List of adaptations of works by Stephen King
Updated: 5/24/2026, 6:57:57 PM Wikipedia source
Stephen King is an American author widely known for his works of contemporary horror, thriller, science fiction, and fantasy. In addition to many novels, King has written approximately 200 short stories. His works have been widely adapted to film, television, and other media.
Tables
· Films › Adaptations with Stephen King's involvement
| Year | Title | Writer | Actor | Role | Notes | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 1982 | Creepshow | Yes | Yes | Jordy Verrill | Based on the short stories "Weeds" and "The Crate"; the rest is original work for the film. | 65% |
| 1985 | Cat's Eye | Yes | No | —N/a | Based on the short stories "Quitters, Inc." and "The Ledge"; the rest is original work for the film. | 68% |
| Silver Bullet | Yes | No | —N/a | Based on the novella "Cycle of the Werewolf" | 43% | |
| 1986 | Maximum Overdrive | Yes | Uncredited | Man at Bank ATM | Based on the short story "Trucks" Also director | 14% |
| 1987 | Creepshow 2 | Stories | Yes | The Truck Driver | Based on the short story "The Raft"; the rest is original work for the film. | 29% |
| 1989 | Pet Sematary | Yes | Yes | The Minister | Based on the novel of the same name | 56% |
| 1996 | Thinner | No | Yes | The Pharmacist | Based on the novel of the same name (published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman) | 19% |
| 2014 | A Good Marriage | Yes | No | —N/a | Based on the novella of the same name | 32% |
| 2016 | Cell | Yes | No | —N/a | Based on the novel of the same name | 11% |
| 2019 | It Chapter Two | No | Yes | The Shopkeeper | Based on the adult parts of the novel with the same name | 62% |
· Films › Other film adaptations
1983
1984
1987
Role(s)
Paul Michael Glaser
Notes
Based on the novel of the same name (published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman)
1990
Role(s)
John Harrison
Notes
Based on the short story "The Cat from Hell"; the rest is original work for the film.
1993
1994
Role(s)
Frank Darabont
Notes
Based on the novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"
1995
2003
2004
2007
2017
2019
Role(s)
Vincenzo Natali
Notes
Based on the novella of the same name, co-authored with his son, Joe Hill
2022
2024
2025
In development
TBA
Role(s)
Billy Summers
Notes
TBA
TBA
Role(s)
Mister Yummy
Notes
TBA
TBA
Role(s)
The Mist (novella)
Notes
TBA
| Year | Title | Director | Notes | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 1976 | Carrie | Brian De Palma | Based on the novel of the same name | 94% |
| 1980 | The Shining | Stanley Kubrick | Based on the novel of the same name | 83% |
| 1983 | Disciples of the Crow | John Woodward | Based on the short story "Children of the Corn" | —N/a |
| Cujo | Lewis Teague | Based on the novel of the same name | 60% | |
| The Dead Zone | David Cronenberg | Based on the novel of the same name | 89% | |
| Christine | John Carpenter | Based on the novel of the same name | 74% | |
| 1984 | Children of the Corn | Fritz Kiersch | Based on the short story of the same name | 36% |
| Firestarter | Mark L. Lester | Based on the novel of the same name | 40% | |
| 1986 | Stand by Me | Rob Reiner | Based on the novella "The Body" | 92% |
| 1987 | The Running Man | Paul Michael Glaser | Based on the novel of the same name (published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman) | 67% |
| 1990 | Tales from the Darkside: The Movie | John Harrison | Based on the short story "The Cat from Hell"; the rest is original work for the film. | 46% |
| Graveyard Shift | Ralph S. Singleton | Based on the short story of the same name | 0% | |
| Misery | Rob Reiner | Based on the novel of the same name | 91% | |
| 1993 | The Dark Half | George A. Romero | Based on the novel of the same name | 59% |
| Needful Things | Fraser Clarke Heston | Based on the novel of the same name | 33% | |
| 1994 | The Shawshank Redemption | Frank Darabont | Based on the novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" | 89% |
| 1995 | The Mangler | Tobe Hooper | Based on the short story of the same name | 27% |
| Dolores Claiborne | Taylor Hackford | Based on the novel of the same name | 86% | |
