Stephen King’s Misery, a highly acclaimed horror thriller adaptation, will be removed from Netflix starting in April 2026. The film, directed by Rob Reiner and featuring an award-winning performance by Kathy Bates, has been a popular title on the streaming platform for years.
Netflix to remove Misery in April 2026
From April 1, 2026, Netflix will no longer include Misery in its collection of movies and TV shows. This change ends the availability of the 1990 adaptation on the service, much to the disappointment of fans of the Stephen King Misery Netflix exit.
Directed by Rob Reiner, with a screenplay by William Goldman, Misery is based on Stephen King’s 1987 novel of the same name. The film is part of Reiner’s remarkable late ’80s and early ’90s era, which also gave audiences notable movies such as Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, and A Few Good Men.
The story and critical reception of Misery
The film follows Paul Sheldon, portrayed by James Caan, a best-selling novelist who becomes trapped by his obsessive fan, Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates. Supporting roles include Frances Sternhagen as Deputy Virginia, Richard Farnsworth as Sheriff Buster, and Lauren Bacall as Marcia Sindell.
Misery holds an 86 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer and a 90 percent on the Popcornmeter, reflecting widespread critical acclaim.
Anthony Arrigo of Dread Central praised the film, stating,
Firmly anchored by an Academy Award-winning performance from Kathy Bates, Misery is a lengthy exercise in tension that builds and builds until arriving at an explosive climax that gives viewers the catharsis they have waited 100 minutes to receive.
Stephen King’s praise and box office performance
Stephen King himself has expressed admiration for the movie adaptation. In a 2025 New York Times interview, he remarked,
The combination of Kathy Bates and James Caan was magic,
and added,
And it had a touch of humor in it that was really missing from the book.
The film also enjoyed financial success, grossing over $61 million worldwide across domestic and international markets according to Box Office Mojo.
The ongoing legacy and what lies ahead
Misery remains a significant entry in the horror thriller genre and the canon of Stephen King adaptations, partly due to its strong performances and faithful but enhanced storytelling. As it exits Netflix next April, viewers who have yet to watch it will need to seek alternative platforms to experience this compelling story.
The departure marks a shift in Netflix’s library but also highlights the film’s enduring importance, as its influence continues to be felt in both the horror community and popular culture.
