Stephen King’s Picks: The Last Film and Show That Truly Frightened Him

Stephen King is one of the most famous writers in the world, known for creating some of the scariest stories ever.

But he doesn’t just stick to books. He also watches movies and TV shows and isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts. Recently, during a Reddit AMA, King revealed the last movie and TV show that genuinely scared him, giving fans a rare look at what still gives him chills.

For TV, King said the show that scared him the most recently is The Fall of the House of Usher.

This isn’t a huge surprise, since he has already praised the show on his private X account. The Netflix series premiered in 2023 and quickly became popular with critics, earning a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

King shared his thoughts about the show on X, writing, “THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (Netflix): I missed this when it bowed due to hip surgery, but this is a case of delayed gratification. Scary, involving, with writing that’s witty and moves the plot. There’s a case to be made for Mike Flanagan being the Quentin Tarantino of horror.” Clearly, King appreciated the show’s mix of smart writing, suspense, and strong storytelling.

When it comes to movies, the film that scared King the most recently is Weapons, a 2025 mystery horror movie.

The film is written, directed, produced, and co-scored by Zach Cregger and stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Toby Huss, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan. The story is creepy and mysterious: seventeen children from the same classroom vanish on the same night, apparently abducted by an unseen force. The film keeps viewers on edge with its suspenseful plot and tense atmosphere.

Weapons has received praise from almost everyone in the horror world. On Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 338 critics gave it a positive review.

The site’s consensus reads, “Zach Cregger spins an expertly crafted yarn of terrifying mystery and thrilling intrigue in Weapons, a sophomore triumph that solidifies his status as a master of horror.” Fans and critics alike agree that it’s a standout horror movie, and Stephen King’s endorsement adds even more weight.

Even after decades of writing some of the darkest stories ever, Stephen King still finds movies and shows that genuinely scare him. For fans, this is a clear sign that these picks are worth watching. If Stephen King says something is frightening, it’s safe to say it really is.

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