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In a quaint New England town, the townsfolk lead ordinary lives until a series of strange events uncover long-held secrets that rock the foundations of their community. Even if you’ve never read any of his books, Stephen King’s distinctive writing style is instantly recognizable. As one of the most prolific American authors, he has authored more than 60 novels and over 200 short stories, with many of his works adapted into various media, particularly film and television.
Some adaptations of King’s stories have earned high praise from both critics and audiences for their ability to deliver a compelling cinematic experience while staying true to the source material, such as “The Green Mile” and “The Shawshank Redemption.” On the flip side, there are some adaptations that have strayed so far from the original concept that they prompted the King of Horror to publicly express his disapproval. This compilation highlights the movie adaptations of Stephen King’s works that have deviated the most from the source material.
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10 Least Accurate Stephen King Movie Adaptations
Sometimes They Come Back (1991)
Originally appearing as a short story in 1974, “Sometimes They Come Back” was later incorporated into the 1978 collection titled “Night Shift.” The narrative centers on Jim Norman, a schoolteacher who returns to his hometown 17 years after his brother Wayne was murdered by a group of greasers. Jim becomes increasingly alarmed when some of his students meet untimely deaths, and greasers with a sinister connection to his past begin enrolling in his class.
However, the TV movie adaptation, released in 1991, introduces several notable deviations from the source material. One significant change is that in the film, Wayne returns from the dead to seek vengeance against the greasers, whereas in the book, Jim calls upon a demon that assumes Wayne’s appearance. Additionally, Jim’s wife does not meet the same grim fate at the hands of the greasers in the movie, resulting in a less somber tone. On the other hand, the movie amplifies Jim’s descent into a somewhat psychopathic state as he pursues his vendetta against the greasers, adding a more intense and unsettling dimension to his character, particularly in the way he deals with the greasers’ deaths.
The Mist (2007)
“The Mist” was initially published in 1980 and later included in the Skeleton Crew collection. The story takes place in Bridgton, Maine, where a mysterious fog suddenly envelops the town. David Drayton, a commercial artist, finds himself trapped inside a supermarket with his son and other survivors as they discover that menacing creatures lurk outside in the ominous fog.
What sets the film adaptation, directed by Frank Darabont, apart are several significant differences, particularly the ending. While the book concludes on a relatively hopeful note, the movie takes a much darker and tragic turn. Despite receiving substantial criticism, the film received Stephen King’s approval, as he mentioned that he enjoyed it.
Graveyard Shift (1990)
The short story “Graveyard Shift,” part of Stephen King’s Night Shift collection and originally published in 1970, is set in a small Maine town. It tells the tale of John Hall, a drifter who is hired to undertake a massive cleaning job at a run-down textile mill. Accompanied by the lecherous foreman Warwick, Hall delves into the mill’s basement and discovers that it has become a breeding ground for rats and other creatures that have undergone a bizarre evolution due to their years of isolation from the outside world.
The 1990 film adaptation of “Graveyard Shift” retains some of the story’s gritty atmosphere but deviates from it in certain ways. While the original story is intentionally absurd, the film appears to take itself more seriously, and its ending is notably less gruesome than in the 1970s narrative. Despite the inherent challenges of adapting a short story into a full-length movie, the film is a commendable effort.
Children of the Corn (1984)
The Night Shift collection secures another spot on the list with “Children of the Corn,” first published in 1977. This story revolves around Burt and Vicky, a couple on the brink of divorce, who embark on a final journey to rural Nebraska in a desperate attempt to salvage their marriage. Their unexpected discovery of Gatlin, a small town inhabited by a fanatical cult of children who worship a deity residing in the cornfields, sets the stage for the tale.
What Sets It Apart: The 1984 film adaptation of “Children of the Corn” introduced several notable differences compared to the original story. In the movie, Burt and Vicky’s troubled relationship is absent, offering a departure from the source material. Additionally, the film incorporates a partial narration by one of Gatlin’s children, whereas the short story primarily focuses on the couple’s viewpoint. One significant alteration involves the depiction of the town’s adult massacre, which is only hinted at in the story but is thoroughly explained and depicted on screen. Despite receiving mixed reviews from the audience, “Children of the Corn” went on to spawn a series of nine films.
The Running Man (1987)
Published in 1982 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, The Running Man takes place in a dystopian America in the year 2025. The country is under the control of a corrupt totalitarian government, and television is the primary source of information and entertainment for the people. The story follows Ben Richards, who, in a desperate attempt to cover his family’s medical expenses, agrees to participate in “The Running Man,” a deadly reality show where he is pursued across the nation. The longer he manages to stay alive, the more money his family receives.
