{"id":7822,"date":"2017-09-11T10:01:22","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T09:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/?p=7822"},"modified":"2024-02-27T16:51:09","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T16:51:09","slug":"10-of-the-best-stephen-king-films","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/2017\/09\/11\/10-of-the-best-stephen-king-films\/","title":{"rendered":"10 of the best Stephen King films"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i>It<\/i>, the long awaited film adaptation of Stephen King\u2019s classic creepy clown horror novel, is now in cinemas. It\u2019s the latest in a long, long line of movies based on King&#8217;s work. Three King adaptations have been released this year alone: the aforementioned <i>It<\/i>, <i>The Dark Tower<\/i> and Netflix\u2019s adaptation of <i>The Mist<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>But which of the many King adaptations is the best? Here are our favourites.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>Stand by Me<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gozRrRCtj6E\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Although King is typically associated with horror, <i>Stand By Me<\/i> remains one of the most popular adaptations of his work (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/books\/2016\/feb\/03\/stephen-king-delivers-very-mixed-review-of-film-adaptations\">including with King himself<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Directed by Rob Reiner, this coming-of-age drama sees four boys (played by River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O\u2019Connell and future <em>The\u00a0<\/em><i>Big Bang Theory<\/i> favourite Wil Wheaton) head to the woods in search of a corpse.<\/p>\n<p>What starts as a speculative trip for four bored youths soon becomes an unforgettable adventure that emphasises the importance of friendship.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>The Shawshank Redemption<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NmzuHjWmXOc\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><i>The Shawshank Redemption<\/i>, directed by Frank Darabont, was adapted from King\u2019s 1982 novella <i>Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption<\/i>, which first appeared in his collection <i>Different Seasons<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>It follows Andy Dufresne, a banker who is convicted of murder (despite protesting his innocence) and sent to the Shawshank State Penitentiary. There, he befriends a fellow inmate named Red and together, they try to survive violent fellow prisoners, sadistic guards and a corrupt justice system designed to keep them incarcerated.<\/p>\n<p><i>The Shawshank Redemption<\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/05\/18\/7-legendary-movies-that-were-box-office-bombs\/\">was a box office flop at first<\/a>\u00a0but has since become one of the most popular movies of all time; indeed, it\u2019s still holds <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/chart\/top\">the #1 spot on the IMDB 250<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>The Green Mile<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ki4haFrqSrw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>After the success of <i>The Shawshank Redemption<\/i>, Frank Darabont took on another of King\u2019s prison dramas: <i>The Green Mile<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p><i>The Green Mile <\/i>is the story of\u00a0John Coffey (played by Michael Clarke Duncan), a child-like gentle giant on death row for murder. However, officer Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) suspects that he\u2019s actually innocent &#8211; especially after Coffey begins to demonstrate supernatural powers.<\/p>\n<p><i>The Green Mile <\/i> is renowned for its ability to make even the toughest of people cry and is gripping, heartbreaking and inspirational throughout its three hour runtime.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>The Mist<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LhCKXJNGzN8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The third of King and Darabont\u2019s collaborations is a lot bleaker than the previous two. <em>The Mist<\/em>\u00a0focuses on a group of people forced to take refuge in the supermarket after a \u201d\u02dcmist\u2019 containing horrific creatures envelops their town, although relations between the group soon take a turn for the worse.<\/p>\n<p>With its terrifying monsters and a group of survivors gradually losing their minds and their patience with each other, <i>The Mist <\/i> is an obvious forerunner to Darabont\u2019s hugely popular adaptation of <i>The Walking Dead<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Without spoiling too much, Darabont famously changed the ending of King\u2019s original novella. The result is truly stunning. Even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstshowing.net\/2007\/stephen-king-approves-of-the-mists-new-ending\/\">King agreed that the new ending is better!<\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>The Mist<\/i> was recently adapted as a TV series too, although <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/tv\/the_mist\/s01\/\">reviews are mixed.<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>The Shining<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/i-B_bbkEfS0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Many people consider Stanley Kubrick\u2019s adaptation of <i>The Shining<\/i> to be the best horror movie ever made. Stephen King is not one of those people.<\/p>\n<p>King <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cinemablend.com\/new\/Stephen-King-Just-Went-Off-About-How-Much-He-Hates-Shining-Again-68032.html\"> famously hates Kubrick\u2019s adaptation<\/a>, lambasting it for making main character Jack Torrance seem crazy from the start and it&#8217;s \u201cmisogynistic\u201d\u009d portrayal of Jack\u2019s wife Wendy.<\/p>\n<p>Critics disagree, however, praising the film for its nightmarish portrayal of Jack\u2019s descent into madness as he tries to write a novel in the confines of the Overlook Hotel. The film is a cultural classic, with various scenes like the appearance of the twins, the blood wave and, of course, \u201d\u02dchere\u2019s Johnny\u2019 parodied countless times.