Recently, we have already immersed ourselves in the gloomy, disturbing and at the same time fascinating world of Stephen King's screen adaptations – we recalled the best films based on his books, which make you shudder even after the credits. But this time there is a special reason to return to the master of horror. On October 26, 2025, the premiere of the new series IT: Welcome to Derry will take place on HBO Max – a prequel to the iconic movie It. So it's time to refresh your memory and collect the best series based on King's works, which will help you immerse yourself in his bizarre, dark universe and prepare for a new portion of creepy stories. The series in the list are sorted alphabetically.
The Dead Zone
Release year: 2002 | IMDb: 7.3
After a long coma, former teacher Johnny Smith wakes up to discover that he has an extraordinary ability – by touching people or objects, he can see their past and future. Using this gift, Johnny helps the police solve crimes, but at the same time he faces his own moral dilemmas and prophecies that could change the world.
By the way, there is also a film of the same name, The Dead Zone (1983), directed by David Cronenberg and starring Christopher Walken – it is considered one of the best adaptations of King.
The Outsider
Release year: 2020 | IMDb: 7.6
A dramatic thriller that skillfully combines detective intrigue with supernatural elements. The series begins with the shocking murder of a boy in a small town. Local law enforcement immediately detains one of the residents, known as an honest and respectable citizen. However, the details of the case begin to contradict the obvious facts, and eerie events indicate the presence of a supernatural force.
The Stand
Release year: 1994 | IMDb: 7.1
The plot of the series unfolds after a deadly virus is accidentally released from a government laboratory and destroys almost all of humanity. The survivors, without realizing it, are divided into two camps: the righteous, who strive for good, hoping to revive the old world and preserve humanity, and the sinners, who choose the path of power, fear and debauchery. The former is led by the wise Mother Abigail, and the latter is led by the sinister demonic Randall Flagg.
A new adaptation was released in 2020, bringing the story to modern times and featuring a new ending written by Stephen King himself and his son Owen King. The film stars James Marsden, Whoopi Goldberg, and Alexander Skarsgård.
Castle Rock
Release year: 2018 | IMDb: 7.5
A psychological horror anthology series that combines elements from the writer's various stories – from Misery to The Green Mile – and transports viewers to the fictional and mysterious town of Castle Rock, familiar from King's universe.
The first season follows a mysterious prisoner found in an abandoned block of Shawshank Prison and lawyer Henry Deaver, who returns to his hometown to investigate his fate. Together, they delve into the secrets of a town where the past and the mystery are intertwined in a dangerous tangle.
The second season focuses on new characters, including nurse Annie Wilkes from the novel Misery. She struggles to cope with her own mental illness and remain a caring mother to her daughter Joy, but her world begins to crumble under the pressure of the horrors that come to life in the city.
The first season starred Bill Skarsgard, known for his role as Pennywise in the It films, which adds an even more creepy King-esque atmosphere to the series. And one of the producers of the project was J.J. Abrams, a creator known for his work on two sequels (two each) of Star Wars and Star Trek, which provided the series with a high level of direction and cinematic scale.
Haven
Release year: 2010 | IMDb: 7.5
A mystical detective series inspired by Stephen King's novel The Colorado Kid. The events take place in the small coastal town of Haven, where FBI agent Audrey Parker comes to investigate an ordinary case. Later, she learns that the town hides a terrible secret: its residents suffer from supernatural "diseases" that periodically awaken. By solving these mysteries, Audrey gradually discovers the truth about her own past.
Mr. Mercedes
Release year: 2017 | IMDb: 7.8
A crime thriller with elements of psychological horror. The plot tells the story of former detective Bill Hodges, who cannot forget an unsolved case – a mass murder committed by a man who drove into a crowd in a stolen Mercedes. When the killer, a young and mentally unstable Brady Hartsfield, contacts him again, a dangerous psychological game begins between him and the detective.
The series is distinguished by its tense atmosphere, deep immersion into the psychology of the criminal, and strong acting by Brendan Gleeson (28 Days Later, In Bruges).
Storm of the Century
Release year: 1999 | IMDb: 7.3
A mystical three-part miniseries set on an isolated island battered by a storm. Along with her, a mysterious stranger named Andrea arrives on the island, who keeps repeating, "Give me what I want and I'll go," but doesn't explain what exactly he wants. Soon, mysterious deaths begin to occur on the island, with Andrea implicated, and the inhabitants remain cut off from the "big land" by the storm and unable to even escape.
11/22/63
Release year: 2016 | IMDb: 8.1
An 8-episode miniseries that blends science fiction, drama, and history. An English teacher, played by James Franco, learns of a portal to the past that takes him to 1960 and is tasked with preventing the assassination of John F. Kennedy. However, in his attempt to change the course of history, he faces unintended consequences and moral dilemmas. The series is a tense and emotional exploration of how the past reluctantly allows itself to be changed.
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Stephen King masterfully creates an atmosphere of horror, psychological drama, and gripping detective stories. His works come to life not only on the pages of books and on the big screen, but also on streaming platforms, keeping the viewer in suspense and forcing them to think about the moral, social, and psychological aspects of human nature.