with many more still to be adapted - creating some of the most iconic horror works in cinematic history.

Though many of his works have been widely celebrated, some have been overshadowed or flown under the radar, such as Christine and 1408, both of which share many of the trademarks of King's classic film adaptions. King is a master of combining terrifying supernatural elements with a deep look at human psychology, and the combination of both that truly creates something special. The film adaptions are all faithful retellings of King's work that showcase and often elevate the source material, producing films and series that deserve more than a second look.

10 The Dark Half (1993)

An Adaption Of The Dark Half (1989)

The Dark Half is a horror film adapted from Stephen King's underrated 1989 novel of the same name, written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead). The film follows author Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) as he attempts to control his alter ego writing personality, George Stark, who is the manifestation of an undeveloped twin Thad had in his brain as a young child. The alternate voice is dark and violent, trying to control the writer and his work, with the film exploring themes of identity and mental duality.

The film features plenty of King's most intriguing trademarks, including a child growing up and having to confront and fight against issues from their youth that come back to haunt them. This complex psychological undertone forms the basis of many of King's works, with the film also having impeccable performances, gory sequences, and many darkly comedic moments that make it a multi-layered work. Romero's talented hands behind the camera add a tense atmosphere that elevates the story, but it fails to reach commercial or critical acclaim.

9 Firestarter (1984)

An Adaption Of Firestarter (1980)

Sci-fi horror film Firestarter is a faithful adaption of King's 1980 novel of the same name that stars a young Drew Barrymore in the titular role. The film's plot follows a young girl named Charlie McGee (Barrymore) who has developed the power of pyrokinesis - the ability to create and control fire with just the mind - after her parents were both given experimental drugs by a secret government agency in college. The film then explores the dynamics of the family and the issues caused as the agency hunts down the girl in order to complete their experiment.

Firestarter was remade in 2022, directed by Keith Thomas and starring Zac Efron, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, and Sydney Lemmon.

The film stars an ensemble cast alongside the breakout role for Barrymore, including stars like David Keith and Martin Sheen, who really add some polish and punch to the ing roles. The special effects are surprisingly effective and hold up well even to modern standards, with many chilling visuals and terrifying sequences that highlight the horrors that can be unleashed by an outlet unprepared to harness their powers. Firestarter perfectly weaves high-level conspiracy, a family drama, and gritty science fiction to create a brilliant adaption of King's work

8 The Running Man (1987)

An Adaption Of The Running Man (1982)

Paul Michael Glaser's The Running Man is a dystopian action film loosely adapted from King's 1982 novel (published under Richard Bachman). One of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best films, it sees him star as Ben Richards, a man who is forced by the government to appear in a deadly reality show that sees contestants fight for their lives each week to an audience of millions after being framed for a public massacre. The film, like a lot of King's work, has multiple layers of social commentary wrapped up in an innovative storyline that keeps the viewer hooked from minute one.

The film's satirical take on violence and modern media practices was met with divided opinion, with some arguing the film is also a violent, made-for-profit piece of media. No matter how it is viewed conceptually, the film more than stands up as an entertaining and complete film that is anchored by Schwarzenegger's incredibly charismatic performance, punctuated with incredible action sequences. The adaption also differs from the novel in the fact that Ben is forced onto the show rather than seeking out the opportunity for monetary reward, a notable difference that definitely changes the narrative's feel.

7 Apt Pupil (1998)

An Adaption Of The Apt Pupil Novella In Different Seasons (1982)

Apt Pupil is a thriller film directed by Bryan Singer, which was based on King's 1982 novella of the same name. Set in 1980s California, the plot follows the burgeoning relationship between a young high school student named Todd (Brad Renfro) and a secret Nazi war criminal named Kurt Dussander (Ian McKellen), who is living in the same neighborhood under the alias Arther Denker. The two strike up an unlikely friendship as Todd's obsession with Nazi history and the Holocaust descends into disturbing levels, with hatred and malice growing within them with each encounter.

Though it's far from one of King's most popular novels or film adaptions, its more 'down-to-earth', realistic storyline is incredibly captivating to watch. The tension grows throughout the film, and McKellen's hauntingly realistic portrayal of a Nazi war criminal is exceptional, creating a truly terrifying character who is every bit as cruel and menacing as he was in his previous life. Contrary to many of King's works, the real horror in the film doesn't have to be abruptly paranormal, but rather, the humanized version of evil can be just as, if not more effective, in creating something truly scary that lingers after the credits roll.

6 1408 (2007)

An Adaption Of The 1408 Short Story From Everything’s Eventual (1999)

Based on King's 1999 short story of the same name, 1408 is a deeply haunting, psychological horror directed by the incredible Swedish filmmaker Mikael Håfström. The film's plot follows author Mike Enslin (John Cusack), who investigates local paranormal occurrences, as he visits the fictional The Dolphin Hotel in New York after receiving a disturbing warning telling him never to enter room 1408. The film descends into horror and madness as the room takes over, trapping Mike inside and forcing him to experience bizarre and terrifying sequences.

There were four endings created for 1408. In addition to the ending that appeared in the theatrical release, there were also three other alternative endings shot that goes some way to explaining the versatility and imagination of the creators.

1408 is easily one of King's most terrifying short stories, creating a claustrophobic nightmare that weaves in elements of psychological trauma and surrealist visuals. The film doesn't rely on copious amounts of blood, gore, or other acts of violence, but rather the creeping dread and tension created in one's own mind that can so often be the basis for the best thrilling horrors. Cusack delivers an electric (almost) solo performance that captures a man's growing disillusionment and desperation, with King's signature wit and dry sense of humor sprinkled in, that creates an excellent film all around.