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>Carrie<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YuO26oJQLVs\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>King\u2019s first novel was adapted for the screen by Brian De Palma, who would go on to direct <i>Scarface<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>The film follows a young girl named Carrie, who is routinely bullied at school. On prom night, Carrie is doused in blood in a cruel prank by her schoolmates. Unfortunately for them, it turns out Carrie has psychic abilities\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n<p>There are some differences between De Palma\u2019s adaptation and King\u2019s book, but the director still captures the tone of King\u2019s novel perfectly; \u00a0the prom scene in particular is a heady mix of dream-like imagery and pure horror.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>Children of the Corn<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Qs6z1D4gVp4\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Of the many, many King adaptations released in the 80s, <i>Children of the Corn<\/i> is one of the most iconic.<\/p>\n<p>It follows a 12 year old named Isaac who indoctrinates a town\u2019s children into a murderous cult. The children then sacrifice the town\u2019s adults in the name of a deity called \u201d\u02dcThe One Who Walks Behind the Rows\u2019. And you thought the kids round you were badly behaved!<\/p>\n<p><i>Children of the Corn<\/i> didn\u2019t receive the best reviews from critics but has become a cult favourite, with a parody in a <i>Treehouse of Horrors<\/i> episode of <i>The Simpsons<\/i> introducing it to a new legion of fans.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>The Dead Zone<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iKZz8Gy5ceU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>David Cronenberg, director of <i>The Fly<\/i> and <i>Videodrome<\/i>, is arguably the perfect director for King\u2019s work; he too specialises in high concept horror that is by turns disgusting and thought-provoking.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, Cronenberg only directed one King adaptation &#8211; but it\u2019s a good one. <i>The Dead Zone<\/i> is based on King\u2019s 1979 novel of the same name and follows schoolteacher Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) who gains psychic powers following a near death experience.<\/p>\n<p>He later meets a presidential candidate at a rally and, to his horror, discovers that he will become a near-dictator who orders a world-ending nuclear strike. Smith\u2019s knowledge leaves him with a tough decision\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n<p>Cronenberg\u2019s masterful direction and an excellent performance from Christopher Walken make <i>The Dead Zone<\/i> one of the tensest, enthralling and unforgettable King adaptations to date.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>It (2017)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hAUTdjf9rko\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><i>It<\/i> hasn\u2019t been out long, but it\u2019s already joined the sacred ranks of good King adaptations with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/m\/it_2017\/\">an impressive 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Adapted from one of King\u2019s best loved (and most controversial) novels, <i>It<\/i> is the story of a group of kids who are terrorised by Pennywise, a horrifying and seemingly supernatural clown.<\/p>\n<p>Whether or not it&#8217;s as good as the classic 90s miniseries is up for debate, although one thing is for sure: <i>It<\/i> is a fantastic adaptation of a fantastic novel.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>Misery<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mAjDgTrToAk\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Despite being a hugely successful novelist, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking Stephen King doesn\u2019t like writing that much; more than a few of his stories star writers either going mad, suffering from writer\u2019s block or being terrorised by supernatural forces.<\/p>\n<p>None of King\u2019s writer characters have a worse time than romantic novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), though. After careering off the road in a snow storm, Sheldon is \u201d\u02dcsaved\u2019 by a nurse named Annie (Kathy Bates), who just happens to be one of his biggest fans.<\/p>\n<p>To show his gratitude, Sheldon shows Annie the manuscript for his new novel\u201d\u00a6 and she hates it. And, being the passionate type, she expresses her hate in a series of horrific and violent ways.<\/p>\n<p>Bates is so good as the psychotic Annie that she took home the Best Actress Oscar, a rarity for an actress in a horror movie.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>What is your favourite Stephen King adaptation? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n<p>Love Stephen King movies? Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/store.musicmagpie.co.uk\/category\/?filter=collections:stephen-king&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=stephen-king\">our amazing Stephen King collection on the musicMagpie Store<\/a> today, where you&#8217;ll find the best King adaptations at amazing prices plus\u00a0FREE delivery. Why wouldn\u2019t you?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/store.musicmagpie.co.uk\/category\/?filter=collections:stephen-king&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=stephen-king\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5210\" src=\"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/SHOP-NOW.png\" alt=\"SHOP NOW\" width=\"299\" height=\"50\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here are 10 of the best Stephen King films:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Stand by Me<\/li>\n<li>The Shawshank Redemption<\/li>\n<li>The Green Mile<\/li>\n<li>The Mist<\/li>\n<li>The Shining<\/li>\n<li>Carrie<\/li>\n<li>Children of the Corn<\/li>\n<li>The Dead Zone<\/li>\n<li>It (2017)<\/li>\n<li>Misery<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It, the long awaited film adaptation of Stephen King\u2019s classic creepy clown horror novel, is now in cinemas. It\u2019s the latest in a long, long line of movies based on King&#8217;s work. Three King adaptations have been released this year alone: the aforementioned It, The Dark Tower and Netflix\u2019s adaptation &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7825,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[1886,1937,1574,1938],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7822"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7822"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7822\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16935,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7822\/revisions\/16935"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}