13 Stephen King TV Series, Ranked From Worst to Best

Not all Stephen King TV shows and television movies are created equal.

Stephen King’s stories have inspired many films, some great and some not so much. Over the years, his TV shows and series have also had their ups and downs – often featuring complicated storylines, special effects that haven’t aged well, and performances that are a little too dramatic (think overacting!).

Stephen King’s work on television is certainly never dull, and at its best, it’s truly exceptional.

While some Stephen King adaptations miss the mark—like the poorly received The Langoliers (1995) or Bag of Bones (2011)—others offer brilliant new stories, such as Hulu’s Castle Rock, or are truly captivating, like Storm of the Century from 1999.

Stephen King adaptations – whether they’re TV movies, short series, or long-running shows – always generate buzz. Fans eagerly anticipate each new project, even if the results aren’t always perfect, regardless of whether it’s based on a previously published story or created specifically for TV and streaming.

Here’s our list of the best Stephen King TV series and movies, ranked from the least to the most impressive.

Ranked: Stephen King’s Best TV Series

13. Rose Red (2002)

Inspired by the classic film The Haunting and the real-life Winchester Mystery House, this three-part miniseries centers on a professor, a talented girl, and a group of psychics. They investigate a supposedly haunted mansion in Seattle and accidentally unleash a powerful evil. While the series feels a bit dated with its complicated plot and early 2000s style, it’s still an enjoyable and often overlooked spooky story from Stephen King.

12. Under the Dome (2013-2015)

The show Under the Dome explores what would happen if a town were completely isolated from the rest of the world. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the series follows the people of a small town suddenly trapped by an impenetrable, invisible dome. While the first season was gripping and full of suspense, focusing on the mystery and the characters’ reactions, the show became increasingly dramatic and over-the-top in later seasons, leading to a drop in viewers.

11. Nightmares & Dreamscapes (2006)

While some episodes are stronger than others, the series Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King is worth revisiting, especially for Stephen King fans who might have missed it. This early 2000s anthology features a talented cast – including William H. Macy and William Hurt – bringing eight strange tales of science fiction, horror, fantasy, and mystery to life. The quality varies, but at its best, the show is truly captivating.

10. Chapelwaite (2021)

Featuring a strong performance by Adrian Brody, Chapelwaite is a horror-drama set in 1850. It centers on a ship captain mourning his wife, who returns to his family’s old home and uncovers a disturbing secret. While inspired by Stephen King’s “Jerusalem’s Lot,” the show can be slow-paced and was unfortunately canceled after just one season. However, its beautiful production design and eerie atmosphere have earned it a dedicated fanbase.

9. The Outsider (2020)

A weary detective, still grieving the loss of his son, finds himself investigating another terrible crime: the murder of a young boy. But the case soon reveals a terrifying supernatural element. While it’s disappointing that HBO’s The Outsider, adapted from Stephen King’s 2018 novel, only lasted one season, the show compensates with its gripping, disturbing story and excellent performances from stars like Ben Mendelsohn, Jason Bateman, and Cynthia Erivo.

8. The Dead Zone (2002-2007)

After waking from a six-year coma, a man finds he has developed psychic powers. He starts using these abilities to solve local crimes, but things become complicated when he begins experiencing disturbing visions of the future. The series, based on Stephen King’s 1979 novel, features a captivating story and a strong performance by Anthony Michael Hall, blending science fiction, mystery, and compelling character drama. Sadly, despite its popularity, the show was cancelled after six seasons, leaving viewers with an unresolved cliffhanger and no final conclusion.

7. 11.22.63 (2016)

James Franco stars as a high school teacher who goes back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy in this TV series based on Stephen King’s novel, 11.22.63. The show starts with a captivating idea and is made even better by its atmospheric setting, strong performances, and thrilling conspiracy plot. While it’s one of the more well-made TV adaptations of King’s work and was generally well-received by critics, the series loses some momentum as it goes on, not quite living up to the excitement of the first episode. However, its realistic depiction of the past and emotionally engaging story help overcome any issues with pacing.

