movies have practically become their own genre, with the author having witnessed over 100 adaptations of his work. His books, movies, and TV adaptations go from horror to personal, often dealing with macabre subjects and the darker parts of ordinary society. Despite some over-the-top plots, monsters, and subject matter, he nonetheless writes his characters with a deeply relatable edge.

The best of his movies have melded both elements successfully, resulting in works that have been described as . While many have become infamous for either how wildly they miss the mark or try to adapt a story that’s not meant for the screen, there are a great many that have become classics in their own right. Whether they’re dark prison fables, creepy twists on nostalgic ideas, or just a good, pulpy story, they are remembered by readers and moviegoers the world over.

Arnie Cunningham (), the least popular kid in school, decides to purchase his first car – a 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine. As Arnie restores the car, he begins to exhibit a change in attitude and shows an unhealthy obsession with her. But the disturbing part is that it seems Christine is alive, and has a mutual, if far more psychotic, obsession with him. She begins to go after everybody who’s picking on Arnie, and his best, and only, friend Dennis () might be her next target.

Christine is not a particularly deep film, but it’s easily . To be frank, if there’s anyone who can make the idea of a car coming to life and killing people into a genuinely terrifying image, it’s . Put in great direction, an interesting titular monster, and a dark twist on 1950s nostalgia, and Christine makes for a fun ride.

Based on King's short story of the same name, The Monkey delivers a darkly hilarious new take on the creepy toy archetype. Two young twin brothers, one meek, the other a bully, find a mysterious monkey toy that belonged to their father. The boys quickly discover that every time the monkey is winded up and plays its drum, people around it die in bizarrely gruesome ways. After it kills their mother, they make it disappear and grow up to lead separate lives. But when the monkey mysteriously resurfaces, the meek brother must find it before it kills any more people.

, treating many of the deaths like punchlines as well as scares. pulls off the intimidating task of playing both brothers, imbuing both with different personalities and reactions to the carnage they witness. has already made a name for himself with slow-burn horror thrillers, but The Monkey is a wholly different beast.

As The Shawshank Redemption begins, Andy Dufresne () is found guilty of a crime he didn’t commit, and given a life sentence to Shawshank State Prison. Dealing with dangerous inmates and the corrupt warden and guards who work there, Andy has a decidedly different attitude than most of his fellow prisoners, especially his new friend Red (). As the decades pass, Andy strives to improve the lot of himself and his inmates’ existence, prove his innocence, and find a way to be truly free despite the oppressive circumstances.

The Shawshank Redemption is a film with a gritty set-up, which . Andy Dusfrene essentially goes through hell on Earth and comes out a free man on the literal other side. It may be a slow burn compared to other King films, but that doesn’t make the beginning and end all the less exhilarating.

Based on King’s novella The Body, Stand by Me is his quintessential coming-of-age story. Writer Goldie Lauchlance () recalls the little adventure he had when he was twelve with his best friends Chris (), Teddy (), and Vern (). Together, they decide to march out into the wilderness to find the dead body of a missing boy, all the while they deal with the challenges of growing up.

The set-up and end goal may be macabre, but rather than telling a horror story, Stand by Me is ultimately a tale of kids dealing with the expectations of the adults in their lives, the struggles to live up to their dreams, and the solace they find in each other despite their circumstances. The four leads deliver some of the best child acting ever seen in film, and Reiner’s direction is simple but effective. There’s a reason it’s been .

The second time adapted one of King’s works, Misery has an altogether more gruesome setup than Stand by Me. Writer Paul Sheldon () has just woken up in the home of Annie Wilkes (). Annie seems to be a kind, nurturing soul, claiming to be the number one fan of his popular Misery novels. But when she gets her hands on the manuscript of the next Misery book, wherein Paul intends to kill off the title character, she reveals nobody knows where he is, and if he doesn’t write a new book to bring her back, he’s going to die.

