Stephen King’s 2025 Adaptations Ranked by Rewatch Value
2025 was a landmark year for Stephen King fans, with a wave of new film and TV adaptations captivating audiences. From chilling horror to dystopian thrillers, discover which King-inspired releases are worth revisiting and which ones missed the mark.
2025 proved to be a banner year for Stephen King, as several of his stories made their way to both theaters and streaming platforms. With Welcome to Derry dominating HBO Max ’s charts, King’s tales once again captured the imagination of viewers everywhere. Directors both seasoned and fresh took on his work, delivering a mix of hits and misses. Here’s a look at six of the year’s most notable King adaptations, ranked by how likely you’ll want to watch them again.
The Institute: Familiar Territory, Little Innovation
The Institute, adapted from King’s 2019 novel, arrived as an eight-episode series on MGM+. The show follows Luke Ellis, a brilliant teen who’s abducted and held in a secret facility where children with special powers are exploited. Despite a strong cast led by Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker, the series treads well-worn ground, echoing elements from Stranger Things, The Shining, and Firestarter. The dual narrative—split between the kids and an ex-cop on their trail—struggles to bring anything fresh, leaving the story feeling tired and uninspired.
The Institute is streaming on MGM+ in the U.S.
The Running Man: High Hopes, Mixed Results
Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, promised a bold reimagining of King’s dystopian classic. The film centers on Ben Richards, a man forced into a deadly televised contest where survival means exposing a corrupt system. While the premise and cast set expectations high, the movie never quite escapes the shadow of the 1987 Schwarzenegger version. Wright’s signature fast-paced editing doesn’t always serve the story, and despite its timely themes, the film falls short of its rebellious ambitions.
The Running Man is available to rent or buy on Amazon and Apple TV in the U.S.
The Life of Chuck: A Surprising, Heartfelt Turn
Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of The Life of Chuck, featuring Tom Hiddleston, takes a different approach from the usual King fare. Instead of pure horror, the film explores existential themes through the life and death of an ordinary man, Charles “Chuck” Krantz. Hiddleston delivers a standout performance, infusing the story with warmth and humanity. The film’s reverse narrative structure and vivid sequences make it a memorable watch, offering a fresh perspective on King’s storytelling.
The Life of Chuck is available to rent or buy on Amazon and Apple TV in the U.S.
Welcome to Derry: Pennywise Returns to Haunt
Welcome to Derry emerged as the year’s breakout hit, plunging viewers back into the eerie world of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Set in 1962, the series serves as a prequel to the IT films, unraveling the origins of Derry’s nightmares. Each episode delivers new twists and psychological scares, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his chilling role. The show’s strong reception and high viewership suggest more terror may be on the way, as creators hint at exploring further cycles of Pennywise’s reign.
Welcome to Derry is streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.
The Monkey: Dark Fun with a Deadly Toy
Osgood Perkins brings King’s short story The Monkey to life with a blend of horror and dark humor. Theo James stars as a man haunted by a cursed toy monkey that triggers gruesome deaths whenever its cymbals clash. The film’s tight pacing, clever cameos, and unexpected twists make it a wild ride from start to finish. Balancing scares with moments of levity, The Monkey is perfect for a group movie night—though maybe not with the whole family.
The Monkey is streaming on Hulu in the U.S.
The Long Walk: A Gripping Tale of Survival and Friendship
Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of The Long Walk stands out as the year’s most powerful dystopian story. The film thrusts viewers into a brutal endurance contest where teenage boys must keep walking or face deadly consequences. With sharp dialogue and strong pacing, the movie delves into the bonds formed among the competitors, highlighting themes of camaraderie and sacrifice. Mark Hamill’s chilling performance as a fascist overseer adds to the film’s emotional impact, making it a standout among King’s 2025 adaptations.
The Long Walk is available to rent or buy on Amazon and Apple TV in the U.S.