Not all of Stephen King‘s movie adaptations have gotten good reviews, and some of his most poorly-received movies are actually worth checking out. The legendary horror scribe got his start with the publication of Carrie, and he was soon scaring audiences worldwide when the book became a film in 1976. Quickly, the bestselling author became a H๏τ commodity in Hollywood.

Many of Stephen King’s books and short stories have been adapted into movies, though there is definitely a wide variety of quality. While films like The Shining and The Shawshank Redemption are award-winning classics, some of his movies were pooh-poohed by critics. Critics often look down on horror, and even the King of Horror has been lambasted a few times.

Despite their questionable quality, there are some critically hated Stephen King movies that make for a fun watch. Whether they stray from the source, are downright cheesy, or were just unfairly judged, bad reviews don’t tell the whole story. It might not always be the case, but some of King’s low-rated movies could be considered underrated.

The Night Flier (1997)

Originally premiering on HBO, 1997’s The Night Flier has largely been forgotten. Garnering a measly 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, the unorthodox vampire story flew under the radar among a sea of other made-for-TV adaptations. It certainly has a cheaper look than theatrically released films, but The Night Flier is surprisingly effective with what it has.

Miguel Ferrer’s performance as cynical tabloid journalist, Richard Dees, is legitimately great, and the movie does have some chilling moments. It definitely suffers from underdeveloped storylines and pacing problems, but The Night Flier gives some of King’s more well-known adaptations a run for their money. Additionally, King’s reimagining of vampires is pretty terrifying.

Apt Pupil (1998)

Eschewing the horrors of the supernatural, Stephen King’s Apt Pupil was a novella that was pulled from the nightmares of real-life history. Director Bryan Singer was finally able to wrangle the project after several failed attempts, but the finished product was not well received by critics and was an absolute disaster at the box office.

The squirm-inducing study of evil was found to be lacking by critics, who thought the movie didn’t do the subject matter justice. However, Apt Pupil features a terrific performance from Ian McKellen, who excels as the vile war criminal, Kurt Dussander. It’s a bit thinner than the short story, but the movie shows another side of King’s ability to scare.

Firestarter (1984)

From the outset, Firestarter was one of Stephen King’s most flawed books because of its similarity to Carrie. When the movie was made in 1984, the results were mixed, and critics mostly met the adaptation with shrugs all around. Released the same year as Children of the Corn, 1984 was the first down year for King at the movies.

There’s no denying that Firestarter is a flawed film, but it is not boring the way some critics claimed. The ensemble is anchored by legends like George C. Scott and Martin Sheen, and young Drew Barrymore is perfectly cast. The fire effects are stunning, and the only thing holding the movie back is the source material itself.

A Return To Salem’s Lot (1987)

Made almost a decade after the first, A Return to Salem’s Lot is a rare Stephen King sequel worth watching. Directed by exploitation legend Larry Cohen, the 1987 hidden gem is an off-the-wall thrill ride that completely diverges from King’s classic novel. Straddling the line between horror and parody, A Return to Salem’s Lot is unlike any King movie.

A Return to Salem’s Lot is so completely unhinged that it enters so-bad-it’s-good territory right off the bat. Cohen’s madcap directing style keeps things from ever getting boring, and he has a sense of humor that’s impossible to describe. Critics didn’t know what to make of the movie, but it’s certainly better than a 22% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Dreamcatcher (2003)

Dreamcatcher is generally considered one of Stephen King’s worst novels, so it only makes sense that the movie adaptation would be reviled as well. Coming a mere two years after the book hit the shelves, Dreamcatcher is stuffed with Stephen King clichés, but it is also so unlike anything else in his extensive bibliography.

Aliens, mind powers, and spiritual themes combine for a truly bonkers premise, and the movie plays every moment straight. Therein lies the true greatness of Dreamcatcher, and the movie is so married to King’s novel that it adapts even the goofiest scenes with earnestness. Dreamcatcher is a bad movie, but it is worth watching just for the abundant laughs.

Riding The Bullet (2004)

Riding the Bullet is a very Stephen King novella, but that doesn’t mean it adapts well. Frequent collaborator Mick Garris wrote and directed the 2004 film version, and it was a noble effort at a deep and introspective story. Part nostalgic drama and part supernatural horror, Riding the Bullet was impossible to categorize, which didn’t sit well with critics.

It’s important to watch Riding the Bullet with low expectations, and it takes imagination to see what the film is going for. It’s a slick and spooky movie that mostly fails in execution. Some of the horror elements are downright cheesy, but they shouldn’t distract from the great character work that Garris ports over from the original story.

Pet Sematary Two (1992)

Pet Sematary has grown into a bona fide franchise, and Pet Sematary Two was the first movie to see its ongoing potential. Director Mary Lambert returned to helm the sequel, and the follow-up built naturally on the ideas established in King’s original novel. However, it also upped the gore, and is truly one of the most disgusting Stephen King movies.

It earned a 21% Rotten Tomatoes score, but that’s quite unfair to what is a pretty fun splatter flick. It lacks the emotional depth and creepiness of the first, but makes up for it with zany scares and plenty of blood and guts. Had it been a standalone horror film, Pet Sematary Two might have been a 1990s hidden gem.

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

Maximum Overdrive is the only movie that Stephen King has directed thus far, and for good reason. Based on one of his lesser short stories, the oddball tale of sentient machines killing people was noticeably devoid of the same cleverness and character found in most King properties. Unsurprisingly, critics threw King under the bus, and absolutely hated the film.

However, in the decades since its release, Maximum Overdrive has become something of a cult classic. With its hard-rocking mid-’80s soundtrack and ridiculous trucks, there’s an element of exaggerated humor to everything. Camp is taken to the absolute limit, and it delivers entertainment, even if there’s nothing below the surface.

The Mangler (1995)

Director Tobe Hooper is known for revolutionizing horror with The Texas Chainsaw Mᴀssacre, but somehow he ended up making a film version of The Mangler. An early King short story, the idea was taken from his time working in a laundry, and there really wasn’t much to pull from the brief little tale. Therefore, the script was mostly original content.

The Mangler is an absurd slice of mid 1990s cheese, and it’s topped by a wonderful performance from Robert Englund. Instead of shying away from its roots as a possessed laundry story, the movie leans into all the goofiest elements for the best result. Hooper’s direction ushers the film from forgettable to oddly memorable.

Graveyard Shift (1990)

The only Stephen King movie to earn an abysmal 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it would be easy to say that Graveyard Shift is his worst movie. Mostly remembered as the giant rat movie, the Ralph Singleton project is one of King’s most straightforward films, and offers little outside its over-the-top plot about a dangerous rat infestation.

While it completely misses the point of the original short story, the movie still has strong performances from Brad Dourif and Stephen Macht, and some fun monster moments. When viewed as a piece of popcorn entertainment, Graveyard Shift is a classic thrill ride. There are worse Stephen King movies out there, mostly because they are so boring.

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Followed

Stephen King

Birthdate

September 21, 1947

Birthplace

Portland, Maine, USA

Notable Projects

The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, It, The Stand, Misery, The Dark Tower, Mr. Mercedes, Carrie

Professions

Author, Screenwriter, Producer, Director, Actor

Height

6 feet 4 inches

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