Stephen King. The name alone conjures up pictures of terrifying clowns, rabid dogs and abandoned landscapes in Maine. He is a literary titanium, a master of horror and tension, and his works have been adjusted countless times for the screen. But let's be honest, not all adjustments are the same. Some have become iconic masterpieces and capture the essence of the king's story, while others. . . Let's just say that you are best forgotten in the dusty corners of your local video business (if they still exist! ).

The crown jewels: Stephen King's cinematic success stories

Let's start with the good things. These are the films that not only do justice to the novels of King for themselves, but also stand as exceptional works in cinemas:

The Shawshank redemption (1994)

Okay, purists could argue about his genre classification (more drama than horror), butThe Shawshank redemption, adapted from the amendment "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank redemption", is undoubtedly a masterpiece. Powerful appearances, a convincing narrative of hope and resistance and a message that deeply resonates - this is a film that stays with you long after the credits. Frank Darabont did it.

The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick's adaptation ofThe epidemic is controversial. King himself liked it famous and quoted his deviations from the starting material. However, even King cannot deny the undeniable influence of the film on film history. Kubrick's terrifying pictures, Jack Nicholson's unforgettable performance as Jack Torrance and the general atmosphere of fear and psychological horror make it a really iconic and terrible experience.

Carrie (1976)

Brian de Palmas Carrie is a classic for a certain reason. Sissy Spacek's representation of the title character is heartbreaking and frightening, and the film fits perfectly the fears of youth, bullying and the terrible potential of oppressed anger. The Prom scene is legendary.

Misery (1990)

Kathy Bates' Oscar winner as Annie Wilkes inmisery is perfect. The film staged by Rob Reiner is a master class in tension that shows the horrors of obsession and the lengths to which a disturbed fan will go. "I'm your number one fan! " Misery still sends the spine today.

Stand by Me (1986)

Another non-horror jewel,Stand by Me (Based on "The Body") is a moving and nostalgic coming-of-age story about friendship, loss and the strength of common experiences. Rob Reiner hits gold again and this time provides a heartwarming and unforgettable story.

The basement: The Stephen King adjustments that missed the brand

Now not that big. These are the films that either slaughtered the starting material, suffered from poor execution or simply did not cover the essence of the king's story:

The Dark Tower (2017)

Oh,The dark tower. So much potential, so little delivery. This adaptation of Kings's epic fantasy series was a massive disappointment. Stormy pace, confusing points of action and a complete lack of the atmosphere and depth that left the books on the left, fans and critics scratched their heads alike. A missed opportunity of epic dimensions.

DreamCatcher (2003)

With a line -occupied line -up and a strong budget,Dream catcherHad all ingredients for success. The winding action of the film, bizarre foreign creatures (this. . . Things. . . come from toilets! ) and overall lack of focus made it a critical and commercial flop. It is a film that is best forgotten.

The Missing (1995)

An obsessed laundry? Seriously? The missing personis a really bizarre and unintentionally fun adaptation. Tobe Hooper, the director ofThe Texas chain saw massacreSomehow it managed to transform a short story into a nonsensical mess. It's so bad, it's almost good. . . almost.

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

Directed by Stephen King himself,Maximal OverdriveIs a guilty pleasure, but still a pleasure. The film about machines that bring to life and attack humanity is cheesy, exaggerated and absolutely ridiculous. While it has its moments of the Campy fun, it is hardly a masterpiece. King has admitted that he was "got out of his head" while filming, which probably explains a lot.

The judgment: A mixed bag scare and joy

Stephen King's works have provided fertile properties to the filmmakers for decades, which led to a variety of adjustments, from really scary masterpieces to complete train wrecks. While some films have perfectly conquered the essence of King's story, others have fallen flat. Regardless of whether you are a die -hard fan or an occasional viewer, the exploration of the world of Stephen King Movies is an adventure in itself, filled with chills and thrills.

So grab some popcorn, dim the lights and prepare yourself for fear (or amused) of the best and worst that Stephen King films have to offer!