What sets the novel apart is that, despite having received a more light-hearted film adaptation in 1987 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, it only loosely follows the book’s plot. In the movie, Richards is portrayed as a wrongly accused police officer forced to take part in the game show. The film departs from the original work’s tense and grim atmosphere, offering instead the typical entertaining, sometimes cheesy style of ’80s cinema. It’s worth noting that a remake of the movie, directed by Edgar Wright, is currently in development.
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Pet Sematary (2019)
One of Stephen King’s highly acclaimed novels, “Pet Sematary,” was published in 1983. The story revolves around medical doctor Louis Creed, who relocates with his wife Rachel, their children Ellie and Gage, and their cat Winston “Church” Churchill to the small town of Ludlow, Maine. In Ludlow, Louis forms a close friendship with his neighbor Jud. When their cat Church dies, Jud advises Louis to bury the cat in the “Pet Sematary,” where it is mysteriously resurrected. However, Ellie soon realizes that Church is no longer the same cat she once knew.
The 2019 adaptation of “Pet Sematary” introduced several significant differences compared to the original film and the book, which had been released 30 years earlier. These changes include alterations in Church’s behavior toward the family and modifications to the dynamics between Louis and Jud. Some changes are even more radical, such as the decision to have Ellie, not Gage, be the child killed by a truck, leading Louis to once again turn to the eerie powers of the Sematary. Despite these variations, “Pet Sematary” still proves to be an enjoyable and frightening choice for a movie night.
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Certainly, Maximum Overdrive, the adaptation of Stephen King’s short story “Trucks,” sets itself apart from other stories where machines gain consciousness and rebel against humanity. Notably, what distinguishes it is that Stephen King directed the film, a unique and singular endeavor in his career. In this role, he made several alterations to his original work, introducing new characters and diverse elements. Moreover, the explanation for the machines’ violent uprising shifts within the film, going from “Earth crossing a comet’s tail” to “aliens manipulating machines to destroy the planet’s population.” With Maximum Overdrive, King delivers an abundant dose of outdated, kitschy, yet utterly entertaining enjoyment, complemented by an exceptional AC/DC soundtrack.
The Shining (1980)
The Shining, authored by the renowned King of Horror, is both famous and infamous for the author’s reaction to its film adaptation. Published in 1977, the novel follows Jack Torrence, an aspiring writer who takes on the job of winter caretaker at the magnificent Overlook Hotel. As he becomes increasingly connected to the place, he begins to unravel. Jack’s son, Danny, possesses a unique psychic ability known as “the shining,” allowing him to perceive the malevolent nature of the Overlook.
What Sets It Apart The Shining is one of Stephen King’s most well-known adaptations to the silver screen, yet it remains highly controversial. King openly expressed his displeasure with Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation, as he believed it strayed far from the original storyline. In the book, Wendy is portrayed as a stronger and more self-reliant character, while Jack is initially a much more likable character. Various elements, such as the iconic twin girls, the blood-filled elevator, and the infamous “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” scene, are unique to the film. Despite these glaring disparities, it’s undeniable that Kubrick created a cinematic masterpiece that played a pivotal role in shaping the modern horror genre.
The Dark Tower (2017)
Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series is widely regarded as his magnum opus, a sentiment shared by the author himself. The first book, “The Gunslinger,” was published in 1982, and it was followed by seven more novels and a novella. The narrative revolves around Roland Deschain, a gunslinger on a journey across various worlds in search of the enigmatic Dark Tower, which serves as a pivotal connection between these diverse realms. This series acts as the hub of King’s multiverse, linking to many of his other stories and characters.
Naturally, the anticipation for a film adaptation was exceptionally high. However, when “The Dark Tower” movie was released in 2017, it left many fans deeply disappointed. While the film drew some inspiration from the original novel, it failed to capture the essence of the series. Instead, it omitted numerous important characters and introduced new ones in an attempt to condense the entire saga into one film. The end result was a disjointed and bewildering plot, which fell far short of meeting the expectations of the majority of the audience. It’s widely agreed that Stephen King’s masterpiece deserved a far better cinematic treatment.
The Lawnmower Man (1992)
Stanley Kubrick produced and directed the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, “The Shining,” featuring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, Shelley Duvall as Wendy, and Danny Lloyd as Danny. Jack, a recovering alcoholic, takes on the role of caretaker at a remote Colorado hotel that closes for the winter. The Torrances are unsettled when they learn that the previous caretaker committed a murder-suicide. As days pass, Jack experiences disturbing visions and encounters with ghosts, gradually descending into madness and targeting Wendy and Danny.
What Makes the Film Stand Out Jack Nicholson effectively utilizes Kubrick’s signature intense stare to emphasize his character’s interactions with malevolent entities. The iconic moment where Jack breaks through a door and exclaims, “Heeere’s Johnny!” holds even more significance because Nicholson improvised the line.
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