Most people would agree that renowned author Stephen King knows how to tell a story. So when his gripping tales began being turned into movies several decades ago, fans rushed to theaters to see if the films could live up to the books.
Since 1976, there have been countless adaptations of King's short stories and novels. And if you're a fan of the master of horror, you probably enjoy watching the films produced from his source material. Yes, even the bad ones.
Dim the lights and grab the popcorn. We have a list of the best Stephen King movies on Netflix and Amazon you can stream right now, in chronological order.
Carrie (1976)
The first adaptation and one of the most memorable movies is Carrie. This supernatural horror film stars Sissy Spacek as the overly shy Carrie White. Abused by her mother, played by Piper Laurie, Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers which become dangerous when she feels threatened. And when her classmates play a cruel joke on her at the prom, those who bullied her wind up paying a high price.
Cujo (1983)
Dog lovers beware, Cujo is not a nice puppy. In this classic film, a woman and her son are trapped inside a hot car as the St. Bernard terrorizes them. Unbeknownst to them, Cujo was bitten by a rabid bat that leads to his frightening and dangerous behavior. Then, when they take their car in for repairs, they run into the rabid beast with an engine that won't start and no help in sight.
The Dead Zone (1983)
Starring Christopher Walken, The Dead Zone is the story of a man with a gift. Walken plays the main character Johnny, who awakens after a car accident to realize he has been in a coma for five years. As life has moved on without him, he starts over and discovers he now has psychic abilities. With one touch, he can learn a person's secrets, however scary they may be.
Stream The Dead Zone on Amazon
Christine (1983)
When Arnie, a nerdy high school kid, decides to buy an old car with a personality, he ends up with Christine. The car has powers of its own that not only turn it from a broken heap into a gorgeous ride, but turn its owner from a shy geek into a not-so-nice guy. The bullies that tormented Arnie and vandalized Christine soon learn a lesson the hard way.
Children of the Corn (1984)
What happens when kids take over a small, quiet town in the center of cornfields? This is Children of the Corn, a Stephen King story you won't soon forget. When a couple traveling through the area gets stranded, they struggle to stay alive as they learn of the power behind those disturbing children and where they draw their strength.
Stream Children of the Corn on Amazon
Pet Sematary (1989)
It's hard to lose something or someone you love. But, do you really want them to come back to life as a horrifying zombie? In Pet Sematary, the dead do come back. As a place where children buried their deceased pets, the ground carries something evil beneath the gravestones. And, when a man becomes desperate to bring back his son, he learns just how wicked that land is.
Misery (1990)
When a famed author crashes in the middle of nowhere, it becomes nothing but Misery. James Caan and Kathy Bates star in this story of a crazed fan who won't let go of her favorite writer. She holds him hostage in her remote home as he heals from his accident, but insists that he write another book in his well-known series... her way.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Most people think of Stephen King stories as horror or supernatural tales. But The Shawshank Redemption is neither. In this riveting drama, characters played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are cellmates in prison who become unlikely friends. And, what happens from there is utterly riveting.
The movie was adapted from King's novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, and received seven Academy Award nominations.
Stream The Shawshank Redemption on Netflix [Broken URL Removed]
Stream The Shawshank Redemption on Amazon
Dolores Claiborne (1995)
Four years after starring in Misery, Kathy Bates starred in another adaptation called Dolores Claiborne. Co-starring Jennifer Jason Leigh (Selena St. George), this is a mystery with interesting twists.
When a daughter travels home after her mother is arrested for murder, the flashbacks begin and so does the drama. St. George is not so sure her mother is innocent and also believes she had a hand in her father's death. If you're a Stephen King fan and enjoy psychological thrillers, this is a must-see.
Stream Dolores Claiborne on Amazon
The Green Mile (1999)
Another fantastic drama, The Green Mile is based on a King novel of the same name. Starring Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, the story looks back on incidents from 1935. Edgecomb overseas a man on death row at a penitentiary.
The inmate is no ordinary man, however, and Edgecomb soon witnesses the powers he holds. This amazing movie was nominated for four Academy Awards.
Stream The Green Mile on Amazon
Dreamcatcher (2003)
If aliens are your thing, then Dreamcatcher is your kind of film. Starring Morgan Freeman, this Stephen King movie takes you to remote Maine with four friends who share a common bond. Their telepathic powers brought them together as children and as adults it will help them in a battle against parasitic aliens.
Mercy (2014)
For a supernatural thriller and horror movie combo, take a look at Mercy. Based on Stephen King's story Gramma, the grandma in this film is more than your ordinary cookie-baking sweetheart. When a single mother takes herself and two young boys to care for their grandmother, they soon discover the mysterious powers she holds.
1922 (2017)
Go back to the year 1922 with this film based on the Stephen King novella. With the help of his teenage son, a proud farmer murders his wife when she tries to sell the house and move the family. As suspicions rise about his wife’s whereabouts, a curse rises, and the farmer soon realizes that the error of his ways has dangerous and malevolent consequences.
There Are Stephen King Miniseries Too
There are also a handful of Stephen King miniseries available on Netflix and Amazon. Here are some you can check out:
- Salem's Lot (1979)
- It (1990)
- Desperation (2006)
- Bag of Bones (2012)
- Big Driver (2014)
- Haven (2015)
- The Mist (2017)
If you’re interested in more scary series, this collection of the best zombie shows on Netflix is for you.
What Is Your Favorite Stephen King Adaptation?
Hopefully one or more of these Stephen King movies on Netflix or Amazon is just what you’re looking for. Some of them are so scary even Stephen King himself watches them through his fingers.
And when you've watched them all, check out the best scary movies on Netflix and the best horror movies on Netflix.
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