| 1997 | The Night Flier | Mark Pavia | Based on the short story of the same name | 33% |
| 1998 | Apt Pupil | Bryan Singer | Based on the novella of the same name | 54% |
| 1999 | The Green Mile | Frank Darabont | Based on the novel of the same name | 79% |
| 2001 | Hearts in Atlantis | Scott Hicks | Based on the novella "Low Men in Yellow Coats" | 49% |
| 2003 | Dreamcatcher | Lawrence Kasdan | Based on the novel of the same name | 28% |
| Julie Ganapathi | Balu Mahendra | Based on the novel "Misery" | —N/a | |
| 2004 | Secret Window | David Koepp | Based on the novella "Secret Window, Secret Garden" | 46% |
| Riding the Bullet | Mick Garris | Based on the novella of the same name | 23% | |
| 2007 | 1408 | Mikael Håfström | Based on the short story of the same name | 79% |
| No Smoking | Anurag Kashyap | Based on the short story "Quitters, Inc." | 46% | |
| The Mist | Frank Darabont | Based on the novella of the same name | 73% | |
| 2009 | Dolan's Cadillac | Jeff Beesley | Based on the novella of the same name | —N/a |
| 2013 | Carrie | Kimberly Peirce | Based on the novel of the same name | 51% |
| 2014 | Mercy | Peter Cornwell | Based on the short story "Gramma" | —N/a |
| 2017 | The Dark Tower | Nikolaj Arcel | Based on the series of the same name | 16% |
| It | Andy Muschietti | Based on the child portions of the novel "It" | 85% | |
| Gerald's Game | Mike Flanagan | Based on the novel of the same name | 91% | |
| 1922 | Zak Hilditch | Based on the novella of the same name | 92% | |
| 2019 | Pet Sematary | Kevin Kölsch Dennis Widmyer | Based on the novel of the same name | 57% |
| In the Tall Grass | Vincenzo Natali | Based on the novella of the same name, co-authored with his son, Joe Hill | 36% | |
| Doctor Sleep | Mike Flanagan | Based on the novel of the same name | 78% | |
| 2020 | Children of the Corn | Kurt Wimmer | Based on the short story of the same name | 11% |
| 2022 | Firestarter | Keith Thomas | Based on the novel of the same name | 10% |
| Mr. Harrigan's Phone | John Lee Hancock | Based on the novella of the same name | 46% | |
| 2023 | The Boogeyman | Rob Savage | Based on the short story of the same name | 60% |
| 2024 | The Life of Chuck | Mike Flanagan | Based on the novella of the same name | 81% |
| 'Salem's Lot | Gary Dauberman | Based on the novel of the same name | 45% | |
| 2025 | The Monkey | Osgood Perkins | Based on the short story of the same name | 77% |
| The Long Walk | Francis Lawrence | Based on the novel of the same name | 88% | |
| The Running Man | Edgar Wright | Based on the novel of the same name | 64% | |
| In development | ||||
· Television › Adaptations with Stephen King's involvement
| Year | Title | Writer | Actor | Role | Notes | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 1994 | The Stand | Yes | Yes | Teddy Weizak | Based on the novel of the same name | 70% |
| 1995 | The Langoliers | No | Yes | Tom Holby | Based on the novella in Four Past Midnight | 48% |
| 1997 | The Shining | Yes | Yes | Gage Creed | Based on the novel of the same name Also third unit director | —N/a |
| 2006 | Desperation | Yes | No | Based on the novel of the same name | ||
| 2014 | "Heads Will Roll" | Yes | Yes | The Diner Patron | An episode of the television series Under the Dome. Based on the novel of the same name. | |
| 2017 | "People in the Rain" | No | Yes | The Diner Patron | An episode of the television series Mr. Mercedes. Based on the novel of the same name. | |
| 2020 | "The House of the Dead" | No | Yes | Man on Hemingford Home poster | Episode of the 2020 miniseries The Stand. Based on the novel of the same name. | |
| "The Circle Closes" | Yes | No | Episode of the 2020 miniseries The Stand. Based on the novel of the same name. | |||
| 2021 | Lisey's Story | Yes | No | Based on the novel of the same name | 53% |
· Television › Other TV adaptations
1984
Role(s)
An episode of the anthology series Tales from the Darkside. Based on the short story of the same name.
Notes
CBS Television Distribution
1986
Role(s)
An episode of the anthology series The Twilight Zone. Based on the short story of the same name.
Notes
CBS Television Distribution
1991
Role(s)
An episode of the anthology series Monsters. Based on the short story of the same name.
