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Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 26's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 26 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Disarrange hair
Green: Long string of texts
Blue: Relaxing places to sit
Purple: Circular-shaped objects
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Fluster
Green: Series of Messages
Blue: Places to Lie/Sit That Move
Purple: Cylinder-Shaped Things
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #503 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayFluster: FAZE, RATTLE, RUFFLE, THROW
Series of Messages: CHAIN, CHAT, CONVERSATION, THREAD
Places to Lie/Sit That Move: CRADLE, HAMMOCK, ROCKER, SWING
Cylinder-Shaped Things: CAN, ROLLER, SILO, SPOOL
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 25Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
"You're not ugly; you're just not doing your makeup according to your facial contrast," starts one of the over 52,000 videos of women using the "What's your contrast" filter on TikTok.
SEE ALSO: 'Beetlejuice lips' TikTok trend celebrates the natural creases of your lipsThe latest trend in beauty filters plays on women's insecurities to sell products, encouraging users to classify their faces based on the contrast between their features. The filter turns your face black and white, providing a model that categorizes faces into high, medium, and low contrast types. However, the standard for comparison is rooted in Eurocentric beauty ideals, offering only three skin tone options: light, medium, and dark. It suggests that the darker your features appear against your skin, the higher contrast you should assign to yourself. Each contrast level is linked to a recommended makeup style — low contrast calls for subtler looks, while high contrast leans towards bolder, more striking makeup.
In a video that's been viewed over 5 million times, the creator of the filter, @alieenor, a French makeup artist, says, "As someone who had very low self-confidence, this is one of my missions on earth to help women be confident in themselves. Help them use makeup to their advantage and not work against them." She pitches contrast theory as a tool to liberate yourself from insecurity and finally feel beautiful.
Her logic, as with any TikTok beauty trend, harmfully conflates self-worth with appearance — and prizes White European beauty above all else.
She argues, "It's an important factor to know about yourself." And explains, "If you're high contrast…in order to have a balanced face, you should add some kind of intensity. If you don't, it's okay. You understand why you look washed out." She talks about how discovering contrast theory helped her realize, "This makeup is not for me, it's not because I'm not beautiful."
While @alieenor might have created the filter in good faith to help women feel confident, it engages in a dangerous ideology that empowers "feeling beautiful" at whatever cost. In recent years, the beauty industry cleverly rebranded beauty as a form of self care, giving us all the excuse of "it makes me feel good!"
SEE ALSO: Slugging, gua sha, rice water, and more: How stolen cultural beauty practices feed viral videosPositioning contrast theory as a quick fix for low self-confidence sends a particularly harmful message to teenage girls—especially in an environment where algorithms are known to exploit their insecurities. A 2021 CDC report found that one in five teen girls felt persistently sad and hopeless, a 21 percent increase since 2011.
Creator @alieenor's explanations of medium, low, and high contrast have garnered 11.7 million, 1.7 million, and 7.2 million views, respectively. Despite contrast theory’s popularity on the platform, it faces significant criticism.
"This is another bogus trend that only works for fair skin and I'm going to prove it to you guys by doing high contrast versus medium contrast makeup on brown skin," said Monika Ravinchandran, a beauty creator, in a video. She goes on to argue that sorting people with really dark skin as low contrast, invalidates "full glam Black girl makeup."
"There's a reason Desi bridal makeup and the UK Black girls all eat up full glam," continued Ravinchandran. "Brown skin slays in high contrast makeup. Darker skin absorbs more light, so we actually need more dimension and we can take more color." By dictating what type of makeup suits different skin tones, critics argue that the theory also implicitly dictates what doesn't suit certain skin tones — essentially labeling those choices as unattractive or undesirable.
In the long history of TikTok beauty trends, contrast theory is nothing new. It follows in the footsteps of color analysis, the eyebrow filter, and the perfect face ratio filter. It's high time body neutrality gets its viral filter moment. But a filter like that would struggle to break into TikTok’s algorithm — especially since it wouldn't drive product sales or allow creators to earn commissions from promoting beauty products.
Bluesky is having a moment.
The small upstart social media platform has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past few months. Despite stiff competition from much bigger competitors like Musk's X and Meta's Threads, Bluesky's profile rose in the period after Elon Musk acquired Twitter, and then it managed to maintain its momentum.
On Thursday, Bluesky announced some news: The decentralized platform has now grown to over 13 million users and it just raised $15 million in financing.
However, further buried in the announcement was another interesting tidbit: Bluesky is planning to launch a paid subscription service.
SEE ALSO: BlueSky is pitching itself as a Threads alternative now Bluesky's paid subscriptionFor those who fled Musk's X due to the new paid model, let's address those concerns first and foremost. Bluesky says it will always remain free. And, unlike how Musk's X works, the paid subscription service will not provide paying subscribers with prioritization over free users.
So what will paying subscribers get? According to Bluesky, the company is currently developing a service that will allow paying subscribers to upload longer videos and further customize their profile page with different themes and avatar frames.
"Paid subscribers won’t get special treatment elsewhere in the app, like upranking premium accounts or blue checks next to their names," Bluesky chief operating officer Rose Wang wrote in a series of posts addressing likely concerns from users.
Of course, algorithm boosts, blue checkmarks, and prioritization in the replies are all bonuses that come with X's paid subscription service X Premium. Many users who left X cite Musk's paid subscription model as a major contributor to the degradation of that platform.
Bluesky has consistently capitalized on X's decisions, especially over the past few months. The platform has grown by millions of new users during that time frame as a result of X's ban in Brazil and X's decision to change how blocking works.
Bluesky has not yet announced any other features or potential pricing for the service at this time.
Creativity thrives when an artist can fully immerse themselves in their vision. And having the right tools is essential. For creators like Kapono “Pono” Asuncion, Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition stands out as a powerful ally. With its AI-enhanced Intel chip and Windows 11 Copilot, this PC streamlines workflows, allowing artists to focus on what truly matters — creative expression.
Designed for the modern creativeWith Copilot’s smart assistance, Pono can focus on their art without getting bogged down by stress. The Yoga Slim 7i automates time-consuming tasks like image rendering and color correction, freeing up valuable time for creative exploration.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition 15-inch Laptop $1,279.99 at LenovoAs a self-taught multimedia maker, storyteller, and culture bearer, Pono appreciates how this new device from Lenovo can elevate their craft. "Finally, I have a tool that moves at the pace I need it to," they share.
Weighing in as a lightweight, ultra-slim device, the Yoga Slim 7i is designed for portability. It stays cool and quiet even under demanding workloads, with minimal fan noise — making it easy for Pono to take their work wherever inspiration strikes.
Credit: Pono Asuncion Powering precision and clarity in every detailPono’s creative process demands tech that keeps up with their fast-paced ideas and multitasking. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is just the ticket, featuring an Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor, 16GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD. This PC easily handles multitasking, whether Pono is running multiple Adobe programs or switching between ProCreate and Illustrator.
For many digital artists and designers, freezing and crashing are common headaches that can disrupt the creative flow and lead to lost work. Thankfully, those issues aren’t a concern for Pono. “This is the first computer I’ve had that doesn’t crash every time I open Adobe!” they say.
But it’s not just about power; the 15.3-inch 3K touchscreen offers vivid visuals that bring Pono’s artistic vision to life. Pono often switches between digital and analog, scanning things in and drawing over them, or printing out digital work to draw on. The screen’s PureSight Pro display delivers 100 percent DCI-P3 color accuracy, which is crucial for creating intricate layers and textures.
“I’ve been enjoying the textures on the display — it’s crisp and perfect for zooming in on details,” Pono notes. For someone inspired by the imperfections and textures found in nature, the Yoga Slim 7i’s screen helps them capture those nuances in their digital art.
Credit: Pono Asuncion Advanced AI for more charged creative sessionsBeyond just power and display quality, the Yoga Slim 7i integrates smart features that streamline Pono’s workflow. Smart Share, exclusive to Lenovo Aura Edition PCs, connects your smartphone to your laptop instantly via an AI virtual sensor. Just tap your Android™ or iOS device to your laptop — then drag and drop, edit photos, and share easily.
Lenovo's AI-driven Smart Modes are crucial to preserving Pono’s workflow. Power Mode optimizes energy consumption, letting Pono create for longer without worrying about draining the battery. If the laptop is idle, power levels automatically adjust to conserve energy. By blocking certain apps for a set amount of time, Attention Mode helps Pono minimize distractions so they can focus. And to keep up with healthier habits, Wellness Mode encourages Pono to take breaks to protect their eyes or grab a drink of water.
Credit: Pono AsuncionBeyond the Yoga Slim 7i’s personalized Smart Modes, the Ultra 7 Processor comes packed with advanced AI capabilities that enhance performance in real-time. Features like predictive power management and task prioritization allow for smooth transitions between demanding applications.
Conserving energy, empowering creativityFor Pono, the standout feature of this PC is its impressive battery life. The 70 Whr battery delivers unmatched performance, allowing Pono to work without charging more than once a day. Plus, with quick charging, those hyper-focused sessions remain uninterrupted.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition goes beyond performance; it also prioritizes sustainability. With a design that reduces its carbon footprint, it combines high-end aesthetics with durability. The top cover is crafted from recycled aluminum, and both the battery and speaker enclosure use recycled plastic. Even the packaging is made from recycled and biodegradable materials.
