If you thought Stephen King was slowing down, think again. The literary mastermind behind your worst nightmares (and occasional emotional meltdowns) is back on the big screen with a fresh crop of adaptations. From cursed monkeys to dystopian footraces, the lineup of upcoming Stephen King movies is as varied and spooky as the man’s career itself.
We’ve got a treasure trove of creepy, quirky, and even existential King stories marching toward theaters and streaming platforms. Whether you’re a longtime, constant reader or a newbie looking for some quality psychological torment, the upcoming Stephen King movies will keep your watchlist as full as your anxiety levels. Let’s take a look at what’s creeping around the cinematic corner.
Upcoming Stephen King Movies: More Chills Coming Soon
Stephen King’s stories are amazing because they can be anything from huge thrillers to quiet, deep tales. Some will totally scare you, some will make you emotional, and some will do both! Here’s what’s coming next from the master of horror.
The Long Walk
Let’s lace up for a death march in Stephen King style. The Long Walk, which is set to release on September 12, 2025, is a dystopian horror-thriller directed by Francis Lawrence, best known for The Hunger Games series. Based on one of King’s earliest novels (written under the alias Richard Bachman), the story throws 100 teenage boys into a government-mandated walking contest, where stopping means dying and only one can make it to the end. Yep, it’s like The Hunger Games, but with way fewer arrows and a whole lot more blisters.
According to Screen Rant, the cast includes rising stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and the legendary Mark Hamill—because who better to lend gravitas to a grim parade of doom? With slow-burning suspense and a concept that’s as haunting as it is exhausting, The Long Walk is poised to be a King adaptation you won’t forget (or finish sitting down).
The Life Of Chuck
Let’s take a break from the blood and body counts for something a little more existential. The Life of Chuck is set to hit select theaters on June 6, 2025, before expanding nationwide on June 13, 2025. Directed by Mike Flanagan, the horror maestro behind Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, this one swaps jump scares for soul-searching, offering a rare, non-horror King adaptation. The genre? Existential drama, with a touch of cosmic melancholy.
Based on a novella from If It Bleeds, the story unfolds in reverse, tracing the life of Charles Krantz (played by Tom Hiddleston) backward from his death to his childhood. It’s a deeply human tale, elevated by a powerhouse cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, and yes, Mark Hamill, who clearly is riding a Stephen King wave this year. As Screen Rant reports, this could be 2025’s surprise emotional gut-punch, proving that King doesn’t need monsters to mess with your head.
The Monkey
Even though The Monkey probably had its theatrical run starting February 21, 2025, don’t worry if you missed it! This unsettling movie is likely to swing onto your streaming services later this year, especially after May. Directed by Osgood Perkins, this film is pure classic horror, built around a premise that’s both bizarre and genuinely crazy, a cursed monkey toy whose cymbal clapping means terrible things for anyone who hears it.
Theo James plays twin brothers who are haunted by the creepy little toy. The film takes Stephen King’s chilling short story and stretches it into a full-blown psychological nightmare. According to Variety, it is packed with that vintage King creepiness, all wrapped up in Perkins’ signature, slow burn tension. So, if next time Grandma tries to give you an old, dusty toy monkey, maybe just politely say no, and back away slowly!
The Running Man
Releasing on November 21, 2025, The Running Man is getting a full-throttle reboot from none other than Edgar Wright, the maestro behind Baby Driver and Shaun of the Dead. This time around, forget the 1987 Schwarzenegger version—Wright’s take will stick closer to Stephen King’s gritty, dystopian novel (originally penned under the Richard Bachman pseudonym), delivering a sharper, darker ride through a totalitarian nightmare.
Glen Powell, fresh off Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, steps into the lead role, promising a more cerebral and stylish fugitive on the run. According to Screen Rant, which mentioned this project alongside other upcoming Stephen King movies, this adaptation is shaping up to be part Black Mirror, part Baby Driver, and 100% classic King paranoia. Buckle up!
Potential Stephen King Future Projects
Okay, here’s where things get mysterious. There are several Stephen King projects floating in the Hollywood ether that haven’t quite landed dates—or funding. But we’re hopeful, and a little scared.
The Dark Half (Remake?)
Though The Dark Half already received the big-screen treatment back in 1993, whispers and rumors of a remake have been floating around in recent years, like an ominous draft through Castle Rock. While no director or cast has been confirmed, fans are itching to see Stephen King’s chilling tale of split personalities and authorial horror get a modern-day makeover. According to IMDb, the buzz remains mostly speculative for now, but when it comes to King adaptations, no rumor is ever truly dead.
Carrie (TV Series)
Mike Flanagan is diving back into the King universe with a Carrie TV series, which is in development for Amazon and MGM Studios. While this won’t be hitting theaters, it’s certainly a noteworthy reimagining of one of King’s most iconic—and blood-soaked—stories. Details are still under wraps, but given Flanagan’s stellar track record with past King adaptations like Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, fans can rest easy knowing this reimagining is in good hands. Keep an eye out for updates as this project unfolds.
Also, read Sarah J. Maas Upcoming Books: What’s Next For The Queen Of Fantasy
Conclusion: Long Live the King
From psychological thrillers to existential weep-fests and dystopian chaos, the upcoming Stephen King movies are about to dominate your screens and your nightmares. Whether you’re counting steps in The Long Walk or emotionally unraveling during The Life of Chuck, there’s a little something for every flavor of fear (or feels).
So grab your popcorn, turn on a nightlight, and bookmark those release dates because Stephen King season is about to begin, and it’s looking gloriously grim.
Vanshika Gupta is a passionate storyteller and a content writer, who exactly knows how to engage people with her thoughts and narratives. Born and raised in Jammu, developed an early love for writing when she was in her college years.