Movie Recommendation: Top 10 Stephen King movies to watch, the last one is the most tragic one!
Movie Recommendation- Everyone knows Stephen King, right? He’s an American writer known for horror, supernatural, suspense, crime, sci-fi, and fantasy novels. Often called the “King of Horror,” his books have sold over 350 million copies by 2006, and many have been turned into movies, TV shows, miniseries, and comics.
If you’re a fan of Stephen King’s work but not into reading his novels, no worries. I’ve got you covered with a list of the top 10 Stephen King movie adaptations that are definitely worth watching. So, let’s get right to it!
1. IT (2017)
Synopsis:
In Derry, Maine, seven young misfits are about to confront their biggest fear — an ancient, shape-shifting evil that appears every 27 years from the sewers to target the town’s kids. During a chilling summer, these friends unite to tackle their individual fears and take on the bloodthirsty clown named Pennywise.
Why do you have to watch it?:
The performances are solid, with Skarsgard doing a great job as Pennywise, the creepy clown. He brings a sinister and twisted vibe to the character. The characters are well-developed, and we genuinely care about these kids because of the challenges they face both at home and together.
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2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Synopsis:
Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, gets handed two back-to-back life sentences for supposedly killing his wife and her lover. Despite the tough prison life, Andy, who is innocent, befriends Red, played by Morgan Freeman. Throughout his 19 years in prison, Andy faces the harsh realities of prison, adjusts to his surroundings, assists the warden, and goes through various experiences.
Why do you have to watch it?:
The Shawshank Redemption is impactful for several reasons — the flawless storyline, the narrative that captures both the personal and universal aspects, the profound sense of injustice, and the way each character seeks and discovers their own path to redemption.
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3. Misery (1990)
Synopsis:
Following a severe car accident, the writer Paul Sheldon (played by James Caan) is saved by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a former nurse who insists she’s his biggest fan. Taking him to her isolated cabin for recovery, Annie’s admiration takes a dark twist when she realizes Sheldon is killing off her beloved character from his books. As Sheldon plots his escape, Annie becomes more domineering and even violent, compelling the author to bend his writing to fit her disturbing fantasies.
Why do you have to watch it?:
Misery excels at building suspense. Unlike many horror films that depend on jump scares, blood, gore, and elaborate creatures to evoke fear, Misery doesn’t rely on any of these. It manages to be frightening with minimal violent scenes and very little blood and gore.
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4. 1922 (2017)
Synopsis:
A farmer plots to kill his wife to get money, and he persuades his teenage son to join in. As they carry on with their lives, both Wilfred and his son Henry start to lose touch with reality.
Why do you have to watch it?:
This film is doing well with critics, which isn’t always the case for horror movies. It has received an 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 70 on Metacritic. Critics have commended the movie for its impressive performances, nuanced writing, and chilling direction.
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5. Gerald’s Game (2017)
Synopsis:
A woman unintentionally causes her husband’s death during intimate moments. They had gone to a distant place hoping to revive their struggling relationship. With her hands cuffed to the bed, she quickly becomes disoriented.
Why do you have to watch it?:
Gerald’s Game transforms Stephen King’s frightening novel into a visually powerful experience that will stay with you. The movie delves into the fears women face, tackling themes of violence, trauma, and abuse.
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6. The Green Mile (1999)
Synopsis:
Paul Edgecomb (played by Tom Hanks) supervised inmates along the mile. Among them was John Coffey (played by Michael Clarke Duncan), a huge black man convicted of brutally killing two young sisters. Despite Coffey’s size and strength, his demeanor was anything but threatening. Apart from his simple and naive nature, he had an intense fear of the dark and seemed to possess an extraordinary, almost supernatural ability. This made Paul question whether Coffey was genuinely guilty of the double murder.
Why do you have to watch it?:
The Green Mile is impactful because it highlights the flaws in the death penalty system. A man is sentenced to death despite being innocent, and the audience can connect with both him and the police officer, Paul Edgecomb.
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7. Pet Sematary (2019)
Synopsis:
Doctor Louis Creed (played by Dale Midkiff) relocates his family to Maine and befriends a neighbor named Jud Crandall (played by Fred Gwynne). After the Creeds’ cat dies accidentally, Crandall suggests burying it in the nearby old pet cemetery. Surprisingly, the cat comes back to life but with a more unpleasant demeanor. When Louis’ son, Gage (played by Miko Hughes), dies in a tragic incident, Louis ignores warnings from Crandall and his own visions of a deceased patient and decides to bury the boy’s body in the same ground.
Why do you have to watch it?:
Pet Sematary is effective because it’s fundamentally a human story, and the horror elements enhance the human drama. Death is a universal experience, and the novel revolves around the struggle to accept it. The horror unfolds as characters try to avoid or overcome the inevitability of death.
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8. The Shining (1980)
Synopsis:
Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, takes on the role of winter caretaker at the remote Overlook Hotel in Colorado, aiming to overcome his writer’s block. He moves in with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who has psychic premonitions. While Jack struggles with his writing and Danny’s visions intensify, dark secrets of the hotel emerge. Jack descends into madness, transforming into a homicidal maniac determined to terrorize his own family.
Why do you have to watch it?:
Kubrick demonstrates that the most potent form of fear doesn’t arise from a terrifying creature on a screen but from our own imagination. It’s the unsettling and hidden horrors we conjure in our minds that truly make this film frightening.
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9. Carrie (2013)
Synopsis:
High school is challenging for numerous teenagers, and for Carrie White (played by Chloë Grace Moretz), it’s particularly difficult. Raised by a devoutly religious parent (Julianne Moore), Carrie, a shy and awkward teen, often faces bullying. However, Carrie harbors a secret ability: she can move things with her mind. One night, a particularly cruel prank at her senior prom pushes her to the breaking point, and Carrie uses her telekinetic powers against those who have wronged her.
Why do you have to watch it?:
Even though it doesn’t cover all the crucial plot details from the novel, the movie is still successful in portraying the story of a girl who is an outsider with unique abilities. It’s interesting to witness the film delve deeper into Carrie discovering her powers compared to the original version.
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10. The Mist (2007)
Synopsis:
Following a severe storm that wrecks their Maine home, David Drayton (played by Thomas Jane) and his young son go to town to get food and supplies. Shortly after, a dense fog blankets the town, trapping the Draytons and others in a grocery store. As terrifying creatures emerge outside, a greater threat looms within, where a fanatic (Marcia Gay Harden) advocates for a sacrifice.
Why do you have to watch it?:
The Mist, with its intricate and multifaceted narrative, showcases not just a skillfully crafted horror story but also exemplifies the genuine strength of adaptations. In essence, it presents a frightening illustration of fantastical nightmares becoming reality, along with the potential for people to turn into monsters in times of crisis.
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