Credit: Pono AscuncionFor a creative like Pono, the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is the perfect companion, allowing them to create meaningful work while staying true to their values. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition is a game changer for conscious creatives on the go.
It is not always easy to cancel your subscriptions. The Federal Trade Commission is trying to change that, but it's not going over without a fight.
As Reuters reported, a group representing companies like Comcast and Charter, sued the FTC on Wednesday over a rule it recently made called the "click-to-cancel" rule. The rule, which was announced earlier this month and ratified on Oct. 16, would ensure that customers know what they're actually signing up for before paying and that they'll be able to cancel a subscription just as easily as they made it.
SEE ALSO: Canceling subscriptions with one click just got way easier"Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription. The FTC’s rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want," commission chair Lina M. Khan wrote at the time of the rule's announcement.
It took the NCTA, formerly known as the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, less than a month to go to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and file a suit against the FTC, saying the click-to-cancel rule oversteps the Commission's authority.
What happens next is up to the court, but for now, you might want to read the fine print.
GET A $20 CREDIT: As of Oct. 25, spend $80 on qualifying P&G home goods at Amazon and get a $20 Amazon credit.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Spend $80 on P&G products, get $20 Amazon credit Get DealThere are certain home goods that we all need to stock up on. Whether you need paper towels to clean up messes, detergent to wash your clothes, or dishwasher tablets to handle all those dirty dishes, you can do so right now at Amazon and save a little cash while you're at it thanks to a special promotion.
As of Oct. 25, spend $80 on qualifying P&G home products and get a $20 Amazon credit. That equals 25% back in credit on your $80 purchase. Shop the items on the promotional page first, and after your order ships, you'll get an email from Amazon letting you know that the promotional credit has automatically been added to your account. Check the status bar at the top of the deal page to see how close you are to getting the discount, and after you check out, you can go back and do it again — just in case you need more goodies.
SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Get 6 Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras for the price of 2Some of the items on offer include Tide Pods, Bounty paper towels, and Cascade dishwasher pods. But there's more than that on offer, including everything from shampoo to Swiffer PowerMops and refill mop pads. Diapers, skincare, tissues, probiotics, and a number of additional categories are also available, so even if you need a few very specific items, you can save thanks to this deal.
Check out the sale and nab all the things you normally get at the store in real life and get some cash back on the things you need to buy anyway. If you can wait for everything to ship, it's a great time to shop.
Social media's giants must face lawsuits brought forth by school districts nationwide, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled this week, which claim that the platforms are addictive and harming the country's youth.
Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snap will indeed head to court to face the high-dollar damage cases, which will proceed under a more narrow scope, Rogers decided. This comes despite a contrary decision by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge this summer, Bloomberg reported. As a result, the companies won't face hundreds of Los Angeles-based claims, but will be liable for more than 150 additional cases.
In the ruling, Rogers agreed that the companies "deliberately fostered compulsive use of their platforms" by students that placed a burden on school districts. Other claims would be thrown out under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields internet use and providers from most civil suits.
SEE ALSO: TikTok execs know exactly how many videos it takes to get addicted to its platformMeta, Google, and Snap have denied the allegations brought forth in the lawsuit. TikTok has not commented on this decision specifically, but has been vocal about its teen safety efforts in the past. Last week, the same California judge ruled that Meta has to face joint lawsuits from 34 district attorneys who allege the company's social media platforms are exacerbating the youth mental health crisis. Earlier this month, a similar coalition of district attorneys filed lawsuits against TikTok for its "addictive algorithm" and false safety marketing — internal documents revealed in the case found that TikTok's executives were aware of the addictive nature of its For You Page.
Rogers has overseen dozens of such cases, including a major class action filing against Meta, Google parent company Alphabet, and several other social media companies brought forth by parents and their children. In a 2023 decision related to the case, Rogers said that the social media platforms could be sued over negligence related to "defective products," but wouldn't move forward on claims that private messaging tools, notifications, and algorithmic recommendations were connecting minors to adults and causing harm, citing Section 230 once again.
GET $100 OFF: As of Oct. 25, you can get an Apple iPad (9th gen) for just $229.99, down from $329.99, at Target. That's a 30% discount and $100 off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 10.2-inch Apple iPad (9th gen) $229.99 at TargetIf you’re looking to score a deal on a tablet, you might want to browse Target’s digital shelves.
As of Oct. 25, you can score $100 off the Apple iPad (9th gen), bringing the price down to $229.99. That’s a pretty good deal for a 64GB tablet. (Note: The 256GB version isn’t available in silver but you can get it in space gray for $379.99.)
SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?This tablet can handle daily browsing, streaming, and almost anything else you’d need a tablet to do. It has a 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone for natural-looking colors, an A13 Bionic chip, and up to 10 hours of battery life. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st gen) and Smart Keyboard.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can get the Apple iPad (10th gen) at Amazon and Best Buy for just $299. The 10th gen has a slightly larger liquid Retina display, an A14 bionic chip, 4K video recording capabilities, and more.
Best Buy's Gaming 3-Day Sale is on right now. Don't miss out on some of the best deals of the event:
Best Buy Gaming 3-Day Sale Picks Best Gaming Deal Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop, 14-inch (AMD Ryzen 9 895HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1649.99 at Best Buy (Save $350) Get Deal Best Gaming Handheld Deal Lenovo Legion Go Gaming Handheld $599.99 at Best Buy (Save $150) Get Deal Best Gaming Monitor Deal Samsung Odyssey OLED 69 Gaming Monitor $1079.99 at Best Buy (Save $720) Get DealFall is one of the best times to start diving into your favorite games, and what better way to do that than with some fresh new gear? You can pick up some of the hottest laptops, handhelds, monitors and other gaming tech now and save hundreds during the Best Buy Gaming 3-Day Sale, going on right now.
Whether you want to secure a new gaming laptop or you've had your eye on a handheld for some time, now's the time to shop Best Buy for some seriously great deals (they're so good, it's spooky).
But what should you secure from the sale that's actually worth getting? We went through and grabbed some of our favorite goodies you'll want to snatch up from today through Oct. 27. Find our picks below and be sure to secure the bag while it's all still available.
Best gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop, 14-inch (AMD Ryzen 9 895HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,649.99 at Best BuyIf you've been looking for a reliable gaming laptop, this Asus option is definitely not one to skip out on. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 processor backed up with 32GB of RAM and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it can handle all the latest and greatest games with little effort. It boasts a 14-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a backlit RGB keyboard and massive 1TB SSD to hold all your important files as well as multiple games to keep you ready to play on the go as well. Plus, unlike so many other gaming laptops on the market, it comes in white, so that's a fun change of pace as well.
Best gaming handheld deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Lenovo Legion Go Gaming Handheld $599.99 at Best BuyThis solid Steam Deck competitor is a handheld that can take Valve's heavy-hitter on with gusto. It boasts "great specs" and "solid performance" according to Mashable reviewer Alex Perry, plus a "huge display." It has an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme GPU, 16GB of RAM, and can run all the PC titles you've probably had your eye on over the past few months, all at a 2560 x 1600 setting. It's comfortable, beefy, and capable, so if you want an alternative to the Steam Deck that isn't locked to Steam, this is a great pick.
Best gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Odyssey OLED 69 Gaming Monitor $1,079.99 at Best BuyA massive gaming monitor is one thing, but one with curvature can keep you immersed in your favorite games. This massive 49-inch Samsung monitor is perfect for whatever you're into, whether that's Call of Duty or Stardew Valley. With a resolution of 5120 x 1440 and a 240 Hz refresh rate, it's the winner if you have enough desk real estate to accommodate it. It's certainly large and in charge, but it actually does look great and performs well too. At $700 off, you might want to pounce on this deal soon — it's a monitor splurge that's actually worth it.
More deals to shop during the Best Buy Gaming 3-Day Sale:Asus ROG Ally Gaming Handheld — $549.99 $2.99 (save $649.99)
Scuf Nomad Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Astro Gaming A50 Gen 4 Wireless Gaming Headset for PS5/PS4 — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gaming Headset for PC, PS5 and PS4 - FaZe Clan Limited Edition — $99.99 $189.99 (save $90)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Special Edition — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
The Crew Motorfest — $24.99 $69.99 (save $45)
Want to know a secret? You don't really have to wait until Black Friday to score deals. This week has already brought us plenty of exciting discounts on brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony, and more at Amazon. Just stick with us and we'll help you sort out what's actually a good deal and what's worth skipping.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on Oct. 25. If you missed out on our picks from earlier this week, be sure to take a look. Many of the deals from Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 are still available to add to your cart, including a crazy cheap M2 MacBook Air and a record-low Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for Prime members.
Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 6-camera system $179.99 at AmazonPet owners, frequent travelers, or any homeowner (or renter) seeking affordable peace of mind should check out this deal on Blink Outdoor 4 cameras. The Blink Outdoor 4 is tough to beat when it comes to budget-friendly security cameras. It works seamlessly with other Alexa-enabled devices, comes with customizable motion-detection zones, offers infrared night vision and two-way audio, and has a battery life of two years. That's why it's one of our top overall picks. As of Oct. 25, you can grab a six-pack of these easy to setup cameras for only $179.99. That's 62% in savings and a new record low. You essentially get six cameras for the price of two.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 10th generation (64GB, WiFi) ¤299.00 at AmazonWhen it debuted in late 2022, the 10th generation iPad retailed for $449, but it got a permanent price drop to $349 when the 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro dropped in May. Now, as of Oct. 25, you can pick up the base model (64GB, WiFi) for only $299 — the same price drop it received on October Prime Day. It's not the most advanced iPad in the Apple ecosystem, but it's the most affordable current model (aside from the 9th generation iPad). It offers a powerful A14 Bionic chip, a Liquid Retina display, and comes in a variety of fun pastel colors. In our best iPad roundup, Mashable shopping reporter Sam Mangino writes, "It's perfect for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading. It's also a nice choice if you're interested in using your tablet as a laptop but don't want to spend a ton of money."
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro (Intel Core 7 Ultra, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,109.99 at SamsungReleased at the beginning of 2024, the Galaxy Book4 Pro is a specced out Samsung laptop with all the bells and whistles. It packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU with Intel Arc Graphics, a 3K AMOLED touchscreen, AKG Quad speakers, a new Knox security chip, and 18 hours of battery life. The 14-inch model with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD is on sale for just $1,109.99 at Amazon as of Oct. 25 — that's $340 in savings and its lowest price on record.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (4-pack) ¤79.98 at AmazonFor iPhone users who like to travel, AirTags are a must. You can stick one on your suitcase, keys, purse, guitar case, and anything else you don't want to lose and keep track of its location as long as there's an Apple device with Find My nearby. You'll be able to see where you are in proximity to an item with an accuracy of just a few feet away. A single AirTag typically costs $29, which means it would cost you about $116 to buy four separately. With this four-pack deal, you'll pay just $79.98. That's almost like getting one and a half for free.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
GET UP TO 45% OFF: As of Oct. 25, get up to 45% off Amazon's top 100 gift ideas. Shop toys, tech, and more.
Our top picks: Best stocking stuffer deal Apple AirTags $79.98 at Amazon (save $19.02 ) Get Deal Best pet tech deal Furbo 360 Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle $54 at Amazon (save $45 ) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Creator 3-in-1 Retro Roller Skate Building Kit $23.95 at Amazon (save $6.04 ) Get Deal Best hardcover book deal Barbie: The World Tour $31.35 at Amazon (save $23.65) Get Deal Best kitchen gadget deal Ember Smart Mug 2 $119.99 at Amazon (save $29.96 ) Get DealAmazon’s Holiday Shop is finally open! And it’s filled with chic, trendy gifts that’ll make you say, “Oooh, I want that.” (It won’t be long before Mariah Carey's timeless holiday hit thaws and blares through the speakers in every drug, grocery, and department store you walk into.)
SEE ALSO: The best gifts under $50 that are great for absolutely everyoneFrom stocking stuffers to top-tier gifts, Amazon’s pulling out all the stops this year. The best part? They even sprinkled in some discounts to help you make the most of your holiday shopping budget.
Here are the best deals on Amazon's top 100 holiday gifts as of Oct. 25:
Best stocking stuffer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags $79.98 at AmazonCheck out our full list of the best stocking stuffers for 2024.
Apple AirTags are some of the handiest tools for keeping track of your keys, luggage, and even your pets. (I put one AirTag on each of my beagle’s harnesses, so I always know where they are.) Right now, you can get a four-pack of Apple AirTags for $79.98 — that’s $19.02 off the original price tag and just seven bucks more than the record-low price we saw in August.
Best pet tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Furbo Furbo 360 Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle $54.00 at AmazonSpeaking of my beagles, fellow pet parents won’t want to miss this deal: The Furbo 360 Dog Camera + Nanny Bundle is $54. That’s a whopping $45 off the list price, bringing it to its lowest price since September.
This little security camera gives you a 360-degree view of your pets, pushes treats to them via the app, features home emergency alerts (like smoke and intruder detection), and even tells you when they're barking. It’s a great gift idea for anyone working an in-office job, or fur-parents who travel a lot.
The only caveat is that it requires a paid subscription at setup. It’s $6.99 per month (there’s a three-month minimum). If you want to save money in the long run, you can also purchase a yearly or two-year plan.
Best Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Creator 3-in-1 Retro Roller Skate Building Kit $23.95 at AmazonLegos are notoriously expensive. (I buy my dad the racecar sets every year, and those things cost nearly $300.) If you’re trying to score a deal on Legos this holiday season, Amazon’s got the Lego Creator 3-in-1 Retro Roller Skate Building Kit for just $23.95.
SEE ALSO: Finding a gift that kids actually like is tricky. This guide will make it easier.This Lego building kit includes three designs: a roller skate, a radio, and a mini skateboard. It’s essentially three toys in one for less than $25.
Best hardcover book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Mattel 'Barbie: The World Tour' $31.35 at AmazonLast year, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starred in what many people, including Mashable’s Film Editor Kristy Puchko, consider “a miracle for a studio movie.” The Barbie movie gave today’s generation something other than “perfect” to aspire to — it gave them the option to choose themselves.
And now you can buy Barbie: The World Tour, a hardcover book filled with iconic looks and accessories from the movie, for just $31.35. If any Barbie fans are on your shopping list, this coffee table book is a must.
Best kitchen gadget deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ember Ember Smart Mug 2 $119.99 at AmazonCheck out our full list of the best tech gadget gifts of 2024.
The Ember Smart Mug 2 is a 10-ounce mug that keeps your beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, hot cocoa) warm for up to 90 minutes without the charging coaster or all day with it. This little gadget is ideal for coffee lovers or anyone who works from a desk all day.
The mug features an auto sleep mode that only wakes up when hot liquid is poured in to prevent unwanted accidents. It also has an LED light that lets you know when your drink is ready.
Right now, you can nab the Ember Smart Mug 2 for $119.99, which is $29.96 off the original price.
Not every artificial intelligence application sounds useful in everyday life, but Anthropic just unveiled one that could be.
Anthropic announced on its website that its "Claude" large language model has gotten an intriguing new feature: computer use. Put simply, this AI can take over your mouse cursor and perform basic computing tasks like clicking and typing. This feature is available now on the Claude 3.5 Sonnet public beta.
SEE ALSO: Anthropic is testing AI’s capacity for sabotageThe feature, which Anthropic itself described as "at times cumbersome and error-prone," has apparently been embraced by companies like Asana and DoorDash. According to Anthropic, Claude's computer use capabilities can perform tasks "that require dozens, and sometimes even hundreds, of steps to complete," presumably without human intervention. For something like Asana, which is software for managing work projects, this could actually be pretty useful and save time.
Of course, all of that sounds great until Claude messes something up and you don't notice until it's too late.
Watching sports keeps getting more complicated. The 2024-2025 NBA season just kicked off and if you cut cable along with the majority of the country, you're going to need a streaming service or two to catch the action live.
Between regional sports networks, blackout games, and national broadcasts, we have a lot to cover. Buckle up, basketball fans. We've got your guide to watching the 2024-2025 NBA season, including all of the best streaming deals.
When does the 2024-2025 NBA season start?The NBA season officially kicked off on Oct. 22 with the New York Knicks taking on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston. The 82-game regular season wraps up April 13, 2025.
What channels do I need to watch live NBA games this season?During the 2024-2025 NBA season, games will air live on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, TNT, NBA TV, and of course, regional sports networks. Each team has a regional sports network that broadcasts games live for viewers within that region. If a game isn't on ABC, ESPN, TNT, or NBA TV, it's on a team's regional sports network (more on that below). The NBA playoffs in 2025 will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and TNT, while the NBA finals will be live on ABC.
Things are set to get even more complicated next season, as the NBA's new media deals with Prime Video and Peacock will replace TNT. But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
If you have cable, you can tune in through your TV provider or on the mobile apps with your cable TV account login for the main networks. Not a cable subscriber? No worries — in 2024, there are plenty of other options. Live TV streaming services serve as cable alternatives with no strings attached, giving you live access to a well-rounded channel selection through your internet connection (rather than a cable connection). With no contract required, you can cancel whenever you wish. Below, we've rounded up our top picks, including the best streaming deals currently available for each.
What is an RSN and which one do I need?Unlike the NFL, which offers national broadcasts of most games with specific in-market choice games, the NBA complicates things with regional sports networks (RSNs). These are essentially sports-specific TV channels dedicated to a local market or geographic area. If you live in the same region as your favorite team, you'll need to know which RSN broadcasts your team's games. Some examples of RSNs are FanDuel Sports Network (which replaced Bally Sports), NBC Sports, and Altitude Sports. Head over to the NBA schedule if you aren't sure which network your team plays on. For a complete list of each team's RSN, see the FAQs below.
If you really only care about your local team, many RSNs offer subscriptions for you to tune in without cable. For example, Fan Duel Sports Network Southeast (which includes Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies games) is $19.99 per month or $124.99 for the whole NBA season. Monumental Sports Network (which includes the Washington Wizards) is $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year. A quick Google search for your team's RSN will let you know if there's a separate subscription available. Of course, these RSN subscriptions will not include nationally broadcast games on ABC, ESPN, TNT, or NBA TV.
