Even if you aren't a fan of horror, you have most likely heard of Stephen King. He's a versatile writer that always manages to put out creative books that fans love. He may focus on the horror genre the most, but he also knows how to touch viewers' hearts with emotional stories, too.
Stephen King has written almost 100 books, each with a unique story, and almost all of his books become best-sellers. With all of his popularity, of course, tons of his novels have been adapted to the screen. He has a countless amount of movies, so of course not every film is amazing. Different directors and screenplay writers put their own take on his work, so a lot of the movies have a different effect on the viewer, and not every movie is as loved as the next. So, we decided to rank 20 of his most popular films from worst to best, even though we secretly know they're all worth watching.
20 Children Of The Corn Is An Overrated Classic
Everyone has heard of Children of the Corn, it's undeniably one of Stephen King's most cult-classics that was so popular, the series ended up having seven sequels! Despite its popularity, the movie really isn't that good. It received plenty of low ratings and since its popularity gave us high expectations, that makes this one the most disappointing.
19 The Dark Tower Didn't Perform As Well As Fans Hoped
Marketing a film starring both Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey is enough to catch anyone's attention. This film hyped-up fans with the amazing trailer, cast, and plenty of easter eggs to other Stephen King films. Sadly, as much as we wanted to love this one, it turned out to be a flop.
18 Firestarter Was Similar To Carrie, But Not As Good
We can't blame Stephen King for turning Firestarter into a film. His first film about a young girl with crazy powers was a huge success. This movie also launched Drew Barrymore's career, but unfortunately, for a film that drew many comparisons to Carrie, it had too many expectations to live up to and it failed to do so.
17 In The Tall Grass Failed To Pull In Good Reviews
In The Tall Grass was heavily marketed by Netflix, and considering it's on the streaming service, it's definitely still worth watching for a night in. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to the standards of other Stephen King films. This is an entertaining yet below average horror film that could have been made by anyone.
16 Even Johnny Depp Couldn't Make Secret Window Great
Johnny Depp's name alone can manage to pull in viewers, so if you put him in a Stephen King film, you'd typically expect an amazing film, which we surprisingly didn't get with Secret Window. This movie is pretty predictable and not as original as King's other work, despite its massive star-power.
15 Pet Sematary Had Fans Totally Divided
Pet Sematary is yet another cult-classic from Stephen King, and it's certainly as weird, if not even weirder than Children of the Corn. Its premise follows a family that discovers a special graveyard that can revive anyone buried there, and being honest, it almost feels like an adult Goosebumps movie. This one is interesting, but it's certainly not for everyone.
14 Creepshow Is A Halloween Favorite
Creepshow is difficult to rank because it is an anthology movie, so of course, some stories are far superior to others. Putting that aside, it's overall an enjoyable film to watch, especially during those creepy October nights. This one deserves to be right in the middle because it's something fans always re-watch during Halloween time.
13 Christine Features One Of His Weirdest Monsters
If you didn't think it could get weirder than creepy cult children and ghost pets, Stephen King always finds a way to take it up a notch, and with Christine, the monster is literally a car. Christine is basically Herbie Fully Loaded, except totally scary and not at all friendly. Even though it's weird, plenty of fans love this one and it has pretty decent critic reviews.
12 It: Chapter Two Didn't Please Fans As Much As The First
Being a sequel isn't easy, especially when the first movie was highly praised and loved by nearly everyone who watched it. It: Chapter Two was still an engaging film, but in comparison to the first film, it certainly lacked the scares and didn't meet the expectations of many fans.
11 The Mist Is Enjoyable, But Not His Best
The Mist is a solid horror film, and it's one we can say is certainly worth watching because of how enjoyable it is. Despite that, it's just not as memorable as other Stephen King films and failed to leave a lasting impression on viewers, which is why this one isn't making it higher on this ranking.
10 Doctor Sleep Is A Sequel That Managed To Impress
The Shining came out so many years ago that Doctor Sleep was such an unexpected yet pleasant sequel to the film. Don't get us wrong, this one is certainly not as good as the original, but it gave us enough time between the release of the original for us to enjoy this one without drawing harsh comparisons.
9 1408 Is As Good As It Is Crazy
For a film that mostly takes place in a hotel room, 1408 manages to keep viewers engaged throughout the whole film. This movie is certainly a wild ride, and it's one that will keep you guessing what's going on until you get to the end. If you love your horror with a side of mystery, this is a perfect film to watch.
8 Gerald's Game Is So Good, You Wouldn't Think It's A Netflix Film
Netflix movies tend to be hit-or-miss, and surprisingly, Gerald's Game was a huge hit. This movie received tons of praise online and pulled in a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it was definitely deserved. Gerald's Game manages to be gory, scary and thought-provoking all at the same time.
7 The Green Mile Is Amazing Even Though It's Not Horror
Stephen King is known for his horror, but The Green Mile is a Drama/Fantasy movie that's equally as good as his scary work, but without being terrifying. Not only that, but this one stars Tom Hanks, who's put in the position of a prison guard who becomes fascinated with figuring out if one of the prisoners is actually guilty.
6 Misery Is One Of His Most Underrated Films
When people hear the name Stephen King, most think of Carrie, It, and The Shining. While those films are all fantastic, Stephen King has a few hidden gems that aren't as popular, and Misery is certainly one of them. Misery has an unconventional villain, an older woman (Kathy Bates) who kidnaps her favorite author.
5 Stand By Me Is A Beloved Tale About Friendship
Stand By Me is one of those films that many viewers aren't aware is a Stephen King movie, because it's mostly an emotional-driven adventure film about boys dealing with the loss of their best friend. It's different from everything else King has done, but in a good way. Stand By Me is undoubtedly one of King's most heart-warming stories.
4 Carrie Inspired Plenty Of Iconic Characters
Carrie is one of Stephen King's most popular characters, and this movie truly left a mark on movies and TV. There have been so many characters influenced by Carrie, for example, Eleven from Stranger Things and Sydney from the new Netflix show I Am Not Okay With This. Carrie's influence on Hollywood is why this film easily made it to the top five.
3 It Is The Highest Grossing Horror Of All Time
Becoming the highest-grossing horror film deserves respect, and this film not only made a lot of money, but it was also an amazing film with a well-told story. Most importantly, it was truly terrifying. This film had characters that were full of depth and really helped revive the horror genre after years of tasteless films.
2 The Shawshank Redemption Is Emotional And Engaging
The Shawshank Redemption was rightfully nominated for multiple Academy Awards. While it's a movie about whether or not the leading actor actually committed the crime he's imprisoned for, this film goes deeper than the average mystery. It's a story about a friendship that takes place in unconventional ways.
1 The Shining Remains One Of The Best Classic Horror Films Ever
There's a reason why everyone has heard of The Shining. It has plenty of iconic scenes and recognizable lines that most people could identify, even if they haven't seen the film. As old as this movie is, it's truly a timeless horror that will continue to scare viewers year after year, which is why it's undoubtedly Stephen King's best film.