Top 10 Stephen King Movies Of The 21st Century Ranked

Few authors have been adapted for the screen as often as Stephen King, with plenty of all-time great movies based on his work released over the past 25 years. From fresh takes on iconic novels like It to first-time adaptations of cult favorites such as The Long Walk, King’s stories continue to shape and define modern popular culture.

With incredible directors like Mike Flanagan and Frank Darabont showcasing themselves as uniquely equipped to tap into the unique appeal of King, these films stand out as powerful retellings that understand the impact of his work. Whether it’s through outright horror or more stripped-back sentimental tales, these films showcase King’s talent and versatility as a writer.

It: Chapter Two (2019)

Director Andy Muschietti did a great job bringing Stephen King’s 1,000-page-plus epic It to the big screen, but the harsh truth is that part two just didn’t have the same impact as the first one. While Bill Skarsgård was still terrifying as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, some of the urgency was lost following the 27-year time skip.

Sadly, the fantastic cast of kids was replaced by an all-star ensemble of adults, including Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain, and James McAvoy, and although It: Chapter Two had its moments, it was mostly overlong and overstuffed with narrative detours. At an exhausting 169-minute runtime, It: Chapter Two was good but far from perfect.

The Life Of Chuck (2024)

The Life of Chuck traded the usual horror stylings of Stephen King for a more sentimental story starring Tom Hiddleston. With director Mike Flanagan at the helm, this fantasy drama told the story of Charles “Chuck” Krantz in reverse chronological order and explored characters facing the end of the universe in a story tackling themes of mortality and memory.

Based on a novella in King’s If It Bleeds collection, The Life of Chuck sees its title character’s life coming to an end and looks back on how he traded his love for dancing for the life of an accountant. With a unique style and hopeful sense of optimism, this interesting film showcased a side of King’s work we don’t see that often.

1408 (2007)

One underrated Stephen King adaptation was 1408, which starred John Cusack as an author specializing in supernatural happenings who is trapped in a haunted hotel room. Taking cues from previous King works like The Shining, 1408 focused on slow-building tension as Mike Enslin comes face-to-face with the harrowing fact that this room manifests his deepest fears, traumas, and regrets.

From encountering his own doppelgänger to witnessing terrifyingly grotesque imagery, 1408 tapped into classic King themes while maintaining his signature satirical wit. As a creepy thriller that was elevated by a great performance from Cusack, it’s a shame that 1408 doesn’t get more attention from horror movie fans.

The Monkey (2025)

Longlegs director Osgood Perkins followed up that horror hit with an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1980 short story The Monkey. With Theo James in a dual role as twin brothers whose lives have been plagued by a toy monkey that causes random, horrific deaths to occur all around them, this clever tale was packed with gore.

The Monkey was a wild ride from start to finish, and King even praised the film, calling it “batshit insane” in a social media post. With strong performances, a unique premise, and striking imagery, The Monkey continued Perkins’ hot streak as one of the most exciting horror directors working today.

1922 (2017)

With a standout performance by Thomas Jane as Wilfred James, this story of a rancher conspiring to murder his wife in the year 1922 powerfully explores themes of guilt and consequences. Based on a 2010 novella by Stephen King, watching how Wilfred lures his son into his nefarious plot made for thrilling viewing.

1922 blended its haunting tale of family, poverty, and murder with a touch of the paranormal as Wilf’s guilt sees him harassed by rat infestations. As a dark psychological tale about a man’s descent into madness, 1922 tackled classic King themes under the competent direction of Zak Hilditch.

It (2017)

Director Andy Muschietti made the right decision when he opted to split Stephen King’s epic novel It into two films, although looking back, it’s clear that the first entry was definitely superior. By focusing on the unusual childhood of the Loser’s Club, It tapped into the traumatizing terror of a group of kids being forced to confront their inner demons.

With stars like Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard and Bill Skarsgård as the iconic supernatural entity Pennywise, It not only lived up to the lofty expectations set by the novel but also felt like a worthy successor to the cult favorite miniseries from 1990. As a coming-of-age horror, It stands out as a top-tier King adaptation.

The Long Walk (2025)

Filmmakers have been adapting the work of Stephen King for nearly 50 years now, which makes it so surprising that it took so long for us to finally see The Long Walk on the big screen. This dystopian story was initially published by King under the pseudonym Richard Bachmann and was about men participating in a grueling walking competition.

With outstanding lead performances from Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, what began as a tale of perseverance under a totalitarian regime soon revealed itself as a powerful pontification on friendship, endurance, and pushing past one’s limits. The Long Walk was an emotionally charged viewing experience and stands as one of the best King adaptations in years.

The Mist (2007)

Frank Darabont has an incredible reputation for Stephen King adaptations, as his previous films, like The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, rank among the best movies ever made. Another exceptional addition to his body of work was The Mist, a harrowing Lovecraftian story about Maine residents whose town is enveloped by a mysterious, deadly mist.

This fascinating premise soon reveals itself as a bleak monster movie about unstoppable forces from another dimension. With perhaps one of the most shocking and pessimistic endings of any King movie, The Mist forced viewers to confront the true terror of existence and the tough decisions that must be made in the face of certain death.

Gerald’s Game (2017)

The 1992 Stephen King novel Gerald’s Game was long thought to be unfilmable; that was until director Mike Flanagan cracked the code with his outstanding adaptation. Telling the story of a woman left handcuffed to her bed after her husband unexpectedly dies, Jessie Burlingame must find a way to survive as she’s confronted by her inner demons.

With terrifying suspense and a career-defining performance from Carla Gugino, Gerald’s Game tapped into the psychological terror of King’s story and made this small-scale horror feel epic in its intensity. As an uncomfortable exploration of trauma, sexual abuse, and the process of healing, this was one of the most introspective movies based on a King book.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Mike Flanagan somehow managed to outdo himself when he followed up the success of Gerald’s Game with another Stephen King adaptation, Doctor Sleep. This highly anticipated film had the daunting challenge of adapting King’s sequel to his novel, The Shining, while also paying homage to Stanley Kubrick’s retelling of the story.

With Ewan McGregor playing an older Danny Torrance, Doctor Sleep checked in on this psychic man decades after he was almost killed by his father at the Overlook Hotel. As an exploration of the cyclical nature of addiction and recovery, Doctor Sleep expanded upon what came before and stands as the greatest Stephen King adaptation of the 21st century.