Stephen King's 2025 Screen Adaptations Ranked by Rewatch Value
From HBO's hit Welcome to Derry to Edgar Wright's The Running Man, discover which Stephen King adaptations from 2025 are worth revisiting and which ones missed the mark entirely.
The year 2025 marked a remarkable period for Stephen King adaptations, with the legendary author's works dominating both theaters and streaming platforms. HBO's Welcome to Derry became a streaming sensation, while established and emerging filmmakers brought their unique visions to King's extensive catalog.
From timeless classics like The Shining to this year's fresh takes, King's stories continue to captivate audiences across generations. Visionary director Edgar Wright put his distinctive spin on The Running Man, joining a diverse lineup of adaptations that spanned multiple genres. Here's how six of this year's King-based productions stack up when it comes to rewatchability.
The Institute Recycled Familiar Territory
MGM+'s The Institute, based on King's 2019 novel, struggled to break new ground in the supernatural thriller space. The eight-episode series felt like a rehash of concepts audiences have encountered in Stranger Things, The Shining, and Firestarter.
Starring Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker, the show follows teen genius Luke Ellis after his kidnapping to a mysterious facility where children with psychic abilities face exploitation. The dual narrative structure, featuring both the imprisoned children and an ex-cop's investigation, created narrative fatigue that the bland execution couldn't overcome.
Despite solid performances from the cast, including Joe Freeman as Luke and Julian Richings in a supporting role, the series failed to distinguish itself from similar properties in the crowded supernatural genre.
The Running Man Couldn't Live Up to Its Potential
Edgar Wright's take on King's dystopian thriller generated significant buzz, especially with Glen Powell in the lead role. Unfortunately, the film struggled to escape the shadow of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger version, which succeeded through its campy approach.
Set in a corrupt future where wrongly accused Ben Richards enters a deadly televised hunt lasting 30 days, the story promised sharp social commentary about media manipulation and government corruption. Wright's signature rapid-fire editing style, while technically impressive, worked against the film's rebellious message.
The 133-minute runtime felt excessive, and despite strong thematic elements, the adaptation failed to deliver the impactful statement it aimed for. Powell's charismatic performance couldn't salvage a project that looked better on paper than on screen.
Welcome to Derry Brought Back the Terror
The year's breakout horror success, Welcome to Derry transported viewers back to Bill Skarsgård's chilling portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Set in 1962, this prequel series to the recent IT films delivered genuine scares and psychological depth.
Each episode of the HBO series unveiled new layers of terror, building toward the 1960s cycle of Pennywise's reign of fear in the fictional Maine town. The show excelled at exploring the deeper psychological horrors lurking beneath its supernatural premise.
With a talented ensemble cast including Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and James Remar, the series earned critical acclaim and strong viewership numbers. While Season 2 hasn't received official confirmation, the creators have expressed interest in exploring additional cycles of the ancient evil's awakening.
The Long Walk Delivered Emotional Power
Francis Lawrence's adaptation of King's dystopian novel proved to be the year's most compelling take on the author's work. The film wasted no time establishing its brutal premise: a walking endurance contest where the slowest participants face elimination.
What could have been merely another violent spectacle instead became a moving exploration of friendship and human connection under extreme circumstances. The dialogue crackled with authenticity, and the pacing allowed viewers to form genuine bonds with the diverse group of contestants.
Mark Hamill delivered a particularly memorable performance as a fascist authority figure, embodying the dystopian themes that The Running Man attempted but failed to achieve. The film succeeded in turning violence-as-entertainment into meaningful social commentary while maintaining emotional resonance throughout its runtime.