The 20 highest-grossing Stephen King movies, ranked

Talia LakritzOct 6, 2020, 04:25 IST

"It" grossed $701.7 million worldwide.Brooke Palmer/Warner Bros.

One third of Stephen King's novels, novellas, and short stories have been adapted for the screen.
"It" is his highest-grossing movie at $701.7 million worldwide.
"It: Chapter Two" ($473 million) and "The Green Mile" ($286.8 million) round out the top three.

One third of Stephen King's novels, novellas, and short stories have been brought to life through movies and television shows.

A defining author in the horror genre, King's work has been adapted into classic films such as "Carrie," "It," and "The Shining" — and even some powerful dramas like "The Shawshank Redemption."

Here are the highest-grossing movies based on King's work, not accounting for inflation, according to worldwide gross figures from Box Office Mojo.

"The Shawshank Redemption" wasn't hugely popular when it was released in 1994, but now it's regarded as a classic. It's King's 20th highest-grossing movie.

"The Shawshank Redemption" was directed by Frank Darabont. Columbia Pictures

King wrote the screenplay for "Sleepwalkers," released in 1992.

"Sleepwalkers" was directed by Mick Garris. Columbia Pictures

The 2001 film "Hearts in Atlantis" was adapted from King's novella "Low Men in Yellow Coats."

"Hearts in Atlantis" was directed by Scott Hicks. Warner Bros. Pictures

The 1992 film adaptation of "The Lawnmower Man" bore little resemblance to the source material.

"The Lawnmower Man" was directed by Brett Leonard. New Line Cinema

Actress Sissy Spacek originated the role of "Carrie" in 1976.

"Carrie" was directed by Brian De Palmer. United Artists

"The Running Man" starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in a 1987 dystopian thriller.

"The Running Man" was directed by Paul Michael Glaser. TriStar Pictures

The film adaptation of "The Shining" was released in 1980 and became a cult classic.

"The Shining" was directed by Stanley Kubrick. Warner Bros

Released in 1986, "Stand By Me" is based on King's 1982 novella "The Body."

"Stand By Me" was directed by Rob Reiner. Columbia Pictures via YouTube

1989's "Pet Sematary" centers around a burial ground with the power to revive the dead — with a deadly catch.

"Pet Sematary" was directed by Mary Lambert. Paramount Pictures

The 2007 film "The Mist" was so scary that it even made King jump, director Frank Darabont said in his commentary.

"The Mist" was directed by Frank Darabont. Dimension Films

"Misery" is a New York Times bestseller and hailed as one of King's best horror novels. The film version, which was released in 1990, was a hit, too.

"Misery" was directed by Rob Reiner. Columbia Pictures

The 2003 film "Dreamcatcher" is based on King's 2001 novel.

"Dreamcatcher" was directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Warner Bros.

The 2013 remake of "Carrie" starred Chloe Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore.

"Carrie" was directed by Kimberly Peirce. Sony Pictures

Released in 2004, the movie "Secret Window" follows writer Mort Rainey as he's stalked by a farmer who claims Rainey stole his story.

"Secret Window" was directed by David Koepp. Columbia Pictures

The 2019 remake of "Pet Sematary" surpassed the original from 1989.

"Pet Sematary" was directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer. Kerry Hayes/Paramount Pictures

"The Dark Tower" movie, released in 2017, served as a sequel to King's series of the same name.

"The Dark Tower" was directed by Nikolaj Arcel. Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures

Stephen King published the short story "1408" in 1999, and it was adapted into a movie in 2007.

"1408" was directed by Mikael Håfström. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

"The Green Mile," released in 1999, stars Tom Hanks as a guard on Death Row.

"The Green Mile" was directed by Frank Darabont. Warner Bros.

"It Chapter Two" hit theaters in 2019 and became King's second most successful film.

"It Chapter Two" was directed by Andrés Muschietti. Warner Bros.

The 2017 adaptation of "It" became King's highest-grossing movie by far.

"It" was directed by Andrés Muschietti. Warner Bros.

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