Every 2025 Stephen King Adaptation, Ranked According to Rotten Tomatoes

For over 50 years, Stephen King has impacted readers around the world with his stories. Known as the “King of Horror,” he has won numerous awards for his written work, with many of them turned into film and television adaptations. Filmmakers like Brian De Palma and Stanley Kubrick brought his novels to life and garnered King even more recognition than he already had, further making his mark as one of the most talented and celebrated writers of all time.

2025 alone has had multiple adaptations of Stephen King works, with a remake of The Running Man still to come from Edgar Wright. As of now, every 2025 Stephen King adaptation has scored a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. From melancholic dramas to horror comedies, adaptations of Stephen King’s work have made a huge impact on the film and television industry throughout the year.

4

‘The Institute’ – 64%

The Institute is a television series based on the 2019 novel of the same name. The show follows a group of children who are kidnapped and taken to an institute due to their supernatural abilities. The workers who run the institute explain that the children were taken so that they can use their powers to save the world, but the children eventually discover that the true reason for their kidnapping is much darker.

‘The Institute’ Got an Adaptation Almost Immediately After Its Release

On the day of the novel’s release in 2019, Spyglass Media Group immediately received the television rights. What was originally going to be a limited series eventually turned into an eight-episode television show. The Institute received mild acclaim upon its release, scoring 64% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. While the show was far from King’s most acclaimed adaptations, it was enough to score the series a season 2 renewal. Although it is unknown when the new season will release, it is currently set to premiere on MGM+, according to Deadline.

3

‘The Monkey’ – 77%

The Monkey sees the short story by Stephen King stretched into a feature-length film by writer/director Osgood Perkins and producer James Wan. The film follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, both played by Theo James, who discover a wind-up monkey in their attic that belonged to their father. After finding the monkey, a series of gruesome, accidental deaths begin to occur that cause the brothers to grow apart and change their lives forever.

‘The Monkey’ Is ‘Final Destination’ Done Right

The Monkey received solid reviews from critics with a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews pointed out the sadistic sense of humor and unforgettable death sequences as the film’s highlights. Audiences were not as sold on the movie, however, giving it a 55% on Rotten Tomatoes as well as a 5.9 on IMDb. Osgood Perkins is not done with films in 2025, as he is set to release Keeper on November 14, continuing with his horror roots as well as his collaborations with Tatiana Maslany.

2

‘The Life of Chuck’ – 81%

The Life of Chuck is one of the rare Stephen King stories that doesn’t delve into horror. The film plays mostly as a fantasy drama, and follows the life of Charles Krantz. In three chapters, the film delves into Charles’ pursuit of love and happiness as well as his experiences of heartbreak and loss. Starring an ensemble cast including Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film attempts to speak about the importance of life experiences through decade-spanning storytelling.

Audiences Fell in Love with ‘The Life of Chuck’

The Life of Chuck was met with warm and enthusiastic acclaim upon release. The film received 81% from critics and 88% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews agreeing that the film is extremely heartfelt and emotional and finds joy in the little moments. The film had a monstrous premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, winning the highest honor of the People’s Choice Award. Although it didn’t make a big splash at the box office during its June release date, audiences who saw it immediately fell in love with the film.

1

‘The Long Walk’ – 93%

The Long Walk is one of King’s earliest novels, but it didn’t receive a film adaptation until 2025. The film follows a group of boys who enter into “The Long Walk” challenge, where they have to continuously walk at a certain speed. To win the challenge, you have to be the last man to maintain a certain walking speed, and everyone who loses the challenge gets murdered by the guards that spectate them.

‘The Long Walk’ Adaptation Was a Long Time Coming

The Long Walk received excellent reviews from critics, with its current 93% on Rotten Tomatoes making it the highest-rated Stephen King adaptation of all time on the movie site. An adaptation of the book was in development for a long time, with Frank Darabont holding the adaptation rights for over a decade. It eventually made its way to Lionsgate in 2023. As well as receiving 86% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6 on IMDb, critics and audiences agree that the film adaptation was worth the wait.