13 best Stephen King movies ranked from creepy to absolutely terrifying
You don’t have to be a fan of the horror genre to know who Stephen King is. The Maine native’s career as an author took off he wrote a short story that would become one of his most popular books and film adaptations to date, which only saw the light of day because his wife Tabitha convinced him it was good. That would be 1974’s Carrie, one of the best horror books about one of my favorite characters of all time. (I even have a Carrie White tattoo, it’s that serious.) His debut book received positive reviews and it didn’t take long for it to be turned into a movie.
With that, the rest is history! King has had over 60 of his works, including books and short stories, adapted for TV series or movies. Described as the “King of Horror,” the 76-year-old author is a favorite for many, and it’s easy to understand why.
King’s stories of horror, suspense, and supernatural fiction have served as major influences on writers to come and he’s made a major impact on pop culture. Of course, he has written more than just horror, but because it’s almost Halloween, we’re breaking down his spookiest movies and ranking them by scare factor.
13. Cujo
- Release Year: 1983
- Director: Lewis Teague
Not scared of dogs? You might develop a fear after watching Cujo! The movie revolves around a mother and son who are terrorized by a dog bitten by a rabid bat. In the small town of Castle Rock, Maine, the two family members must fend for their lives against their local mechanic’s dog who they once got along with. The movie might not have received glowing reviews from critics at the time of its release, but it’s a Halloween staple for me. There’s a ton of suspense and thrilling moments, making it worth a watch.
Cujo is currently streaming on Max.
12. Dolores Claiborne
- Release Year: 1995
- Director: Taylor Hackford
Another one on this list that’s more of a psychological thriller than a straight-up horror movie, Dolores Claiborne has a way of just getting under your skin with its creepiness and suspense. The movie came out in 1995 and follows the titular housekeeper after she is accused of murder. Her estranged daughter, who happens to be a journalist, comes back to her hometown of Little Tall Island, Maine, to support her mother. As the investigation unfolds, we learn of the dark secrets of the town and the Claiborne family, making for a thrilling watch.
The amazing Kathy Bates portrays Dolores Claiborne, and she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. The movie is available to rent for $2.99 on Amazon Prime Video.
11. 1408
- Release Year: 2007
- Director: Mikael Håfström
The 2007 supernatural movie 1408 isn’t the best movie on this list, but it’s definitely a creepy one. The premise goes like this: A writer who specializes in debunking paranormal incidents spends a night in a supposed haunted hotel room for research. As you might suspect, the room actually is haunted, challenging his beliefs and frightening him as he tries to sleep there overnight. The disturbing and unexplainable occurrences are enough to keep any horror lover entertained.
1408 is available to stream on PlutoTV.