15 Most Underrated Stephen King Movies & TV Shows
Stephen King is one of the most adapted authors of all time. His stories of horror, suspense, and drama have been turned into countless movies and television shows. Many of these adaptations, like “The Shining” and “The Shawshank Redemption,” are famous. They are celebrated by critics and loved by audiences. These films have become a big part of movie history.
However, with so many adaptations, some are bound to be overlooked. These are the films and series that, for one reason or another, didn’t get the same attention. They might not have been big box office hits or received major awards. Yet, they are still strong stories that capture the spirit of King’s work. This list looks at 15 of the most underrated Stephen King movies and TV shows that deserve a second look.
Christine (1983)
Based on King’s novel of the same name, this film follows a nerdy teenager named Arnie who buys a beat-up 1958 Plymouth Fury. As he restores the car, which he names Christine, Arnie begins to change. He becomes more confident and aggressive, but the car reveals a jealous and possessive personality of its own.
Directed by horror master John Carpenter, “Christine” is a story of obsession and the dark side of devotion. While it received positive reviews upon release and has become a cult classic, it’s often overshadowed by other King adaptations of the era. The film’s practical effects, especially the scenes of the car repairing itself, are impressive even today, and it tells a compelling story about the corruption of innocence.
The Dead Zone (1983)
After waking up from a five-year coma, schoolteacher Johnny Smith discovers he has psychic abilities. When he touches someone, he can see their past, present, and future. This new power is both a gift and a curse, leading him to help a local sheriff solve a series of murders and confront a dangerous political candidate.
Directed by David Cronenberg, “The Dead Zone” is a suspenseful thriller with a strong emotional core. Christopher Walken’s performance as the tormented Johnny is a highlight, capturing the character’s pain and conflict. The film was well-received by critics but is sometimes forgotten among the bigger names in King’s filmography. It’s a thoughtful and haunting exploration of fate and morality.
Silver Bullet (1985)
In a small, quiet town, a series of gruesome murders begins to occur. The residents believe a madman is on the loose, but a young boy in a wheelchair named Marty is convinced the killer is a werewolf. With the help of his older sister and his eccentric uncle, Marty sets out to prove he’s right and stop the creature.
Based on King’s novella “Cycle of the Werewolf,” “Silver Bullet” is a fun and thrilling creature feature. It has a charming, small-town feel and a great performance from Gary Busey as the wild Uncle Red. While the werewolf effects might seem dated to some, the film’s heart and suspense make it an enjoyable watch that often gets overlooked.
Creepshow 2 (1987)
This horror anthology film features three short stories based on King’s work. “Old Chief Wood’nhead” tells the story of a wooden statue that comes to life to avenge the murder of a kind old couple. “The Raft” follows four college students trapped on a wooden raft by a flesh-eating creature in the water. “The Hitchhiker” is about a woman who is terrorized by the ghost of a man she hit with her car.
While not as celebrated as the original “Creepshow,” the sequel still offers plenty of scares and dark humor. Directed by Michael Gornick with a screenplay by George A. Romero, “Creepshow 2” captures the spirit of the horror comics that inspired it. “The Raft” segment, in particular, is a standout for its simple but terrifying premise.
The Dark Half (1993)
An author named Thad Beaumont decides to retire the successful pseudonym he uses to write violent thriller novels. He even holds a mock funeral for his alter ego, George Stark. However, Stark soon manifests as a physical being and goes on a murderous rampage against the people responsible for his “death.”
Directed by George A. Romero, “The Dark Half” explores the dual nature of a writer and the darkness that can lie within a creative mind. Timothy Hutton gives a strong dual performance as both the mild-mannered Thad and the menacing Stark. The film had a troubled release and didn’t perform well at the box office, causing it to be largely forgotten, but it remains a compelling and eerie psychological thriller.
Storm of the Century (1999)
A powerful blizzard cuts off a small island town in Maine from the rest of the world. As the storm rages, a mysterious and dangerous stranger arrives, bringing with him a dark secret and a terrible demand. The townspeople must decide whether to give him what he wants or face the consequences.
“Storm of the Century” was an original screenplay written by Stephen King for television, and he has called it his favorite television project. The three-part miniseries is a slow-burn thriller that builds a palpable sense of dread and explores the darkness that can exist within a small community. Despite critical acclaim, it remains one of King’s lesser-known television works.
Rose Red (2002)
A professor of parapsychology leads a team of psychics to a supposedly haunted mansion called Rose Red. Their goal is to awaken the house’s supernatural powers. However, they soon find that the spirits within the mansion are more powerful and dangerous than they ever imagined.
Another project written directly for television by King, “Rose Red” is an epic haunted house story. The series is known for its impressive set design and a genuine sense of spooky fun. While it was a ratings success when it first aired, it has since become a more obscure entry in the vast library of King adaptations.
