Ultimate Stephen King Movies List
If you are a fan of Stephen King, we have a list of some scary, heartwarming, intense, thrilling, beautiful movies that are based on some of his most beloved novels. Though some may believe that the movies in this list don’t do the novels justice, they are still a great watch that you will enjoy every second of.
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Check out our post on all the Stephen King Movies Available On Netflix.
1. Stephen Kings IT
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Released in 1990, and directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, Stephan King’s IT is based on Stephen Kings novel IT. The movie stars Harry Anderson, Dennis Christopher, Richard Masur, Annette O’Toole, Time Reid, John Ritter, Richard Thomas, and Tim Curry.
IT Movie Description
Set in 1960 in Derry, Maine, a group of seven kids has to fight off a child-killing demon that takes the appearance of a clown. Its name is Pennywise. 30 years later all of them reunite in Derry to kill IT once and for all.
2. The Shining
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Released in 1980, The Shining is directed by Stanley Kubrick. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel The Shining. Jack Nicholson, Shelly Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers all star in the movie.
The Shining Movie Description
Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) gets a job as a winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel in Colorado. Secluded in the Colorado wilderness, Jack plans to use the hotels’ solitude to help cure his writers’ block. He moves his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and his son Danny (Danny Lloyd) up to the hotel for the winter. As time passes Jack’s writing goes nowhere and he begins to break down psychologically. Eventually, Jack becomes a homicidal mad man with a single goal of terrorizing his family.
Check out our post detailing all the Stunning Locations Used To Film The Shining.
3. The Shawshank Redemption
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Released in 1994, The Shawshank Redemption is directed by Frank Darabont. It’s based on Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. Tim Robbin, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore.
The Shawshank Redemption Movie Description
Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), sentenced for two consecutive life terms in prison for the murder of his wife and her lover. The judge sends Andy to a prison known as the Shawshank State Penitentiary. The only problem is, Andy is the only person that knows he didn’t commit these crimes. While in prison Andy befriends Red (Morgan Freeman) who helps Andy endure life as an inmate. While serving his time, Andy holds tight to a secret that finally leads to his redemption.
Here’s our post covering all the Incredible Locations Used To Film The Shawshank Redemption.
4. The Green Mile
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Released in 1999, The Green Mile is directed by Frank Darabont. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel The Green Mile. This movie stars Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Graham Greene, Doug Hutchison, Sam Rockwell, Barry Pepper, Jeffrey DeMunn, Patricia Clarkson, and Harry Dean Stanton.
The Green Mile Movie Description
Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) is a death row corrections officer during the U.S. great depression. Paul has met countless convicts in his time as a death row corrections officer, however, he has never encountered someone quite like John Coffey. Coffey is a massive black man convicted for brutally murdering two young sisters. However, the more time that Paul spends with Coffey, the more he questions whether the convict has supernatural abilities. Paul also becomes more and more convinced that Coffey is not guilty of the two murders.
Here’s our post on the Best Tom Hanks Movies You Can’t Miss.
5. Gerald's Game
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Released in 2017, Geral’s Game is directed by Mike Flanagan. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel Gerald’s Game. This movie stars Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood.
Gerald’s Game Movie Description
Jessie (Carla Gugino) and Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) arrive at an isolated lake house in Fairhope, Alabama, to work on rekindling their relationship. Trying to set the mood, Gerald handcuffs Jessie to the bed. Seconds after, they get into an intense argument. Gerald ends up having a heart attack and dying, which leaves Jessie handcuffed to the bed with no way to get free. Jessie begins hearing voices and seeing strange things
6. Misery
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Released in 1990, Misery is directed by Rob Reiner. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel Misery. This movie stars James Caan, Kathy Bates, Frances Sternhagen, Richard Farnsworth, and Lauren Bacall.
Misery Movie Description
Paul Sheldon (James Caan), a novelist, is involved in a serious car crash due to a blizzard he encounters on his way to his home in New York. He is rescued by a nurse named Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). While Paul recovers, Annie houses him in her remote cabin. Annie turns out to be one of Paul’s biggest fans. While slightly unsettling, her obsession with Paul is initially harmless. However, things take an iniquitous turn when she learns that Paul is killing off her favorite characters in his novels. As Paul tries to come up with a plan to escape, things begin to escalate and Annie exerts more control over Paul forcing him to shape his writing to what pleases her.
7. Stand by Me
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Released in 1986, Stand By Me is directed by Rob Reiner. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel Stand By Me. This movie stars Wil Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Kiefer Sutherland.
Stand By Me Movie Description
News of a boy killed by a train near the small town of Castle Rock, Oregon entices four friends to go on an adventure to see the boy’s dead body. Throughout their journey the four friends get to know each other on a more intimate level, learning about each other’s home lives, deepest secrets, and insecurities. Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Vern Tessio (Jerry O’Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) have a crazy adventure that started as an amusing escapade but turns out to be a defining event in their lives.
