Harsh Vardhan
Get ready for a spine-chilling journey into the twisted and eerie realms of the master of horror – Stephen King. In the dark corners of Netflix’s vast library, a treasure trove of Stephen King adaptations awaits, promising a rollercoaster of suspense, supernatural encounters, and psychological thrills. From the classic ‘Stand by Me’ to the haunting ‘Gerald’s Game,’ this article is your curated guide to every Stephen King-inspired masterpiece available on Netflix. Whether you’re a seasoned horror enthusiast or a casual viewer, prepare to be captivated by a world where nightmares come alive and every shadow hides a secret. Join us as we navigate the haunting landscapes of King’s imagination, exploring the myriad adaptations that have brought his chilling tales to life on the streaming giant. Grab your popcorn, turn down the lights, and immerse yourself in the eerie brilliance of Stephen King.
7. The Dark Tower (2017)
A black tower, a gunslinger, and a man in black; eleven-year-old Jake Chambers has been having dreams of these for quite some time now. Soon, he finds himself transported to a different world where he meets Roland Deschain, a gunslinger tasked with protecting the dark tower from Walter Padick, the man in black who wants to unleash hell by destroying it. Realizing that his world, as well as that of Deschain, is in grave danger, he decides to help the latter defeat Padick. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, ‘The Dark Tower’ stars Tom Taylor, Idris Elba, and Matthew McConaughey. The film delivers on its neo-Western fantasy setting and offers large-scale action that, though it tones down the violence as described in the novels, offers an entertaining binge-watch, if nothing more. A shift from King’s horror dramas, the movie can be streamed right here.
6. Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022)
In the horror drama film ‘Mr. Harrigan’s Phone,’ written and directed by John Lee Hancock, the narrative unfolds from Stephen King’s novella of the same name within the collection ‘If It Bleeds.’ Featuring a cast including Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Joe Tippett, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste, the story revolves around Craig and his deep bond with retired businessman John Harrigan. Their lives take an eerie turn when Craig wins a lottery, leading both to acquire their first iPhones. Even after Harrigan’s demise, a supernatural connection endures through their phones, one of which is laid to rest alongside the departed friend. You can watch it here.
5. In the Tall Grass (2019)
‘In the Tall Grass,’ directed by Vincenzo Natali, immerses viewers in a sinister labyrinth of horror. Adapted from the novella co-written by Stephen King and Joe Hill, the film follows a brother (Avery Whitted) and sister (Laysla De Oliveira) who venture into a seemingly innocent field of tall grass in response to a child’s cries for help. Soon, they discover that the verdant maze is not what it seems, twisting time and reality. Natali’s direction transforms the ordinary into a nightmarish puzzle, creating a gripping and disorienting experience that plays with perception and fear. You can watch the film here.
4. 1922 (2017)
Adapted from Stephen King’s novella, ‘1922’ is a haunting film directed by Zak Hilditch. Set against the stark backdrop of rural Nebraska, the story follows farmer Wilfred James, portrayed by Thomas Jane, who, driven by greed and guilt, commits a heinous act with his son. As the consequences of his actions unfold, a malevolent force begins to exact a chilling revenge. Hilditch’s direction captures the eerie essence of King’s narrative, plunging audiences into a macabre tale of horror and guilt. Jane’s compelling performance and the film’s atmospheric cinematography make ‘1922’ a brooding exploration of the psychological toll of sin and retribution. You can watch the film here.
3. Gerald’s Game (2017)
Directed by Mike Flanagan, ‘Gerald’s Game‘ brings Stephen King’s suspense to life with a tight grip. The plot, adapted from King’s novel, follows a couple, portrayed by Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood, whose attempt at spicing up their marriage goes terribly wrong. Gugino’s character finds herself handcuffed to a bed in a remote setting, facing a nightmarish ordeal that is catalyzed by her husband’s dead body that is right in front of her. But how did he die? Did she kill her? Flanagan’s direction crafts tension in confined spaces, transforming the psychological thriller into a claustrophobic and intense journey. With stellar performances and Flanagan’s skillful adaptation, ‘Gerald’s Game’ stands as a chilling exploration of survival against the odds. Feel free to stream it here.
2. Stand by Me (1986)
Rob Reiner’s ‘Stand By Me’ is based on King’s novella ‘The Body’ (one of the four novellas in the author’s non-horror ‘Different Seasons’ collection). The coming-of-age drama, set in 1969 Oregon, follows four kids (Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell) who set off on the search for a missing 12-year-old kid named Ray Brower. A quest as the behest, the film is a journey of self-discovery for the kids as their experiences and exploits show them the reality of life, even if at a subconscious level. Recipient of the Jackie Coogan Award for Outstanding Contribution to Youth Through Motion Picture at the 8th Youth in Film Awards, along with an Oscar nomination and two Golden Globe nominations, ‘Stand by Me’ is a must-watch drama, attested by King himself. You can watch it here.
1. It (2017)
Directed by Andy Muschietti, ‘It’ is based on Stephen King’s eponymous novel, bringing once again to the screen Pennywise, the malevolent and monstrous shapeshifting clown, after Tim Curry played it in the 1990 TV adaptation. Bill Skarsgård puts on the clown’s avatar in this movie, and the latter’s latest targets are a group of young misfits, each with his/her own fears that the entity would love to feed on, along with the kids themselves. The only way to defeat it is to fight the fear. Can the kids do that? Co-starring Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, and Jack Dylan Grazer, ‘It’ is a compelling horror drama that became one of the scariest R-rated films ever upon release. You can watch it here.
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