Cujo (1983)
A friendly St. Bernard named Cujo is bitten by a rabid bat and slowly transforms into a vicious killing machine. A mother and her young son become trapped in their broken-down car at a remote farmhouse, with the terrifying dog stalking them outside. The film becomes a desperate struggle for survival against the elements and the relentless animal.
“Cujo” is a raw and intense thriller that preys on a very primal fear. Dee Wallace gives a powerful performance as the mother pushed to her absolute limit. The film received mixed reviews upon its release and can be a tough watch due to its grim and realistic portrayal of the situation, but it is an effective and suspenseful movie that has gained a cult following over the years.
Gerald’s Game (2017)
A married couple, Jessie and Gerald, go to an isolated lake house to spice up their relationship. When Gerald suddenly dies of a heart attack, Jessie is left handcuffed to the bed with no hope of rescue. As she struggles to survive, she must also confront past traumas and her own inner demons.
For a long time, King’s novel “Gerald’s Game” was considered unfilmable due to its internal and contained nature. However, director Mike Flanagan masterfully brought it to the screen. Carla Gugino’s performance as Jessie is a tour de force. The film was released directly to Netflix and received widespread critical acclaim, but it deserves to be seen by an even wider audience.
1922 (2017)
A farmer confesses to murdering his wife with the help of his teenage son. After the deed is done, he finds himself tormented by guilt and haunted by rats, which he believes are a manifestation of his dead wife’s spirit. His life and his farm begin to fall apart as he descends into madness.
Based on a novella from King’s collection “Full Dark, No Stars,” “1922” is a grim and atmospheric tale. Thomas Jane gives a chilling performance as the proud and stubborn farmer whose life unravels after his terrible crime. Also released on Netflix, this slow-burning, character-driven horror story is a powerful and unsettling adaptation.
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Years after the events of “The Shining,” a now-adult Dan Torrance is still traumatized by his childhood. He has become an alcoholic to suppress his psychic “shining” abilities. His life takes a new turn when he meets a young girl with an even more powerful shine, and he must protect her from a cult of psychic vampires who feed on children with special powers.
Serving as a sequel to both King’s novel “The Shining” and Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film adaptation, “Doctor Sleep” had a difficult task. Director Mike Flanagan managed to bridge the gap between the two, creating a film that honors both while telling its own compelling story. Despite positive reviews, the film was a box office disappointment, but it is an ambitious and emotionally resonant horror epic.
The Stand (1994)
A deadly superflu wipes out most of the world’s population, and the few survivors are drawn to one of two figures: the benevolent, 108-year-old Mother Abagail or the demonic Randall Flagg. A classic story of good versus evil unfolds as the survivors must choose sides and prepare for a final confrontation.
This four-part miniseries was a massive television event when it premiered. It brought King’s epic novel to life with a large cast and a grand scope. While it has some dated elements, the 1994 adaptation of “The Stand” is still held in high regard by many fans for its faithfulness to the source material and its memorable characters. It is often overshadowed by more recent King adaptations but remains a benchmark for television miniseries.
Mr. Mercedes (2017-2019)
A retired, grumpy detective is taunted by a sadistic killer who drove a stolen Mercedes into a crowd, killing sixteen people. The killer, Brady Hartsfield, continues to play a deadly game of cat and mouse with the detective, who is pulled back into the world of investigation to stop him.
Based on King’s Bill Hodges trilogy of novels, “Mr. Mercedes” is a tense and gritty crime thriller rather than a supernatural horror story. Brendan Gleeson and Harry Treadaway are excellent as the determined detective and the disturbed killer. The show ran for three seasons and was critically acclaimed, but as it aired on a less-known network, it didn’t reach the wide audience it deserved.
Castle Rock (2018-2019)
This anthology series is set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, a location that serves as the setting for many of King’s stories. The first season follows a death row attorney who returns to his hometown after a mysterious man is found in a cage at Shawshank Prison. The second season features a young Annie Wilkes (from “Misery”) who gets stranded in the town.
“Castle Rock” is not a direct adaptation of any single King work but rather an original story that weaves together characters, settings, and themes from his vast literary universe. The series is filled with Easter eggs for dedicated fans but also tells its own compelling and mysterious stories. While it gained a loyal following, the show was canceled after two seasons.
The Dark Half (1993)
An author of high-brow literary novels, Thad Beaumont, is better known for the bestselling murder mystery suspense-thrillers he writes under the pen name “George Stark”. Beaumont wishes to retire the Stark name and symbolically buries Stark in a mock grave. Stark has mysteriously become a physical entity and begins terrorizing Beaumont’s family and friends after he emerges from the grave.
Directed by horror legend George A. Romero, “The Dark Half” is a psychological horror film that delves into the idea of a writer’s dark side. Timothy Hutton plays both the mild-mannered Beaumont and the menacing Stark. The film had a troubled production and release, which led to it being largely overlooked. Despite its flaws, it is an interesting and moody adaptation of one of King’s more complex novels.
