Stephen King's best-rated movie according to critics.
In a recent survey conducted by German film experts, Stanley Kubrick's classic horror film "The Shining" (1980) starring Jack Nicholson emerged as the top pick among Stephen King adaptations. However, the author himself, Stephen King, has expressed dissatisfaction with Kubrick's interpretation of his novel.
Despite King's reservations, "The Shining" continues to hold a prominent place in the critical ranks of King adaptations. Other highly acclaimed adaptations include Brian De Palma's "Carrie" (1976), based on King's debut novel, and Frank Darabont's "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994), which stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
The survey, commissioned by distributor Tobis, saw over 100 German film experts cast their votes for their top three picks. The results confirm a widespread critical appreciation for several King adaptations, not just in German-speaking countries but globally.
"Misery" (1990), noted for Kathy Bates' Oscar-winning performance and critical praise for its intense psychological horror, ranks fourth in the critics' ranking. "Carrie" (1976) takes the third spot, while "The Shawshank Redemption" ranks second.
The 2017 remake of "It" ranks seventh, and "The Mist" (2007) takes the tenth position. "Stand by Me" (1986), a coming-of-age drama adapted from King's novella, acclaimed beyond the horror genre, ranks fifth.
Interestingly, "The Dead Zone" (1983) ranks ninth in the critics' ranking. Another recent entry, "The Life of Chuck" (2025), directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston, based on a short story published by Stephen King in 2020, has recently entered the top 10 of the critics' ranking of the best King adaptations.
It's worth noting that Stephen King himself produced a TV miniseries of "The Shining" in the 1990s. With over 100 of his novels and short stories having been adapted for cinema and TV, King remains one of the most successful authors of all time.
For a precise top 10 ranking by German film critics, consulting German film review aggregators or publications like Filmdienst, or German cinema-focused websites, would be necessary. However, the general consensus suggests that "The Shining" and "Misery" remain top critical favourites internationally.
Movies-and-tv adaptations of Stephen King's works continue to be a significant part of entertainment, with Kubrick's "The Shining" and Misery being top critical favourites. Other notable adaptations include "Carrie," "The Shawshank Redemption," and "Stand by Me."