If you want to watch a team outside of your region, you don't necessarily need to know which RSN said team plays on; instead, you'll want to get NBA League Pass for out-of-network games (more on that below). You'll probably be blacked out from watching a team in a different city anyway (in which case, you can try a VPN).
The best live TV streaming deals for NBA gamesYouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Free 10-day trial, then $49.99/mo for your first 2 months (save $46) Get DealBest for: Sweet introductory deal for new subscribers, well-rounded channel lineup
Channels: ABC, ESPN (and ESPN2), TNT, NBA TV, some RSNs
Pricing: Free 10-day trial, then $49.99 per month for your first two months (save $46). $72.99 per month thereafter for YouTube TV Base Plan.
YouTube is one of our favorite live TV streaming services for watching NBA games. It offers every channel you need to watch as many nationally broadcast games (in network) as possible, with over 100 in total. It also offers access to some RSNs depending on your region. Plus, if you're new to the streamer, you can kick things off with a free trial, then a two-month introductory price of $49.99 per month. Afterward, the price will jump back up to $72.99 per month.
Sling Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling (Orange + Sports Extra) $31 for first month, then $51/month thereafter for Orange + Sports Extra packages Get DealBest for: Affordability, a la carte channel selection
Channels: ABC (in select networks), ESPN (and ESPN2), ESPN3 (simulcast ABC games) TNT, NBA TV
Pricing: $40 per month (half off first month) for Orange package + $11 per month for Sports Extra = $31 for first month, then $51 per month thereafter
Sling is the best way to watch the most nationally broadcast NBA games for the least amount of money. You'll get access to ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV, as well as ABC in select networks. For those who don't get access to ABC in their region, ESPN3 simulcasts ABC games, so you can still watch live. You'll need the Orange package, which costs $40 per month, plus the $11 per month Sports Extra add-on to access all of these networks through Sling. That brings your monthly total to $51 per month. However, you can slash $20 off your first month to get started. You can also add NBA League Pass to your package for $16.99 per month if you want to watch out-of-market games.
Hulu + Live TV Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu + Live TV Hulu + Live TV (includes Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+) $59.99/month for 3 months, then $82.99/month Get DealBest for: More than just live sports streaming, more bang for your buck
Channels: ABC, ESPN (and ESPN2), TNT, limited RSNs
Pricing: $59.99 per month for three months, then $82.99 per month
While Hulu + Live TV doesn't include access to NBA TV, it does offer ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and TNT in its 90+ channel lineup. Not to mention, a subscription also gives you unlimited access to the streaming libraries of Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+. That's a lot of bang for your buck. Typically $82.99 per month, you can sign up for just $59.99 per month for your first three months through Nov. 19. Plus, new subscribers get a three-day free trial. There are limited RSNs included in the base plan, but you can add on Fan Duel Network for an additional $9.99 per month.
FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for the first month (save $20) Get DealBest for: Fans of sports beyond NBA, the most comprehensive channel lineup
Channels: ABC, ESPN (and ESPN2), NBA TV, most RSNs
Pricing: 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for the first month. $79.99 per month thereafter for Fubo Pro plan.
Ideal for sports fanatics of all shapes and sizes (beyond just NBA), FuboTV has the most comprehensive channel lineup of any live TV streaming provider with over 185 channels in its base plan. The downside is it doesn't include TNT, which is set to broadcast 66 games this season. For that reason alone, it's not our top pick for watching NBA games this year, but it's still a solid choice overall. After a seven-day free trial, your first month of the Pro plan is just $59.99 ($79.99 per month thereafter).
DirecTV Stream Opens in a new window Credit: DirecTV DirecTV Stream Starting at $89.99 per month for the Choice package Get DealBest for: Fans who live in same region as their team, more than just watching sports
Channels: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, NBA TV, most RSNs
Pricing: $89.99 per month for the Choice package + RSN fee
If you mostly care about your home team, but like to check in with other teams as well, DirecTV Stream's Choice package is a solid option, albeit expensive. The Choice package starts at $89.99 per month (with a $10 discount per month if you sign up for two years) and gives you access to almost every team's RSN (for a fee). The Choice package also includes ESPN, ABC, NBA TV, and TNT. With the hidden fees, it'll likely cost you over $100 per month, which is why it's not our favorite option.
NBA League Pass Opens in a new window Credit: NBA League Pass NBA League Pass Starting at $16.99/month Get DealBest for: Out-of-market games, analysis, highlights, and more
Channels: Everything except national broadcasts on ABC, TNT, and ESPN.
Pricing:
$109.99 for the season (with ads) or $16.99 per month
$159.99 for the season (no ads) or $24.99 per month
$89.99 for just one team for the season
$9.99 per month for students
Similar to NFL's Sunday Ticket, minus the outrageous fee, NBA League Pass gives fans access to live out-of-market games. Plus, you'll get to enjoy games from the NBA's archive, analysis, documentaries, highlights, and more. Local games on NBA TV, as well as nationally broadcast games on ESPN, TNT, and ABC will be blacked out live. You can tune into locally blacked-out games three days after the live broadcast and nationally broadcast games three hours after.
For example: As a Nashville resident, live Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks games are blacked out for me.
Max Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Starting at $9.99/month Get DealBest for: Casual fans, catching games on TNT
Channels: TNT
Pricing:
$9.99 per month With Ads or $99.99 per year (save $19)
$16.99 per month Ad-Free or $169.99 per year (save $33)
$20.99 per month Ultimate Ad-Free or $209.99 per year (save $41)
Max subscribers get access to live NBA games on TNT through the new B/R Sports add-on. It's currently free with your Max subscription for an unspecified limited time. So, casual fans looking to tune into a few NBA games here and there could get by with a Max subscription only.
Whether you're a Stephen King fan or not, chances are you'll be familiar with his work.
It's pretty hard not to be. Even if you've never read any of the horror author's stories, you'll almost certainly have stumbled across some of them on screen, particularly considering there are so damn many of them (somewhere around a hundred when you lump in movies, sequels, and TV shows together).
For this list, we've focused solely on ranking every Stephen King movie adaptation, and specifically originals and remakes (no sequels, because frankly the Children of the Corn franchise alone is long enough for its own list).
Some of these films are terrible, some are masterpieces. Some you'll have seen before, some you won't. Some you'll know straight away are Stephen King movies (hello, The Shining), some you may never even have realised were adapted from the author's work.
From forgettable '80s b-movies to films that have left a permanent mark on movie history, here's every single Stephen King film adaptation ever made, from the very worst to the very best.
51. Creepshow 2 (1987) Credit: New World Pictures / Kobal / ShutterstockSeveral horror anthology movies have been made from King's work. Yet despite an adapted screenplay by zombie-horror legend George A. Romero, this one sits at the bottom of the barrel. Three King short stories ("Old Chief Wood'nhead," "The Raft," and "The Hitchhiker") are transformed into grisly vignettes by Tales from the Darkside TV director Michael Gornick.
They're garishly gory, which could have made for schlocky fun. Except these stories are more crass than creepy, relishing in racist depictions of indigenous Americans and gleeful misogyny that leers at women's bared breasts before ripping them to shreds. Simply put, this one's a gross stain on both King and Romero's filmographies. — Kristy Puchko, Deputy Entertainment Editor
50. Thinner (1996) Credit: Bruce Birmelin / Spelling International / Kobal / ShutterstockBased on King's 1984 novel of the same name, Thinner follows Billy Halleck (Robert John Burke), a pompous and plump lawyer whose wish to lose weight becomes an actual curse.
This movie has aged incredibly poorly. Beyond the fat-shaming premise, the cursed plotline plays into racist "gypsy" stereotypes, which paint the Romani people as vicious, vengeful, and deceptive. On top of all that, there's a decadent slathering of misogyny, which portrays women as sinister seductresses and hideous crones. Trust us, this one is better off left forgotten. — K.P.
49. Children of the Corn (1984) Credit: New World / Angeles / Cinema Group / Kobal / ShutterstockKing has spawned plenty of "creepy kids" stories, but none have been quite as prolific as Children of the Corn. Despite being based on a short story, this Fritz Kiersch-directed horror film has yielded nine sequels and a straight to DVD remake in 2009.
The first film centers on a city-slicker couple that stumble into a rural town overrun by murderous children, who worship a vengeful god that stalks the cornfields. While John Franklin is memorable as the glowering child-prophet Isaac, Children of the Corn pales in comparison to its King siblings, like Carrie, Firestarter, and Pet Sematary (both versions). Over the decades, its slow-burn feels more stale and boring, despite splashes of blood and religious horror. — K.P.
48. Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) Credit: Paramount PicturesThough a better anthology than Creepshow 2, this one is less of a Stephen King movie. Born from the success of George A. Romero's Tales from the Darkside TV series (1983-1988), the film features horror shorts from various writers, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. King's entry, an adaptation of the short story "Cat from Hell," is unnerving fun, focusing on a hitman (David Johansen) hired to kill a vengeful cat. However, the most thrilling segment was penned by Beetlejuice writer Michael McDowell. "Lover's Vow" taps into Japanese folklore for an entry as spooky as it is seductive.
Among the most star-studded of King anthologies, Tales from the Darkside boasts appearances by Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, Rae Dawn Chong, Christian Slater, and Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry. —K.P.
