Stephen King isn’t just the king of horror novels—he’s a pop culture juggernaut whose stories have been adapted into films and TV shows for decades. From genre-defining classics to lesser-known gems (and a few misfires), King’s work continues to evolve across screens big and small.
After a massive 2025 that saw the long-awaited release of The Long Walk and The Running Man, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the series. With The Institute returning for Season 2 and Mike Flanagan’s Carrie adaptation on the horizon, there is plenty to stream.
Below is the up-to-date list of every Stephen King adaptation as of January 2026.
New & Upcoming (2026 Release Dates)
The Institute (Season 2)
- Status: Confirmed (2026 Release)
- Network: MGM+
- Details: Following a breakout first season in 2025, MGM+ has officially announced that The Institute will return for Season 2 later this year. Season 2 is expected to venture into original territory, continuing the story of Luke Ellis and the surviving psychics beyond the events of the novel.
Carrie (TV Series)
- Status: Expected 2026 (Post-Production)
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Details: Horror master Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) has wrapped filming on this 8-episode limited series. Starring Summer Howell as Carrie White, this adaptation promises to be a faithful, character-driven deep dive into King’s first published novel.
Fairy Tale (TV Series)
- Status: In Development
- Studio: A24
- Details: Originally planned as a movie, King’s massive fantasy epic Fairy Tale is now being developed as a 10-episode series by A24. Paul Greengrass is attached to write and direct.
Just Released (Streaming Now)
If you missed these in theaters last year, they are now available on digital and streaming platforms.
- The Running Man (2025): Edgar Wright’s faithful adaptation hit theaters in November 2025 and began streaming on Paramount+ in January 2026.
- IT: Welcome to Derry (2025): The prequel series exploring the origins of Pennywise is now streaming on Max.
- The Long Walk (2025): After decades in development hell, this dystopian survival thriller finally arrived in September 2025.
- The Monkey (2025): The supernatural horror hit produced by James Wan is available on VOD.
Stephen King Movies in Order (Chronological)
- Carrie (1976) – Directed by Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek; Oscar-nominated
- The Shining (1980) – Stanley Kubrick’s controversial but iconic take with Jack Nicholson
- Cujo (1983) – A claustrophobic thriller featuring a rabid St. Bernard
- Christine (1983) – Directed by John Carpenter; a killer car with a mind of its own
- Children of the Corn (1984) – Creepy kids, cult vibes, and lots of cornfields
- Firestarter (1984) – A young Drew Barrymore harnesses pyrokinetic power
- Stand By Me (1986) – Based on “The Body”; one of King’s most emotional stories
- Maximum Overdrive (1986) – King’s directorial debut; machines revolt
- The Running Man (1987) – Loosely based on his Bachman book; Arnold vs. dystopia
- Pet Sematary (1989) – Sometimes dead is better
- Misery (1990) – Kathy Bates won an Oscar for her unhinged performance
- The Lawnmower Man (1992) – Loosely inspired; known more for its CGI experiment
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Widely considered one of the greatest films ever
- Dolores Claiborne (1995) – A dark psychological drama
- Thinner (1996) – A cursed man wastes away
- The Green Mile (1999) – Emotional and mystical, with Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan
- Dreamcatcher (2003) – Aliens, telepathy, and a love-it-or-hate-it reception
- 1408 (2007) – A haunted hotel room traps a skeptical writer
- The Mist (2007) – A shocking ending that even surprised King
- Carrie (2013 remake) – A modern retelling with Chloë Grace Moretz
- Gerald’s Game (2017, Netflix) – A powerful one-woman survival story
- It: Chapter One (2017) – The return of Pennywise, with record-breaking box office success
- 1922 (2017, Netflix) – Guilt and madness on a Nebraska farm
- It: Chapter Two (2019) – The Losers Club reunites as adults
