along the "green mile", the path of death row, intertwine.
The story centers on death row guards led by Paul Edgecombe (Tom Hanks) and the mysterious inmate John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), who has an inexplicable gift. A man convicted of a terrible crime has a mysterious gift that changes the lives of those around him.
This film is a story about good and evil, about miracle in the midst of darkness, and about how true magic lies in compassion and the ability to see with the heart.
The Mist
Release year: 2007 | IMDb: 7.1
One ordinary day, a small town is enveloped in a mysterious, impenetrable fog. Unknown creatures lurk within, and in a supermarket where people seek salvation, panic and fear become more dangerous than any monsters.
The film is not only about the horrors on the outside, but also about the darkness inside people who face hopelessness. And the ending is so unexpected and shocking that it is difficult to forget.
The Shawshank Redemption
Release year: 1994 | IMDb: 9.3
Considered one of the greatest films of all time, The Shawshank Redemption starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and was filmed in a real abandoned prison in Ohio, which added a special authenticity to the story.
The story follows banker Andy Dufresne, wrongly sentenced to life in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Inside the prison, he encounters brutality but also finds friendship, particularly with fellow inmate Red. Through decades of trials, Andy proves that even in the darkest of circumstances, dignity, intelligence, and hope can be maintained.
Although the film initially failed at the box office, it later collected additional money, gained cult status and became a classic of world cinema. Morgan Freeman himself later joked that one of the reasons for the failure could be "a difficult title for viewers." Today, this story inspires millions, reminding them that hope can be the most powerful weapon against despair.
The Shining
Release year: 1980 | IMDb: 8.4
The fantastic duo of Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick gave the world one of the scariest and most famous horror films. Kubrick, known for his meticulousness, exhausted the actors to the last, achieving perfect emotional tension in every frame. And Jack Nicholson, in the role of Jack Torrance, masterfully showed the gradual descent of a man into madness.
The story takes place at the isolated Overlook Hotel, where Jack and his family come to work as caretakers during the winter season. Over time, his mind is affected by the hotel's supernatural influence, and his wife and son encounter eerie manifestations of the mystical forces lurking within the walls of the place.
The scene of a corridor filled with a huge wave of blood has become one of the most iconic in cinema. Shot without computer graphics, which simply did not exist at the time, but with the use of real materials and incredible attention to detail, it still shocks audiences and remains in the memory for decades. The film combines psychological thriller and supernatural mysticism, leaving viewers in a state of constant tension.
After 40 years, the story continues in the film Doctor Sleep (2019), where we meet again Danny Torrence - the same boy who survived the events at the Overlook Hotel. In adulthood, he was brilliantly played by Ewan McGregor. Now Danny struggles with his own demons and alcohol addiction, while trying to protect a girl with a supernatural gift from a dangerous sect. The film combines psychological drama with mystical elements, creating a fascinating and disturbing atmosphere, which logically continues the legendary story of the Torrence family.
1408
Release year: 2007 | IMDb: 6.8
Writer Mike Enslin, played by actor John Cusack, is known for his skeptical research into ghosts. He decides to spend the night in the legendary room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel, ignoring the numerous warnings of the staff about the tragic history of this place. But this room turns out to be a living trap: time, space and reality begin to dance according to their own laws, and each step leads the hero to the edge of madness. The film skillfully combines tension and supernatural elements, leaving the audience in constant expectation of the unexpected.
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Of course, not everyone likes some of the aforementioned film adaptations – often, and some would say always, the book turns out to be better. And which King films or TV series captivated you and, in your opinion, should be added to this selection?
In addition to the cult films, there are many other exciting TV series based on Stephen King's works that will definitely not leave you indifferent. We'll talk about them next time.