10 Movies and TV Shows Stephen King Recommends

Stephen King’s movie and TV recommendations reach well beyond horror. Alongside supernatural stories and unsettling thrillers, the bestselling author has praised a Spanish heist series, a coming-of-age drama, a superhero movie, and a classic political satire.

That variety makes his recommendations useful when you’re wondering what to watch next. You can follow the author of The Shining into another frightening story or discover something that has little in common with his novels.

Below are ten movies and TV shows King has publicly praised over the years. This is a selection drawn from his comments and writing, rather than a ranked list of his ten favorite titles.

Stephen King’s Movie and TV Recommendations at a Glance

1. Doctor Sleep (2019)

Doctor Sleep follows an adult Danny Torrance as he struggles with the trauma of the Overlook Hotel and encounters a young girl whose psychic abilities make her a target.

King praised Mike Flanagan’s adaptation, which connects his sequel novel with elements of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. For readers interested in how filmmakers translate books to the screen, that balancing act is a reason to watch.

One distinction matters: King wrote the source novel, while Flanagan wrote the screenplay and directed the movie, as King’s official film page confirms. King’s positive response also makes it an interesting companion to his well-known criticism of Kubrick’s adaptation.

2. The Flash (2023)

King’s recommendation refers to the 2023 movie, rather than the television series. The film follows Barry Allen as his attempt to change the past creates consequences he cannot easily undo.

After an advance screening, King described it as “heartfelt, funny, and eye-popping.” He also explained that superhero movies generally were not a major interest of his, making his enthusiastic response particularly noteworthy.

Choose this one if you want time travel, alternate realities, and an adventure built around Barry’s desire to save his family.

3. Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods follows four Black Vietnam War veterans who return to Vietnam to recover their fallen squad leader’s remains and search for buried gold.

King praised the film in June 2020, calling it “fabulous.” Its inclusion shows how far his viewing interests extend beyond supernatural fiction.

The film combines a dangerous expedition with an examination of memory, racism, friendship, and the lasting effects of war. It is a strong option for viewers who want a drama with both emotional conflict and suspense.

4. Final Destination (2000)

Final Destination begins with a teenager’s terrifying premonition of an airplane disaster. After he and several others escape the flight, survival becomes the beginning of another nightmare.

In commentary collected by Bloody Disgusting, King expressed affection for the franchise’s elaborate death sequences while singling out the original as genuinely frightening.

The first film is the natural starting point. Its suspense comes from turning everyday objects and small accidents into signs of an approaching threat.

5. Money Heist (2017–2021)

Also known as La casa de papel, Money Heist is a Spanish crime series about a group of robbers carrying out ambitious plans under the direction of the Professor.

King recommended the series in 2018 and praised it again in 2020. His comments emphasized its excitement and entertainment value.

This is the only television series in this selection. If you prefer a longer story filled with negotiations, shifting loyalties, and plans that threaten to unravel, it offers a different experience from the films on the list.

6. Plane (2023)

Gerard Butler stars as a pilot whose emergency landing leaves his passengers facing danger on the ground. To protect them, he must work with a prisoner who was being transported on the flight.

King highlighted the action thriller in March 2023, linking it to the aviation-terror theme of Flight or Fright, the anthology he co-edited with Bev Vincent.

Plane is a straightforward choice for an action night: a survival problem, an uneasy partnership, and escalating threats.

7. Billy Elliot (2000)

Billy Elliot follows a boy in a northern English mining community who discovers a passion for ballet while his family faces the pressures of the miners’ strike.

In an Entertainment Weekly column reproduced by the Stephen King Fanclub, King included it among films he considered real classics.

Its place here offers a change of pace. Rather than scares or elaborate action, the film centers on ambition, family expectations, and the courage to pursue an unexpected future. This recommendation concerns the original movie, not the later stage musical.

8. Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb turns the threat of nuclear catastrophe into a dark political comedy.

Despite his objections to Kubrick’s The Shining, King has identified Dr. Strangelove as a film that means a great deal to him.

It is an appealing choice if you enjoy satire that becomes more unsettling as its absurdity grows. The danger comes from human decisions and institutions rather than a supernatural villain.

9. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker follows a U.S. Army bomb-disposal team during the Iraq War, focusing on the strain and risks of its work.

King placed it first on his best films of 2009 list. The dates can cause confusion: the film premiered in 2008 and received its U.S. theatrical release in 2009.

For viewers drawn to suspense, its appeal is clear. A routine task can become life-threatening, and the soldiers’ conflicting attitudes toward danger add tension beyond the explosives themselves.

10. Dementia 13 (1963)

Francis Ford Coppola’s Dementia 13 combines family secrets, an inheritance scheme, and murder in a Gothic setting.

In the same column that mentioned Billy Elliot, King praised its atmosphere and horror. His enthusiasm makes it a useful discovery for viewers interested in older genre films and the early work of a major director.

The recommendation refers to Coppola’s 1963 original, rather than the 2017 remake. Try it if you want a compact horror thriller with a sinister family mystery.

Which Stephen King Recommendation Should You Watch First?

Your best starting point depends on what you enjoy. For supernatural horror, choose Doctor Sleep or Final Destination. For action, try Plane. If you want a series to settle into, start Money Heist.

For a change of mood, Billy Elliot offers a coming-of-age story, while Dr. Strangelove delivers biting satire. The range is what makes this selection interesting: King’s recommendations can lead you toward a familiar scare or somewhere entirely unexpected.

Which of these movies and shows have you watched, and which would you recommend? Let us know in the comments. Until next time, happy reading and watching!

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