Out of 30 Stephen King TV Series, Only 2 Scored Above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
You've certainly heard about the movies, but what about King's top-scoring series adaptations?
Summary
- Over 60 of Stephen King 's stories have been adapted into movies and shows.
- Out of all his series, 2 have been exceptionally well received by online critics.
- His two highest-rated shows share many similarities, one of which is very specific.
Stephen King is easily one of the most famous authors in the world. Dubbed the 'King of Horror,' the American author revived the genre with his chilling tales, but he is not afraid to explore other genres besides horror, and has produced some emotionally moving stories amidst the usual slow-burn terrors.
Many of his stories have been brought to life on the screen
More than 60 of King's novels and 200 of his short stories have been picked up by producers and adapted for the screen, some of which have been hugely successful. Among his best-known works turned into movies are The Green Mile, Carrie, The Shining, The Shawshank Redemption, IT, and there are many more.
It's not just movies that are on his list, there are also series, although the number of shows is far less than movies. Of all the series that have come from his writing, only two have truly wowed the Rotten Tomato platform, earning a score in the 90s, a feat that many can only envy.
Mr Mercedes (2017-2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
'Premium-unleaded nightmare fuel right out of the gate, without even a touch of the strange or supernatural. '
Based on King's Bill Hodges trilogy, the first season of this dark crime drama follows its titular character in a dangerous and obsessive game of cat and mouse with an unknown killer who drove a stolen Mercedes through a crowd. With 16 people dead and relentless taunts from the mysterious figure behind it all, Detective Hodges is forced out of retirement and on the hunt for a deranged killer.
There's no doubt that Stephen King knows how to build suspense and deliver unexpected shocks, but he also builds his characters and stories with extraordinary depth and detail. The biggest draw to Mr. Mercedes is obviously the murder mystery, but for three seasons, the show has also captivated audiences with its characters and their personal and professional dramas, as well as many unnerving twists and turns.
Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a gripping three-season crime drama with many blind corners.
The Outsider (2020-2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Surprisingly, the second highest-scoring series on this list is also a crime mystery, but this time with the dark supernatural elements King is known for in his writing. Even more interesting is the fact that Mr. Mercedes' character Holly Gibney appears in this series, playing a more prominent role in the story this time around.
The 10-episode limited series consists of just 1 season, with award-winning Jason Bateman taking the lead in a mind-bending murder story where he is the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a young boy. It doesn't take long for what should be a simple open and shut case to become intertwined with eerie and unexplainable supernatural forces that leave the characters and the audience questioning what they believe, despite incontrovertible evidence.
Intense and slow-burning, The Outsider finds a way to be both gripping and uncomfortable, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. It all comes down to realistic acting, moody cinematography, and a subtle introduction to the idea of otherworldly forces that seemed to hit all the right notes for audiences, whether they were Stephen King fans or not.
Among the other TV series based on King's works are Under The Dome (2013), Castle Rock (2018), and The Stand (2020), all of which are good, but not good enough for a score above 90.
Most people know to look for King's movie horror adaptations, such as IT, Pet Sematary, and more recently The Boogeyman and Fire Starter, but the TV series based on his works are just as good, and judging by their ratings, even better than the movies.