10 Stephen King Shows To Watch if You Love ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’
Stephen King-approved TV adaptations to explore after IT: Welcome to Derry: – The Shining (1997 miniseries): King wrote the teleplay himself to reclaim his story from Stanley Kubrick's film; it's the most faithful adaptation, offering slow-burn psychological horror at the Overlook Hotel. – Under the Dome: A high-concept sci-fi/horror series where a town is sealed under an impenetrable dome; King wrote parts and served as executive producer, exploring paranoia and isolation. – The Institute: A 2025 adaptation of King's 2019 novel about telekinetic children held captive in a mysterious facility; critics have praised the performances and atmospheric tension.
- IT: Welcome to Derry is HBO's third-most streamed debut, and King has endorsed it.
- The Shining miniseries is King's own adaptation to reclaim the story from Kubrick.
- Under the Dome and The Institute are recent King adaptations with strong critical reception.
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Stephen King is one of the world's most prolific horror authors, whose books and short stories have been adapted for television and film numerous times over several decades. His work ranges across psychological horror, supernatural stories, and science fiction, often set in small-town America and exploring themes of isolation and fear.
King is notably hands-on with his screen adaptations, frequently writing screenplays himself or serving as an executive producer to protect his creative vision. His direct involvement means his television shows often capture the character development and atmospheric tension that characterise his novels more successfully than productions where he has little say.
Television has proved particularly well-suited to King's storytelling style, allowing the extended running time needed for his slowly-building narratives and ensemble casts. As a result, his television adaptations span a wide range of subgenres and styles, giving audiences different entry points into his body of work.