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10 Best Stephen King Film Adaptations

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I love Stephen King. I mean, I really, really, love Stephen King. His stories are so iconic and well written and his characters are so deep; to me, he is the ultimate horror writer. And with so many successful stories under his belt, there has got to be at least one you can appreciate even if you’re not the biggest fan of the guy. His books have made great films, too. Here are the Top 10 Best Stephen King Film Adaptions in order.

“Okay, tell me now, truthfully. Which one of you ate the last of my Twinkies?”

10. The Mist (2007) [youtube id=”LhCKXJNGzN8″ align=”right”]

The Mist, though not universally loved, was a great film filled with a lot of tension in my opinion. It’s a monster movie, but it’s more than that. It aims to show you what people will do to survive in desperate conditions. More of just a monster flick, it’s an investigation into human nature. And that ending, man; ouch. That one hurt.

 

9. Cujo (1983) [youtube id=”8AbqO7uQU1k” align=”right”]

Stephen King has been stated in his wonderfully written and extremely helpful book On Writing that most of his ideas come from the question of “what if?” In this case, what if a mother and son were trapped in a car by a rabid, killer dog? We come to find out that the situation is pretty scary, indeed. And the dog looks absolutely disgusting in this film, too. Apparently it was made up from a sugary egg concoction, which the actor-dogs kept licking off during shooting.

8. Misery (1990) [youtube id=”IbP4YLsdBBE” align=”right”]

So far, this is the only King adaptation to win an Academy Award, which is a pretty distinct honor for a horror film. It’s nice to get a little recognition sometimes while most of the world thinks of the genre as silly and sadistic for no discernable reason. Anyway, this truly is a great film, with great performances by James Caan and Kathy Bates. This is James Caan’s second best role, with his first being the dad in Elf. I love that movie. Sue me.

7. Children of the Corn (1984) [youtube id=”Qs6z1D4gVp4″ align=”right”]

A wonderfully corny movie (ha! I’m so clever!) that scared the living hell out of me when I was a child. That first scene where they use a meat slicer to turn an adult’s hand into roast beef? Yeah, no, when I was five that was just not helpful in giving me peaceful dreams. And even as I get older, it still creeps me out. Movies about killer kids make me never want to have children. I’m scared, okay!?

6. It (1990) [youtube id=”iMspVKv56vQ” align=”right”]

Tim Curry absolutely slays the role of Pennywise in this movie, which is also incredibly long. The book is long as well, being over 1,000 pages and one of King’s longest. Many people contribute most of the scares in this movie to come from Pennywise, but I think that is doing It a great injustice. There is a lot more going on than just a scary clown. It’s a clown, yes, and clowns are scary enough, but what about a scary clown that feeds on childhood fears? If you’ve got the time, this is one film that deserves a rewatch.

5. Salem’s Lot (1979) [youtube id=”itgqj4okSv8″ align=”right”]

I love the vampire Barlow in this film. I love him, I love him, I love him. He is one of my absolute favorites. Another really long one, due to it actually being a television mini-series, like It. For both being broadcast on television, however, both movies push the envelope and really bring the scares to the small screen.

 

4. Pet Sematary (1989) [youtube id=”jpjpUOXQZac” align=”right”]

Who doesn’t love Fred Gwynn? I sure do. And that little adorable kid, who, oh, I don’t know, just gets hit by a damn truck. It’s one of those scenes where you think they wouldn’t possibly go there, but, in fact, they do go there. The character of Zelda in this film is absolutely terrifying as well. Bruce Campbell was the first choice to play the father in the film, but unfortunately, he was not cast in the role.

3. Carrie (1976) [youtube id=”VSF6WVx_Tdo” align=”right”]

The one that started them all. Carrie is the story of a teenage girl who just can’t get a break. This one is an absolute classic, and if you haven’t seen it yet, what are you doing with your life? This was Stephen King’s first published novel and subsequently his first novel to be adapted for the screen. Things really started rolling for King after this one.

 

2. Stand By Me (1986) [youtube id=”FUVnfaA-kpI” align=”right”]

While Stand By Me is not a horror film, it is still one of my favorite movies. The nostalgia factor in this movie just drips from the screen, making you long for the days of being a kid and having adventures again. The trailer alone pulls at your heartstrings. It was originally published as a novella titled The Body, named for the dead teenager in which the group of boys goes looking for. Kiefer Sutherland is great in this film, as well as River Phoenix, may he rest in peace.

1. The Shining (1980) [youtube id=”1G7Ju035-8U” align=”right”]

Stephen King was not a fan of Kubrick’s masterpiece, but that does not mean the film is not a good one. In fact, this is one of the best horror movies of all time. I can understand why King doesn’t like the movie, but he’s such a good sport when it comes to his movies ing reproduced on the screen that I think we can all give this one a pass. Jack Nicholson is a complete lunatic in this film. He’s a complete lunatic in most films, actually. I;m not really sure if I would ever want to meet him.

There you have it. Ten of the best. There are so many Stephen King adaptations that I know a lot of you are going to feel I’ve short-changed you. So, what would you add? What would you take off? Let me know in the comments! Oh, and also, just because I love this song and this band (Stephen King does too), here are The Ramones performing a song featured in the movie of the same title.

[youtube id=”e7f2LZK3zsY” align=”center”]

 

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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