Christmas with Stephen King 5 King of Horror’s Bone-Chilling Adaptations

If you've had your fill of rom-coms like Love Actually, and are tired of Christmas slashers, we suggest you turn to the classics – the adaptations of Stephen King 's novels.

The King of Horror is not a big fan of meticulous descriptions of Christmas, but blizzards are frequent guests in his works.

1. The Shining

Lost in the shadow of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a miniseries that was a more accurate and literal adaptation of King's novel, and one that definitely deserves attention.

In Mick Garris' The Shining, crazy Jack Torrance runs through decorated living rooms with a hammer while little Danny changes his cozy sweaters. Ghosts still patrol the corridors of the Overlook Hotel, but the miniseries delves deeper into the dramatic tensions within the family and the horrors of alcoholism.

Mr. Torrance loves his wife and son with all his heart, but he is unable to overcome his addiction. Those who know the Overlook Hotel massacre only from Kubrick's film will find an unexpected ending – not frightening, but painful and truly touching.

2. Dreamcatcher

It's easier to find Dreamcatcher in a list of the worst adaptations of King's works than it is to try to explain why the movie is still worth seeing. But perhaps it's during the lazy winter holidays that Lawrence Kasdan's movie will come in handy.

Every year, old friends get together for a hunt: this winter, aliens, soldiers, childhood secrets, and other otherworldly forces will come to the reunion. Thomas Jane, Jason Lee, Morgan Freeman and Timothy Olyphant will build a snowman and battle the invasion of body snatchers.

3. Storm of the Century

It's not hard to find King fans who will call Storm of the Century one of the best adaptations of the author's work, but there is a nuance. At the time of its creation, Storm changed course and became a screenplay rather than a novel.

The inhabitants of Little Tall Island are preparing for a hurricane: in addition to bad weather, the tiny town will be attacked by another misfortune in the form of an unexpected guest from God knows where. Storm of the Century is the perfect mystical detective story: as the locals begin to die mysteriously, the remaining neighbors turn their unfriendly insides out.

Over the course of three episodes, Stephen King and director Craig R. Baxley create a new legend about the tragic fate of the Roanoke Colony and present a group of people with a great moral and ethical dilemma. If you've been putting off watching Storm of the Century, the winter holidays are the perfect time to catch up.

4. Mr. Harrigan's Phone

King's latest adaptation was frankly not the most successful, well, just like the original story. Still, Mr. Harrigan's Phone is a great holiday movie. The turning point happens right next to the decorated Christmas tree: Craig gives his elderly mentor a brand-new iPhone.

A wealthy retired businessman had been paying the boy for reading and educational conversations in his spare time, and now he received a gift for a long friendship. The man was so impressed with the device that he continued to write messages even after his death.

5. Misery

In Rob Reiner's movie, everything came together in amazing harmony: a fatal snowfall, an abandoned house in the wilderness, a barely alive writer, and an unbridled fan (played by Kathy Bates, who immediately became iconic).

Paul Sheldon went to admire the snowy landscapes of Colorado, but had an accident on the way: fortunately, the poor man was picked up by nurse Annie. Misery is already 33 years old, but the movie has not aged at all: neither as a well-constructed claustrophobic thriller nor as a sharp commentary on toxic fandom.