47. Dolan's Cadillac (2009) Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockNot even the presence of a big name like Christian Slater is enough to save this one. Adapted from a short story and very much feeling like an idea stretched awkwardly into a full length movie, Jeff Beesley's screen version of Dolan's Cadillac follows a man intent on revenge after his wife is killed by a human trafficker. The method of vengeance is creative enough to add some originality, but the characters are flat and the tension never really gets there. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
46. Mercy (2014) Credit: BlumhouseAnyone who's read King's short story "Gramma" will know that it's an incredibly creepy and effective tale which may well be up there among the author's scariest works. Peter Cornwall's Mercy adaptation, however, is a bloated mess.
There's nothing wrong with the direction itself and screenwriter Matt Greenberg has made a valiant effort of expanding the story for the big screen, but unfortunately the whole thing just feels too stretched. The end result loses the creepy immediacy of the original tale, and replaces it with a fairly long-winded (and not particularly scary) movie about a little boy who's grandmother may be possessed. Just watch Hereditary instead. — S.H.
45. The Dark Half (1993) Credit: Orion / Kobal / ShutterstockNot all Stephen King stories are created equal, and The Dark Half is, in my opinion at least, not one of the horror master's best. So it's perhaps not such a surprise that the movie adaptation falls so far down in this ranking. Following a writer who kills off his pseudonym only to find it coming to life to exact revenge, George A. Romero's The Dark Half has an entertainingly gruesome start before going sharply downhill. You'll find better King adaptations about troubled writers further down this list. — S.H.
SEE ALSO: The best Stephen King books to read depending on your mood 44. The Mangler (1995) Credit: New Line CinemaLet's be honest: Making a good film about a possessed laundry machine was never going to be easy and, sure enough, Tobe Hooper's adaptation of this silly King short story is about as terrible as you'd expect.
Making a good film about a possessed laundry machine was never going to be easy...The Mangler sees officer John Hunton (Ted Levine) investigating the strange goings-on in an industrial laundry, following the death of an elderly worker after she gets pulled into the titular machine and crushed. The story is incredibly dumb, the special effects are ropey and dated, and there's a scene in which Hunton shoots through his own coat in order to free himself from the clutches of the Mangler after it almost gets hold of him, which should go some way to giving you a sense of just how ridiculous this one is. — S.H.
43. Needful Things (1993) Credit: New Line CinemaNeedful Things is a long, sprawling novel with multiple characters and a complicated series of inter-locking connections and relationships. It was always going to be difficult to turn into a movie. W.D. Richter's screenplay, in fairness, does a decent job of streamlining the bulky story, which is all about mysterious character Leland Gaunt (played by an undeniably charismatic Max von Sydow), who arrives in a small town and opens up a store that offers people their heart's desire — for a price. It's an intriguing premise, but there's too much going on here with too many underdeveloped characters that are difficult to care about. — S.H.
42. The Night Flier (1997) Credit: New Line CinemaThere are plenty of Stephen King ideas that, when condensed into a single sentence, sound nothing short of ridiculous. The Mangler is one, and The Night Flier — a tale about an ancient vampire that flies about in a tiny plane killing people — slots comfortably into the same category.
Writer/director Mark Pavia has done a decent enough job expanding the original short story into a feature length film, but unfortunately his starting point is so silly there's only really so much he can do. The Night Flier is the kind of movie that you could probably enjoy with a group of friends if you're not taking it too seriously, but otherwise it's one to skip. — S.H.
41. Maximum Overdrive (1986) Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockThe first and only movie King directed himself (!) is, somewhat predictably, not all that great. But it's maybe not quite as terrible as the 15 percent Rotten Tomatoes score would suggest, either. Based on the author's short story, Trucks, about people who get trapped in a gas station during a machine-themed apocalypse, Maximum Overdrive sees Emilio Estevez and Laura Harrington attempting to escape a parking lot full of murderous 18-wheelers while an AC/DC-heavy soundtrack thrashes in the background. The movie is predictable, hammy, and dated, but the story doesn't take itself too seriously and there are more than a few fun moments. — S.H.
40. Riding the Bullet (2004) Credit: MPCASomewhere in Riding the Bullet, buried not too far below the surface, is a poignant story about grief and coming to terms with the death of a parent. The problem is it gets lost in all the other stuff.
Based on a King short story of the same name, Mick Garris' adaptation follows troubled college student Alan (Jonathan Jackson) as he hitch-hikes home to visit his sick mother (Barbara Hershey) in hospital. David Arquette has a cameo as George Staub, the strange man who picks him up and gives him a disturbing ultimatum. There are some moving moments in the movie, and the final five minutes are particularly powerful, but unfortunately it's not enough to rescue the drawn-out (and not at all scary) plot. — S.H.
SEE ALSO: 13 of the best Stephen King short stories you've never read 39. Firestarter (2022) Credit: Universal PicturesBased on King's 1980 novel, Firestarter follows a father-daughter duo on the run because of their extraordinary abilities. He (Zac Efron) has the power to bend people's will with his mind; she (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) can set fires telekinetically. So, naturally, they're viewed as unchecked weapons by a sinister organization.
In short, this tale of coming-of-age carnage has no spark.Admittedly, the 1984 adaptation, which starred a young Drew Barrymore in the title role, wasn't all that great to begin with, so a remake shouldn't have been such a bad idea. Regrettably, screenwriter Scott Teems and director Keith Thomas don't bring anything explosively new or all that thrilling to their spin on King. In my review for Mashable, I called it "more pointless than perturbing." In short, this tale of coming-of-age carnage has no spark. —K.P.
38. The Dark Tower (2017) Credit: Columbia PicturesSo much wasted potential. The Dark Tower obviously isn't the worst King adaptation out there, but — particularly for anyone familiar with the books — it may be the most frustrating. The thing is, the author's Dark Tower series is his self-proclaimed magnum opus. It makes The Stand look like a short story. The series is eight books and one novella long, telling the tale of a sprawling battle between good and evil that takes place across multiple worlds, with a huge cast of awesome characters, one of the best endings King has ever written, and the mysterious Dark Tower at the very centre of it all.
SEE ALSO: 10 of the best Stephen King book endingsNikolaj Arcel's movie dips its toe into this world, but that's about all it does. The story feels rushed, and not even the acting might of Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and a strong turn from young star Tom Taylor can rescue it. The key problem is The Dark Tower tries to work in its own right as a standalone movie. But, like the multiverse at the heart of the novels, it's far too vast for that. — S.H.
37. Graveyard Shift (1990) Credit: Graveyard Linc / Kobal / ShutterstockFor the most part, adapted short stories get a hard time of it on this list. Graveyard Shift is no exception, with John Esposito's screenplay taking a brilliantly gory King tale about workers clearing the basement of a rat-infested textile mill and stretching it awkwardly into a full-length movie. But the film is not without its gruesome charm, and although the set-up feels a tad cluttered and the character development isn't great, the action builds to an impressively unpleasant crescendo as the core group goes exploring in the mill's hidden sub-basement (extra points for a fight that takes place in a literal bone pit, and the awesomely grotesque monster itself). — S.H.
36. Dreamcatcher (2003) Credit: ShutterstockOn paper, this one has all the ingredients of a good King adaptation. Co-written and directed by Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back writer Lawrence Kasdan and starring Morgan Freeman and Damian Lewis, Dreamcatcher is an IT-style story that sees childhood friends reuniting as adults after something strange happened to them in the past. Only this time instead of killer clowns, we have an alien parasite. It should be fun, but somehow the story isn't particularly memorable and the characters all feel a little underdeveloped. — S.H.
35. In the Tall Grass (2019) Credit: NetflixKing co-wrote In the Tall Grass with his son, writer Joe Hill, and it's easy to see why Cube director Vincenzo Natali was keen to work on the adaptation: Set almost entirely in a seemingly endless field of grass that traps passers-by, In the Tall Grass is a fun idea that was presumably relatively easy (and cheap) to shoot. The problem is, a fun idea is about as far as this one goes. Once you get beyond the claustrophobic concept, the movie is a little repetitive. Although there are some creepy and disturbing moments, the ending isn't satisfying enough to excuse the film's other issues. — S.H.
34.1922 (2017) Credit: NetflixSet in – you guessed it – 1922, Zak Hilditch's adaptation of King's novella of the same name follows a Nebraskan farmer who convinces his own son to help him murder his wife, with the aim being to stop her selling the farm and moving the family away to the city. Yep, it's a cheerful one. The adaptation captures the same bleakness as the source material, but unfortunately it downplays the creeping presence of rats, one of the story's more disturbing — and intriguing — elements. What's left is a dark, gory tale where the characters are all as difficult to like as they are to care about. — S.H.
33. Cell (2016) Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockOK, so Cell doesn't quite qualify for "hidden gem" status, but you could certainly make a case for it at least being a bit overlooked. Despite its A-list cast (Samuel L. Jackson and John Cusack star) the film has been largely forgotten, most likely due to the wildly bad reception it received from both critics and the public.
But does it really deserve such an awful Rotten Tomatoes score? I would argue no. It's not a great film but it's certainly not terrible by any means, taking the fun idea of a cell phone-induced apocalypse and creating more than a few tense sequences as our main characters struggle to survive the plague's rabid victims. The characters are a little underdeveloped, sure, and the film loses its way in the third act, but for a casual weekend watch you could do far worse. — S.H.
