10 Best Performances in Stephen King Movies, Ranked

The literature of Stephen King defies genre. King may be best known for his work in horror, but he has written many novels and short stories revolving around more grounded stories. His work has inspired many classic films, as well as some notable misfires. Not every King adaptation is accurate to the source material, but that doesn’t make his writing any less important. Although some King adaptations are better than others, it’s inspiring to see that his work continues to have such staying power with audiences. Here are the ten best performances in Stephen King adaptations, ranked.

10 Carla Gugino in ‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)

Character: Jessie Burlingame

There aren’t many horror directors in recent years that have transformed the genre quite likeMike Flanagan. In addition to directing the underrated adaptation of King’s sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep, Flanagan also helmed an underrated Netflix version of King’s novella Gerald’s Game.

As Jessie Burlingame, Carla Gugino gives an Academy Award-worthy performance as a woman whose romantic getaway goes awry when her husband (Bruce Greenwood) dies of a heart attack during an intimate moment, leaving Jessie handcuffed to a bed and turning a weekend trip into a grueling fight for survival. It’s a physically demanding performance that makes the film even more harrowing. Gugino shows an incredible amount of vulnerability and personal strength, and it wouldn’t be the last time she worked with Flanagan on a horror project.

9 Christopher Walken in ‘The Dead Zone’ (1983)

Character: Johnny Smith

Christopher Walken may be best known for his zany comedic work and Saturday Night Live appearances, but he was nonetheless convincing in David Cronenberg’s 1983 adaptation of King’s novel The Dead Zone. Like many Cronenberg films, The Dead Zone uses its paranormal elements to heighten the paranoia and dread related to a political conspiracy.

The film focuses on a kind-hearted math teacher named Johnny Smith (Walken), who is granted incredible powers after a mysterious accident. Johnny is forced to turn into a small town hero after learning about the evil plans of a corrupt United States Senate candidate (Martin Sheen), and Walken captures the incredible weight of having to hold so much responsibility on his shoulders.

8 Ian McKellen in ‘Apt Pupil’ (1998)

Character: Kurt Dussander

Bryan Singer’s 1998 adaptation of the Stephen King story Apt Pupil explores a cat and mouse game between two utterly unlikeable characters. Ian McKellen stars as Kurt Dussader, a former Nazi war criminal that escaped justice, only to be discovered by a stuck up high school student (Brad Renfro) who is seeking a school mentor.

McKellen brings a sense of menace to a character who is able to keep his secrets buried deep within the past in order to avoid detection, but he doesn’t shy away from showing just how heartless fascist principles are. It becomes particularly sickening to see how the character uses his intelligence and influence to avoid justice, and rejoins society without ever having to reckon with the consequences of his past.

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO

7 Keith Gordon in ‘Christine’ (1983)

Character: Arnie Cunningham

The 1983 horror film Christine isn’t just one of the best King adaptations, but one of the best films of John Carpenter’s career. The film explores the experiences of a high school student named Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon), who leverages the power of his mysterious car, Christine, to help survive the struggles of teenage bullying.

Even though the film introduces some ludicrous plot elements, it pays very close attention to the realism of adolescent relationships. As Arnie, Gordon brings a realism (and a surprising sense of humor) to the film, despite its obvious fantasy inspirations. Gordon does a great job at bringing out Arnie’s humanity, even when he begins to become corrupted by Christine’s malicious influence.

6 Wil Wheaton in ‘Stand by Me’ (1986)

Character: Gordon “Gordie” Lachance

Stand by Me is one of the best films ever made about the loss of innocence after childhood. In one of his first major roles, Wil Wheaton gave a remarkable performance as the young Gordie Lachance, who is grieving the death of his older brother (John Cusack). The painful loss resonates throughout the film thanks to Wheaton’s strong work; in each scene with Gordie, the audience is reminded that the young boy is still grieving.

Gordie’s adventure with his friends Vern Tessio (Jerry O’Connell), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix) and Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman) allows him to revel in the pleasures of youth before parting ways with his former buddies forever. It’s impressive that Wheaton was able to bring so much depth and intimacy to the role at such a young age.

5 Michael Clarke Duncan in ‘The Green Mile’ (1999)

Character: John Coffey

The late great Michael Clarke Duncan received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Frank Darabount’s gripping 1999 prison film The Green Mile. The film revolves around a hardworking prison guard (Tom Hanks) who discovers that a prisoner on death row (Duncan) has the power to heal illnesses, and may even be able to save lives. Duncan brings an unparalleled level of earnestness to a character who fears his own powers, and it’s nearly impossible to watch The Green Mile and not immediately burst into tears.

4 Sissy Spacek in ‘Carrie’ (1976)

Character: Carrie White

Carrie was a very important film within the career of Brian De Palma, who became well known for his work within the horror genre. Sissy Spacek gave the performance of her career as the superpowered high school student Carrie White, who grows to fear her own body after being raised in isolation by her domineering, fanatical mother, Margaret (Piper Laurie).

Although Carrie is best known for its absurdly violent ending following the infamous blood-dump at the prom, it’s also a great coming-of-age story. Spacek is particularly great during the scenes in which Carrie is mocked and bullied by her cruel classmates, and it’s surprising that such a fantastical film feels so relatable.

BUY ON PRIME VIDEO

3 Jack Nicholson in ‘The Shining’ (1980)

Character: Jack Torrance

The Shining may have deviated greatly from Stephen King’s novel, but that doesn’t make Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film any less of a classic. The beloved adaptation of King’s horror story explores the breakdown of the author Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) over the course of a nightmarish stay at a hotel with a disturbing past.

Jack Nicholson’s performance captures just how frustrating writer’s block can be, albeit in a very terrifying way! Nicholson is best when he gets to chew the scenery, and Jack’s rage becomes more terrifying than any movie slasher could ever be.

2 Kathy Bates in ‘Misery’ (1990)

Character: Annie Wilkes

King was able to analyze his own relationship with critics in his novel Misery, and director Rob Reiner did the same thing with his 1990 film adaptation. Misery follows a popular mystery writer (James Caan) who, after a car accident, is kidnapped by his biggest fan, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who holds him hostage and forces him to answer questions about his work that he never thought to ask himself. The Academy Awards often ignore or snub performances in horror films, but nonetheless, Bates won the Oscar for Best Actress thanks to her terrifying work as Annie.

Misery presents a dire warning about fan culture that continues to resonate today, and Kathy Bates’ wild eyes and sickeningly sweet voice only add to the terror of an entitled fan striking out against the creator that they once admired.

1 Morgan Freeman in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Character: Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding

The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most inspirational films ever made, and serves as the definitive example of what a great movie friendship looks like. The bond that Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) form over the course of their imprisonment together allows both men to find hope and forgiveness in the most surprising of places.

Both Robbins and Freeman are essential to the film’s success, but Freeman’s work stands as slightly stronger because he serves as the film’s narrator. Freeman’s powerful voice makes the ending of The Shawshank Redemption even more emotional. The film continues to be one of the all-time greatest depictions of onscreen friendships due to the powerful lead performances.