(Credits: Netflix)

Netflix’s treasure trove of adaptations has traditionally been a league above. So, on today’s episode of what to watch next on Netflix, we have the three best Stephen King movie adaptations to watch right now.

Regarded as one of the greatest authors from the horror-thriller genre, what sets King apart is his acumen for wild psychological twists – the ones we usually take a minute or two to wrap our heads around.

But if that’s the pedigree of thrills you crave, this is probably the right spot for you. Most recently, adaptations of his novels, The Long Walk and The Running Man, hit the theatres alongside an It prequel series on HBO, It: Welcome to Derry, which explores the origins of fearsome Pennywise.

It’s understandable if the flock of King adaptations leaves you yearning for more. And all we hope is that you remain seated for this ultimate watch party on Netflix.

The three best Stephen King movie adaptations to stream on Netflix

Gerald’s Game (Mike Flanagan, 2017)

Based on Stephen King’s 1992 novel, Gerald’s Game is one of the more popular Netflix adaptations, directed by Mike Flanagan from a screenplay by himself and Jeff Howard. For those unaware, the psychological crime thriller was long assumed to be unfilmable until eight years ago. The plot revolves around a married couple portrayed by Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood, who have lost the spark in their relationship.

To rekindle the same, they decide to go to a secluded property for a holiday. While everything seems to be going well, Gerald’s Game pulls out the wildest twist possible when the husband suddenly dies, succumbing to a heart attack, leaving his wife handcuffed to a bed without the key. Now, it’s all up to her whether she makes it alive through the ghastly situation or becomes the prey of her own inner demons.

Christine (John Carpenter, 1983)

Christine is inspired by Stephen King’s 1983 novel of the same name, but this brand of horror inclines towards the supernatural. Often considered a cult classic among the horror fandom, the 1983 thriller stars Keith Gordon as Arnie Cunningham, an unpopular nerd who’s usually bullied by his contemporaries. The plot kicks off when Arnie purchases a 1958 Plymouth Fury, naming it Christine.

While love for cars isn’t an unnatural phenomenon, what Arnie develops is a borderline unhealthy obsession with the car. But when one of the bullies defaces Christine, the car mysteriously restores itself to its pristine condition, on its own. However, that’s not all. While at it, it goes on a rampage of murders, targeting one bully at a time.

1922 (Zach Hilditch, 2017)

1922 comes from Stephen King’s 2010 novella, a horror film which revolves around a Nebraska farmer, whose desperate attempts to keep his land unleashes supernatural retribution on the farm. The plot kicks off with Wilfred James convincing his son to murder his mother and James’ wife in an attempt to stop her from selling the inherited acres and relocating to the city.

Although they succeed, what they don’t anticipate is the deadly consequences that follow. 1922 primarily captures their spiral into insanity as the guilt of their bloody deed comes haunting in ways they don’t realise. While it’s definitely one of the best King adaptations available, it’s undoubtedly not for the faint-hearted.