With a Pennywise origin story reportedly in development (per Yahoo), the project will be the latest in a long line of content based on Stephen King's popular horror novels. However, King isn't the only author in the genre to see his work adapted for the big screen, with filmmakers delivering movies that are just as terrifying as the source material.
While most horror fans will know of King's work, many may not realize that more of their favorite flicks are based on novels that received similar praise on the level of horror and suspense. From classics like Hitchcock's Psycho, based on Robert Bloch's novel of the same name, to comparatively more recent films like The Ring, there are some notable book-to-film adaptions that are equally as scary as the original text.
The Mist (2007)
Available to rent on iTunes and Amazon Prime Video.
This eerie story is about a mysterious mist that settles on a small town, forcing survivors to hole up in a grocery store.
Stephen King originally wrote this psychological horror as a novella in 1980. Though the movie adaption of 2007 didn't follow the exact storyline of King's work, it had the same psychological thrill and mystery. They both feature the same monstrous scene of a man being dragged into the mist by large tentacles, among other horrific moments.
Candyman (1992)
Stream on Spectrum On Demand.
The film, originally released in 1992 and then continued with the hit 2021 Candyman remake, is about a terrifying urban myth of a murderous soul who kills with a hook. A grad student accidentally brings this myth to life when she digs too deep.
This film is based on Clive Baker's short story "The Forbidden" which follows the same general storyline but explores the idea of urban legends coming to life. While a film and short story have considerable length discrepancies, the film does an excellent job of exploring the intrigue of myth.
Misery (1980)
Stream on Showtime
In this terrifying thriller bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon is taken care of by superfan Annie Wilkes after a car accident that leaves him with serious injuries. However, when Annie realizes he's killed off her beloved character in his latest book, she holds him captive, torturing him and forcing him to write the next book that brings the character back to life.
Misery is one of Stephen King's best novels, with the same suspenseful storyline as the film adaptation. This tale is most terrifying simply because of how unhinged and violent Annie becomes as the film progresses, exploring the complexity of human psychology.
Psycho (1960)
Stream on Peacock
Even those who aren't fans of horror movies know of Alfred Hitchcock's critically acclaimed classic, Psycho. Not only are they intriguing and thrilling, but many of the characters of Psycho are highly intelligent, which makes the story's twists and turns all the more riveting.
However, it's little known that the film was based on Robert Bloch's novel Psycho. Both of these psychological thrillers follow Norman Bates as he stalks a beautiful woman who checks into his motel, all while encouraged by the voice of his mother to do horrible things.
The Woman in Black (2012)
Stream on Paramount+
This story was originally adapted in 1989, but the film starring Daniel Radcliff in 2012 is far more popular. In this terrifying ghost story, Arthur Kipps travels to a sleepy town to deal with the affairs of a recently deceased client, only to learn the house is haunted by a spirit causing the death of children.
The plot of the film is just as eerie and shocking as Susan Hill's novella, written in 1983. Both versions not only combine mystery with horror but explore the paranormal legend of a woman in black, creating a story filled with suspense and plenty of scary moments.
The Ring (2002)
Stream on Paramount+
This 2002 film, which was originally adapted as a Japanese horror film in 1998, follows a very similar story to the novel Ring by Koji Suzuki. Though this version is based in America instead of Japan and stars a female protagonist instead of a male one, both plots follow a suspenseful and paranormal investigation into a tape that the main character's niece watched a week before her death.
This terrifying take on cursed objects was the beginning of a craze for Japanese horror stories adapted for American audiences, and for good reason. The film is just as suspenseful and scary as the story it is based on.
The Ruins (2008)
Stream on HBO Max
This story is an interesting twist on an adventure gone horribly wrong. When a group of friends visits Mexico, they venture into the jungle and end up stumbling across some ancient sacred ruins. This discovery leads to an evil spirit being released which goes on to torment the group.
Released only a couple of years after Scott Smith's book of the same name, The Ruins is one of the greatest horror novel adaptions due to its fast-paced nature and exciting story that will keep horror fans engaged from start to finish.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Stream on Amazon Prime Video
The Silence of the Lambs follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she interviews infamous serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to help them find a killer dubbed "Buffalo Bill."
The 1991 film is excellent and very nearly matches the high quality of Thomas Harris' chilling novel, thanks mainly to stunning performances by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. While the movie doesn't follow the same ending as the book, which proved to be quite controversial, they both follow the suspenseful interview of Lecter and the hunting of the twisted Buffalo Bill.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Available to rent on iTunes and Amazon Prime Video
This classic alien film follows a plot many sci-fi fans will be familiar with. It's an aliens on Earth story, with extraterrestrials taking over the bodies and minds of people.
The book was originally published in 1955 by Jack Finney and is widely considered a science fiction classic, praised by horror masters like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. The praise is no surprise, either, considering both film and novel represent the suspense of humans being overtaken by an invisible force and the perseverance of their spirits' fighting to regain control.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Stream on Paramount+
Rosemary's Baby is a cult classic that follows the story of a woman who has a strange pregnancy. Over the course of the film, she discovers the neighbors she befriended before the pregnancy, who take a special interest in it, are actually Satanists who may have something to do with the strange happenings.
This wildly successful film is based on Ira Levin's equally popular novel, both of which follow a similar suspenseful and demonic plotline. Both versions deliver an intriguing story and are considered landmark works in the horror genre.