Stephen King's Biggest Money-Maker Spawned Two Hit Movies
While most fans think of The Shining or IT as Stephen King's most successful works, his actual bestselling novel has been adapted twice for the big screen and continues to generate massive profits decades later.
When discussing Stephen King's most successful literary works, horror fans typically point to classics like The Shining or IT. However, the author's most financially rewarding book tells a different story entirely. Published in 1974, Carrie has generated more revenue than any other King novel, selling over 4 million copies worldwide and inspiring not one, but two major Hollywood adaptations.
The Numbers Behind King's Publishing Success
Carrie's commercial triumph becomes clear when examining sales figures across King's extensive catalog. The telekinetic revenge tale has outsold many of his more famous works by significant margins. The Stand, released in 1978, moved approximately 1.5 million copies, while Pet Sematary from 1983 reached around 2 million sales. Even IT, which became a cultural phenomenon, sold roughly 2.5 million copies after its 1986 release.
Only The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger surpasses Carrie in total sales, with over 5 million copies sold since 1982. However, Carrie's earlier publication date and consistent performance across multiple decades cement its position as King's most profitable single work. The Shining, despite its iconic status, sold just over 1 million copies following its 1977 debut.
Hollywood's Double Take on Telekinetic Terror
The story of a bullied teenager with destructive psychic abilities proved irresistible to filmmakers. Brian De Palma directed the first adaptation in 1976, featuring Sissy Spacek in the title role alongside John Travolta. The film earned critical acclaim, achieving a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.4 out of 10 on IMDb. De Palma, known for Scarface and Mission: Impossible, crafted a psychological thriller that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Nearly four decades later, director Kimberly Peirce tackled the material again in 2013. This version starred Chloe Grace Moretz as the tormented protagonist, with Julianne Moore playing her fanatically religious mother. While less successful than its predecessor, earning 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and 5.8 on IMDb, the remake still performed respectably at the box office, proving the story's enduring appeal.
Amazon Brings Carrie Back for Round Three
The profitable property isn't finished yet. Amazon Prime Video has ordered an eight-episode series adaptation, with Mike Flanagan serving as executive producer, showrunner, and writer. Flanagan, who previously directed Doctor Sleep to King's approval, will also helm selected episodes of the upcoming series. This marks the third major screen adaptation of the novel, demonstrating Hollywood's continued confidence in the material's commercial potential.
The original story follows a shy high school student who discovers her telekinetic powers while enduring abuse at school and home. Her religious extremist mother compounds the trauma, leading to a climactic prom night massacre. King's innovative narrative structure, told through fictional newspaper clippings and interviews, added documentary-style realism to the supernatural horror elements.