If you’re a movie-watcher and a lover of the horror genre, that means, somewhere amidst all the blood-spattered gore and lycanthropy, you’ll probably take in a film adapted from one of Stephen King‘s 1,537,246 novels, novellas, and short stories. However, despite King’s reputation as a master of terror, it is often the non-horror stories he weaves that translate best to the screen.

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Check out Shahab Zargari‘s list of the best film adaptations of Stephen King’s writing, and feel free to add your own favorites.

5. The Mist (2007)

One of King’s favorite adaptations of his works (and his third collaboration with Frank Darabont), The Mist is a truly scary and unnerving tale of a small town becoming quickly flooded by thick mist filled with unspeakable monsters — apparently coming through a hole into another dimension caused by a recent storm. Plus, the main character, David, is seen painting a poster for Stephen King’s magnum opus The Dark Tower in the first minute of the film. Say thank ya. Long days and pleasant nights, sai.





4. Misery (1990)

I watched Rob Reiner’s Misery once, and I will never watch it again. The film is so scary because it’s a scenario that could very well happen in real life. The only ghoul we see in the film is a chubby Kathy Bates whose character Annie is cheerful and benevolent on the surface, and a real psychotic maniac inside. Gives me chills just thinking about the scenes of torture! Egads.





3. The Green Mile (1999)

The movie features Tom Hanks as a prison guard dealing with convicts sentenced to death. The adaptation is pretty on-point with the novel, and as a result the film clocks in at more than three hours in length. Don’t let the run time scare you — this is yet another superb undertaking by writer-director Frank Darabont.





2. Stand By Me (1986)

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This film was adapted by Rob Reiner, of The Princess Bride fame, from the novella The Body. It’s about childhood friendships and how how they stick with us throughout the years, like leeches to a penis. Brilliant film.





1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Frank Darabont took the novella Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption, cut out the story’s weak points, expanded and focused on its strongest points, and ended up with one of the most beautifully filmed stories of survival and hope.

Honorable Mention: The Dead Zone (1983)

In David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone, Christopher Walken plays Johnny Smith, who is enjoying his life, his teaching job, and his lovely fiancée, when a car accident puts him into a coma for many years to come. Is it worth watching, you ask? It’s Christopher Walken, people!