List of Stephen King movies and mini-series

Often dubbed the ‘King of Horror’, Stephen King is without doubt the most successful horror author of all time. Since publishing his first novel, Carrie in 1974, King has gone on to write some of the most notable and iconic stories of the modern age.

From The Shining and Christine, to Misery and The Long Walk, King has enthralled and entertained readers the world over. He has also creeped them out too, with his unnerving, yet mesmerising prose.

Due to the success of King’s books, his stories have been adapted extensively for film and transformed into multiple television mini-series. Many of the movies have been big screen affairs, while some of the mini-series have become cult favourites.

Below you will find a list of the Stephen King movies and mini-series, beginning with Carrie and running through the likes of Firestarter, Graveyard Shift, and Thinner. The list also includes movies and mini-series which are based on King’s non-horror work, such as The Running Man or The Green Mile.

Please note: This list does not include TV series or individual episodes of television shows based on King’s stories. However, the list does include movie sequels loosely inspired by King’s novels, such as the endless Children of the Corn films.

__

Stephen King movies and mini-series

Carrie (1976)

First up is the supernatural horror movie, Carrie. Directed by Brian De Palma, the film tells the story of Carrie White – a meek teen with telekinetic abilities who gets revenge on the bullies who torment her. (98 mins)

Salem’s Lot (1979)

Next up is the two-part television mini-series, Salem’s Lot. Tobe Hooper directs this one, which focuses on a writer who returns to his hometown to discover it is overrun by vampires. (183 mins)

The Shining (1980)

Third on the list is Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining – a big screen movie starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. The story concerns an aspiring novelist who takes a job as a caretaker at a mountain resort hotel, with dire consequences. (146 mins)

Creepshow (1982)

Directed by George A. Romero, working from a screenplay by Stephen King (and based on some of his work), Creepshow is a horror anthology movie comprised of five stories. (120 mins)

Cujo (1983)

Lewis Teague calls the shots on this next one. Cujo tells the story of a mother and her son who become trapped in a car surrounded by a rabid St. Bernard. (93 mins)

The Dead Zone (1983)

Next on the list is the sci-fi thriller, The Dead Zone. The movie – from director David Cronenberg – follows the story of a school teacher who awakens from a coma to discover he has psychic powers. (103 mins)

Christine (1983)

In John Carpenter’s Christine, young Arnie Cunningham finds his life changing when he buys a red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine, which appears to have a mind of its own. (110 mins)

Children of the Corn (1984)

Next is the first in a long-running series of movies based on King’s novel, Children of the Corn. The movie focuses on a young couple who find themselves trapped in the remote town where a malevolent entity entices the local children to perform ritual murders. (92 mins)

Firestarter (1984)

Based on King’s book of the same name, and directed by Mark L. Lester, Firestarter tells the story of a young girl (played by Drew Barrymore) who develops pyrokinesis. (114 mins)

Cat’s Eye (1985)

Adapting stories from King’s 1978 novel, Night Shift, Cat’s Eyes is a horror anthology from director Lewis Teague. (94 mins)

Silver Bullet (1985)

Dan Attias sits in the director’s chair for this next movie, which adapts King’s novella, Cycle of the Werewolf. (95 mins)

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

King takes on directing duties for this movie, the horror film Maximum Overdrive. The film – loosely based on King’s story, Trucks – details what happens when all machines become sentient. (98 mins)

Stand By Me (1986)

Rob Reiner directs this coming-of-age story about four best friends who find the body of a missing boy. Stand By Me is based on King’s novella, The Body, and is often regarded as one of the best King movies. (89 mins)

Creepshow 2 (1987)

The second movie in the Creepshow anthology series, Creepshow 2 focuses on three tales of terror. Michael Gornick directs. (89 mins)

The Running Man (1987)

Loosely based on King’s novella of the same name, Arnold Schwarzenegger takes the lead in The Running Man, playing a hero forced to take part in reality television show where death is on the cards. (101 mins)

A Return to Salem’s Lot (1987)

Created as a theatrical sequel to the 1979 TV mini-series Salem’s Lot, A Return to Salem’s Lot follows the story of an anthropologist and his son who encounter vampires in the town of Jerusalem’s Lot.

