Choosing the best Stephen King movies to watch can be overwhelming given the extensive adaptations of his work. From chilling classics to underrated gems, the variety ensures that fans and newcomers alike can find something to satisfy their craving for suspense and horror.
This article highlights seven of the finest Stephen King adaptations currently available for streaming in October 2025, showcasing where to find each film and what makes them enduring favorites or fresh discoveries.
Agripping Psychological Thriller: “Misery” (1990)
Available on HBO Max, Misery stands out as the only film on this list to secure an Oscar, awarded to Kathy Bates for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes. As a deranged fan who traps her favorite author, played by James Caan, Wilkes demands he write a new novel just for her. Their intense dynamic keeps viewers on edge, offering tension rather than explicit gore, though some unsettling scenes remain memorable decades later.
The Modern Icon of Terror: “It” (2017)
Also streaming on HBO Max, It reintroduces one of Stephen King’s most legendary nightmares through a contemporary lens. Focusing on The Losers Club—a group of children battling a shape-shifting entity disguised as the sinister clown Pennywise—the film delivers relentless scares. Beyond the horror, it explores themes of friendship and growing up, making it as much a coming-of-age story as a fright fest. The story’s first installment outshines its sequel, which follows the characters into adulthood. Its impact is such that it inspired and was also influenced by the Netflix series Stranger Things.
A Harrowing Survival Story: “Gerald’s Game” (2017)
Mike Flanagan’s Gerald’s Game, streaming on Netflix, offers a tense narrative centered on Jessie, who becomes handcuffed to a bed after a failed attempt to revive passion during a trip with her husband Gerald. When he unexpectedly dies, Jessie must confront both her physical predicament and haunting memories to survive. Despite the confined setting, the film’s psychological intensity creates a gripping and unsettling experience.
Monsters Within and Without: “The Mist” (2007)
On Paramount+, The Mist remains one of Frank Darabont’s most notable Stephen King adaptations after his acclaimed work on The Shawshank Redemption. The story confines a group of townspeople in a grocery store enveloped by a mysterious fog hiding monstrous creatures. The film explores not only external threats but also internal conflicts as fear and suspicion fracture the survivors. Its bleak conclusion, preferred by King over his own novella’s ending, provides a haunting and unforgettable finish.
A Legendary Tale of Madness: “The Shining” (1980)
Available through HBO Max, The Shining is widely regarded as one of the greatest Stephen King adaptations, despite the author’s well-known dislike for it. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the film portrays a family’s winter caretaking job at a remote mountain hotel unraveling into horror as the patriarch, suffering from alcoholism, gradually succumbs to the building’s malevolent influence. Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall deliver iconic performances, heightening the film’s eerie atmosphere and psychological tension.
Continuing the Haunted Legacy: “Doctor Sleep” (2019)
Streaming on Hulu, Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep serves as a sequel to The Shining, navigating the challenge of following an original adaptation that deviated from King’s novel. Danny Torrance, now grown, uses his psychic abilities known as The Shine to protect a young girl pursued by sinister beings feeding on such powers. The film delves into Danny’s past traumas and the lingering darkness of the Overlook Hotel, successfully bridging both the book’s themes and Kubrick’s cinematic vision.
The Unconventional Horror-Comedy: “The Monkey” (2025)
The newest film on this list, The Monkey, is available on Hulu and stands out as an unusual but captivating entry. The story follows a brother alarmed by a cursed toy monkey that triggers fatal events, resurfacing after their childhood home is sold. Directed by Oz Perkins, this movie blends bizarre and darkly humorous elements, providing a unique mix of horror and comedy for those seeking something different within King’s adaptations.
This collection showcases the diversity and enduring appeal of Stephen King’s storytelling through cinema, from psychological terror and supernatural horror to surprising comedic twists. Whether revisiting familiar favorites or exploring newer interpretations, these best Stephen King movies offer a compelling lineup for October’s streaming audience. Fans can expect intense suspense, unforgettable characters, and powerful themes to carry forward King’s legacy on screen.
