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Horror icon Stephen King has offered fans a glimpse into his personal tastes, revealing his 10 favourite films in a post on X. The prolific author, whose work has been adapted more than 100 times across films, TV shows, and miniseries, took the opportunity to share a list that excludes movies based on his own books.
King’s influence on cinema is undeniable. From Brian De Palma’s Carrie in 1976 to Stanley Kubrick’s iconic 1980 adaptation of The Shining, and the two-part adaptation of IT in 2017-2019, his stories have shaped horror on screen for decades. Despite his deep connection to the film industry, King made it clear that his favourite films on this list are entirely separate from his own work.
“My 10 favorite movies (excluding MISERY, SHAWSHANK, GREEN MILE, STAND BY ME). In no particular order,” he wrote, before listing the following: Sorcerer, Godfather 2, The Getaway, Groundhog Day, Casablanca, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Jaws, Mean Streets, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, and Double Indemnity.
The selection demonstrates King’s broad cinematic taste, spanning multiple genres and decades. From classic film noir like Double Indemnity to the timeless romance of Casablanca, he appreciates storytelling beyond horror. Action and suspense feature prominently with The Getaway, while Jaws and Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind reflect his admiration for landmark thrillers and sci-fi epics.
King’s choice of Groundhog Day reveals his appreciation for clever, unconventional narratives, while Godfather 2 and Treasure of the Sierra Madre highlight his respect for cinematic craft and legendary directors. Meanwhile, Sorcerer and Mean Streets indicate a taste for gritty tension and character-driven drama, demonstrating his appreciation for both artistry and entertainment.
Fans have reacted with enthusiasm, noting that King’s list is surprisingly diverse and reflective of a cinephile with both historical and contemporary awareness. Many have been quick to compare the films he enjoys to the cinematic influences present in his own writing, identifying parallels between the tension, characterisation, and dark undertones in his favourite movies and the storytelling that has made his novels so enduring.
King’s post also underscores his humility and sense of fun, as he deliberately excluded adaptations of his own work. While Misery, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and Stand By Me are widely considered cinematic masterpieces in their own right, he preferred to focus attention on films that shaped him as a viewer rather than his career as a writer.
For aspiring filmmakers, horror fans, and general movie buffs alike, King’s list is a treasure trove of classics worth revisiting. It also serves as a reminder of the breadth of his artistic interests, demonstrating that even the master of horror has a profound appreciation for cinema across genres.
