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Writer Stephen King was dubbed the “King of Horror” by the press after the release of his first novels, which became bestsellers. Meanwhile, the author of novels frightening readers looks quite ordinary – simple discreet clothes and inconspicuous appearance. But absolutely fantastic stories are born in the head of this person, frightening with their realism. All the worlds of King, with the exception of the Dark Tower cycle, are our reality, in which the heroes of the writer’s novels face inexplicable, supernatural phenomena and terrifying creatures of evil. Movies based on Stephen King (list of the best adaptations) are not always pure horror. The paintings based on his works are characterized by drama and at the same time faith in the best. We have prepared a selection of the most interesting and successful film adaptations of the books of the “great and terrible” King.
10 Carrie
Mystical horror “Carrie“was the first film adaptation of the works of Stephen King. The main character of the film, Carrie White, lives with her mother, a believing fanatic. She brings up her daughter in severity and treats her very harshly. By the age of 16, Carrie is a constant object of ridicule from her classmates. At home, she finds neither understanding nor consolation from her despotic mother. Carrie was waiting for the fate of thousands of the same downtrodden schoolgirls, if not for the ability to telekinesis, which manifested itself in her childhood. When Carrie is cruelly and cynically laughed at at a high school prom, she decides it’s time to avenge years of humiliation. “Carrie” is the first novel of the writer, which was published and brought him fame and financial solvency.
9. Radiance
One of the best Stephen King movies is the horror movie “Radiance”, Filmed by Stanley Kubrick and received the status of a cult tape. The Shining is regularly included not only among the best horror films, but also appears in the ratings of the most significant films of world cinema. Jack Torrance, going through not the best stage in his life, gets a job as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, located high in the mountains. Here he and his family would have to spend the long winter months. Torrens agrees to this job, because he plans to come to grips with his book, and in the absence of hotel guests, no one will interfere with his writing. Not everything is going smoothly in Jack’s family – he is a former alcoholic who once broke his son’s arm in a fit of rage. A month after arriving at the hotel, Torrens becomes irritable and begins to develop an increasing dislike for his wife and son, considering them the cause of all his failures. Little Danny, who has strong clairvoyant abilities, begins to see frightening visions of ghosts inhabiting the Overlook.
8. the running Man
The list of the best film adaptations of Stephen King novels includes the fantastic action movie “the running Man“. One of the main roles in the film was played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It should be noted that the plot of the film is very different from King’s novel. 2017 A destructive cataclysm leads to the fact that a totalitarian regime is being established in the United States. To relieve social tension in society and in order to distract the population from pressing problems, bloody spectacular television shows were created. In one of them, “Running Man”, police officer Ben Richards is forced to take part, refusing to shoot at unarmed demonstrators.
7. Pet cemetery
The list of Stephen King films continues with one of the most frightening horror films – “Pet cemetery“. As in The Running Man, the picture differs from the novel, in particular, the changed ending. Dr. Louis Creed moves with his family to a small town. Immediately behind their new home is a forest, and in it is a pet cemetery. The calm of the father of the family was disturbed when a student who died in his arms appeared in the form of a ghost and warned the doctor not to go to the ancient animal cemetery. Soon, the family’s favorite, the cat Church, dies. The neighbor, knowing how dear the dead pet is to the family, leads Luis to another cemetery, which is considered cursed. The doctor buries the cat there, and the next morning the revived Church comes to the house. When Creed’s young son is hit by a truck, he desperately decides to bury him in an ancient cemetery. Interesting fact: Stephen King wrote the novel under the impression of the death and funeral of Smaky the cat. The book seemed so creepy to him that he decided not to publish the manuscript. The novel was published only because of the financial problems of the writer.
6. Misery
In 1990, the list of the best films based on Stephen King was added to the thriller “Misery“. The protagonist of the picture, the writer Paul Sheldon, gets into an accident. He is rescued by a fanatical fan of his novels, Ani Wilks. She nurses the writer at her home in Colorado. At first, Sheldon is genuinely grateful to her for saving her, but Annie soon shows her true colors.
5. Slimming
Horror movie “Slimming”- another successful adaptation of the works of Stephen King. Billy Halleck hits a gypsy woman on the road because of his wife who interferes with driving. Influential friends save him from punishment. The father of the deceased sends a curse on everyone who is involved in the justification of the criminal. Halleck, who is overweight, begins to lose weight rapidly. Realizing that he is doomed to a painful death from exhaustion, he tries to intimidate the gypsy into removing his spell.
4. 1408
«1408“- a creepy adaptation of the short story of the same name by Stephen King with John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in the lead roles. Mike Enslin, once a promising writer and now an expert on unusual phenomena in hotels, comes to New York to check into the infamous room 1408. He learned about it from a postcard sent by an anonymous person. The manager is ready to do anything to dissuade Enslin from settling in and confesses that something inexplicable has indeed been happening in the room for many years – not a single guest has survived after settling into it. But Enslin does not believe his words and enters the ominous room.
3. The Green Mile
One of the best Stephen King films is a fantastic drama “The Green Mile“. The film was nominated for many awards, including an Oscar. The former warden of the prison talks about his work in the block where the criminals sentenced to death were kept. One of them, John Coffey, had supernatural powers of healing.
2. Mist
Horror “Mistare included in the list of the most successful adaptations of Stephen King. The picture is based on the story “Fog”. According to the plot of the film, after a strong storm, thick fog descends from the mountains on the city. The protagonist, with his son and a neighbor, comes to the supermarket to buy the necessary materials to repair a house that has been damaged by the elements. By this time, fog completely envelops the city. Customers of the store are horrified to hear terrible screams coming from the darkness. They decide to stay in the building, but the monstrous creatures that soon appeared from the fog leave no hope of salvation.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
The list of the best films based on Stephen King is headed by the drama “The Shawshank Redemption“. Since 2008, it has been ranked #1 on IMDb’s Top 250 Movies list. At the same time, having 7 Oscar nominations, the film did not receive a single award from film academics. “The Shawshank Redemption” is the story of the 20-year stay in one of the harshest prisons in America, the innocently convicted Andy Dufresne. All this time he tried to improve the life of prisoners and dug a tunnel with a geological hammer. One night he escapes.