New Stephen King Adaptations on the Horizon for Film and TV
It’s been an exciting year for adaptations of Stephen King’s works, with plenty more on the horizon. With over 50 films and numerous miniseries already in existence, there’s still a wealth of material to explore from King’s extensive catalog that spans six decades.
If you’re finding it tough to keep up with the ever-growing list of upcoming horror films and series, fear not – we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled all the upcoming Stephen King adaptations in one place, saving you from endless scrolling. The first season of *Welcome to Derry* has just wrapped up, and we’re eagerly awaiting news on a second season. Meanwhile, Mike Flanagan’s *Carrie* series, which has received high praise from Matthew Lillard, is next in line.
Here’s everything you need to know about the expanding King universe, including projects that have been canceled or are stuck in development limbo.
**Release date: TBD**
This adaptation marks the third story from King’s 2020 novella collection, *If It Bleeds*, to hit the big screen. Initially, Ben Stiller was set to produce, direct, and star in the film, but due to a lack of updates, it was moved to our “Cancelled King projects” list. Fortunately, the project has been revived by Jay Van Hoy, a frequent collaborator of Robert Eggers, with Isaac Ezban directing.
The plot centers on Drew, a writer who struggles to finish his novel without chaos erupting in his personal life. He retreats to a remote cabin in the Maine woods, hoping for a fresh start, but a violent snowstorm leaves him stranded until a mysterious stranger offers help – at a cost. While Stiller may no longer be directing or producing, there’s still a chance he could play Drew.
**Release date: TBD**
*The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon* is an underrated gem that fans have long wanted to see adapted. JT Mollner, known for *Strange Darling* and *The Long Walk*, is set to direct this upcoming film. The 1999 novel follows a nine-year-old girl named Trisha who gets lost in the woods, armed only with her Walkman, and begins to hallucinate that her baseball hero, Tom Gordon, is coming to her rescue.
George A. Romero was initially attached to direct shortly after the novel’s release, but the project stalled before his passing. In 2019, Lynne Ramsay was set to direct, but the rights lapsed, and Lionsgate picked them up in 2025.
**Release date: TBD**
In spring 2025, it was announced that a deal was struck to adapt *Cujo*, the 1981 novel about a rabid dog. While no directors or writers are attached yet, the story is one of King’s more tragic tales, featuring a once-friendly St. Bernard turned killer. The book was first adapted in 1983, but the film received poor reviews, though it has since gained a cult following. Roy Lee, known for *Weapons* and *The Long Walk*, is set to produce.
**Release date: TBD**
An adaptation of King’s 2021 novel about a semi-retired hitman was first announced in 2022 as a ten-episode limited series under J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot. In 2023, it was revealed that Bad Robot would collaborate with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way to turn it into a feature film. Speculation suggests Abrams will direct, with DiCaprio in the lead role, but we’ll wait for official confirmation. Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz are confirmed to write the screenplay.
The story follows Billy Summers, a hitman who only takes jobs involving truly evil targets. He takes on one last job but suspects the mobsters who hired him may have ulterior motives. DiCaprio seems like a perfect fit for the role, though fans have also cast Taylor Kitsch in their imaginations.
**Release date: TBD**
In 2021, Jack Bender mentioned he had a script ready for a live-action adaptation of King’s 2018 novella *Elevation*. Despite being busy with the TV adaptation of *The Institute*, the project appears to be moving forward, though details remain scarce.
The novella follows Scott Carey, a man afflicted by a mysterious illness with strange effects. As he seeks a cure, he helps a local couple facing backlash for opening a restaurant in the haunted town of Castle Rock, Maine. Given Bender’s track record with adaptations like *Under the Dome* and *Mr. Mercedes*, we can expect a faithful rendition, though he has mentioned adding some original elements.
**Release date: 2026**
Mike Flanagan, who has a strong connection to King’s works, is set to write and direct an eight-episode miniseries based on *Carrie*, King’s 1974 novel. The story follows a bullied girl with telekinetic powers and has been adapted multiple times, including three feature films and a musical.
