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As long as that legendary Master of Horror Stephen King maintains a book lover at night, the filmmakers have adapted his novels and short stories. That is, there was a stone-cold classic (“shining”, who?), and there were some clankers.
Every “dark tower” has “it” but two of them are good. So is the new one: Based on the short stories from King’s “Skeleton Crew” collection, director Ozgood Perkins’ “Monkey” (now theatre) is now the “Theatre” as Theo James, a literal drumbeat toy for a monkey Starring as a troubling twin brother, Killing.
In fact, it is becoming a rather big 2025 for King and his constant readership. “The Life of Chuck” won the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall and arrives at the theater on June 6th. Never Flinch” made its debut in bookstores on May 27th, and his children’s book, “Hansel & Gretel,” with Maurice Sendak, will be released on September 2nd.
In honor of “The Monkey,” here is the most important King film ranked.
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15. “Gerard Game” (2017)
Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood play a couple taking a romantic vacation to rekindle their marriage. The wife is handcuffed to the bed, her husband has a heart attack, and there is no neighbor to call. She struggles to keep her sanity in stressful situations. (Please try again and try not to see the super large, creepy Moonlightman.)
Where to watch: Netflix.
14. ‘That: Chapter 2’ (2019)
The losers clubs from the first “it” are all growing, but the Devil Clown Pennywise is astounding as ever. In addition to Gore and Blood’s bucket, the sequel is also an emotionally deep chiller, exploring the very realistic effects of childhood trauma and innocent innocence.
Where to see: Max.
13. “Running Man” (1987)
What if this futuristic action flick isn’t exactly faithful to the ’82 Kingbook (written as Richard Bachmann)? It’s a fun time to watch Arnold Schwarzenegger as a framed soldier in a brutally deadly game show.
Where to watch: Paramount+.
12. ‘The Monkey’ (2025)
Golly and the glorious, ridiculous horror comedy have Theo James playing the role of twins. The twins thought that when they were children they removed the cursed monkey toys, which would return to life and bring bloody mountains of death. Certainly, it’s very dementia, but this eccentric film also has deep mortality rates.
Where to see: in the theater.
11. “Green Mile” (1999)
The sentimental prison drama based on King’s serial novels gets its hook thanks to two emotional punches: Tom Hanks and Michael Clark Duncan. Hanks plays a death row prison guard who doesn’t know what to make, a kind but mysterious giant (Duncan), convicted of murdering two girls with strange abilities.
Where to see: tubi.
10. ‘1408’ (2007)
In the most underrated King film, the supernatural skeptic (John Cusack), who writes about ghostly places, is interested in the legendary creepy rooms of New York’s skyscrapers. It’s surprisingly strange, but it’s also a thoughtful study of irony and belief.
Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand.
9. “Doctor Sleep” (2019)
Ewan McGregor starred as an adult Danny Torrance in the sequel to “The Shining,” and survived the horror at the Overlook Hotel decades ago, and now plays a long-time alcoholic and young psychic girl (Kylie Curran). After helping, I’m calm. By taking over the “shining” theme and characters, you’ll mine the familiar ground, but it’s best to follow your own path as a reluctant hero’s journey.
Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand.
8. “Stand by Me” (1986)
King is as much an American master as fear, and Rob Reiner’s four incompatible adult stories and their adventures finding corpses is the unbreakable bond of friendship and the nature of innocent freedom in childhood It’s first class to capture.
Where to watch: Netflix.
7. “The Mist” (2007)
How do you make the King’s novel even darker? Director Frank Dalabont can do it well in this story of the main people in a small town stuck in a supermarket thanks to the mysterious mist outside and the hidden creatures of monsters. Come for delusion and tribalism and stay for the end of the gut punch.
Where to watch: Prime Video.
6. “Misery” (1990)
In modern take, the Nuts Annie Wilkes might make tiktok or simply slip into the author Paul Sheldon’s DM to profess her fandom, but it’s not as incorrectly perfect as this pre-internet chiller. It wouldn’t have been there. Kathy Bates won her Oscars and then some, raising Annie’s horrifying worship of James Kern to an intrusive, youryoureyes level.
Where to see: tubi.
5. “Dead Zone” (1983)
Christopher Walken is a psychic school tee dorser who “sees” someone’s secrets when he touches, including his vision for the nuclear Holocaust after shaking the hand of a Senate candidate (Martin Sheen). More than 40 years later, the film’s political bends are more timeline-like than ever before.
Where to watch: Pluto TV.
4. “Carry” (1976)
Sissy Spacek exudes the quiet and tortured bounty as a teenager. The final 30 minutes are a surprising change from childhood innocence to murderous hysteria.
Where to watch: Tubi, Plus TV.
3. ‘That: Chapter 1’ (2017)
Taking the friendship thing from “Stand by Me,” weaving delicious evil clowns in a shy wardrobe, “it casts spells on many different levels, and you’re desperately desperate for a pennywise. Warning :May not be for those who are distorted by a bucket of blood coming out of the sink.
Where to see: Max.
2. “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994)
There’s nothing too scary here except for prison guards. Instead, what makes “Shawshank” an all-timer is the central friendship between the two prisoners (played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman) who realizes that they are “busy and busy to die.”
Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand.
1. ‘The Shining’ (1980)
The King hated Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, but it’s far the best of the whole lot. Come to the infamous scene – “Heeeeere’s Johnny,” someone? – and stays for the exceptional quest of isolation, the descent into madness of one man, and the horrifying effect on his family.
Where to watch: Apple TV and on demand.