4:40 PM PDT, June 19, 2017
There have been a lot of huge TV adaptations of the horror master's sprawling novels. Here's a look at the ones that really scared and entertained us!
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10. 'Under the Dome' (CBS, 2013-2015)
CBS
Source Material: The 2009 novel of the same name
When producers undertook the monumental task of bringing King's massive tome to the small screen, it was clear that the effort would be a challenge, but it was one they were able to handle deftly -- at least for the first season. As the show developed, it moved farther and farther away from its admittedly lackluster source material, but for a while the show about a small town trapped in a confusing nightmare of a situation (a strong recurring theme on this list) was legitimately captivating.
When producers undertook the monumental task of bringing King's massive tome to the small screen, it was clear that the effort would be a challenge, but it was one they were able to handle deftly -- at least for the first season. As the show developed, it moved farther and farther away from its admittedly lackluster source material, but for a while the show about a small town trapped in a confusing nightmare of a situation (a strong recurring theme on this list) was legitimately captivating.
9. 'The Shining' (ABC, 1997)
ABC
Source Material: The 1977 novel of the same name
King famously had issues with Stanley Kubrick's celebrated 1980 adaptation of his iconic tale of a haunted hotel and a deranged writer. So, with Kubrick's reluctant approval, King got the rights to re-adapt his novel and crafted a lengthy miniseries that stayed much closer to his vision. While Jack Nicholson's formidable performance as the troubled alcoholic novelist Jack Torrance in the film adaptation is unmatchable, Steven Weber's portrayal of Torrance in the miniseries is different enough to stand on its own merits. Oh, yeah, and there's also living topiaries, if that's your thing.
King famously had issues with Stanley Kubrick's celebrated 1980 adaptation of his iconic tale of a haunted hotel and a deranged writer. So, with Kubrick's reluctant approval, King got the rights to re-adapt his novel and crafted a lengthy miniseries that stayed much closer to his vision. While Jack Nicholson's formidable performance as the troubled alcoholic novelist Jack Torrance in the film adaptation is unmatchable, Steven Weber's portrayal of Torrance in the miniseries is different enough to stand on its own merits. Oh, yeah, and there's also living topiaries, if that's your thing.
8. 'The Stand' (ABC, 1994)
ABC
Source Material: The 1978 novel of the same name
This sprawling, frightening tale of an apocalyptic plague and the bands of survivors who eke out an existence in the wake of total devastation cost an impressive $28 million, and that's in 1994 dollars. However, its monumental budget is evident in the four-episode miniseries' ambitious scope, and the battle of good versus evil is brought to life by dynamic performances from the huge ensemble cast, which includes Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Ossie Davis, Jamey Sheridan, Miguel Ferrer, Rob Lowe and Ray Walston, to name just a few.
This sprawling, frightening tale of an apocalyptic plague and the bands of survivors who eke out an existence in the wake of total devastation cost an impressive $28 million, and that's in 1994 dollars. However, its monumental budget is evident in the four-episode miniseries' ambitious scope, and the battle of good versus evil is brought to life by dynamic performances from the huge ensemble cast, which includes Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Ossie Davis, Jamey Sheridan, Miguel Ferrer, Rob Lowe and Ray Walston, to name just a few.
7. 'Nightmares & Dreamscapes' (TNT, 2006)
TNT
Source Material: Various short stories from King's multiple collections
Some of the best film adaptations of King's work are based on his short stories and novellas, instead of his notoriously sprawling novels -- including Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption, 1408, and Apt Pupil, to name a few. The same seems to be true with TV adaptations as well. This eight-episode anthology series turned some of King's strangest and most fascinating yarns into taut and exciting visual feasts. One particular episode that stands out is "Umney's Last Case," starring William H. Macy acting opposite himself.
Some of the best film adaptations of King's work are based on his short stories and novellas, instead of his notoriously sprawling novels -- including Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption, 1408, and Apt Pupil, to name a few. The same seems to be true with TV adaptations as well. This eight-episode anthology series turned some of King's strangest and most fascinating yarns into taut and exciting visual feasts. One particular episode that stands out is "Umney's Last Case," starring William H. Macy acting opposite himself.
6. 'Kingdom Hospital' (ABC, 2004)
ABC
Source Material: Adapted by King from Lars von Trier’s The Kingdom
Kingdom Hospital is one of King's few attempts at adapting someone else's work. The surreal, frightening and often confusing series about a haunted hospital and its population of bizarre doctors and insane patients (both living and dead) was King's interpretation of director Lars von Trier's Riget -- which translates to The Kingdom -- a Danish miniseries with similar themes and even more disturbing storylines. Andrew McCarthy shines as the benevolent (if manipulative) Dr. Hook, while Bruce Davison delivers a stellar performance as the insufferable Dr. Stegman, who is quickly losing his grip on his sanity and his career.
Kingdom Hospital is one of King's few attempts at adapting someone else's work. The surreal, frightening and often confusing series about a haunted hospital and its population of bizarre doctors and insane patients (both living and dead) was King's interpretation of director Lars von Trier's Riget -- which translates to The Kingdom -- a Danish miniseries with similar themes and even more disturbing storylines. Andrew McCarthy shines as the benevolent (if manipulative) Dr. Hook, while Bruce Davison delivers a stellar performance as the insufferable Dr. Stegman, who is quickly losing his grip on his sanity and his career.
