Based on Stephen King's novel, this sci-fi horror film follows four friends who gain telepathic abilities after saving a man with a mysterious condition, only to find themselves facing an alien invasion. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, the film features a cast including Thomas Jane, Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant, and Jason Lee, with Morgan Freeman in a supporting role. Known for its blend of body horror, telepathy, and extraterrestrial elements, it's one of the more ambitious, albeit divisive, King adaptations, featuring unique creature designs and exploring the bonds of friendship under extreme duress.

Directed by George A. Romero, this film based on Stephen King's novel tells the story of Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton), a writer whose violent pseudonym comes to life as a separate, murderous entity after Thad 'kills off' the pen name. The film delves into the psychological horror of a writer's relationship with his creations and features some gruesome moments courtesy of Romero. While it didn't reach the classic status of some other King adaptations, it offers an intriguing premise about duality and the darker aspects of creativity, brought to life with practical effects.

This adaptation of Stephen King's novel stars Drew Barrymore as Charlie McGee, a young girl with pyrokinetic abilities, and her parents, who are on the run from a secret government agency known as 'The Shop' that wants to weaponize her powers. The film features a cast including David Keith, Heather Locklear, and George C. Scott. While perhaps not the most critically acclaimed King adaptation, it has moments of exciting supernatural action and features a memorable score by Tangerine Dream. It explores themes of paranoia, government experimentation, and the burden of extraordinary power.

Based on Stephen King's novel, this film taps into primal fears with the story of a rabid St. Bernard trapping a mother and her young son in their car. Dee Wallace gives a harrowing performance as the mother fighting for survival. The film is a creature feature elevated by its intense, claustrophobic scenario and focus on the human characters' desperation. Filming with the dog actors required careful handling and innovative techniques to make them appear menacing while ensuring their safety. It's a straightforward, effective horror film that capitalizes on a terrifyingly realistic premise.

Brian De Palma's adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel is a horror classic that introduced audiences to the tormented teenager Carrie White, who discovers she has telekinetic powers after years of bullying and religious fanaticism from her mother. Sissy Spacek's portrayal of Carrie is hauntingly sympathetic, and Piper Laurie is terrifying as her fanatical mother. The film culminates in one of cinema's most iconic and bloody prom scenes. It was a major success and paved the way for many future King adaptations, establishing key themes like the horrors of adolescence and religious extremism.

Frank Darabont's third Stephen King adaptation is a creature feature and psychological horror film set in a small Maine town engulfed by a mysterious mist that hides terrifying creatures. Trapped in a supermarket, a group of survivors must confront not only the external threat but also their own fears and the breakdown of society. Known for its intense atmosphere and bleak tone, the film is particularly famous for its controversial, gut-wrenching ending, which differs significantly from King's novella but was approved by the author. It's a claustrophobic and effective exploration of human nature under extreme pressure.

Directed by David Cronenberg and based on Stephen King's novel, this film stars Christopher Walken as Johnny Smith, a teacher who wakes from a coma with psychic abilities – specifically, the power to see a person's future through touch. This gift becomes a curse when he foresees a catastrophic event. Walken gives a restrained yet poignant performance as a man burdened by his ability. The film is a thoughtful blend of sci-fi, thriller, and drama, exploring the moral dilemmas posed by precognition and fate. It's considered one of the more faithful and effective early King adaptations.

Based on Stephen King's novel, this film is a compelling mystery and character study starring Kathy Bates in another powerful King adaptation role as Dolores Claiborne, a Maine housekeeper accused of murdering her wealthy employer. The film weaves together two timelines: the present-day investigation and flashbacks revealing Dolores's difficult past, particularly her strained relationship with her abusive husband and her daughter (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh). It's less overtly supernatural and more of a dark, intense drama exploring themes of survival, resilience, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters.

Directed by Rob Reiner, this intense psychological thriller is based on Stephen King's novel and features a truly chilling performance from Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes, an unstable fan who rescues her favorite author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), after a car crash, only to hold him captive when she dislikes his new manuscript. Bates won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her terrifying portrayal, a rare feat for the horror genre. The film is a masterclass in suspense, relying on its tight script and the dynamic between the two leads to create a claustrophobic and utterly gripping experience.

Stanley Kubrick's masterful adaptation of Stephen King's novel is a landmark psychological horror film. Jack Nicholson delivers an iconic, unsettling performance as Jack Torrance, a writer who takes a job as an off-season caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel, where sinister forces begin to influence him. While King famously disliked Kubrick's interpretation, the film is celebrated for its stunning cinematography, innovative Steadicam work, and palpable sense of dread. The film's ambiguous nature and rich symbolism have made it a subject of extensive analysis and debate for decades, cementing its place in cinematic history.

Drawing from Stephen King's collection of novellas and short stories, primarily 'Low Men in Yellow Coats', this film centers on a young boy named Bobby Garfield in the 1960s who befriends a mysterious older man, Ted Brautigan, played wonderfully by Anthony Hopkins. Ted possesses strange abilities and is on the run from ominous figures. The film beautifully captures the nostalgic feel of childhood and the impact of a unique friendship, blended with hints of the supernatural elements common in King's wider universe (Ted Brautigan is connected to the Dark Tower series). It's a character-driven drama that resonates with themes of loss, growing up, and the magic found in unexpected places.

Based on Stephen King's novella The Body, this coming-of-age classic directed by Rob Reiner captures the bittersweet journey of four young boys in search of a dead body during the summer of 1959. Starring a remarkably talented young cast including Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell, the film perfectly encapsulates the innocence, adventure, and underlying sadness of childhood friendship. King himself was reportedly so impressed with the film that he called it the best adaptation of his work up to that point. The film's title comes from the classic Ben E. King song, which enjoys renewed popularity thanks to its inclusion on the soundtrack.

Another fantastic Frank Darabont adaptation of a Stephen King work, The Green Mile delves into the lives of death row guards during the Great Depression and the arrival of a gentle giant with mysterious healing powers. Tom Hanks leads a brilliant ensemble cast, including Michael Clarke Duncan in his Oscar-nominated role as John Coffey. The film is a moving blend of drama and magical realism, exploring themes of justice, prejudice, and the nature of miracles. Filming took place in a massive, detailed set built to replicate the prison block, adding to the film's immersive atmosphere. It was a critical and commercial success, garnering four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, this adaptation of Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption is a powerful story of hope, friendship, and perseverance against impossible odds. Directed by Frank Darabont, it stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Ellis 'Red' Redding, who deliver absolutely captivating performances. Despite its now legendary status, the film was actually a box office disappointment upon release but found its massive audience through home video and television airings. It received seven Academy Award nominations but famously won none, competing in a year dominated by Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction. The film's enduring popularity is a testament to its profound emotional core and timeless themes.