Pet Sematary (1989)

Adapted from Stephen King’s novel of the same name, Pet Sematary focuses on a bereaved father who uses an ancient graveyard with mysterious abilities to bring his deceased son back from the dead. Mary Lambert directs. (113 mins)

It (1990)

Over to TV for this next one – the iconic two-part mini-series, It. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, the story revolves around a group of friends who encounter a predatory monster during their childhood. (192 mins)

Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)

Back to theatrically released movies for this next film: Tales from the Darkside: The Movie. Directed by John Harrison, the film is a horror anthology film which includes a segment based on King’s The Cat from Hell. (93 mins)

Graveyard Shift (1990)

Based on the short story of the same name, Graveyard Shift tells the story of a drifter who is hired to rid an ancient mill of rats. Ralph Singleton directs. (86 mins)

Misery (1990)

Onto another iconic movie – the psychological horror-thriller, Misery. Directed by Stand By Me‘s Rob Reiner, the film follows the story of novelist Paul Sheldon, who becomes the prisoner of obsessed fan, Annie Wilkes. (107 mins)

Sometimes They Come Back (1991)

In Sometimes They Come Back, a school teacher returns to his former home town to take up a job. But shortly after arriving, he discovers the gang that murdered his brother appear to have returned from the grave. (97 mins)

Golden Years (1991)

Back to television for the seven-chapter sci-fi mini-series, Golden Years. The plot focuses on an elderly Janitor who finds himself aging in reverse following an explosion. (232 mins)

Pet Sematary Two (1992)

Picking up a few years after the events of the 1989’s Pet Sematary, this loose sequel focuses on a young boy who uses the pet cemetery to resurrect his deceased mother, with dreadful consequences. (100 mins)

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

Very, very loosely based on a King story, The Lawnmower Man is an early ’90s sci-fi horror about a gardener with learning difficulties, who becomes involved in an experiment using a combination of drugs and virtual reality. Brett Leonard directs. (108 mins)

Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)

The second instalment in the Children of the Corn film series. This one focuses on a journalist and his son who cross paths with the murderous children from the previous film. (92 mins)

Needful Things (1993)

Based on the novel of the same name, Needful Things is a horror about a mysterious shop which stocks the deepest desires of each customer. Fraser C. Heston is on director duties. (121 mins)

The Tommyknockers (1993)

Back to television for this next one – the two-part sci-fi horror mini-series, The Tommyknockers. Directed by John Power, this mini-series centres its story around a town seemingly run by a strange green power device. (181 mins)

The Dark Half (1993)

George A. Romero sits in the director’s chair for this next horror movie. The Dark Half tells the story of a writer whose fictional alter-ego wants to take over his life. (122 mins)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Another iconic one now, and a film which some believe is one of the greatest movies of all time. The film is the mid-’90s prison drama The Shawshank Redemption from filmmaker Frank Darabont. (142 mins)

The Stand (1994)

In this four-chapter, dystopian sci-fi mini-series, the survivors of a deadly plague divide themselves into two groups, with the aim of facing each other in a final battle. Mick Garris directs. (366 mins)

The Langoliers (1995)

Another TV mini-series, this time split into two parts. Directed by Tom Holland, The Langoliers tells the story of an airplane where most of the passengers suddenly disappear. (180 mins)

Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995)

In Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest, two brothers connected to the cult of Gatlin (from the previous films) are taken to Chicago by an adoptive couple. (92 mins)

Delores Claiborne (1995)

Directed by Taylor Hackford, Delores Claiborne is a psychological thriller about the strained relationship between a mother and her daughter. Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Christopher Plummer star. (132 mins)

The Mangler (1995)

Supernatural horror in this next movie from director Tobe Hooper. The Mangler tells the story of a laundry-folding machine which becomes possessed by a demon. (106 mins)

Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996)

Sci-fi movie sequel to 1992’s The Lawnmower Man. Farhad Mann directs. (93 mins)

Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996)

In Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering, a nurse returns to the deadly town of Gatlin only to find the town’s children have fallen under a mysterious mass illness. (85 mins)

Thinner (1996)

In Thinner, an obese lawyer is cursed and rapidly loses weight. Tom Holland directs. (92 mins)

Sometimes They Come Back… Again (1996)

In this second instalment in the Sometimes They Come Back movie series, a man and his daughter return to his hometown only to encounter a terrifying situation. (98 mins)

Trucks (1997)