5. 'Rose Red' (ABC, 2002)
ABC
Source Material: An original screenplay by King
It's hard to tell an original haunted house story, and Rose Red, on its surface, sounds pretty ordinary -- the show follows a group of psychics who go to a mansion to investigate reported paranormal disturbances. On the surface, it sounds almost exactly like Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House or Richard Matheson's Hell House. And while King may very well have been inspired by those celebrated classics when penning the screenplay, Rose Red does the one thing a good haunted house story needs to do: deliver on the scares and spooky atmosphere. From terrifying psychic disturbances to deeply upsetting psychosexual terror, Rose Red had the perfect blend of excitement and chills to leave an indelible mark on the haunted mansion genre.
It's hard to tell an original haunted house story, and Rose Red, on its surface, sounds pretty ordinary -- the show follows a group of psychics who go to a mansion to investigate reported paranormal disturbances. On the surface, it sounds almost exactly like Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House or Richard Matheson's Hell House. And while King may very well have been inspired by those celebrated classics when penning the screenplay, Rose Red does the one thing a good haunted house story needs to do: deliver on the scares and spooky atmosphere. From terrifying psychic disturbances to deeply upsetting psychosexual terror, Rose Red had the perfect blend of excitement and chills to leave an indelible mark on the haunted mansion genre.
4. '11.22.63' (Hulu, 2016)
Hulu
Source Material: The 2011 novel 11/22/63
Hulu's adaptation of King's dense time-travel drama brought star James Franco together with executive producer J.J. Abrams, and the result was a surprisingly captivating miniseries. Franco stars as Jake Epping, a history teacher who gets the chance to go back in time to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. But, as expected in any King novel, there's a hell of a lot more to the consequences than just some damage to the space-time continuum. This well-paced and exceptionally well-acted adaptation does a great job at streamlining some of the more obtuse elements of King's novel while at the same time adding its own tone and style to the narrative.
Hulu's adaptation of King's dense time-travel drama brought star James Franco together with executive producer J.J. Abrams, and the result was a surprisingly captivating miniseries. Franco stars as Jake Epping, a history teacher who gets the chance to go back in time to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. But, as expected in any King novel, there's a hell of a lot more to the consequences than just some damage to the space-time continuum. This well-paced and exceptionally well-acted adaptation does a great job at streamlining some of the more obtuse elements of King's novel while at the same time adding its own tone and style to the narrative.
3. 'Storm of the Century' (ABC, 1999)
ABC
Source Material: An original screenplay by King
On the ABC series, a small coastal town in Maine called Little Tall Island gets hit by a devastating blizzard that cuts the island’s access off from the outside world. While the deadly storm rages outside, the town is terrorized from within by a mysterious stranger, who turns out to have terrifying powers and refuses to leave until the town has made a terrible sacrifice to give him what he wants. The story is smaller than most of the other miniseries on this list, because it was written specifically for the screen by King. However, it contains several of the author's hallmarks, including an ancient evil, a small town in Maine and the darkness and selfishness of human nature. It's scary, heartbreaking and still legitimately surprising.
On the ABC series, a small coastal town in Maine called Little Tall Island gets hit by a devastating blizzard that cuts the island’s access off from the outside world. While the deadly storm rages outside, the town is terrorized from within by a mysterious stranger, who turns out to have terrifying powers and refuses to leave until the town has made a terrible sacrifice to give him what he wants. The story is smaller than most of the other miniseries on this list, because it was written specifically for the screen by King. However, it contains several of the author's hallmarks, including an ancient evil, a small town in Maine and the darkness and selfishness of human nature. It's scary, heartbreaking and still legitimately surprising.
2. 'Salem's Lot' (CBS, 1979)
CBS
Source Material: The 1975 novel of the same name
Salem's Lot was the first miniseries ever adapted from a King novel, and to this day stands as one of the most disturbing. The story is centered on a novelist (because almost every protagonist King has ever written has been a novelist) who returns to his small home town and discovers that the residents face a grave danger in the form of super creepy vampires. While many horror fans may roll their eyes at the very mention of vampires, director Tobe Hooper -- who also helmed the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre -- didn't mess around when it came to infusing his bloodsuckers with some real terror.
Salem's Lot was the first miniseries ever adapted from a King novel, and to this day stands as one of the most disturbing. The story is centered on a novelist (because almost every protagonist King has ever written has been a novelist) who returns to his small home town and discovers that the residents face a grave danger in the form of super creepy vampires. While many horror fans may roll their eyes at the very mention of vampires, director Tobe Hooper -- who also helmed the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre -- didn't mess around when it came to infusing his bloodsuckers with some real terror.
1. 'It' (ABC, 1990)
ABC
Source Material: King's 1986 novel
Tim Curry stars as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, and that's all that's really needed to land this pop culture icon at the top of any list of King adaptations. If you're still not sold, he's a clown who eats children. Does the series have problems? Sure, a few -- mostly due to budget constraints and a few questionable casting choices -- but all of its faults pale in comparison to the lasting impact of what makes It such a timeless classic: a child-eating clown that turns into a spider and has existed since the dawn of time. It singlehandedly made an entire generation deathly afraid of clowns, and the upcoming movie remake looks like it could do its part in making the next generation just as scared. But there will never be another TV villain quite as skin-crawlingly amazing as Curry's Pennywise.
Tim Curry stars as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, and that's all that's really needed to land this pop culture icon at the top of any list of King adaptations. If you're still not sold, he's a clown who eats children. Does the series have problems? Sure, a few -- mostly due to budget constraints and a few questionable casting choices -- but all of its faults pale in comparison to the lasting impact of what makes It such a timeless classic: a child-eating clown that turns into a spider and has existed since the dawn of time. It singlehandedly made an entire generation deathly afraid of clowns, and the upcoming movie remake looks like it could do its part in making the next generation just as scared. But there will never be another TV villain quite as skin-crawlingly amazing as Curry's Pennywise.