All 22 Stephen King Series & Miniseries Ranked
As I am a big lover of Stephen King books, I have watched every King movie and show there is. After watching them all, I have to say I am much more of a fan of shows than movies. It looks to me that directors and screenwriters of shows are more focused on making a good story, character development and setting, than in the movies, which build their success on special effects and action. For that reason, we have decided to make a list of all Stephen King’s shows and rank them according to my own taste. I am sure not all of you will agree with the list, but that’s ok.
There are currently 22 Stephen King TV shows, with the first adaptation from now a long time ago, all the way from 1979. In the last few years, and with the success of IT and its Chapter 2, movie studios and streaming platforms have decided to cash in on the legendary author. It is also easier for them to do well-known and successful stories than to try and make something original, but that is the story for some other time.
Now, let’s focus on Stephen King’s shows, and let us rank every one of them and let you know what are they about, so you can find your next watch. We will rank Stephen King’s shows from the least good to the best.
22. Golden Years (1991)
Harlan Williams, an elderly janitor, is caught up in an explosion at the top-secret laboratory where he works. After surviving but discovering he is now “aging” in reverse, he ends up on the run from an operative of “The Shop”.
21. Under the Dome (2013–2015)
It is a story about the inhabitants of a small town who face a supernatural and inexplicable event, a huge transparent dome that separates them from the rest of the world. An unusual event excites the spirits of the inhabitants of Chester’s Mill, their secrets come to light, but all together they are occupied by only one thing – what the mysterious dome actually is and how to get out of it.
From a mysterious stranger who hides a dark secret, power-hungry politicians who exploit the disaster for their own gain, to lovers and chance-seekers who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, the series reveals how they all deal with phenomena beyond their control.
20. The Stand (2020)
The Stand is described in CBS publicity as “King’s apocalyptic vision of a world decimated by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil. The fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors. Their worst nightmares are embodied by a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the nefarious ‘Dark Man.'”
19. Lisey’s Story (2021)
Based on the novel by Stephen King, this series follows widow Lisey Landon (Julianne Moore) as a series of disturbing events rekindle memories of her marriage to writer Scott Landon (Clive Owen) and the darkness that plagued him…
18. Kingdom Hospital (2004)
The story tells of the fictional Kingdom Hospital located in Lewiston, Maine, built on the site of a mill that manufactured military uniforms during the American Civil War. Previously, a hospital known as the “Old Kingdom” had been built on the site, but it burned down. The current hospital is known as the “New Kingdom”. The hospital’s “turbulent” nature seems to reflect its ominous logo, a crimson-stylized dagger, predicting what will come.
A psychic named Mrs. Druse has checked into the hospital numerous times and is taken by the staff to be a hypochondriac. She asks for the assistance of the cynical yet compassionate Dr. Hook to uncover the truth about the hospital and the mysterious spirits who haunt it – including a sinister teenage boy, a young girl who had died in the fire that burned the original hospital down, and a strange animal that follows and protects the young girl, who calls it Antubis (it is similar to a giant anteater, but whose long snout opens up to a set of jagged teeth).
Elsewhere, Peter Rickman, a painter who is admitted to the hospital following a road accident (with severe injuries to his skull and spine) begins to discover the ghastly goings-on while he lies comatose in room 426.
Other subplots included the initiation of the arrogant chief of surgery Dr. Stegman into the secret society known as the ‘Keepers’, and the challenged-at-every-turn flirtation between young Dr. Elmer Traff and sleep doctor Dr. Lona Massingale.
17. The Shining (1997)
Television adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that follows a recovering alcoholic professor. He ends up taking a job as a winter caretaker for a remote Colorado hotel which he seeks as an opportunity to finish a piece of work.
With his wife and son with him, the caretaker settles in, only to see visions of the hotel’s long-deceased employees and guests. With evil intentions, they manipulate him into his dark side which takes a toll on him and his family.
16. Salem’s Lot (2004)
A journalist returns to his hometown to investigate strange memories that have haunted him since childhood. The guarded secrets of a small town turn into unimaginable terror when a terrifying stranger appears in the town…
15. The Tommyknockers (1993)
This story is based on the work of Stephen King. The story centers on the writer and alcoholic Bobbi (Marg Helgenberger), who accidentally discovers a long-buried spaceship during a walk in the woods.
When he digs it up it starts emitting a green light and soon everyone in town has green eyes and starts fulfilling their violent fantasies. Only Bobbi, because of the metal plate in her head, is resistant to the influence of alien energy. Only, the question is whether she has the strength to fight this scourge…
14. Bag of Bones (2011)
Bestselling novelist Mike Noonan, unable to cope after his wife’s sudden death, returns to the couple’s lakeside retreat in Maine, where he becomes involved in a custody battle between a young widow and her child’s enormously wealthy grandfather.
Mike inexplicably receives mysterious ghostly visitations, escalating nightmares and the realization that his late wife still has something to tell him.
13. Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King (2006)
An eight-episode adaptation of Stephen King’s short stories, primarily from the Nightmares and Dreamscapes series. “Battleground” follows a quiet hitman becoming a target for violent revenge when he finds a mysterious package on his doorstep; A young woman and her attorney husband getting lost in a notoriously evil London neighborhood named “Crouch End”; “Umney’s Last Case” is a 1930’s era detective who realizes he’s the main character in a novel, and he’s being written out; A successful filmmaker films himself in “The End of the Whole Mess”, recalling his genius brother’s life and the scientific plan he applied to end world violence with unanticipated results; “The Road Virus Heads North” drives into gear as a celebrated writer realizes the demonic figure in the painting he’s just acquired, is changing…
12. Salem’s Lot (1979)
Ben Mears has returned to his hometown to write a book about the supposedly haunted Marsten House. When people around the Marsten House start dying mysteriously, Mears discovers that the owner of the mansion is actually a vampire who is turning them into an army of undead slaves.