6. IT (1990)

The 1990 miniseries of Stephen King’s IT is widely considered responsible for a generation’s fear of clowns, and Tim Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise is a major reason why – even with its sometimes cheesy moments. Though Andy Muschietti’s 2017 and 2019 adaptations were more refined, the original IT remains a fan favorite for its nostalgic, spooky vibe and, of course, Curry’s unforgettable performance. The story follows a group of friends who come back together as adults to battle a terrifying, otherworldly creature disguised as a menacing clown.

5. Salem’s Lot (1979)

Okay, so I’m a huge Stephen King fan, and this miniseries, Salem’s Lot, is a classic. It’s about a writer who goes back home and discovers a vampire is basically building an army of the undead right under everyone’s noses. Tobe Hooper directed it, and even though it’s a bit older now, it’s still one of my favorite adaptations. What really gets me is the atmosphere – it’s super slow-burn and genuinely creepy. The way it’s filmed, with those unsettling shots and the really frightening design of the vampire – he’s a real Nosferatu-type creature – it just totally works. It’s terrifying seeing all this happen in what’s supposed to be a quiet, normal town.

4. Mr. Mercedes (2017-2019)

Inspired by the Bill Hodges Trilogy, Mr. Mercedes centers on a retired detective who is pulled back into a frightening pursuit when a cruel killer starts to torment him. Strong performances from Brendan Gleeson and Harry Treadaway, along with a supernatural element in the second season, elevate this show beyond a typical crime drama, making it a gripping and scary thriller.

3. The Stand (1994)

As a film buff, I always recommend checking out the ’90s miniseries based on the 1978 novel of the same name. It really captures the desperate fight between good and evil after a devastating virus wipes out most of the world. What makes it special, beyond the fantastic cast – seriously, Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, and Ed Harris all star! – is how faithfully it adapts the book and its incredibly epic scope. Even with a newer limited series adaptation from 2020, many fans still prefer this version because it truly feels grand and stays true to the original story.

2. Castle Rock (2018-2019)

As a huge Stephen King fan, I was completely hooked by Castle Rock. It’s set in this wonderfully creepy town of Castle Rock, Maine, and the acting is fantastic. What’s really cool is that it doesn’t adapt one specific King story; instead, it feels like a brilliant blend of all his greatest hits. You’ll recognize elements from books like The Dark Half, IT, Needful Things, and even Cujo. It’s like the show takes all these familiar characters and ideas – Annie Wilkes, the world of Shawshank – and connects them in this really mysterious and compelling way. Honestly, it feels like they’ve created King’s own shared universe, and we’re just along for the ride!

1. Storm of the Century (1999)

Stephen King’s Storm of the Century grabs you with a deeply disturbing moral question, but it’s much more than just a frightening story. Often considered one of King’s best TV creations, this miniseries tells the tale of a mysterious stranger who arrives in a secluded town during a blizzard. It’s powerfully acted, incredibly tense, and presents a chilling story that forces both the characters and the viewers to confront their own beliefs. The scares stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Worst Stephen King Movies Ever Made

Children of the Corn (1984)

Stephen King first wrote the story Children of the Corn, adapting it from his own short story. However, his initial draft focused heavily on the background of the town of Gatlin, Nebraska, and its corn-farming residents, and didn’t have enough of the horror and violence the studio wanted. Ultimately, George Goldsmith, who wrote a much more graphic and straightforward horror script, received the writing credit. The final movie spends most of its time showing the children violently sacrificing the town’s adults to protect their corn harvest. While the film spawned a long-running franchise with a loyal following, today it feels a bit cheesy and its scares are more B-movie than truly frightening.

Silver Bullet (1985)

Based on Stephen King’s story Cycle of the Werewolf, the film Silver Bullet takes place in a typical small town in Maine. A werewolf is terrorizing the community, and a young boy in a wheelchair (Corey Haim) is the only one who realizes what’s happening. While Silver Bullet has gained a following over time, it doesn’t quite capture the depth of King’s original story, which explored the darkness within people through its violent werewolf attacks. Interestingly, Everett McGill, who played Reverend Lowe (and also donned the werewolf suit!), had a dual role in the film. It’s considered one of the better werewolf movies, though that’s largely because the genre is often lacking in quality.

