Everyone knows Stephen King is the contemporary master of horror. There’s no one more prolific in the genre or with more experience under his belt writing chilling tales that keep us up at night. King is a revolutionary in horror literature and while he can certainly craft stories that scare us, he’s also great at writing heartfelt dramas that teach us life lessons.
From the makeshift tunnel out of Shawshank State Penitentiary to the back Harlow Road beyond the town of Castle Rock, King weaves tales of friendship, hope, and humanity. His latest dramatic adaptation The Life of Chuck hits theaters June 5th and once again pairs King with veteran genre director Mike Flanagan. Want to prepare with a movie marathon? Here are four of the best dramatic films based on King stories to watch ahead of The Life of Chuck.
Dolores Claiborne (1995)
After her critically-acclaimed turn as the villainous Annie Wilkes in the 1990 hit Misery, Kathy Bates teamed with King again for the 1995 adaptation of his novel Dolores Claiborne. This time, Bates plays the protagonist. A story of mystery, family, and hidden secrets, the film is more dramatic-psychological-thriller than full-blown horror film.
Told through flashbacks and set in King’s home state of Maine, the film follows Bates in the lead role as Dolores, a widow fighting to prove her innocence when her employer turns up dead. The story spans decades, tackles the bond between mother and daughter, and is considered one of King’s banner feminist works. The film was met with positive reviews and currently holds an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Green Mile (1999)
King is known for his work in the horror genre, but sometimes he looks more at the horrors inside of people than those around them. The Green Mile tells the story of the Death Row section of the Cold Mountain Penitentiary in the 1930s. Corrections officer Paul Edgecomb (played by Tom Hanks) begins to suspect inmate John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) of having magical powers. The ensuing story is a tragic tale of sacrifice that asks questions of life’s purpose and the meaning of miracles.
The film was a huge success even with its near-three-hour run time and it was met with critical acclaim. It was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Duncan. Just try to get through this one without crying, we dare you.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
King's 1982 collection Different Seasons features a novella set in each of the four seasons, focusing on drama and human relationships instead of the classic horror he was known for. The collection was wildly popular, and three out of the four stories received film adaptations in the following years. One of the most successful was Frank Darabont’s 1994 adaptation of King's story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.
Darabont is mostly recognized now for his work with King, and Shawshank marked the first collaboration between them. With expert performances from Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, The Shawshank Redemption received widespread acclaim and was nominated for the 1994 Academy Award for Best Picture, ultimately losing to Forrest Gump. The film remains massively popular and it has been ranked as one of the best inspirational films of all time by AFI and honored by the Writers Guild of America, among others.
Stand By Me (1986)
When director Rob Reiner adapted King's novella "The Body" from the 1982 collection Different Seasons in 1986, King was reportedly moved to tears by the completed film. Audiences agreed, and Stand By Me has become one of King's most popular adaptations.
The film tells the story of four 12 year old boys in the 1950s who go out looking for the body of a local missing boy, presumably hit by a train. The boys head out on a weekend camping trip to find the missing boy and return as heroes and collect the reward money. Their trip is a journey of friendship, acceptance, and growth as they approach the beginning of high school and their lives changing.
The leads are played with grace and finesse by River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Wil Wheaton, and Jerry O’Connell, with voiceover narration by veteran actor Richard Dreyfuss. Stand By Me tackles the bonds that shape us in an honest, authentic way that still resonates with audiences today. It’s become a fan favorite and one of King's most touching films. "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"