11. Haven (2010–2015)
When, during a routine case, FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine, she soon finds herself embroiled in a series of unusual events that the residents of Haven call “The Troubles.” Audrey realizes that she is somehow connected to Haven and that now she finally has the chance to discover the truth behind the secret that has haunted her since childhood.
10. Rose Red (2002)
This three-part show begins when Joyce Reardon (Nancy Travis), a professor of psychology, begins to investigate reports of paranormal phenomena in Rose Red, an old and dilapidated mansion in Seattle.
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According to legend and most of the physical evidence, Rose Red seems to be “living” proof where even the furniture is arranged according to the energy of the house. The mansion is also linked to a number of mysterious deaths, which Joyce believes is the ghost of Ellen Rimbauer, the deranged wife of the architect who designed Rose Red.
Determined to solve the mystery of the mansion, Joyce invites four psychics to spend the weekend at the mansion, hoping to appease Ellen’s spirit…
9. The Stand (1994)
In a world ravaged by a terrifying disease, a group of complete strangers try to survive and retain their humanity. This handful of brave souls are opposed by a legion of villains led by the mysterious Randall Flagg. Are these the last days of humanity or is there hope for a new beginning?
8. Castle Rock (2018–2019)
“Castle Rock” is a psychological horror series based on the mythology of Stephen King, in which characters and themes from the fictional town of Castle Rock in Maine are intertwined.
“Castle Rock” is a psychological horror series set in the world of Stephen King that combines mythology and intimate storytelling from King’s best works – it is an epic saga of darkness and light that takes place in a few square kilometers of a wooded area in Maine.
7. The Dead Zone (2002–2007)
A small-town teacher, Johnny Smith, has a car accident that leaves him in a coma for six years. When he regains consciousness, Johnny begins to have visions of the past and future, which are activated when he touches an object or person. Johnny also learns that his fiancee, Sarah, has married the local sheriff, and that he is the father of her son.
With the help of his ex-fiancée, her husband Walt, and physical therapist Bruce, Johnny begins to use his powers to solve crimes. However, his visions gave him glimpses of apocalyptic events, the election of Congressman Greg Stillson, as well as visions of a man from the future, who asks for Johnny’s help to prevent it.
6. The Langoliers (1995)
On a flight from Boston to Los Angeles, ten people wake up and realize that most of the passengers and the crew have disappeared. When they try to get in touch with the switchboard, no one answers. They manage to land but realize that everything is the same as it was.
But it seems as if the world is dead. There is no one. The air is still. The sound does not wail. The food is tasteless. And the only sound they hear in the distance is getting closer to them. A race of monstrous creatures bent on their destruction came upon them, devouring everything in their path.
5. The Outsider (2020)
Based on Stephen King’s bestseller of the same name, this 10-episode series follows police detective Ralph Anderson as he investigates the murder of 11-year-old Frankie Peterson, who was found in the Georgia woods.
The mysterious circumstances of this horrifying crime prompt Ralph, still grieving the recent death of his own son, to bring in unorthodox private investigator Holly Gibney, whose mysterious abilities, he hopes, will help explain the unexplained.
4. Mr. Mercedes (2017–2019)
The story follows the psychopathic killer Brady Hartsfield (Harry Treadaway) called “Mr. Mercedes” who constantly harasses retired police officer Bill Hodge (Brendan Gleeson) with disturbing letters.
Bill is forced to go on a mission to catch the notorious killer himself, even though he knows he will have to break the law that has protected him so far. Based on the detective novel by Stephen King.
3. 11.22.63 (2016)
The series is based on King’s novel, and has assembled an incredible cast of actors who embody deeply complex characters and hits viewers with the unpredictable dark side of the American dream. James Franco stars as Jake Epping, a high school teacher who has just lost his wife and wants to do something important to stand out. Encouraged by the support of a friend (Chris Cooper), Jake goes back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The story takes viewers back to the world of the 1960s in Texas, where he investigates the many secrets intertwined around the alleged killer Lee Harvey Oswald. But Jake’s mission is threatened not only by Oswald but also by Sadie, a beautiful librarian who falls in love with him, but he is also threatened by the past itself, which does not want to change. If the past doesn’t change, it will strike back. Due to its tension, this series will keep you on the edge of your seat and take you into an epic swirl of secrets and emotional excitement like you’ve never experienced before.
2. It (1990)
In 1960, a group of children, social outcasts, are being bullied by a gang of scumbags led by Henry Bowers. But they are not their only problem. The children are also possessed by an evil demon that has the ability to turn into the victim’s worst fears and is mostly found in the form of a sadistic clown called Pennywise the Dancing Clown. After defeating the demonic clown as children, he returns 30 years later and now as adults they must defeat him again.
1. Storm of the Century (1999)
The inhabitants of a quiet town on a small island located near the mainland are completely cut off from the world when they are hit by the worst snowstorm of the century. While the snow buries all living things, real fear arrives in the form of an evil stranger.
The streets disappear and ghostly darkness envelops the city, while a series of bizarre murders instills terrible fear among the people. With no help coming from the outside world, no calming of the storm in sight, the locals are forced to take drastic measures before it’s too late.
