Rob Reiner’s Stephen King Horror With 86% On Rotten Tomatoes Is Back On Netflix After 5 Years

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Rob Reiner’s intense thriller, Misery, based on the Stephen King novel, is now streaming on Netflix after being unavailable for five years. Horror fans can once again enjoy this acclaimed adaptation of King’s work, especially with several new King projects coming to TV soon.

The film Misery showcases one of the most famous horror characters ever, brought to life by the incredible Kathy Bates. It’s a surprisingly intense story about how obsessive fandom can become dangerous. What makes Annie Wilkes so terrifying is that she initially seems kind and even charming.

As a huge movie fan, I always thought what really makes Misery so terrifying isn’t just the suspense, but the way director Rob Reiner subtly weaves in dark humor. It actually makes Kathy Bates’ character, Annie Wilkes, even more unsettling – she’s allowed to go completely off the rails, and Bates fully commits to it! Honestly, without those bleakly funny moments, it wouldn’t be nearly as effective as a straight-up thriller. It’s that contrast that really gets under your skin.

This film is widely considered one of the most successful adaptations of a Stephen King story ever made. Its return to Netflix, replacing Rob Reiner’s classic Stand by Me, is a great opportunity to remember Reiner’s incredible talent and versatility as a director.

Rob Reiner’s Stephen King Horror Movie Misery Is Back On Netflix

The 1990 horror film Misery is now available on Netflix after being removed in February 2021. While it was briefly on HBO Max in September 2025, its long absence from Netflix is a bit unusual, considering how often this movie has appeared on the streaming service.

Stephen King surprisingly believes the film adaptation of Misery is superior to his original novel. Director Rob Reiner’s quick pacing and frequent, close-up shots of the main characters make the movie a genuinely enjoyable experience, and it’s clear why King feels so strongly about it.

Reiner expertly blends terrifying horror with dark humor. A major reason is Kathy Bates’ incredible performance as the unhinged fan Annie Wilkes. Bates brilliantly portrays Wilkes’s change from caregiver to captor, subtly shifting the tone and rightfully earning her an Academy Award in 1991.

Considering how quickly Rob Reiner’s Stand by Me disappeared from Netflix, Misery probably won’t be available for long either. Now’s the time to watch this classic horror film while you can.

It’s The Perfect Time For Misery To Return To Netflix

Beyond its own merits, Misery is a great introduction to a wave of new Stephen King adaptations. In early 2026 alone, King’s stories have been hugely popular on streaming services, with The Running Man and The Long Walk becoming the most-watched titles on Paramount+ and Starz.

The recent release of the miniseries adaptation of 11.22.63 on Netflix quickly became a hit, climbing to number 2 in both the U.S. and worldwide rankings. This success happened despite strong competition from popular Netflix originals like Stranger Things and Run Away, and a decade after the story first appeared on Amazon Prime Video. As a result, Stephen King is now reaching more television viewers than ever before.

The recent surge in his popularity isn’t just helpful for the return of Misery to Netflix. It also creates a great opportunity for Mike Flanagan’s upcoming TV series based on Carrie, which is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video in October 2026. After that, Flanagan plans to tackle a complete adaptation of Stephen King’s epic novel, The Dark Tower.

As a huge fan of Stephen King, things are really looking up! We’re probably going to get season 2 of It – Welcome to Derry on HBO around 2027, which is fantastic news. And if you’re like me and need a reminder of just how brilliant King can be, you absolutely have to revisit Misery. Seriously, a cold night and that movie with Kathy Bates and James Caan? Perfection.

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2026-03-09 02:48