Shakespeare holds the world record for the most book-to-movie adaptations, with a whopping 420 films based on his works. I guess, based solely on the number of adaptations, horror author Stephen King could be called the modern-day Shakespeare.
Almost every other year, there’s a trailer that begins with “Based on Stephen King’s…” and a film ready to hit theaters, or an announcement that one of Stephen King's novels is in development for a film adaptation.
So far, over 50 of his works have been adapted into films, with Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, Rob Reiner’s Misery, and Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption among the most notable.
But there’s so much more in the treasure trove that’s waiting to be adapted.
Here’s a list of my favorite Stephen King creations that I think deserve the silver screen.
6 Stephen King Stories That Deserve Film Adaptations
1. Insomnia
InsomniaSource: Viking Press
Exploring intense themes of cosmic purpose and redemptive sacrifice, Insomnia follows a widowed retiree, Ralph Roberts, who struggles to fall asleep after his wife’s death. Then, one day, he realizes he can see cosmic forces that oversee the ebb and flow of human existence and are imperceptible to the naked eye.
Roberts begins to understand that life is governed by two cosmic forces, “The Purpose” and “The Random.”
As characters begin to process the truths of the universe, they discover that it is in great trouble. The story shares its universe with The Dark Tower, which features the Crimson King, who seeks to disrupt the universal order.
Insomnia is a horror story that explores the relationship between destiny and free will.
I think this story serves as a great premise for a film, owing to its metaphysical tone combined with horror.
2. The Man in the Black Suit (Everything’s Eventual)
The Man in the Black Suit (Everything’s Eventual)Source: Scribner
This Stephen King short story was originally published in The New Yorker in 1994. Although there are no feature films based on it, it was adapted into a micro-budget short film in 2004 by filmmaker E. Nicholas Mariani.
The story is written as a diary entry by an old man, recounting a childhood trauma from 40 years ago—the day he met the Devil (or the Man in the Black Suit) in person.
One could argue that the story isn't long enough to be turned into a full-length feature film, but there could be plenty to explore in the conversation between him and the Devil.
If I were to adapt “The Man in the Black Suit,” I’d explore themes of trust, interpersonal relationships, and a child's relationship with a parent.
3. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
The Girl Who Loved Tom GordonSource: Scribner
Hopefully, the third time’s the charm for The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, because it was shelved the first two times it was picked up for adaptation.
George A. Romero was the first to develop the story, but the project was indefinitely paused in 2005, and, sadly, he passed away in 2017 before it could resume. Then, in 2020, Lynne Ramsay was hired to direct a movie from it, but that collaboration fell through as well.
Finally, in 2025, JT Mollner, the co-writer of another King adaptation, The Long Walk, took up the project.
The narrative follows a 9-year-old girl who’s separated from her family during a hiking trip. For days, the little girl struggles to survive in the wilderness with the limited supplies she is carrying. In her fight to survive, she finds herself drawing courage from her icon, the Red Sox relief pitcher Tom Gordon, who appears to her as a hallucination, guiding her through the ordeal. She also begins hallucinating a wasp-faced evil entity who’s on her tail to hunt her down.
The story deserves a film adaptation as it masterfully explores universal themes of fear, despair, and self-transformation, not as a romantic adventure but more as a spiritual trial.
4. The Eyes of the Dragon
The Eyes of The DragonSource: Pocket Books
The recent cinemascape is currently lacking an epic fantasy for kids, and I think a film adaptation of King’s The Eyes of the Dragon can fill the gap.
Set in a fictional medieval kingdom called Delain, The Eyes of the Dragon is the quintessential story of good vs. evil. It’s an intelligent narrative that centers on a conspiracy to seize the throne of Delain.
There are mystical creatures, grand castles, and plots involving medieval politics and espionage that make up for great fantasy rooted in reality.
Reportedly, as of 2025, the director duo Dan Berk and Robert Olsen's adaptation of the novel is ready on the pages, and they’ve planned to tie it to the Dark Tower. Hopefully, filming starts soon!
5. The Gingerbread Girl
The Gingerbread GirlSource: Brainstorm Media
This King novella, featuring a female protagonist, was optioned in 2018, with the author himself co-writing the screenplay alongside director Craig R. Baxley. Considering there’s no news on it even after a decade, I’m not very hopeful.
The narrative follows a mother who, after losing her only daughter to sudden infant death syndrome, turns to running in an attempt to cope with her grief. The running soon becomes an obsession with her pushing her body to its absolute limits, often leading to bouts of vomiting. Soon, her husband gives up on her, and they separate. The real trouble arises for her when she meets a serial killer who takes her hostage to turn her into his next victim.
The novella is ripe for adaptation because it is the story of a woman who is no damsel in distress. Even at her weakest, she proves to have strength as she channels her grief to fight her way to survive, without showing dependency on anyone to come and rescue her.
6. Revival
RevivalSource: Scribner
Revival deals in the afterlife and the consequences of tampering with universal forces. In this story of faith vs. skepticism, King presents the universe as a structure that offers no redemption, regardless of moral conduct or spiritual beliefs, evoking a sense of inevitable, universal damnation that underscores existential horror over supernatural horror.
The story revolves around a man who invents an electrical healer capable of healing even the most terminally ill. However, unbeknownst to him, his revival comes with a horrific side effect that doesn't manifest for years.
Have you read any of the books above? If you were to adapt one based on the summary above, which would you choose?
