Every Stephen King Movie Adaptation Written by the Author, Ranked

Stephen King holds the record for the most movie deals among authors worldwide, and when it comes to Stephen King movie adaptations, he usually prefers to sell the rights and wait to see how filmmakers interpret his work. While King often critiques screenwriters and directors when they alter his stories, he also praises faithful or enhanced renditions, as seen with The Mist. Yet, on a few occasions, King has taken the reins himself and authored the screenplays for his adaptations, with results that reveal writing novels and writing scripts demand very different skills.

Below is a ranking of every Stephen King movie adaptation he personally wrote, from the most disappointing to the most commendable effort.

Least Effective: A Dark Turn in ‘A Good Marriage’ (2014)

Adapted from Stephen King’s novella, A Good Marriage centers on Darcy Anderson (Joan Allen), whose comfortable life shatters when she finds evidence linking her husband to an elusive serial killer named Beadie. While he is away on business trips to locations connected with unsolved murders, Darcy grapples with the horrifying possibility that her spouse may be the culprit.

Exploring Marital Terror

Director Frank G. DeMarco captured the story in a naturalistic style that highlights King’s grim view of the fragility behind perfect families. Despite Joan Allen’s convincing portrayal of fear and uncertainty, the film suffers from predictability and lacks genuine suspense. King mentioned to Entertainment Weekly that he chose to adapt this story because of its brevity, noting,

“I’ve seen enough movies adapted from my work to know that the things that work the best are the things that aren’t too long and aren’t too short,”

King said. Nonetheless, the adaptation did not meet expectations, failing to generate the tension its premise promised.

Stephen King’s Directorial Experiment: ‘Maximum Overdrive’ (1986)

King not only scripted but also directed Maximum Overdrive, which remains a notorious chapter in his cinematic ventures. Based on his short story Trucks, this film depicts a chaotic scenario where a passing comet causes machines worldwide to gain sentience and attack humans. Vehicles and devices turn lethal in an apocalyptic frenzy.

An Ambitious Yet Flawed Sci-Fi Horror

The movie exemplifies King’s darker, sarcastic side as it satirizes technology’s growing dominance, but it suffers from erratic pacing and a disjointed narrative. Although some horror scenes leave a strong impression, the uneven editing and poor scene transitions undermine the overall impact. King later admitted he regretted directing, revealing he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs throughout production. The film garnered him a Worst Director Razzie nomination, and he never returned to directing afterward.

‘Cell’ (2016): Technology-Induced Horror with Mixed Results

The plot of Cell follows graphic novelist Clayton “Clay” Riddell (John Cusack), whose world collapses when a mysterious cellphone signal transforms many New Englanders into violent, zombie-like creatures called The Phoners. Determined to find his missing family, he allies with Tom (Samuel L. Jackson), a train conductor he meets along the way.

Performances Outshine the Story

Director Todd Williams draws solid performances from Cusack and Jackson, yet the adaptation struggles to capture the novel’s gripping intensity. Some critics speculate that Eli Roth, who left due to creative disagreements, might have delivered a stronger direction. While the idea behind the film resonates and touches on technology’s perilous potentials, the screenplay misses opportunities to deepen the plot, leaving the story less engaging than expected.

Mid-Level Success: ‘Silver Bullet’ (1985)

Derived from King’s Cycle of the Werewolf novel, Silver Bullet shifts the story’s title to create a layer of ambiguity around the identity of the werewolf terrorizing the small town of Tarker’s Mills. A sequence of murders plagues the community as residents wonder who transforms under the full moon.

Gary Busey’s Memorable Performance Shines Through

Silver Bullet includes moments of unintended humor despite its horror premise. Gary Busey stands out as Uncle Red, delivering an improvisational performance that King himself endorsed. The creature effects, however, are underwhelming, blurring the werewolf’s image to the point of resembling a bear. Despite its shortcomings, the film retains enough interest and intriguing scenes to keep viewers engaged.

Notable Entry: ‘Pet Sematary’ (1989)

In Pet Sematary, Louis (Dale Midkiff) moves his family from Chicago to rural Ludlow, Maine, embracing his new role as a local physician. When the family’s cat dies in an accident, Louis buries it in a mysterious pet cemetery, only to witness the animal’s unsettling return.

Memorable Horror and Strong Performances

The film delivers a chilling experience, marked by emotional depth and striking horror sequences. Midkiff’s portrayal offers moments of vulnerability that complement the nightmarish atmosphere. Although some dialogue falters, the overall execution compensates, earning the film a sequel and a lasting reputation among horror fans.

Anthology Excellence: ‘Creepshow’ (1982)

Creepshow is an anthology film inspired by King’s short stories Weeds and The Crate, along with 1950s EC horror comics. This movie weaves together multiple eerie tales, presented through the perspective of a child reading a cursed comic book. Among the vignettes, the story about cockroaches terrorizing a germaphobe stands out.

A Collaboration That Resonates

Critic Roger Ebert hailed Creepshow as one of the greatest anthology films ever, attributing its success to King’s sharp writing and George A. Romero’s vivid direction. Effects artist Tom Savini’s contributions helped craft the movie’s distinct comic-book aesthetic. The partnership between two horror legends created a nearly flawless viewing experience, spawning two much-loved sequels.

King’s Best Screenplay Effort: ‘Cat’s Eye’ (1985)

Another anthology horror film penned by King, Cat’s Eye demonstrates the author’s strength in handling multiple short stories in one package. It features three different tales: Quitters, Inc., about a sinister program for quitting smoking; The Ledge, which follows a gambler navigating dangerous circumstances; and General, where a cat defends a young girl from a murderous troll.

Evenly Strong Stories Anchored by Talented Cast

Unlike many anthology films, Cat’s Eye avoids weak segments, delivering consistent quality across all three portions. The movie benefits greatly from a stellar ensemble, including Drew Barrymore, James Woods, Robert Hays, Alan King, and Candy Clark. Barrymore’s portrayal of the girl protected by the cat earned her a Young Artist Award nomination. Their performances elevate the film, making it an enduring favorite for fans of King’s work.