Details about Flanagan’s adaptation are still under wraps, but we know it stars newcomer Summer H. Howell as Carrie White, alongside a talented cast including Siena Agudong, Samantha Sloyan, and Matthew Lillard.
**Release date: TBD**
*The Institute* has already been confirmed for a second season, even before the first season concluded in August 2025. The show features Joe Freeman as Luke, one of several children with telepathic abilities trapped in a mysterious facility overseen by Mary-Louise Parker’s character.
Co-showrunner Jack Bender expressed hope for a second season, citing positive audience feedback and promising ideas to continue the story.
**Release date: TBD**
In 2022, it was announced that Paul Greengrass would write, direct, and produce a feature adaptation of King’s 2022 novel *Fairy Tale*. However, in 2024, it was reported that A24 would transform the project into a 10-episode series, with J.H. Wyman as showrunner.
The novel follows 17-year-old Charlie Reade, who inherits keys to a hidden realm and finds himself in a battle between good and evil. Greengrass’s original script will be adapted for the series.
**Release date: TBD**
After a lackluster film adaptation in 2017, a new take on *The Dark Tower* was announced in 2022, with Mike Flanagan set to lead a new version for Prime Video. This adaptation will span five seasons, followed by two standalone films.
The series follows gunslinger Roland Deschain on his quest through a vast desert to confront his nemesis, “the man in black.” With seven novels and a prequel novella in the series, the planned format makes sense. Details are still scarce as Flanagan focuses on the *Carrie* miniseries.
**Release date: TBD**
*The Talisman*, a collaboration between King and Peter Straub, has been in development for years. After a long wait, a movie was announced in 2019, with Mike Barker attached to direct. Now, it’s set to become a TV series, with the Duffer brothers executive producing alongside Netflix and Amblin Entertainment.
The story follows Jack Sawyer, a 12-year-old boy on a fantastical quest to retrieve a magical object to save his dying mother. The project is currently in active development, and given the success of *The Institute*, we hope to see progress soon.
**Release date: TBD**
The adaptation of *From a Buick 8* has faced numerous hurdles. This modern take on the killer car trope follows a Pennsylvania police troop recounting the story of an old Buick linked to a fellow officer’s death.
Tobe Hooper was once set to direct, but the project never materialized. In 2018, William Brent Bell was announced as the writer-director, but the rights eventually lapsed. In 2024, Bell mentioned that James Wan’s Atomic Monster now holds the rights, and a miniseries is in development, though no official announcements have been made.
**Release date: TBD**
In 2021, Bryan Fuller was announced as the writer-director for a new adaptation of *Christine*, King’s 1983 novel about a murderous 1958 Plymouth Fury. Despite support from the original film’s star and director, the project seems to have stalled, possibly due to disagreements on modernization.
**Release date: TBD**
Given the critical failure of the 1993 miniseries, it’s no surprise that a new adaptation of *The Tommyknockers* is in the works. Universal Pictures secured the rights in 2018, with James Wan producing. However, no director or writer has been attached, and updates have been scarce since the announcement.
The story involves a town in Maine discovering an alien spacecraft that releases a gas, transforming residents into aliens. A miniseries was also announced in 2013 but never came to fruition.
**Release date: TBD**
An adaptation of the 2013 novel *Joyland* was announced in 2018, but updates have been few and far between. Freeform was set to develop the series, with Chris Peña and Cyrus Nowrasteh writing the pilot.
The novel follows college student Devin Jones, who takes a summer job at an amusement park and confronts the legacy of a murder and the fate of a dying child, forever changing his life.
**Release date: TBD**
A new adaptation of *Mr. Mercedes*, which follows an author whose pseudonym comes to life and commits gruesome crimes, was announced with Alex Ross Perry set to direct. The project remains shrouded in mystery, with little news since the initial announcement.
**Release date: TBD**
A TV series based on *Sleeping Beauties*, a collaboration between King and his son Owen, was ordered to pilot in 2019, but updates have been nonexistent. The story takes place in a women’s prison where inmates and women worldwide fall victim to a mysterious illness that puts them to sleep, leading to violent awakenings if disturbed. It’s a compelling premise for a sci-fi thriller series, and we hope it eventually sees the light of day.