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

Stephen King only directed one movie, Maximum Overdrive, and it’s become notorious for being… not very good. While it has some silly fun moments, it’s a lot more lighthearted than most fans expected from the famous horror writer. The film, inspired by King’s story “Trucks,” presents a world where machines come to life with a desire to kill after Earth passes through a comet’s tail. The movie features a rocking soundtrack by AC/DC, including songs like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Hells Bells.” It was panned by critics when it came out, and King himself has disowned it, famously calling it a “moron movie.”

Sleepwalkers (1992)

Despite the talents of Mädchen Amick and Alice Krige, the movie Sleepwalkers failed to impress. It’s a silly and awkward story about energy-draining creatures who are surprisingly vulnerable to house cats. The film feels like a low-budget episode of The Outer Limits, complete with poor special effects. Sleepwalkers is unique as it was the first original screenplay by Stephen King – not based on any of his previous stories. It also features cameos from several famous horror directors, including John Landis, Clive Barker, Joe Dante, and Tobe Hooper. King himself even makes a brief appearance as an anonymous cemetery worker.

The Mangler (1995)

Many of Stephen King’s ideas are a bit strange, but The Mangler is arguably the most ridiculous. Directed by Tobe Hooper and based on King’s short story, the film stars Robert Englund as a laundromat owner and Ted Levine as a detective investigating disappearances. The story revolves around a possessed laundry press—designed to look like something from H.R. Giger’s artwork—that’s responsible for a series of deaths. While funny and silly, even the movie’s over-the-top gore, showing people being crushed and squeezed inside the machine, eventually becomes repetitive.

Apt Pupil (1998)

Even without the behind-the-scenes issues of a lawsuit and the director’s later dismissal, Apt Pupil isn’t a good film. Based on Stephen King’s story, it’s about a teenager who discovers his neighbor is a former Nazi hiding in plain sight. He then blackmails the man into recounting his horrific war crimes, even making him wear a Nazi uniform and pretend to be his grandfather. The movie focuses too much on shocking details and doesn’t offer a thoughtful exploration of the Holocaust’s devastating impact.

Dreamcatcher (2003)

Despite having a talented team – including director Lawrence Kasdan, screenwriter William Goldman, and actors Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, and Damian Lewis – the movie Dreamcatcher is surprisingly bad. It’s one of the few adaptations of Stephen King’s work that he actually enjoyed, which is ironic. The film follows a group of friends with telepathy whose weekend getaway is ruined by a parasitic alien invasion. Unfortunately, it’s overly long, confusing, and violent, even failing to achieve ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ status.

Cell (2016)

John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson managed to elevate the film 1408 from a simple imitation of The Shining into a truly scary haunted hotel movie. However, they weren’t able to do the same for Cell. The movie’s idea – what if cell phones turned people evil? – feels less like a frightening concept and more like an outdated argument against technology. Cell doesn’t stand out among other Stephen King adaptations or even other films about the dangers of technology; it feels like a predictable collection of ideas from better zombie, evil machine, and end-of-the-world stories.

The Dark Tower (2017)

The 2017 film adaptation of The Dark Tower feels like a missed opportunity, squandering both its source material and the talent involved. At just 95 minutes long, it barely scratches the surface of Stephen King’s epic story about a gunslinger battling forces that threaten the universe. The casting of Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba seems like a last-ditch effort to make the film more appealing.

It Chapter Two (2019)

Even if it had been good, the second It movie had a lot to live up to after the success of the first one – and it didn’t quite measure up. It’s not entirely the filmmakers’ fault, as the latter half of Stephen King’s novel isn’t as compelling. There’s just something more exciting about seeing kids team up to fight monsters than adults. While the book explores how childhood trauma follows you into adulthood, many viewers would have preferred to just see the story of the kids and leave it at that.

2025-10-22 17:00