The only movie based on his work to win an Oscar, Misery is a Stephen King horror story that doesn’t focus on interdimensional clowns or haunted hotels, and instead . It’s an idea with the potential to be silly, and while Annie Wilkes has her over-the-top moments, she’s still treated with the fear and reverence she deserves as the villain. Known primarily for his dramas and comedies, Reiner’s direction shows he has just as effective a hand at crafting an intense thriller.

In 2017, King’s most horrifying creation was brought to glorious new life. In the town of Derry, Maine, a group of outcast kids have to deal with bullying, abuse, and the loss of family. But those are the least of their problems, as they’ve been terrorized by a mysterious, terrifying, shapeshifting clown named Pennywise () out to feed on their fears and feast on their flesh. Now these kids, calling themselves the Loser’s Club, must fight not just for their lives but to destroy this evil being once and for all.

IT is a densely complicated book that deals with growing up and the dark underbelly of small-town America. The film adaptation chose to adapt both sections of the work into two separate movies, and the first film, with the kids facing the creature for the first time, is easily the stronger one. Some of the book’s more gruesome moments are wisely toned down, but the performances, fast-paced tone, and brilliant reinvention of the titular monster make IT .

Director is devoting a good portion of his career to adapting Stephen King’s work. Gerald’s Game made for an astounding first effort at such, successfully filming a story people long thought was un-filmable. Seeking to add some spice to their marriage, Jessie () and her husband Gerald () make their way to a secluded cabin in the woods. During a romantic session when she is handcuffed to the bed without a key, Gerald dies of a heart attack.

Now Jessie must not only figure out how to free herself without anyone but her own hallucinations to help her, but face her own repressed trauma as a result. Gerald’s Game is an intimate, intense film that’s. With brilliant direction, a powerful anchor in ’s performance, and sensitive handling of its subject matter, it sets a new standard for what a Stephen King movie can be.

Since the events of The Shining, Danny Torrance () has been struggling immensely with his personal demons. Eventually, he finds a way to use his shining ability to become a hospice orderly, using his ability to ease patients as they die. But a young girl with a more powerful shining named Abra Stone () has become the latest target of a cult called the True Knot, and their leader, Rose the Hat (), is getting hungry.

Making a sequel to The Shining, a book that has a specifically defined structure and ending, is a difficult task, and making the film version a sequel to what some still consider the greatest horror film of all time is even more daunting. Thankfully, Doctor Sleep chooses not only to honor the book’s plot and message but specifically incorporate elements from King’s version of Jack Torrance into Danny’s character and bring King’s ending back to Kubrick’s version of The Overlook. that also serves as a thrilling sequel in its own right.

The Overlook Hotel has just received a new caretaker – struggling, alcoholic writer, Jack Torrance (). Jack, his wife Wendy (), and his young son Danny () have moved into the quiet hotel for the winter while Jack starts a new writing project, Wendy tries to deal with a clearly fractured family dynamic, and Danny begins to receive disturbing visions of the hotel’s history – and the restless spirits who have a keen interest in his dad.

The Shining is a radically different story from the book, much to King’s public annoyance, but it’s still While King’s interpretation of the story shows a broken man finding redemption by conquering his demons, Kubrick shows a man already on the brink of insanity finding a chance to let his demons loose. Both are effective in their own right, but Kubrick brings an unrelenting darkness to the material that makes it a bleak, cold watch.

Carrie is both the first full book Stephen King wrote, and the first adaptation of one of his works. The most anticipated event of the school year is the Bates High School prom. Everyone who’s anyone is going – even Carrie White (). She’s the quiet, bullied misfit of her class who’s recently discovered she’s got telekinetic powers. And she’ll get a chance to show them off when a group of students determined to deny her even one ounce of happiness set up a prank with disastrous consequences.

Carrie as a novel establishes a tone, setting, and specific vibe to King’s works, where extraordinary circumstances are placed in a setting that’s all too real. The movie takes a heightened approach to the story, but the drama and plot are grounded in reality. Carrie herself is made into a slightly more sympathetic character than her novel counterpart, which makes her final tragedy heartbreaking and horrifying. while not forgetting to take time for softer moments that lead to an explosive finale.

Next: 10 Best Stephen King Books, Ranked According to Goodreads

• 

  Stephen King