In this horror TV movie, a group of tourists and locals are attacked by autonomous trucks. Chris Thomson directs. (95 mins)

The Shining (1997)

A second adaptation of The Shining, with Mick Garris on director duties. This time around the story is told over the course of a three-chapter mini-series. (273 mins)

Quicksilver Highway (1997)

Made-for-TV horror anthology, which includes a segment based on King’s short story, Chattery Teeth. (90 mins)

The Night Flier (1997)

In The Night Flier, a tabloid reporter investigates a series of murders which may have been committed by a vampire. Mark Pavia directs. (93 mins)

Apt Pupil (1998)

Based on King’s novella of the same name, Apt Pupil tells the story of a high school student who discovers his neighbour is a Nazi war criminal. Bryan Singer directs. (111 mins)

Sometimes They Come Back… for More (1998)

In the third Sometimes They Come Back movie, a psychologist and a soldier find themselves at the mercy of an ancient evil while in the arctic circle. (89 mins)

Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998)

In the fifth Children of the Corn movie, six college students are in the midst of a road trip when they take a disastrous wrong turn. (83 mins)

The Green Mile (1999)

Another high-profile, very well regarded movie, from The Shawshank Redemption‘s Frank Darabont. The Green Mile stars Tom Hanks and focuses on inmates on death row. (189 mins)

Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return (1999)

In the sixth entry in the Children of the Corn series a teenage girl arrives in the town of Gatlin searching for her biological mother. (82 mins)

The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

In this belated sequel to 1976’s Carrie, Rachel Lang – the younger, half-sister of Carrie White – develops telekinetic powers and encounters teen troubles. (104 mins)

Children of the Corn: Revelation (2001)

Yet another entry in the Children of the Corn movie series, this time focusing on a girl who uncovers a dark secret about her grandmother. (82 mins)

Hearts in Atlantis (2001)

Loosely adapted from a Stephen King story, Hearts in Atlantis tells the story of a mysterious man with psychic powers. Anthony Hopkins stars. (101 mins)

The Mangler 2 (2002)

Direct-to-video sequel to 1995’s The Mangler. The film focuses on a demon in private school’s computer network. (97 mins)

Carrie (2002)

In this made for television movie, Carrie White is harassed by schoolmates, then disappears, with a series of flashbacks detailing what happened. The movie is a remake/re-imagining of Carrie. (132 mins)

Rose Red (2002)

Craig R. Baxley is on director duties for this three-chapter TV mini-series, about a haunted manion named Rose Red. (255 mins)

Firestarter: Rekindled (2002)

Another TV mini-series, this time from director Robert Iscove. Firestarter: Rekindled is a sequel to 1984’s Firestarter. (168 mins)

The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (2003)

TV movie prequel to 2002’s Red Rose. Craig R. Baxley returns as director. (88 mins)

Dreamcatcher (2003)

Based on King’s novel of the same name, with Lawrence Kasdan as director, Dreamcatcher follows the story of four friends who encounter an invasion of parasitic aliens. (134 mins)

Salem’s Lot (2004)

Second adaptation of King’s Salem’s Lot. This time around in the form of a two-chapter mini-series from director Mikael Salomon. (181 mins)

Secret Window (2004)

David Koepp directs this next movie, while Johnny Depp stars. Secret Window tells the story of a writer who is stalked by a would-be scribe who accuses him of plagiarism. (96 mins)

Riding the Bullet (2004)

In Mick Garris’ horror movie, Riding the Bullet, a hitchhiker attempting to make his way to hospital is picked up by a mysterious stranger. (98 mins)

The Mangler: Reborn (2005)

Third entry in The Mangler movie series, which acts as alternate sequel to The Mangler 2. Erik Gardner and Matt Cunnigham direct. (84 mins)

Creepshow 3 (2006)

Third entry in the Creepshow horror anthology movie series. King’s involvement is through association of the two previous entries only. (104 mins)

Desperation (2006)

Made-for-TV horror film from regular King director, Mick Garris. The plot of Desperation revolves around a group of people who are thrown into jail and who must fight for their lives. (130 mins)

1408 (2007)

Psychological horror from Mikael Håfström. 1408 follows an author as he investigates haunted locales. (104 mins)

The Mist (2007)

