A George A. Romero Movie With A Hilarious Stephen King Cameo Is Streaming For Free. And No, It’s Not Horror

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George A. Romero is instantly associated with zombie films – think hordes of ghouls attacking farms, malls, and even fortified cities. While often called the father of modern zombies because of his groundbreaking Living Dead series, Romero, who passed away in 2017, also created some truly remarkable dramatic films throughout his career.

George A. Romero’s 1981 film, Knightriders, is a favorite among his fans and offers a fun, updated take on the King Arthur story. It even includes a funny appearance by Stephen King! Best of all, you can watch this hidden gem for free on several streaming services right now.

Knightriders Is An Underrated Romero Film With Some Great Themes

Unlike most of George A. Romero’s films, Knightriders isn’t a horror or fantasy story. However, it still features his signature social commentary and strong characters. The movie centers on King Billy (Ed Harris), who leads a group of traveling performers who joust on motorcycles. He tries to live according to the ideals of King Arthur and create a more meaningful life outside the problems of today’s world.

Similar to classic zombie movies, the main characters face conflict within their own group, which threatens to divide them and make them vulnerable to those in power. At its heart, the story is about staying true to yourself and your community, upholding your values, and avoiding the negative influences of the outside world. And, it features some incredibly exciting motorcycle jousting!

Stephen King’s ‘Hoagie Man’ Cameo Is Brief But Iconic

Before teaming up for famous horror anthologies like Creepshow and Tales from the Darkside, Stephen King and George A. Romero worked together on Knightriders, though in a surprising way. King didn’t write for the film; instead, he made a quick on-screen appearance as a character called “Hoagie Man.”

Despite appearing briefly on screen, King delivers a memorable performance as a rough and irritating character, complete with a Budweiser and a partially eaten sandwich. His reaction to the motorcycle jousters is as brilliantly clueless as his iconic role as Jordy Verill in the Creepshow segment, “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verill.”

So, How Do You Watch Knightriders For Free?

It’s ironic and fitting that a film about rejecting modern capitalism is widely available for free online. While you can purchase a copy on DVD or Blu-ray to add to your George A. Romero collection, Knightriders is currently streaming without cost on platforms like Plex, Pluto, the Roku Channel, and Kanopy (Kanopy just requires a library card). Here’s a guide to watching it on each of those services:

  • Stream Knightriders on Plex.
  • Stream Knightriders on Pluto.
  • Stream Knightriders on Kanopy.
  • Stream Knightriders on the Roku Channel.

This is definitely different from George Romero’s zombie films. But if you’ve never seen Knightriders, or you’re in the mood to watch it again, now is the perfect time.

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2025-11-01 23:08