32. The Lawnmower Man (1992) Credit: New Line / Kobal / ShutterstockThere are probably many things people say to Pierce Brosnan when they spot him in the street and ask for a selfie, but "I loved you in the 1992 classic The Lawnmower Man" is most likely not one of them.
Even calling The Lawnmower Man a King adaptation feels like a bit of stretch, because the movie is so far removed from the original short story it barely even feels like they bothered using the source material (King actually won a lawsuit against New Line Cinema to have his name removed from the movie's advertising, arguing it bore little resemblance to his original short story). The thing is, though, despite the author wanting little to do with it, the movie isn't actually as terrible as its reviews might suggest, telling an entertaining enough Frankenstein-style sci-fi story about a scientist who uses virtual reality to expand his subject's intelligence. — S.H.
31. Firestarter (1984) Credit: De Laurentiis / Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockIn this incendiary escapade, Baby Drew Barrymore is basically Eleven from Stranger Things way before the Netflix show landed. For the 100 percent fine 1984 adaptation of King's Firestarter, she plays eight-year-old Charlie McGee, whose pyrokinetic abilities come from her parents (David Keith and Heather Locklear) — they, in turn, developed their own nosebleed-inducing telepathic abilities after saying yes to a hallucinogenic trial. Of course, a government agency called The Shop gets wind of Charlie’s fiery powers and wants to use them for their own gain. Like Carrie, Charlie just wants to be treated nicely by society, but it seems the world only sees her as a monster.
Tweet may have been deletedIt’s an utterly OK narrative helped by clever fire and fan-heavy special effects and a solid cast including tiny Barrymore setting cinder blocks and agents ablaze, Martin Sheen in his second King film after The Dead Zone as the head of The Shop, Shaft's Moses Gunn as Dr. Pynchot, Starsky and Hutch star Antonio Fargas as the taxi driver (!), and George C. Scott as diabolical assassin John Rainbird. If nothing else, it's all about that synth-fuelled Tangerine Dream score. — Shannon Connellan, Mashable UK Editor
30. Cujo (1983) Credit: Taft / Kobal / ShutterstockGiven the fact dogs in Hollywood usually come in the form of happy, waggy-tailed companions that may or may not eventually break your heart (looking at you, Turner and Hooch), you'd think a murderously rabid St. Bernard might have been something of a tough sell.
You'd think a murderously rabid St. Bernard might have been something of a tough sell.But in Cujo, it works. Or at least, it does up to a point. Centred around Donna (Dee Wallace) and her son Tad (Danny Pintauro), who become trapped in a sweltering hot car while said murder-hound stalks outside it, Cujo the movie borrows from the claustrophobia and tension that made King's novel such a classic. The problem is it doesn't borrow quite enough of it, and the dog – no matter how good a job makeup may have done – just isn't quite as scary onscreen (the movie is almost 40 years old, of course, so it's bound to look a little dated nowadays). Still pretty fun, though. — S.H.
29. Silver Bullet (1985) Credit: De Laurentiis / Kobal / ShutterstockHe may be an excellent prose writer, but it's probably fair to say that King's screenwriting record is somewhat patchier (hello, Maximum Overdrive). For a werewolf flick that gives off strong b-movie vibes, though, Silver Bullet (based on King's novella Cycle of the Werewolf) is actually pretty entertaining.
The story follows a brother and sister (Corey Haim and Megan Follows) on the trail of a small town monster wreaking havoc through the local community. Gary Busey plays their quirky uncle Red, Everett McGill and Terry O'Quinn have cameos, and despite the not-so-great-by-2020s-standard special effects, you might have a decent time sitting down to watch this one on a Friday night. — S.H.
28. Cat's Eye (1985) Credit: De Laurentiis / Kobal / ShutterstockFun fact: Cat's Eye marks King's first credit as a screenwriter. Tying together the short stories Quitters, Inc., The Ledge, and General, this is one of the better horror anthologies in his filmography, in part because it's darkly bonkers.
Named for a framing device that follows a stray cat through three twisted stories, Cat's Eye begins with James Woods playing a family man who tries to quit smoking through the mafia and their notorious tactics. (Bad news for his unsuspecting wife!) Embracing the very corniest of '80s-era visuals, his internal struggle with addiction is a terrifically nightmarish ride, conducted by a madcap Alan King as a grinning mob boss. The other two stories boast vengeance, more violence, a creepy critter, and Drew Barrymore in her second King role, following 1984's Firestarter. Funky and frightening, this one's a weird, good time. Plus, it's sprinkled with Easter Eggs from the King films that precede it. — K.P.
27. A Good Marriage (2014) Credit: Screen Media FilmsBefore working on this list I thought that the vast majority of King movie adaptations could be easily grouped into the great or the terrible. But it isn't that binary, and films like A Good Marriage are proof.
Based on one of the author's more unpleasant novellas of the same name, Peter Askin's adaptation follows Darcy (Joan Allen), a wife and mother who one day discovers her husband is hiding a horrible secret. The direction, acting, and script are all solid, but A Good Marriage lacks some of its source material's tension as we don't burrow quite as deep into Darcy's fears and anxieties as the book takes us. There are also other movies out there, like The Clovehitch Killer, that arguably do a better job of telling a similar story. — S.H.
26. IT Chapter Two (2019) Credit: Warner Bros.The second part of Andy Muschietti's IT revival (more on the first part later) is also the slightly weaker movie, at least in my personal opinion. It may well be subjective though, because the sections of the novel I always enjoyed the most were those set in the past, during the main characters' childhoods, and the two movies split these sections up entirely, with IT Chapter Two focussing solely on what happens to the Losers' Club as adults.
This tale of friends reuniting to combat an old evil is still a lot of fun, though, with some excellent performances from James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, and Bill Hader, another disturbing turn from Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, and an almost show-stealingly grouchy cameo from Stephen King himself. — S.H.
25. Salem's Lot (2024) Credit: New Line Cinema/MaxIT writer Gary Dauberman has a solid take on King's classic vampire novel of the same name, immersing us in a mid '70s world of small towns, drive-in theatres, and the arrival of a vampire hell-bent on turning the population into his personal zombie horde.
"Salem's Lot pays homage to the source material and mini-series (hello, nightmarish window sequence), but it's when the film branches out and does its own thing that it really excels," I wrote in my review for Mashable. "The best example of this is the finale, which — without going into spoiler territory — is a thrillingly chaotic sequence that makes creative use of sunlight and a classic '70s setting to give the movie a fresh and bloody sendoff." — S.H.
24. Christine (1983) Credit: Columbia / Kobal / ShutterstockIf the car in Titane had a less lusty, more murderous origin story, it would probably be Christine. King's 1983 automobile horror novel saw a John Carpenter-directed film version out the same year, and sees a possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury wreaking all sorts of homicidal havoc on its unsuspecting passengers.
The famous "show me" scene in which Christine repairs herself is exceptional, weirdly lascivious, and frankly terrifying screen magic.The legendary Halloween director’s ability to weave tension and fear from seemingly standard car functions — the radio turning on, the headlights blaring, the engine revving — is characteristically outstanding, taking King’s wild high-concept premise and scaring the wheels off you. The famous "show me" scene in which Christine repairs herself is exceptional, weirdly lascivious, and frankly terrifying screen magic. — S.C.
23. The Running Man (1987) Credit: Tri-Star / Kobal / ShutterstockThis one is an odd fit among the rest of King’s screen adaptations. It’s based on a novel the author didn’t even publish under his own name, and just about the only thing the movie has in common with the book is that it’s about a guy named Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) trying to escape from a dystopian murder game show.
I don’t really care about the movie’s accuracy to the source material and neither should you. Instead, you have to appreciate it for its defiance of traditional standards, as almost everyone in the cast is famous for something other than acting, including NFL legend Jim Brown, a bunch of pro wrestlers, and '70s game show host Richard Dawson. Every single one of them kills it, thanks to the kind of campy, absurd action filmmaking Schwarzenegger was the face of in the late '80s. Dawson deserves extra credit for turning on his Family Feud energy to schmooze with old women in the audience while being an abusive nightmare to his crew backstage.
The Running Man may not be a cinematic standard-bearer, but it’s still a whole lot of fun to watch Arnold choke a sadistic hockey player out with razor wire before remarking that he was a “pain in the neck.” — Alex Perry, Tech Reporter
SEE ALSO: Books, TV shows and movies recommended by Stephen King 22. Hearts in Atlantis (2001) Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockOK, we're going to go out there and say this one qualifies for "hidden gem" status. It's a long way from being the best King movie adaptation, sure, but Scott Hick's coming-of-age mystery still packs a heavy punch of nostalgia and features some great acting turns from Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis, and a young Anton Yelchin. The story follows a lonely 11-year-old boy, Bobby (Yelchin), who befriends a man (Hopkins) who moves into the apartment above him — only to learn he has unusual abilities and appears to be on the run from some shadowy figures.
A side note if you were wondering about the title: The filmmakers presumably went with Hearts in Atlantis because it's the title of the book, but the book itself is actually a collection of five linked stories, the second of which is titled Hearts in Atlantis and is all about college students addicted to the card game Hearts. The movie, on the other hand, is a straight adaptation of the first story in the book, which features absolutely no mention of either Hearts or Atlantis whatsoever. Confusing titles aside, though, this one is worth a watch. — S.H.
