Stephen King Shares the Scariest Horror Movies You Need To Watch
Stephen King doesn’t hold back when talking about movies based on his books. He has never been a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, but he’s even tougher on the 1984 version of Firestarter. King has called it the worst adaptation of his work, saying it “stays close to the story but has no spirit, like cafeteria mashed potatoes.”
Even though he is critical, King loves horror movies and has often shared which films really scare him. During an interview with the Academy, he listed his top picks for the scariest horror movies ever made.
His first choice was Alien, directed by Ridley Scott. King liked the working-class feel of the crew and Sigourney Weaver’s iconic performance as Ellen Ripley. He said the film is unforgettable because of the famous chest-bursting scene.
His second pick was The Blair Witch Project, directed by Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick. King admitted the movie “terrified me” because it felt raw, unpolished, and real. He also praised the final shot, saying it creates a kind of dread that’s hard to beat.
King’s next favorite came from David Cronenberg. Instead of picking a popular film like The Fly, he highlighted Cronenberg’s 1979 movie The Brood. King said it was Cronenberg’s first truly great film, about a man discovering the truth behind local murders.
He noted the performances of Samantha Eggar and Oliver Reed, saying the parents are horrifying, but the real terror comes from the children. Another movie King loves is William Friedkin’s The Exorcist.
Even though some debate whether it’s horror, King said he “remains a dedicated fan” because the movie builds claustrophobic tension right from the first scene. He also highlighted small, grisly details, like when a character asks if the priest can help an old altar boy.
King finished his list with George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. He praised it for being intense and creative, with special effects done without modern CGI. King also liked the feeling of being trapped in the shopping mall, which helped set the standard for zombie films.
Outside of talking about movies, King stays busy with books and media projects. He’s working on a new thriller set to come out later this year and finishing the long-awaited third book in The Talisman series. His work keeps shaping entertainment, including a new miniseries adaptation of his debut novel Carrie, developed and directed by Mike Flanagan.
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