Frank Darabont delivers another King adaptation in the cosmic horror, The Mist. The film concerns a group of people in a small town who become trapped in a supermarket covered in a mysterious mist. (126 mins)

Children of the Corn (2009)

Another Children of the Corn movie, this time conceived as a reboot essentially remaking the events of the 1984 movie. (92 mins)

Dolan’s Cadillac (2009)

Based on King’s novella of the same name, Dolan’s Cadillac is a crime picture about a man avenging the death of his wife. (89 mins)

Children of the Corn: Genesis (2011)

Back to the Children of the Corn movie series with film No. 9, Children of the Corn: Genesis. This film focuses on a young couple who attempt to free an imprisoned child with dreadful results. (80 mins)

Bag of Bones (2011)

Back to TV for this two-part horror mini-series from director Mick Garris. In Bag of Bones, after his wife dies suddenly, an author receives paranormal visitations. (82 mins)

Carrie (2013)

Yet another film remake of Carrie with Chloë Grace Moretz playing Carrie White. (99 mins)

A Good Marriage (2014)

Psychological thriller from director Peter Askin. A Good Marriage centres around a husband and wife duo who are about to enter a rocky period in their marriage. (102 mins)

Mercy (2014)

Based on King’s short story, Gramma, Mercy is a supernatural horror about a single mother and her two children who take care of their grandmother, who happens to have mystical abilities. (79 mins)

Big Driver (2014)

TV movie based on King’s novella of the same name, which follows a mystery writer out for revenge. Mikael Salomon directs. (87 mins)

Cell (2016)

Sci-fi horror from Tod Williams. The story focuses on an artist struggling to reunite with his son after a mysterious signal turns humanity into mindless animals. (98 mins)

11.22.63 (2016)

Eight-chapter TV mini-series in which a time traveler attempts to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy. (431 mins)

The Dark Tower (2017)

Sci-fi fantasy Western based on King’s novel series of the same name. The Dark Tower revolves around a gunslinger on a quest to protect a mythical structure which supports all realities. (95 mins)

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Mike Flanagan’s psychological horror-thriller, about a husband and wife who partake in handcuffed roleplay. However, when he suddenly dies, she is left chained to the bed without the key or any way to call for help. (103 mins)

1922 (2017)

Horror movie from Zak Hilditch set in the year 1922. The movie tells the story of a rancher who conspires to murder his wife and convinces his son to participate. (102 mins)

It (2017)

Movie adaptation of It. Following the same story as the ’90s TV mini-series, but focusing on the first half of the tale, specifically the children’s encounter with Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Andy Muschietti directs. (135 mins)

Children of the Corn: Runaway (2018)

The tenth entry in the Children of the Corn movie series. (82 mins)

It: Chapter Two (2019)

Sequel to 2017’s horror hit, this time focusing on the adults and their encounter with Pennywise. Andy Muschietti returns to the director’s chair. (169 mins)

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Belated sequel to 1980’s The Shining, which is also adapted from King’s 2013 novel of the same name, Doctor Sleep picks up the story with Dan Torrance – a man with psychic abilities and plenty of childhood trauma. Mike Flanagan directs. (152 mins)

In the Tall Grass (2019)

After hearing a young boy crying for help, a brother and sister enter a field of tall grass but struggle to find a way out. Vincenzo Natali directs. (101 mins)

Pet Sematary (2019)

Thirty years after the release of the first Pet Sematary movie, this 2019 offering reboots the series with a new adaptation. (101 mins)

Children of the Corn (2020)

Onto the 11th entry in the Children of the Corn movie series, which acts as a prequel to the previous entries. (93 mins)

The Stand (2020)

Nine-chapter mini-series remake of the 1994 film of the same name. (508 mins)

Lisey’s Story (2021)

Eight-chapter mini-series based on King’s novel of the same name. The story focuses on a widow who becomes the object of desire for a stalker. (415 mins)

Mr Harrigan’s Phone (2022)

Supernatural coming-of-age horror movie from John Lee Hancock. Mr. Harrigan’s Phone follows the story of a young boy who appears to be receiving phone messages from beyond the grave. (106 mins)

Firestarter (2022)

Sci-fi horror remake of the 1984 film of the same name. Firestarter is directed by Keith Thomas.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023)

Conceived as a prequel to 2019’s Pet Sematary, Pet Sematary: Bloodlines tells a story fifty years in the past. (84 mins)