21. Secret Window (2004) Credit: Columbia Tristar / Kobal / ShutterstockFeaturing an impressively dead-eyed turn from John Turturro as the villain, Secret Window sees writer Mort Rainey (yeah we know, Johnny Depp is in this) attempting to find solace from his recent divorce in a remote lake house — only for a stranger to show up on his doorstep accusing him of plagiarism. What follows is an unpleasant, escalating cat-and-mouse game which is equal parts horror and psychological thriller, with writer/director David Koepp keeping the tension and dread mounting until the movie's twisty conclusion. — S.H.
20. Apt Pupil (1998) Credit: John Baer/Pheonix/Columbia Tristar/Kobal/ShutterstockIt's difficult to separate Apt Pupil from its own disturbing legacy. The movie was directed by Bryan Singer, who has since faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct including the allegation that he sexually assaulted 13-year-old extra Victor Valdovinos on the film's set in 1997.
As hard as it is to do, I've tried to assess Apt Pupil here solely on the movie's own merits. The film sees high school student Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro) discovering the real identity of an elderly man in his neighborhood, Arthur Denker (Ian McKellen), a Nazi war criminal in hiding, before proceeding to blackmail him with demands to hear his firsthand accounts of the concentration camps. Like the novella it's based on the film is disturbing, and its characters dark and complex, but the central performances from Renfro and McKellen alone make it worth watching, as does the way the tension builds and builds and builds. — S.H.
19. Carrie (2013) Credit: Sony Pictures EntertainmentCarrie is a King novel so enthralling that it's been adapted repeatedly. Director Kimberly Peirce translated King's '70s-set tale of a tormented telekinetic teen to the 2010s, adding cyberbullying to the high school horrors that Carrie endures before her bloody breakdown at prom. Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore bring gravitas to the lead roles of the terrifying mother-daughter duo. Advancements in visual effects allow for a third act filled with carnage, gore, and fire. However, while solidly scary, Peirce's remake still can't hold a candle (much less a flaming gas station) to Brian De Palma's Academy Award-nominated 1976 version. — K.P.
18. Pet Sematary (2019) Credit: Paramount PicturesComing out a full 30 years after the first adaption of Pet Sematary (more on that one in a moment), Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer's version of King's early creepfest stars Jason Clarke and Amy Seimetz as Louis and Rachel, a couple who've just made the terrible mistake of relocating to rural Maine only to discover there's something deeply odd about the forest behind their house. If you're looking to be scared and disturbed this one's a good choice, as what it occasionally lacks in character development it more than makes up for in jump-scares and suspense. — S.H.
17. Dolores Claiborne (1995) Credit: Castle Rock Entertainment / Kobal / ShutterstockNot Kathy Bates' finest outing in a King adaptation (you'll see why shortly), but a fine outing nonetheless. Steering more into psychological thriller territory than horror, Dolores Claiborne follows a widow who's been accused of murdering the elderly woman she was caring for, and her tense relationship with her estranged daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), that's played out via flashbacks.
It's a well-told, well-acted story, but be warned — it's also a dark and disturbing one with monsters that are all too human. — S.H.
16. Pet Sematary (1989) Credit: Paramount / Kobal / ShutterstockWhen we talk Classic King, this is what we're talking about: a quiet small town in Maine, the kind of place that should be peaceful, yet its community end up being ripped asunder by creeping supernatural forces.
When we talk Classic King, this is what we're talking about.In this case, the Creed family move away from the big city to watch their children grow up happy and healthy. When that dream is shattered, a grief-stricken father (Dale Midkiff) takes to a burial ground steeped in local legend, searching for solace. The results are gutting, sometimes literally. With a creeping camera and nightmarish practical effects, director Mary Lambert brought King's creepy prose to grisly life (and even directed the decently disturbing sequel, Pet Sematary Two). Thanks to her, a generation of King fans clung to this creepy cautionary tale that warns, "Sometimes, dead is better." —K.P.
15. Creepshow (1982) Credit: Warner Bros / Kobal / ShutterstockWhat do you get when you take a collection of King's short stories and hand them over to the godfather of the modern zombie, George A. Romero, to direct for the big screen? The all-time classic horror anthology, Creepshow.
Horror is made for anthology films and this one is the standard bearer. The five shorts written by King, in what is also his screenwriting debut, are brilliantly woven together throughout the film via animated scenes portraying a comic book that carry the tales on its pages.
Even if you haven't seen Creepshow, there's a good chance you're familiar with iconic scenes from the film: Leslie Nielsen — yes, the Leslie Nielsen of Naked Gun and Airplane! fame — neck deep in sand awaiting his death in Something to Tide You Over. An undead Jon Lormer rises from the grave and surprises his (remaining) family members with a severed head dressed up with candles and presented like a cake as he exclaims "Happy Father's Day!" And, of course, King himself stars as a dull farm boy who sees his farm and eventually his own body overtaken by an alien mosslike lifeform in The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill. — Matt Binder, Tech Reporter
14. The Boogeyman (2023) There's something lurking in the shadows. Credit: 20th Century StudiosOriginally published in a 1973 issue of Cavalier magazine, "The Boogeyman" was a King short story that centered on a haunted man, Lester Billings, unfurling a tale of woe, child death, and a titluar beast to therapist Dr. Harper. However, for A Quiet Place screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods along with Black Swan scribe Mark Heyman took this premise as a jumping off place, putting the whole of Billings' story in the film's first act. From there, they carve out a sort-of sequel to the short story, focusing on a pair of sisters (Yellowjackets' Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair) who are plagued by a creepy creature that lives in the shadows. Unfortunately for them, this paranormal parasite was brought in by a distressed patient of their father, Dr. Harper (Chris Messina).
While the setup is clever, the execution of this adaptation is even better. Rob Savage, who awed horror lovers with the zoom seance hit Host, creates sequences of scares and suspense that are will give you goosebumps and shiver your spine. Part of the film's success comes from Thatcher and Blair playing the Harper sisters, not as precocious or naive, but as brave and pissed off. They fight hard against the dying of the light and the thing that feeds on it, bringing an exhilarating energy through hellish scenarios. But best of all might be a creature design that is absolutely the stuff of nightmares.
While the movie's plot might be thin — and in some major regards feel like a Babadook imitator — The Boogeyman is nonetheless a stupendously scary treasure in the ever-expanding King collection. — K.P.
13. Doctor Sleep (2019) Credit: Warner Bros. PicturesKing famously loathed Stanley Kubrick's movie adaptation of The Shining. So, modern horror auteur Mike Flanagan (Hush, The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor) had a lot to prove with a sequel that would integrate the 1980 psycho-thriller and the 1977 novel's follow-up, titled Doctor Sleep. Some fans have bristled at the changes from the book, but others have cheered how Flanagan translated the mood of King — if not the exact story — into an ambitious, bloody, and deeply unnerving next chapter.
SEE ALSO: 'Doctor Sleep' isn't 'The Shining' and that's the highest complimentEwan McGregor stars as the grown-up but still haunted Danny Torrance. However, the real stars of this film are Kyliegh Curran, as a brave young girl with "the shining," and Rebecca Ferguson as the evil, sexy, and enviably stylish child-killer, Rose the Hat. — K.P.
12. 1408 (2007) Credit: Dimension Films / Kobal / ShutterstockYes, we know there’s another, way more famous haunted hotel movie on King's lineup, but don’t forget to pack your bag for the Dolphin Hotel too. You actually can’t check in any time you like to the titular room number 1408, but if, like haunted hotel reviewer and book author Mike Enslin (a superbly cynical and slowly unhinged John Cusack), you force your way in despite the manager’s warnings (an effortlessly foreboding Samuel L. Jackson), you can never leave.
Director Mikael Håfström does some truly scary things with special effects in this adaptation of King’s short story, and they even shot three different endings, all different to the author’s original. But the real winner of this film is Cusack, whose performance mostly contained to the hotel room itself is unrelentingly compelling. — S.C.
11. IT: Chapter One (2017) Credit: Warner Bros.The IT remake seemed to come at the perfect time, riding high on the coattails of Stranger Things-induced '80s horror nostalgia (Finn Wolfhard even stars) and tapping into the nightmarish memories of a generation who grew up terrified by both the old TV series and the book. As a big fan of the latter I remember being nervous going into this one, but was pleasantly surprised by how Andy Muschietti's adaptation of this tale of small-town evil turned out.
Muschietti's film taps into the awkward highs and lows of adolescence that King's book expertly portrayed.The scares are there, yes (helped along by Bill Skarsgård's theatrically creepy take on Pennywise the Clown), but Muschietti's film also taps into the awkward highs and lows of adolescence that King's book expertly portrayed. — S.H.
10. Gerald's Game (2017) Credit: NetflixHow do you turn a story that's set almost entirely in a single room into a watchable film? Well for a long time, with Gerald's Game at least, you didn't.
The novel came out in 1992, and it was only a full 25 years later that Mike Flanagan's adaptation finally made it to Netflix. King himself previously admitted he thought the book was "unfilmable" when he first read it in college, and it's easy to see why: The story follows Jessie (Carla Gugino), who gets trapped in a remote lake house handcuffed to a bed after her husband unexpectedly dies of a heart attack. Much of the story takes place in her head, but Flanagan's direction — which makes use of flashbacks and imaginary conversations — brings Jessie's internal nightmare effortlessly to life. — S.H.
