Following the debut of IT: Welcome to Derry, the original Stephen King HBO Max films have surged in popularity, making their way onto HBO Max’s Top 10 Streaming list. The renewed interest in King’s work coincides with the show’s release and its focus on the eerie town of Derry, Maine, spotlighting the deep lore associated with the cursed location decades before the events of the IT films.
Impact of IT: Welcome to Derry on Streaming Popularity
IT: Welcome to Derry launched its first two episodes to wide acclaim, with viewers praising its chilling atmosphere and rich storytelling. This prequel series explores the Indigenous American lore and the rituals used by locals to fend off the monstrous Pennywise, expanding on details created specifically for IT: Chapter 2. The success of the series has buoyed its predecessors, IT and IT: Chapter 2, pushing both films onto the FlixPatrol’s Top 10 Streaming list on HBO Max. Unexpectedly, another Stephen King adaptation, Dreamcatcher, has also entered the ranks despite its critical struggles.
Dreamcatcher’s Troubled Reception and Surprising Streaming Success
Released in 2003, Dreamcatcher has faced harsh criticism, holding only a 27% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows four friends—Jonesy, Beaver, Pete, and Henry—who embark on their yearly hunting trip in Maine. A childhood incident where they saved a disabled boy granted them telepathic abilities called “the line.” The story takes a bizarre turn involving alien parasites dubbed “sh*t weasels,” which has left many viewers perplexed or disappointed by the plot.
“Dreamcatcher is unspeakably bad — and shockingly so — considering that it’s an adaptation of a Stephen King novel, from the director of The Big Chill (Lawrence Kasdan) and the writer of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (William Goldman).”
— Movie critic
Stephen King himself has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Dreamcatcher, revealing that he wrote the novel under the influence of painkillers—Oxycontin—while he was unable to use a computer due to physical discomfort.
“I was using a lot of Oxycontin for pain. And I couldn’t work on a computer back then because it hurt too much to sit in that position. So, I wrote the whole thing in longhand. And I was pretty stoned when I wrote it because of the Oxy, and that’s another book that shows the drugs at work… I don’t like Dreamcatcher very much.”
— Stephen King
King’s Approach to Film Adaptations and Quality Control
When asked about how much influence he tries to maintain over film and television adaptations of his work, King admitted that he tends to avoid micromanaging projects. He relies on assembling skilled people but recognizes that the final product is unpredictable. Sometimes, those projects fail spectacularly, as he noted with Dreamcatcher.
“I’d go crazy. I don’t try to maintain quality control. Except I try to get good people involved. The thing is, when you put together a script, a director, and all the other variables, you never really know what’s going to come out.”
— Stephen King
“That doesn’t mean you’re going to have the occasional thing that’s just a train wreck like Dreamcatcher, because that happens, right?”
— Stephen King
How Dreamcatcher’s Streaming Presence Sparks Debate
Despite its poor reviews, Dreamcatcher’s appearance among the top streaming titles has sparked discussion among horror fans and Stephen King followers alike. This contrast between critical reception and viewer interest raises questions about the film’s lasting appeal or curiosity among audiences. Meanwhile, IT’s expanding universe continues to thrive with the new series on HBO Max, offering fans a deeper look at Derry’s unsettling history.
Why This Surge Matters for Stephen King’s Legacy on HBO Max
The strong performance of these films on HBO Max highlights the ongoing fascination with Stephen King’s storytelling, even when certain adaptations falter. IT: Welcome to Derry is revitalizing interest in the IT franchise and drawing attention to lesser-celebrated works like Dreamcatcher. This renewed visibility demonstrates the enduring power of King’s narratives within streaming platforms and the potential for future adaptations to capture both new and longtime fans.