The Boogeyman (2023)

Supernatural horror movie from Rob Savage. The film follows the story of a family haunted by the Boogeyman. (99 mins)

The Life of Chuck (2024)

Fantasy drama from Mike Flanagan. The plot focuses on the life of Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz, beginning with his death and running back down to his childhood. (111 mins)

‘Salem’s Lot (2024)

Another adaptation of King’s Salem’s Lot, this time in the form of a movie, rather than a mini-series. Gary Dauberman directs. (113 mins)

The Monkey (2025)

Osgood Perkins directs this next movie – the dark comedy horror, The Monkey. The film focuses on twin brothers who find their lives turned upside down by a cursed toy monkey. (98 mins)

The Long Walk (2025)

Based on King’s 1979 novel of the same name, The Long Walk is a dystopian thriller about a group of young men who enter an annual walking contest, where death is on the cards for those who can’t maintain the pace. Francis Lawrence directs. (108 mins)

The Running Man (2025)

Second adaptation of King’s novel, this one adhering more closely to the book, with Glen Powell replacing Arnold Schwarzenegger as the lead. Edgar Wright directs.

__

Recap

To save you having to scroll back up, here is the list of Stephen King movie and mini-series adaptations:

• Carrie (1976)
• Salem’s Lot (1979)
• The Shining (1980)
• Creepshow (1982)
• Cujo (1983)
• The Dead Zone (1983)
• Christine (1983)
• Children of the Corn (1984)
• Firestarter (1984)
• Cat’s Eye (1985)
• Silver Bullet (1985)
• Maximum Overdrive (1986)
• Stand By Me (1986)
• Creepshow 2 (1987)
• The Running Man (1987)
• A Return to Salem’s Lot (1987)
• Pet Sematary (1989)
• It (1990)
• Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990)
• Graveyard Shift (1990)
• Misery (1990)
• Sometimes They Come Back (1991)
• Golden Years (1991)
• Pet Sematary Two (1992)
• The Lawnmower Man (1992)
• Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992)
• Needful Things (1993)
• The Tommyknockers (1993)
• The Dark Half (1993)
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
• The Stand (1994)
• The Langoliers (1995)
• Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995)
• Delores Claiborne (1995)
• The Mangler (1995)
• Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996)
• Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996)
• Thinner (1996)
• Sometimes They Come Back… Again (1996)
• Trucks (1997)
• The Shining (1997)
• Quicksilver Highway (1997)
• The Night Flier (1997)
• Apt Pupil (1998)
• Sometimes They Come Back… for More (1998)
• Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror (1998)
• The Green Mile (1999)
• Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return (1999)
• The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)
• Children of the Corn: Revelation (2001)
• Hearts in Atlantis (2001)
• The Mangler 2 (2002)
• Carrie (2002)
• Rose Red (2002)
• Firestarter: Rekindled (2002)
• The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (2003)
• Dreamcatcher (2003)
• Salem’s Lot (2004)
• Secret Window (2004)
• Riding the Bullet (2004)
• The Mangler: Reborn (2005)
• Creepshow 3 (2006)
• Desperation (2006)
• 1408 (2007)
• The Mist (2007)
• Children of the Corn (2009)
• Dolan’s Cadillac (2009)
• Children of the Corn: Genesis (2011)
• Bag of Bones (2011)
• Carrie (2013)
• A Good Marriage (2014)
• Mercy (2014)
• Big Driver (2014)
• Cell (2016)
• 11.22.63 (2016)
• The Dark Tower (2017)
• Gerald’s Game (2017)
• 1922 (2017)
• It (2017)
• Children of the Corn: Runaway (2018)
• It: Chapter Two (2019)
• Doctor Sleep (2019)
• In the Tall Grass (2019)
• Pet Sematary (2019)
• Children of the Corn (2020)
• The Stand (2020)
• Lisey’s Story (2021)
• Mr Harrigan’s Phone (2022)
• Firestarter (2022)
• Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023)
• The Boogeyman (2023)
• The Life of Chuck (2024)
• ‘Salem’s Lot (2024)
• The Monkey (2025)
• The Long Walk (2025)
• The Running Man (2025)

__

__

I hope this information about Stephen King movies and mini-series has proved useful. Should you wish to learn about other movie series on It’s A Stampede!, please check out one of the recommended reads below.