Stephen King is an astonishingly prolific writer, in the genres of horror, science-fiction, fantasy, suspense, and crime fiction. Many of his novels, novellas, and short stories have been adapted for the screen, both as film and TV shows. The recent, critically-acclaimed 10-episode drama The Outsider on HBO is based on his novel of the same name.
However, since King writes across so many different genres, it can be difficult to keep up with what work of his has been adapted and what hasn't been. There have also been a few films made based on his stories, where it might be surprising to find that he was the author.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is an award-nominated prison film starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. Considering it's a fairly straightforward historical fiction film, it's surprising that it's adapted from a Stephen King novella.
Featuring a man, Andy (Robbins), who is convicted of killing his wife and her lover, despite his protests of innocence, the film muses on the nature of criminality and friendship. Robbins' character becomes friends with Red (Freeman) since he knows how to procure things from the world outside the prison. Over the course of decades, their friendship grows, and Andy's plans come to fruition.
Stand By Me (1986)
Based on King's short story "The Body," Stand By Me features four boys on a journey out to the woods to look at a dead body. Along the way, the narrator muses on the nature of friendship at the age of 12.
With River Phoenix in a supporting role, the film is reminiscent of typical adventures kids might have had in the late 50s, and the narrator tells the story in a way that feels like something a young boy would write.
The Dark Tower (2017)
The Dark Tower is a 2018 film based on the first of King's novels in the long-running series of the same name. Idris Elba portrays Roland Deschain, a gunslinger on a quest to protect The Dark Tower, which is a fabled structure that carries all realities. Matthew McConaughey plays his nemesis, Walter Padick, also known as The Man in Black.
The film is an adaptation but also serves as a sequel to the eight-book series. It is set in both New York and Roland's Wild West-inspired universe. As a science-fiction Western, it is unlike most of Stephen King's horror, which he is most known for.
The Lawnmower Man (1992)
This film is very loosely based on Stephen King's short story of the same name. However, apart from minor elements, the film has no relation to the story.
The film features a scientist using virtual reality to retrain chimpanzees as disposable soldiers, while the short story refers to a lawn keeping service visit that goes wrong. King sued to get his name taken off the marketing, and won, the first successful ruling of its kind since James Oliver Curwood's I Am The Law, in 1922.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Considered unfilmable after the novel was published, Gerald's Game was ultimately released in 2017. Directed by Mike Flanagan, the film stars a woman named Jessie, who is married to the titular Gerald.
The couple go away for a romantic getaway, but after handcuffing Jessie to the bed for roleplay, Gerald and Jessie get into an argument and he dies shortly afterward from a heart attack. Ultimately, Jessie must figure out how to free herself, in an empty house with no one around to hear her.
Julie Ganapathi (2003)
Julie Ganapathi is a 2003 Tamil-language thriller film, inspired by King's 1987 novel, Misery. Julie Ganapathi is a staunch fan of a popular television show and is increasingly obsessed with the lead character. The lead writer, Tankasi Balakumaran, plans to go away for a few days to finish writing the last few episodes. On the way, he is in a massive car accident, and Julie takes him in so he can heal.
Meanwhile, she reads what he has written and is unhappy with the direction he has taken with the characters. Keeping him in her house by force, she has him rewrite the final episodes of the show.
In the Tall Grass (2019)
Adapted from the 2012 novella of the same name by Stephen King and his son Joe Hill, In the Tall Grass features a pair of siblings, Becky and Cal, who go to rescue a boy, Tobin, after hearing him calling for help in the tall grass.
They soon realize something evil lurks in the grass, especially after Becky dies and then is miraculously alive later on. Eventually, the siblings learn they are in a time loop, and a rock in the field holds prophetic messages for Becky.
Dreamcatcher (2003)
Dreamcatcher is based on King's 2001 novel of the same name. Four friends, who have had telepathic powers since saving a boy as children, reunite for an annual hunting trip. However, plans quickly go awry when alien worms land in the forest nearby and begin to kill or possess the group.
A military unit specializing in extraterrestrials is also interested in stopping the alien invasion, and are on the scene. Writing this novel helped King recuperate from his 1999 car accident.
The Green Mile (1999)
The Green Mile tells the story of a man on death row who seems able to perform miracles. King seems fond of the trope of quiet magic, also seen in Needful Things. Tom Hanks plays a prison officer in charge of the handful of men on death row, or the 'Green Mile,' in 1935.
One man, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), is mentally challenged, but eventually, is able to cure a few infections among the prison staff. He is also able to psychically transfer his power to others. Ultimately, The Green Mile is much more drama than horror, and therefore unexpected for King.
1922 (2017)
1922 is based on Stephen King's novella of the same name. Wilf James is a farmer living with his wife and son. His wife expresses the desire to sell the farm and move to Omaha, which Wilf strongly opposes. With his son's help, Wilf murders his wife.
Ultimately, he ends up alone as his son panics and leaves with his girlfriend. 1922 is both a horror and drama film.