Notes
Tribune Entertainment
Role(s)
Based on the short story of the same name
Notes
CBS Television Distribution
1997
Role(s)
An episode of the anthology series The Outer Limits. Based on the short story of the same name.
Notes
MGM Television
2002
2002–2007
Role(s)
The Dead Zone
Notes
Based on the novel of the same name
2006
Role(s)
Based on short stories in collections Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Everything's Eventual, and Night Shift
Notes
TNT
2009
Role(s)
Based on the short story of the same name
Notes
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2010–2015
Role(s)
Haven
Notes
Based on the novel The Colorado Kid
2011
2013–2015
Role(s)
Under the Dome
Notes
Based on the novel of the same name
2017
2017–2019
Role(s)
Mr. Mercedes
Notes
Based on the novels Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End of Watch
2019, 2020
Role(s)
Creepshow
Notes
Based on the short stories "Gray Matter" and "Survivor Type"; the rest is not based on stories by King.
2020
2020–2021
Role(s)
The Stand
Notes
Based on the novel of the same name
2021
Ongoing
2025–present
Role(s)
The Institute
Notes
Based on the novel of the same name
Upcoming
2026
In development
TBA
Role(s)
Fairy Tale
Notes
Based on the novel of the same name
| Year | Title | Notes | Distributor | Network | Rotten Tomatoes | ||
| 1979 | Salem's Lot | Based on the novel of the same name | Warner Bros. Television | CBS | 89% | ||
| 1984 | "The Word Processor of the Gods" | An episode of the anthology series Tales from the Darkside. Based on the short story of the same name. | CBS Television Distribution | Syndication | —N/a | ||
| 1986 | "Gramma" | An episode of the anthology series The Twilight Zone. Based on the short story of the same name. | CBS Television Distribution | CBS | |||
| 1990 | It | Based on the novel of the same name | Warner Bros. Television | ABC | 67% | ||
| 1991 | "The Moving Finger" | An episode of the anthology series Monsters. Based on the short story of the same name. | Tribune Entertainment | Syndication | —N/a | ||
| Sometimes They Come Back | Based on the short story of the same name | CBS Television Distribution | CBS | 67% | |||
| 1993 | The Tommyknockers | Based on the novel of the same name | Trimark Pictures | ABC | 35% | ||
| 1997 | Trucks | Based on the short story of the same name | Trimark Pictures | USA Network | —N/a | ||
| Quicksilver Highway | Based on the short story Chattery Teeth | 20th Television | |||||
| "The Revelations of 'Becka Paulson" | An episode of the anthology series The Outer Limits. Based on the short story of the same name. | MGM Television | Showtime | ||||
| 1998 | Woh | Based on the novel It | Zee Entertainment Enterprises | Zee TV | |||
| 2002 | Carrie | Based on the novel of the same name | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | NBC | 20% | ||
| 2002–2007 | The Dead Zone | Based on the novel of the same name | 20th Television | USA Network | —N/a | ||
| 2004 | Salem's Lot | Based on the novel of the same name | Warner Bros. Television | TNT | 69% | ||
| 2006 | Nightmares & Dreamscapes | Based on short stories in collections Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Everything's Eventual, and Night Shift | TNT | 85% | |||
| 2009 | Children of the Corn | Based on the short story of the same name | Anchor Bay Entertainment | Syfy | 0% | ||
| 2010–2015 | Haven | Based on the novel The Colorado Kid | Entertainment One | Syfy | 63% | ||
| 2011 | Bag of Bones | Based on the novel of the same name | A&E Networks | A&E | —N/a | ||
| 2013–2015 | Under the Dome | Based on the novel of the same name | CBS Television Distribution | CBS | 68% | ||
| 2014 | Big Driver | Based on the novella of the same name | Lifetime Movies | Lifetime | 50% | ||
| 2016 | 11 | Based on the novel of the same name | Warner Bros. Television | Hulu | 83% | ||
| 2017 | The Mist | Based on the novella of the same name | Dimension Television | Spike | 60% | ||
| 2017–2019 | Mr. Mercedes | Based on the novels Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End of Watch | WarnerMedia Entertainment | Audience | 91% | ||
| 2019, 2020 | Creepshow | Based on the short stories "Gray Matter" and "Survivor Type"; the rest is not based on stories by King. | Shudder | 97% | |||
| 2020 | The Outsider | Based on the novel of the same name | Media Rights Capital | HBO | 91% | ||
| 2020–2021 | The Stand | Based on the novel of the same name | CBS Television Distribution | CBS All Access | 57% | ||
| 2021 | Chapelwaite | Based on the short story "Jerusalem's Lot" | Epix | 60% | |||
| Ongoing | |||||||
| 2025–present | The Institute | Based on the novel of the same name | MGM+ | 71% | |||
| Upcoming | |||||||
| 2026 | Carrie | Based on the novel of the same name | Amazon MGM Studios | Amazon Prime Video | TBA | ||
