The Most Underrated Stephen King Sci-Fi Series Lands on Prime 22 Years Later
Adaptations of Stephen King's work have graced film and television screens for almost five decades.
While some have fallen short, there are lesser-known gems from the 2000s worth revisiting, especially now that they are available for streaming on Prime.
What Is This Show About?
One such gem is The Dead Zone, a TV series that aired on the USA Network for six seasons before its cancellation in 2007 due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
Loosely based on Stephen King 's 1979 novel, the series centers on Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall), who awakens from a six-year coma with a unique ability: any contact with objects or people triggers visions of the past or future. This phenomenon is believed to be the activation of a previously unused part of his brain, the "dead zone," compensating for the damaged areas.
Johnny uses his newfound abilities to assist local authorities in solving cold cases while grappling with apocalyptic visions involving politician Greg Stillson (Sean Patrick Flanery). The series also features Nicole de Boer, John L. Adams, Chris Bruno, and David Ogden Stiers.
An Underrated TV Series That Left a Lasting Impression
Although The Dead Zone achieved cult status and nostalgia among viewers, it wasn't among the most popular shows during its original run. The USA Network's hit at the time was The 4400, which, despite a shorter run, garnered more attention. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series lacks an overall critics' rating, yet it holds an 85% audience score, with the first season rated at 89%. Despite complaints about the cliffhanger in the sixth season finale, viewers praised its innovative cinematography and strong performances, especially by Anthony Michael Hall.
Where and How to Watch It?
Streaming on Prime
The Dead Zone is now available for streaming on Prime through various options:
- Screambox: Available on Screambox for $4.99 after a 7-day free trial, in addition to the basic Prime subscription of $8.99.
- Fandor: Available on Fandor for $3.99 after a 7-day free trial, also requiring a Prime subscription.
- Freevee: Available in an ad-supported format on Amazon's Freevee platform.
Other Free Services
The series can also be streamed for free, with ads, on several other platforms:
- Tubi
- Pluto TV
- Plex
- The Roku Channel
- Hoopla