Stephen King is the master of horror. From books and movie adaptations, his creations never cease to amaze, terrify and leave you awestruck. Probing into dark depths, King knows how to truly scare. From the countless films that his books have inspired, we have collected 10 of the scariest ones. In the order from least scary to scariest, prepare to add these to your summer viewing list.
Salem’s Lot
Somewhat of a homage to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Salem’s Lot is a 1970’s miniseries which revolves round the town of the same name. The town has fallen into the hands of a heinous vampire who goes by the name of Barlow. It is a classic film which was directed by Tobe Hooper, the same director of Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The Dead Zone
The Dead Zone is about the tale of a man who wakes up from a coma and finds himself gifted (or cursed?) psychologically. He discovers that he now possesses the ability to foresee the future and al its terrors. Additionally, he retains the power to prevent the terrible things to come. Highly unsettling, it holds horror you cannot even fathom.
The Mist
The Maine village is engulfed in a fog so thick it falls like a blanket upon the town. The blinding fog holds creatures of the unknown, terrible things and impending doom. The suffocating gloomy fog soon unleashes its contents upon the residents of the village leaving them in pieces. Literally.
Cujo
The slime and immense bodily fluids displayed in the film will have you throwing away your popcorn. Cujo tells the tale of a faithful and harmless St. Bernard dog who contracts rabies from a bat. Once the disease sets in, the dog sets his sights upon a terrified child and an even more horrified mother.
Pet Sematary
The grounds are haunted and diseased. When the Creeds’ cat dies, they think it is a good idea to bury her in the grounds by the old pet cemetery. However, things take a turn when the cat comes back to life in worse shape and form. Absurdly enough, Creed’s son dies and the good doctor chooses to bury him in the same grounds. Hell is about to break loose.
Misery
The tale of an uber-crazy mega fan played by Kathy Bates is narrated in Misery. One of the most fascinating characters in horror fiction, Annie Wilkes is a character than only King can conjure. If you have read the book you will know that it is a macabre tale that reeks of gore. The movie, on the other hand, makes the book look tame.
1408
A highly underrated creation of King, both as a book and a movie, 1408 is about a cynical writer (John Cusack) who decides to get a room at the Dolphin Hotel: 1408. Samuel L. Jackson stars in the film as the wary hotel manager who attempts to keep guests away from the haunted room. Once Cusack takes the room, a whole new world of creepiness unfolds.
Carrie
A classical horror tale to chill you to the very bones, Carrie is a gory and terrifying tale of a telekinetic teenager. The coming-of-age adolescent seeks to inflict revenge on the bullies at school, her abusive mother and everyone who gets in her way. It is an adaptation that swims in blood and sets high standards even for Stephen King adaptations.
IT
Is Pennywise only scary for kids? No, sir no. This is one of those movies that you will steer clear off while telling the kids to do the same. You will not be able to come close to a bathtub anytime soon if you watched IT. The creepy clown makes multiple appearances and gets in the way of a group of kids who walk their way into adulthood by combatting their gravest fears.
The Shining
The Shining easily takes the limelight for scariest Stephen King movie adaptation. The story takes place in the Overlook Hotel. Although King hates it, there is no denying that the empty and long corridors of the Overlook Hotel still haunt us from our younger days. Incredibly scripted and played out, it features Jack Nicholson whose acting outclasses all else.
Whether you happen to be a King fan or not, after watching these horrifying films based on the genius writer’s books, you will definitely grow to love him and his creations. From terrifying clowns to corpses come to life, King’s imagination knows no boundaries. Prepare for a night of real horror!