5 Hearts In Atlantis (2001)

An Adaption Of The Low Men in Yellow Coats Novella From Hearts in Atlantis (1999)

A loose adaptation of King's Dark Tower tie-in Low Men in Yellow Coats from his Hearts in Atlantis collection, Hearts in Atlantis is a mystery drama that stars Hollywood icon Anthony Hopkins with the rising star Anton Yelchin. The film follows a man with psychic abilities named Ted Brautigan (Hopkins), who befriends a young local boy after discovering he is being bullied, whose father ed away, with a mother who is struggling to raise him. The film is one of King's more poignant works that sees the film delve into childhood, loss, and youthful innocence that never seems to last for too long.

Though with a more personal narrative that delves into subtle character development, it's not as heart-pumping as some of King's other horror works, but therein lies its charm. The film's more methodical pace and more nuanced look at the supernatural elements give much more time to connect with the characters, and all the roles are perfectly played up and down the cast, with Hopkins delivering some of his best work in years. The small-town feel of the visuals combined with the more human narrative creates a beautiful work that still packs a punch.

4 Gerald’s Game (2017)

An Adaption Of Gerald’s Game (1992)

A work that was long deemed unfilmable due to its subject matter and stripped-down, bare-bones narrative, Gerald's Game, directed and edited by modern horror legend Mike Flanagan, proves to be one of King's most electric adaptions. Based on King's 1992 novel, the film follows a woman (Carla Gugino) and her husband (Bruce Greenwood) as they travel to a remote holiday home. The plot turns abruptly as the husband dies of a heart attack during intercourse, with his wife handcuffed tightly to the bed, with no means to get the key, call for help, or escape from her nightmare.

The brilliance of Gerald's Game comes down to two names, Flanagan and Gugino, who both deliver in front of and behind the camera. Gugino is a genuine force of nature as her portrayal of Jessie is gripping, exciting, and expansive, as her character breaks down physically and mentally with flashes of her past as she must battle her inner demons as well as her hellish reality. Flanagan's direction is perfect as he allows Gugino to shine, and the material just inventively flows from the page and onto the screen, creating a masterpiece of minimal cinema that many thought was impossible.

3 Storm Of The Century (1999)

Original Screenplay

Storm of the Century, though technically framed as a 'miniseries', is generally viewed as one extended horror film written by King and directed by Craig R. Baxley. The plot examines a small town in America that is haunted and besieged by a mysterious stranger named André Linoge (Colm Feore), who settles in after a generational blizzard takes hold. André makes numerous disturbing demands of the townsfolk, including murder and sacrifice, as the gruesome narrative unfolds and the quiet contemplation of the storm is replaced with a rising sense of dread and doom.

Unlike almost all of King's other adaptions to film, Storm of the Century wasn't based on an original novel, but rather a screenplay that King wrote specifically for the format. This change in writing style allows the horror icon to develop the characters and narrative fully, with Linoge and Tim Daly delivering two standout performances, with the former producing one of the best villainous depictions in any of King's work. The extended format is ideal for a slow-burning, perfectly paced story that sees the town slowly consumed in a King adaption that deserves so much more attention.

2 Dolores Claiborne (1995)

An Adaption Of Dolores Claiborne (1992)

Dolores Claiborne is a psychological thriller directed by Taylor Hackford with a screenplay by Tony Gilroy, based on King's 1992 novel of the same name. The film's plot focuses on the terse relationship between mother (Kathy Bates) and daughter after the daughter returns to her homeland to see her mother after she is accused of murdering the elderly woman in her care. The film is mostly told through a series of haunting and chilling flashbacks that expose years of generational trauma and abuse and add context to the events that are transpiring in the modern day.

Her character in Dolores Claiborne was Kathy Bates' favorite role in her entire career.

Bates also starred in one of the most famous King adaptions ever as Annie Wilkes in Misery, creating one of King's best human villains ever. Bates, again, delivers a true powerhouse performance as she totally embodies the character who has caused such pain, combined with a mature directorial hand and fantastic plot, it creates one of King's most underrated works. The climax of the film reveals that not all horrors, especially family ones, are supernatural in nature, but oftentimes to do with the nature of our own beings and the issues we can on to those closest to us.

1 Christine (1983)

An Adaption Of Christine (1983)

Christine, often referred to as John Carpenter's Christine, is a supernatural horror adapted by screenwriter Bill Phillips from King's 1983 novel of the same name. Directed by Carpenter, the film follows the story of teenager Arnie Cunningham and the effect on his life and everyone around him after he purchases a classic Plymouth Fury, which he names Christine. The car turns out to have a mind of its own and develops a jealous and obsessive personality that wreaks havoc on Arnie's life in a film that blends automotive innovation with supernatural possession in a coming-of-age film that descends into chaos.

Mike Flanagan, creator of The Haunting anthology series, called Christine one of King's most underrated films of all, and it's hard to disagree. The film has expert direction that allows the subtle performances and nuanced narrative to really shine, alongside a brilliant story, intricate and layered performances, and a film with many themes that pull off each one perfectly. The film is a metaphor for the modern age of materialism and cultural obsession, creating a horror film that stands the test of time, earning its cult status reputation and Stephen King's most underrated film in his entire career.