Although largely considered unnecessary at the time it was announced, the 2019 remake of Stephen King's Pet Sematary received solid marks from critics and the public alike when it was released. One of the main reasons why, other than the top-notch performances, is the affectionately knowledgeable direction of Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer.

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Kolsch and Widmyer know and love the work of Stephen King so much that they planted subtle references to the horror scribe's film adaptations inside Pet Sematary. Some are easy to notice, some not so much. See for yourself below as we highlight 10 Stephen King movies referenced in Pet Sematary 2019!

The Stand (1994)

Granted, The Stand is officially a miniseries and not a feature film, but the Pet Sematary connection is still strong enough to warrant a mention.

In the fourth chapter of The Stand, a character likens Earth to the underworld by declaring "we are the dead and this is hell!" Well, Ellie utters a similar sentiment towards the end of Pet Sematary when she decries that there is no heaven and hell, only hell on Earth. Of course, by slicing Jud's Achilles tendon, the one thing he can longer do is... Stand!

1408 (2007)

Whether intentional or not, the altered plot of Pet Sematary 2019 calls to mind the pulse-pounding premise of King's 1408.

In changing the death of Gage to that of Ellie in the 2019 redo, the plot of the film evolves to concern a father who cannot accept the death of his daughter. This is the same underlying conflict in 1408, in which paranormal debunker Mike Enslin (John Cusack) checks into a haunted hotel and continues to be tormented by his deceased daughter's spirit.

Cat's Eye (1985)

Cat's Eye remains a supremely slept-on King movie, likely due to the fact the story was an original screenplay rather than an adapted novel. Either way, the movie is slyly nodded to in Pet Sematary.

Lewis Teague's Cat's Eye is a horror anthology all tied together through the eyes of an omnipresent black cat. One of the chapters in the film deals with cats who physically consume breath from its owners. Well, notice how the cat Church tries to suffocate Gage in the Pet Sematary redo. Coincidence? We think not!

The Dead Zone (1983)

In King's The Dead Zone, Johnny (Christopher Walken) is thrown into a coma after being struck by a massive tanker-truck trailer. He doesn't die but rather gains strange prophetic powers.

In Pet Sematary, Ellie is also struck by a giant tanker-truck trailer. The only difference is she dies, on her birthday no less. Such a similarity could be dismissed as a mere coincidence, but given the knowledgeable fandom of directors Kolsch and Widmyer, we highly doubt that!

The Dark Half (1993)

Castle Rock, Maine is the recurring setting of many of King's horror novels. Just about an hour up the road resides Ludlow, Maine where Pet Sematary is set. Well, Ludlow isn't the only place a King story takes place!

Indeed, the film version of King's The Dark Half is also set in Ludlow, Maine. The film follows a successful novelist who keeps his literary art separate from his lucrative pulp trash through the use of an alias. When a reader discovers this alias and threatens to expose it, the writer finds his literary alter-ego dying inside his mind and body.

Graveyard Shift (1990)

Graveyard Shift is one of the most fun and entertaining King B-grade flicks very few people seem to know about. Kolsch and Widmyer are not among them!

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The premise of Pet Sematary starts with the Creed family relocating from Boston to Ludlow, Maine. When Rachel asks Louis if he can handle the adjustment, Louis responds by saying something to the tune of "what, missing the graveyard shift in the ER?" The line is a clear shoutout to the 1990 King joint about a giant killer rat in a textile mill!

Cujo (1983)

Just as Ellie's birthday party gets underway, sharp-eared viewers will notice a direct reference to Stephen King's Cujo.

As the festivities kick up, Jud (John Lithgow) can be overheard relaying the tale of "a big Saint Bernard. He got rabies and killed four people." Of course, Cujo was set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, where many of King's stories take place. This version of Pet Sematary is set in Ludlow, Maine, which is roughly one-hour from Castle Rock.

The Shining (1980)

Danny writing Redrum

There are several overt and covert references to Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. First off, when Gage wakes up in bed and repeatedly utters "Pascow" while pointing his index finger forward is nearly identical to that of young Danny Torrance barking "redrum" in his mother's bedroom.

There is also a shot of Ellie breaking into the bathroom to kill the mother of the family much as Jack Torrance does to Wendy. Rachel also spots blood leaks from the mirror as the dumbwaiter ascends, also reminiscent of The Shining.

It (1990)

Were you able to spot the clear visual reference to Stephen King's It in Pet Sematary? Hint: it appears roadside!

Following Ellie's death, Rachel is so distraught that she takes Gage to be with her parents in Boston. When Rachel rushes home out of concern for Louis, she gets stuck in traffic. On the side of the road is a green road-sign that reads "Derry 20 Miles." This is an obvious nod to Derry, Maine, the setting of many King tales, but most famously It.

Pet Sematary (1989)

It comes as no real surprise that Kolsch and Widmyer would reference the original film that they remade, but it's the imaginatively subtle ways they did so that really stand out.

In 1989 original, The Ramones song "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" can be heard when Gage is crushed by semi-truck. In the remake, the truck driver is distracted by a phone call from a person named "Sheena" just before fatally crashing into Ellie. Likewise, the original film featured a Ramones song over the end credits, and the remake features a cover of that song as the credits roll.

NEXT: Pet Sematary: The 1o Scariest Scenes, Ranked