When it comes to horror, one thing is always guaranteed: a Stephen King adaptation is on its way (not that we are complaining). Several movies and series are set to premiere over the next few years. We’ve got a list. Here’s what is headed your way so far.
The Monkey
Directed by Osgood Perkins (also behind the terrifying film Longlegs), the film stars Emmy-nominated actor Theo James in a dual role as twin brothers Hal and Bill. When they unearth a seemingly harmless childhood toy – their father’s old monkey – a wave of brutal deaths begins to plague them. Determined to break the curse, the brothers must confront the sinister power of the monkey before it claims everything they hold dear.
Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”) and Elijah Wood (“Lord of the Rings”) join James. James Wan (The Conjuring, M3GAN, and its spin-off SOULM8TE) serves as producer alongside Michael Clear. It opens in theaters on February 21, 2025
The Long Walk
After years of delays and speculation, production is underway on the adaptation of Stephen King’s horror-thriller The Long Walk. According to Collider, acclaimed director Francis Lawrence has been confirmed to helm the project, replacing Andre Øvredal.
Based on the 1979 novel initially published under King’s pseudonym, Richard Bachman, The Long Walk takes viewers on a terrifying journey into a dystopian America. In this cold, militaristic society, one hundred teenage boys are forced to compete in an annual walk. The rules are simple yet critical: maintain a minimum speed of 4 miles per hour. Fall behind three times and face elimination. However, the last boy standing wins a mysterious prize, but at what cost?
Holly
Filmmaker Jack Bender has confirmed a television adaptation, “Holly,” set for July 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Private investigator Holly Gibney mourns the death of her mother, with whom she had a complicated, strained relationship. Despite taking a break from work, Holly is contacted by Penelope Dahl, whose daughter Bonnie disappeared earlier that month. Holly is intrigued by Penelope’s message and agrees to work on the case.
The premiere date has not yet been announced.
Life of Chuck
When you hear that Mike Flanagan is directing, you know it will be good. The Life of Chuck by King was featured in his If It Bleeds. The project has begun to announce its killer cast, featuring Tom Hiddleston. Mark Hamill, who also starred in his new fantastic series “Fall of the House of Usher,” is set to star alongside Karen Gillan, who starred in Flanagan’s breakout film Oculus. Jacob Tremblay, who appeared in Doctor Sleep, returns for the new project. Flanagan first-timer Chiwetel Ejiofor has also joined the cast.
The Life of Chuck tells the story of Charles Krantz in reverse, beginning with his death and ending with his childhood in a haunted house, a tale of a boy who witnessed his death.
Salem’sLot
After multiple delays and two years in limbo, Salem’s Lot finally seems to have a release date of October 11, 2024. Gary Dauberman, known for horror hits like Annabelle, IT, and The Nun, directs the film. Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick) stars in the lead role of Ben: Makenzie Leigh, Alfre Woodard, Bill Camp, and Pilou Asbaek co-star.
In King’s 1975 novel, Ben returns to Jerusalem’s Lot to write his next book. He soon discovers that the house that terrified him as a child is filled with vampires. This isn’t the first adaptation of King’s tale. It had a 1979 film adaptation that became a classic.
The Running Man
Twisters actor Glen Powell is set to star in the movie. The adaptation, directed by visionary Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), is based on King’s novel. This is not the first time the story has been adapted for the big screen. In 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger played Ben Richards. A falsely convicted cop gets his shot at freedom when he is forced to participate in a TV game show where convicts and runners must battle killers for their freedom.
Carrie
Mike Flanagan, behind multiple King adaptations, is working on an eight-episode series adaptation of Carrie, reportedly premiering this October. Unlike previous movies that focus heavily on the “superhero origin gone wrong,” Flanagan is diving deeper into the psychological destruction of a community.
It’s said that the series is set after the sudden death of her father, Carrie White—who has been raised in near-total seclusion by her domineering, religious mother—is thrust into the “alien landscape” of a modern public high school.
The Mist
Mike Flanagan isn’t only working on “Carrie”; he is also developing a new adaptation of Stephen King’s The Mist. For those who haven’t seen the first adaptation, it’s a must-see and may leave you scarred for life. The story sees a mist fall over a small town, trapping a group of people in a grocery store. There are giant monsters just waiting for an easy meal.
Later
Blumhouse is behind a new series adaptation of King’s best-seller, Later, released in 2021. The cast for the limited series already includes Lucy Liu (Kill Bill) and Raelle Tucker (True Blood), who also created the series and wrote the first season.
The story centers on Jamie Conklin, the son of a struggling single mother, who wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability, his mom urges him to keep it secret. Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can know. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine – as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.
Click on their highlighted title to learn more about the adaptations and watch the trailers. What adaptation are you most looking forward to?
