Since the early 1970s, famous author Stephen King has written over sixty-one novels. His first book to be published was Carrie in 1974 which later became a popular horror film starring Sissy Spacek in 1976 and later Chloe Grace Moretz in 2013. King had already discarded this book but his wife later convinced him to return to it. Since then, Stephen King has become one of the biggest bestselling authors in the world. Over the years classic novels like King’s have helped to inspire a variety of the best online slots such as these top ten book slots from The Pogg.
Over the years he has released many popular novels that have later become classic films. Some of the popular films based on his books have even been remade years later with new actors. Here are just some of the movies based on Stephen King works that you might want to check out this year:
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Doctor Sleep was a recent film released this October and is based on the 2013 novel by Stephen King. Fans of King’s older novel, and film, will enjoy this new film as it is the sequel to The Shining, starring an older Danny Torrance. Ewan McGreggor stars as Danny and the film is set several decades after the creepy events that happened at the Overlook hotel when he was a child. Directed by Mike Flanagan, the film centres around Danny who helps to protect a young girl who has similar powers to him. Whether you are a fan of the book or the 1980 prequel starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, Doctor Sleep is one film that you should check out in cinemas now.
Misery (1990)
Released in 1990, Misery is a psychological horror film that was directed by Ron Reiner. The movie is based on King’s novel by the same name and was released in 1987. The movie stars Kathy Bates and James Caan and is about a psychotic nurse who holds her favourite author captive so that he would write stories for her. The movie received positive reviews when released and became a huge box office success. Kathy Bates plays an unsettling character and her performance as Annie Wilkes earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1991. Whether you choose to read the novel or watch the film, Misery is just one of many unsettling Stephen King stories to experience.
Carrie (2013)
Back in 1974, Carrie was Stephen King’s first book to be published. The story centres around young teenager Carrie White who discovers she has telekinetic powers. After she is humiliated by her classmates at the school prom, Carrie unleashes her powers on all those who were cruel to her. Many fans of Stephen King film adaptations will most likely prefer Carrie (1976) starring Sissy Spacek. This 2013 marked a newer adaptation of King’s novel and starred Chloe Grace Moretz as Carrie with Julianne Moore as her mother. While critics thought that this film had a talented cast, many thought that this remake was unnecessary.
Pet Sematary (2019)
Released in April this year, Pet Sematary is a horror film based on Stephen King’s 1983 novel and is the second film adaptation of the book. The story is based around Dr. Louis Creed and his family as they relocate to a new home in Maine. They soon discover a mysterious burial ground hidden in the woods near their home. Many critics and audiences has mixed reviews on this new film as there were quite a few changes between the book and the film and many disliked the slow pacing and jump-scares. However, a lot of fans thought that is was better than the 1989 film adaption of Pet Sematary.
IT (2017)
It is a supernatural horror film that is based on Stephen King’s novel from 1986. It is one of King’s largest books to date with over 1138 pages to read through. This 2017 version is the second adaptation of the book, the first one was back in 1990 with a TV mini series starring Tim Curry as Pennywise the clown. It tells the story of seven children who are terrorised by an evil demon posing as a clown in Derry, Maine. This film broke several box office records when it was released, grossing over £700 million. The reviews were mainly positive with critics praising screenplay, cinematography, music and direction. It was also deemed to be the best Stephen Kings adaptations so far. It: Chapter Two was also released in September this year and focuses on the same characters but is set twenty-seven years after the events of the first film.