- Doctor Sleep (2019) – A sequel to The Shining, blending King and Kubrick
- Firestarter (2022 remake) – Modern update, but with mixed reviews
- Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022, Netflix) – A tech-meets-haunting tale
- The Boogeyman (2023) – Based on King’s short story, a creature-feature revival
- The Monkey (2025) – Produced by James Wan; a cursed toy causes chaos
- The Life of Chuck (2025) – A genre-bending drama starring Tom Hiddleston
- The Long Walk (2025) – Dystopian horror where teenage boys walk to the death
- The Running Man (2025) – Edgar Wright’s faithful adaptation starring Glen Powell
Television & Streaming Adaptations
- Salem’s Lot (1979, TV miniseries)
- It (1990, TV miniseries) – Tim Curry’s Pennywise still haunts a generation
- The Stand (1994, miniseries) – An epic post-apocalyptic battle of good vs. evil
- The Shining (1997, TV miniseries) – More faithful to the novel
- Storm of the Century (1999) – Original teleplay by King
- Rose Red (2002) – Haunted mansion horror in miniseries format
- Kingdom Hospital (2004) – Based on a Danish series; infused with King’s vision
- Nightmares & Dreamscapes (2006) – Anthology series based on short stories
- Haven (2010–2015) – Loosely based on “The Colorado Kid”
- Under the Dome (2013–2015) – A town trapped under a mysterious barrier
- 11.22.63 (2016, Hulu) – Time travel to stop JFK’s assassination
- Mr. Mercedes (2017–2019) – A retired detective vs. a serial killer
- Castle Rock (2018–2019, Hulu) – A psychological thriller set in King’s universe
- The Outsider (2020, HBO) – A brutal murder and supernatural paranoia
- The Stand (2020, Paramount+ reboot)
- Lisey’s Story (2021, Apple TV+)
- Chapelwaite (2021, Epix) – A gothic horror prequel to Salem’s Lot
- The Institute (2025–Present, MGM+) – Kids with powers are held captive in a secret facility
- IT: Welcome to Derry (2025, HBO/Max) – The origins of Pennywise in the 1960s
Adaptations You Might Not Know Are Stephen King
- The Shawshank Redemption – Based on the novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”
- Stand By Me – Based on “The Body”
- The Running Man – Written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman
- 1408 – Based on a short story from “Everything’s Eventual”
- Apt Pupil – A disturbing tale from “Different Seasons”
Books Still Waiting for a Great Adaptation
Despite dozens of adaptations, several major Stephen King novels are still waiting for the treatment they deserve:
- Duma Key – A haunting tale of creativity, trauma, and the supernatural.
- Insomnia – Ties deeply into the Dark Tower universe but remains untouched.
- The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon – A suspenseful survival story, perfect for a minimalist film.
- The Regulators – A Bachman book that plays with reality in dark, cinematic ways.
- Rose Madder – A dark psychological thriller with themes of abuse and empowerment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Stephen King movie adaptation? While opinions vary, The Shawshank Redemption, Misery, and It (2017) are frequently ranked among the top.
Which Stephen King book has never been adapted? Books like Duma Key and Insomnia have yet to see a screen version.
What is the scariest Stephen King adaptation? The Shining, It, and The Mist are consistently rated as the most frightening.
Stephen King’s Influence on Modern Adaptations
Stephen King adaptations span decades, platforms, and genres—from pure horror to emotional dramas and dystopian thrillers. Whether you’re just catching up or trying to rewatch the classics before The Institute returns, this guide will help you explore every eerie, suspenseful, and unforgettable chapter of King’s screen legacy.
King’s influence reaches far beyond just horror. Filmmakers like Mike Flanagan, the Duffer Brothers, and even Jordan Peele have cited his storytelling as foundational to their creative work. From the small-town dread of Castle Rock to the psychological layering in Doctor Sleep, the King DNA is everywhere in modern cinema.
Bookmark this page—we’ll keep it updated with every new Stephen King adaptation as it drops.