9. The Mist (2007) Credit: Dimension Films / Kobal / ShutterstockWhile two of writer/director Frank Darabont's King adaptations have risen to the lofty heights of all-time greatest film lists (more on them later), The Mist has flown largely under the radar. It has a decent enough Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, and positive enough reviews, but it appears to have been mostly lost in the shadow of Darabont's earlier work. It's an ill-deserved legacy.
Following a father and son who get trapped in a gas station store with a group of strangers as a weird fog envelops their town, The Mist takes an intriguing premise and spins out a tense popcorn-muncher of a film that's equal parts fun, jumpy and harrowing. It's not a perfect movie – some of the special effects look a little dated here and there – but it's still leagues ahead of most monster movies, and comes complete with a chilling human antagonist and a convincing analogy of the dangers of fundamental religion. — S.H.
8. The Dead Zone (1983) Credit: Dimension Films / Kobal / ShutterstockIt’s hard to imagine that either Stephen King or David Cronenberg would have known how unsettlingly timely The Dead Zone would feel in 2022. The 1983 adaptation of the author's 1979 novel introduces us to Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) — a provincial school teacher about to marry his sweetheart. After a car accident that almost kills him, Johnny wakes up with the psychic ability to see people’s past and future. It will take him a while to understand that his powers are not just about seeing the future, but about being able to change it. The psychological thriller becomes political when a Trump-like figure is introduced halfway through the film. Add some nuclear anxiety and seen today, The Dead Zone seems here to tell us that we still haven’t learnt our lessons.
SEE ALSO: This 1979 Stephen King novel is a chilling prediction of Donald Trump's riseBut there’s much to be enjoyed about the film outside its political relevance. Starting with the award-worthy performances by Christopher Walken and Michael Sheen, and adding Mark Irwin’s stunning cinematography, Cronenberg’s adaptation is a cinematic feast. To experience The Dead Zone in all its glory, look for the film’s digital restoration. — Teodosia Dobriyanova, Video Producer
7. The Shining (1980) Credit: Warner Bros / Hawk Films /Kobal / ShutterstockStanley Kubrick's The Shining occupies a strange place in movie history. The film has long enjoyed praise from critics, it sits comfortably in the IMDb top 250 movies of all time, and it's probably one of the most famous horror movies ever made. On the other hand, King himself isn't a fan. Yep, really. The author hasn't been shy with his opinions of the movie over the years, describing it as "cold" and calling Shelley Duvall's character Wendy "one of the most misogynistic characters ever put on film."
...the twins in the hallway, the river of blood, "Herrrreeeee's, Johnny!"...So, does he have a point? Well, you could certainly argue that the characters in Kubrick's adaptation are nowhere near as three dimensional as King's; Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) doesn't unravel like he does in the book (he's already unravelled to begin with), while Duvall's character comes across as far more helpless on screen. But despite this, The Shining remains undeniably quintessential cinema — it's disturbing, genuinely scary, and features imagery (the twins in the hallway; the river of blood; "Herrrreeeee's, Johnny!") that will burn themselves forever into your brain. — S.H.
6. Carrie (1976) Credit: United Artists/Kobal/ShutterstockThe word "iconic" gets thrown around cavalierly, but Brian De Palma's Carrie truly earns this distinguished adjective. Those who shudder at the very idea of watching a scary movie may not have seen Carrie, but they know the image of a girl in a pretty prom dress, draped in pig's blood. They recognize the howl of Margaret White: "They're all gonna laugh at you!"
Sissy Spacek stars as the titular telekinetic teen girl, a sheepish misfit mocked for her awkwardness and her zealot mother (Piper Laurie). But an act of kindness from a popular girl (Amy Irving) could prove a turning point for Carrie — and on prom night no less! Of course, King isn't much for happy endings. And De Palma's adaptation delivers when it comes to chills, screams, and haunting imagery. It's little wonder Spacek and Laurie each earned Academy Award nods for their riveting and unnerving performances, streaked with agony, ecstasy, and resentment. — K.P.
5. The Green Mile (1999) Credit: Ralph Jr Nelson / Castle Rock / Warner Bros / Kobal / ShutterstockIt's not easy to make a three-hour movie fly by, but Frank Darabont's prison-set thriller is so incredibly tense, emotional, harrowing, and beautiful, that it easily feels half that length.
Taking place in a death row penitentiary in 1935 Louisiana, The Green Mile sees prison guard Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) and his colleagues coming to terms with the miraculous gifts of new inmate John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a giant of a man who has been sentenced to death for the murder of twin girls. Pretty much every character in The Green Mile is memorable in their own right: there's Paul's towering best friend Brutus (David Morse), their snivellingly sadistic colleague Percy Whitmore (Doug Huchison), troubled prison warden Hal Moores (James Cromwell), and nightmarish inmate "Wild" Bill Wharton (Sam Rockwell). Saying that a movie is a rollercoaster of emotions feels clichéd, but in this case it fits. The story has the ability to shock, and make you laugh, disturb, and – ultimately – bring a tear to the eye. — S.H.
4. The Life of Chuck (2025) Credit: TIFFFirst, he delivered the kinky terror of Gerald's Game, then the child-slaughtering horror of Doctor Sleep. For his third adaptation of King's creepy bibliography, heralded horror auteur Mike Flanagan tackled The Life of Chuck, a 2020 novella with a very different tone than his previous frightening films. Sure, there are scares, death, and even some ghostly business within this curious offering, which won wild praise out of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. But at its core, this is a magnificent movie about the joys in living.
Beginning at what seems like the end of the world as we know it, The Life of Chuck follows a school teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as he grapples with an onslaught of worrisome news, including natural disasters, societal breakdown, and the tragedy of the internet going out for good. Yet he is most mystified by the billboards going up around town of a smiling, bespectacled Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston), who appears to be retiring after "39 great years." Who is this mystery man? The Life of Chuck will unfurl his story with wonder, whimsy, grief, and a rousing dance number that makes it a total crowd-pleaser. Co-starring Flanagan collaborators like Mark Hamill, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, Rahul Kohli, and Kate Siegel, this is a deeply poignant film, and one of the very best King adaptations yet. — K.P.
3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Credit: ITV / ShutterstockIt was always going to be near the top of the list, wasn't it? Frank Darabont's adaptation of King's novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption has topped so many all-time greatest movie rankings — including its famous number one spot above The Godfather on the IMDb top 250 — that it would've been ridiculous for us not to include it up here. Its place in movie history is well deserved, too. I enjoyed King's novella like I do most of his work, but this is probably one of the rare instances where the film surpasses its source material.
Probably one of the rare instances where the film surpasses its source material.Tim Robbins is perfect as Andy Dufresne, a man who suddenly finds himself behind bars for a murder he claims not to have committed, while Morgan Freeman gives a legendary performance as his prison mate-turned-friend Red. There's some truly unpleasant supporting roles from Mark Rolston as violent inmate Bogs and Clancy Brown as brutal prison guard Captain Hadley. It's a film that'll be watched and studied for decades to come. — S.H.
2. Misery (1990) Credit: Castle Rock / Columbia / Kobal / ShutterstockIs Annie Willkes, played with terrifying (and Oscar-winning) intensity by Kathy Bates, the greatest female movie villain of all time? Very possibly.
Telling the nail-biting tale of best-selling writer Paul Sheldon (the late James Caan), who gets rescued from a car crash by his "number one fan" only to be held hostage, Misery is a horribly tense film that'll have you sweating every time Wilkes leaves the house and Sheldon embarks on yet another doomed escape attempt. There are truly classic moments of dialogue ("you dirty bird") and some scenes (you know the one) that will probably never leave your head once you've seen them. All in all Misery is an excellent thriller, one of two powerhouse King adaptations from Rob Reiner, and one of the greatest suspense movies ever made. — S.H.
1. Stand By Me (1986) Credit: Columbia / Kobal / ShutterstockAlthough some of King's lengthier tomes (i.e. IT) have made excellent movies, you could make a pretty convincing case that it's his shorter novels and novellas that work best on screen. Stand By Me is the perfect example of this.
"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12...Jesus, does anyone?"Screenwriters Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans took the author's novella The Body — a coming-of-age tale about four friends who go hunting for a dead teenager while evading the local bullies — and squeezed out every drop of the story's poignancy and humour. It's a tear-jerking snapshot of the anxieties, friendships, highs, and lows of childhood. The novella packed a powerful punch of nostalgia and Rob Reiner's direction channels this in its own way, placing the boys' friendships front and centre, then considering them through a throughful adult lens. "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12," the grown up narrator (Richard Dreyfuss) writes at one point. "Jesus, does anyone?"
SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King novella, rankedKeep an eye out for a young Kiefer Sutherland as the brilliantly unpleasant Ace Merrill, Wil Wheaton as budding writer Gordie Lachance, Corey Feldman as the bold Teddy Duchamp, a young Jerry O'Connell as the sweet Vern Tessio, and of course, the exceptional River Phoenix as Gordie's best friend Chris Chambers. Their performances, like the movie itself, have a well-deserved place in cinematic history. — S.H.
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