| In development | |||||||
| TBA | Fairy Tale | Based on the novel of the same name | A24 | TBA | TBA | ||
· Derivative works › In films
1992
Role(s)
David Price
Notes
Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn
1995
Role(s)
James D. R. Hickox
Notes
Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn
1996
Role(s)
Adam Grossman
Notes
Based on 1991's Sometimes They Come Back
Role(s)
Greg Spence
Notes
Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn
1998
Role(s)
Ethan Wiley
Notes
Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn
Role(s)
Daniel Zelik Berk
Notes
Based on 1991's Sometimes They Come Back
1999
Role(s)
Kari Skogland
Notes
Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn
2003
Role(s)
Craig R. Baxley
Notes
Prequel to 2002's Rose Red, written by King for television
2006
Role(s)
Ana Clavell and James Dudelson
Notes
Sequel to 1982's Creepshow and 1987's Creepshow 2
2011
2018
2023
| Year | Title | Director | Notes | Distributor | Rotten Tomatoes |
| 1987 | A Return to Salem's Lot | Larry Cohen | Sequel to the Salem's Lot miniseries | Warner Bros. | —N/a |
| 1992 | Pet Sematary Two | Mary Lambert | Sequel to 1989's Pet Semetary | Paramount Pictures | 21% |
| Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice | David Price | Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn | Dimension Films | 30% | |
| 1995 | Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest | James D. R. Hickox | Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn | —N/a | |
| 1996 | Sometimes They Come Back... Again | Adam Grossman | Based on 1991's Sometimes They Come Back | Trimark Pictures | |
| Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering | Greg Spence | Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn | Dimension Films | ||
| 1998 | Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror | Ethan Wiley | Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn | 14% | |
| Sometimes They Come Back... for More | Daniel Zelik Berk | Based on 1991's Sometimes They Come Back | Trimark Pictures | 0% | |
| 1999 | The Rage: Carrie 2 | Katt Shea | Sequel to 1976's Carrie | United Artists | 23% |
| Children of the Corn 666: Isaac's Return | Kari Skogland | Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn | Dimension Films | 0% | |
| 2001 | Children of the Corn: Revelation | Guy Magar | Sequel to 1984's Children of the Corn | Dimension Films | 0% |
| 2002 | The Mangler 2 | Michael Hamilton-Wright | Sequel to 1995's The Mangler | Artisan Entertainment | —N/a |
| 2003 | The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer | Craig R. Baxley | Prequel to 2002's Rose Red, written by King for television | ABC Studios, Lionsgate | 17% |
| 2005 | The Mangler Reborn | Erik Gardner and Matt Cunningham | Sequel to 1995's The Mangler | Lionsgate | —N/a |
| 2006 | Creepshow 3 | Ana Clavell and James Dudelson | Sequel to 1982's Creepshow and 1987's Creepshow 2 | Taurus Entertainment Company | 0% |
| 2011 | Children of the Corn: Genesis | Joel Soisson | Sequels to 1984's Children of the Corn | Dimension Extreme | —N/a |
| 2018 | Children of the Corn: Runaway | John Gulager | Sequels to 1984's Children of the Corn | Lionsgate Films | |
| 2023 | Pet Sematary: Bloodlines | Lindsey Anderson Beer | Origin story based on Pet Sematary | Paramount+ | 23% |
References
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/creepshow
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cats_eye
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stephen_kings_silver_bullet
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/maximum_overdrive
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/creepshow_2
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pet_sematary
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/thinner
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stephen_kings_a_good_marriage
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cell_2016
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/it_chapter_two
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003625_carrie?
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shining
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cujo/
- Rotten Tomatoeshttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dead_zone/
- Rotten Tomatoeshttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/christine/
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1004047-children_of_the_corn
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/firestarter/
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stand_by_me_1986/
- Rotten Tomatoeshttp://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/running_man/
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tales_from_the_darkside_the_movie