6 Terrifying Horror Movies That Feel Like Stephen King Books

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Stephen King is widely regarded as a master of horror, and these films capture the spirit of his most iconic stories. From his breakthrough novel Carrie in 1974, readers have consistently enjoyed both revisiting his older works and eagerly anticipating new releases. Because King is such a productive and skilled writer, fans don’t usually have to wait long for something new. He recently returned to the character of Detective Holly Gibney in Never Flinch (May 2025) and has been sharing news about the upcoming The Talisman 3 online.

In 2025, moviegoers will have several opportunities to see adaptations of Stephen King’s work on the big screen, including Edgar Wright’s reimagining of The Running Man and Osgood Perkins’s version of the short story The Monkey. Considering King’s huge impact on the horror genre, it’s not surprising that so many horror films draw inspiration from his writing.

‘Haunt’ (2019)


Momentum Pictures

While Pennywise the Dancing Clown is the most well-known scary clown, other frightening clowns exist in horror films. The 2019 movie Haunt, starring Katie Stevens as Harper, tells the story of a group of friends who visit a terrifying haunted house on Halloween, and it’s likely that the film drew inspiration from clowns like Pennywise.

The haunted attraction features masked figures like ghosts and devils, but the clown is the most frightening. This clown is also central to the ending of the movie Haunt, connecting to its themes of overcoming hardship, the effects of abuse, and difficult childhood experiences. Harper, the main character, isn’t simply a ‘final girl’; her own troubled past makes her feel like a character you’d find in a Stephen King story.

‘Let the Right One In’ (2008)


Sandrew Metronome

Stephen King’s 1975 novel, Salem’s Lot, a chilling vampire story set in a small town, has clearly influenced many similar stories. Forget the poorly made HBO version and check out a film that captures some of the same themes instead. The 2008 Swedish horror movie Let the Right One In shares the strong emotions and realistic portrayal of childhood struggles found in much of King’s work. Like King, the film doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh reality of bullying and dealing with cruel classmates.

Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) forms a connection with his new neighbor, Eli (Lina Leandersson), who is a vampire, and they find companionship in each other, easing their feelings of loneliness. The 2010 remake, Let Me In, is also enjoyable, but the original film is particularly noteworthy for its beautiful and unsettling mood.

‘Hereditary’ (2018)


A24

Ari Aster’s 2018 horror film, Hereditary, centers around Toni Collette as Annie Graham, a mother grappling with the death of her mother, Ellen. As the family uncovers disturbing secrets about their history and a connection to a sinister demon named Paimon, they are all profoundly impacted. From its incredibly shocking opening to the film’s conclusion, Hereditary is a deeply unsettling and emotionally draining experience.

There are definite echoes of Carrie in this film. While Carrie focuses on a daughter overshadowed by her intensely religious mother, Hereditary asks whether we can ever truly escape the influence of our families – a rather unsettling idea. Both stories delve into trauma and feature characters with unwavering beliefs, and Annie’s lack of control over her destiny feels similar to Carrie’s. If Stephen King’s novel from the 1970s stays with you, Ari Aster’s film will too.

‘Run’ (2020)


Hulu

The new thriller Run features Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen as Diane and Chloe Sherman, a mother and daughter caught in a deeply disturbing and frightening situation. The film offers a raw and realistic portrayal of Munchausen’s by proxy and doesn’t shy away from the complexities of dealing with a parent’s deception. It explores the difficult path to recovery and doesn’t offer easy solutions.

Beyond its unsettling portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship, the movie Run shares similarities with Stephen King’s Carrie – both stories center on a teenager longing to be accepted and experience a normal high school life. The film cleverly reveals what Chloe’s mother is up to, unfolding the mystery at a perfect pace. However, Run ultimately feels more hopeful than Carrie, and Chloe seems to have a real chance of breaking free from her terrifying circumstances.

‘The Innkeepers’ (2011)


Magnet Releasing

When people think of haunted hotel movies, The Shining is usually the first one that comes to mind. A more recent film, The Innkeepers, captures a similar spooky vibe. Though director Ti West is now known for his X trilogy, many haven’t seen his 2011 film. It centers on Luke (Pat Healy) and Claire (Sara Paxton), employees at an inn that’s about to close its doors. Unlike most people, they’re fascinated by ghosts and actively try to find evidence of them.

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Stephen King himself isn’t a fan of The Shining, but that doesn’t change how beloved and impactful it remains. If you’re looking for a similar frightening experience, The Innkeepers is a great choice. It’s not as over-the-top as the 1980 film adaptation, but it offers a more subtle and atmospheric story about a haunted building and the secrets within.

‘Hush’ (2016)

The horror film Hush has a strong Stephen King vibe, and that’s fitting considering director Mike Flanagan is a huge fan of his work. Flanagan co-wrote the movie with his wife, Kate Siegel, who also plays the lead role. It’s a powerful story about a writer’s struggle for survival and her experience with isolation.

The new thriller Hush follows deaf author Maddie Young as she defends herself from home invaders, and it brings to mind Jack Nicholson’s character in The Shining, who sought isolation in a haunted hotel to write. While Hush is more realistic than that classic film—and Maddie is a more accomplished writer than Jack—both movies center on creative individuals. Fans of director Mike Flanagan will especially appreciate Hush because Maddie’s book is titled Midnight Mass, the same name as one of Flanagan’s popular horror series on Netflix.

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2025-12-24 05:04