My top Stephen King film adaptations

I am unbelievably excited that two epic Stephen King films are coming out this year – It and the Dark Tower. As you probably know, there have been so many Stephen King stories made into films: some good, some bad and some just plain ugly. But the good ones are so good that they need to be recognised! Here are my favourites:

Stand By Me

Based on King’s short story ‘The Body’, this is as great a film as the story. Most people I speak to about Stephen King films (which is a lot…) don’t realise that this famous film is actually written by the great King. Stand By Me follows a group of kids (as many great King stories do) who hear that a dead body has been found in the woods by the rail tracks. They go off on an adventure to find the body and bond more than expected on the way. Throw in a bleach blonde Keifer Sutherland as the psychopathic older brother of one of the boys who has it in for them and it’s the perfect film!

The Shawshank Redemption

Another short story of King’s, titled Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, this again is a very famous film that a lot of people are unaware that it came from the extraordinary mind of Stephen King. This story focuses on a wrongfully convicted banker who spends many years in Shawshank prison and makes friends with an old timer who shows him how to survive. It’s a long film so if you’re thinking of watching it make sure you get yourself some snacks and settle in!

The Green Mile

If you haven’t seen this film you absolutely must! It’s one of my favourite films, and Tom Hanks does a great job in this. Another one set in a prison; it follows the story of John Coffey who has been wrongfully sentenced to death for murdering and raping two little girls. Coffey is actually a gentle giant with a special power that allows him to heal things. The film follows the relationship he builds with the prison guards and fellow inmates on death row (known as the green mile). It’s guaranteed to make you ball your eyes out.

The Shining

Probably the best known of all King films, this completely stands up to the hype. It’s the perfect mix of creepy and classic horror, with an amazing performance from Jack Nicholson. The ending to the film is slightly different to the book, however, but I think that it makes sense for the film and the general story remains the same. Trust me, there’s a reason why this film is so iconic!

 

I think I’m going to give al of these a re-watch to keep me going until It and The Dark Tower are released…