Since the 1970s, the name Stephen King has essentially been synonymous with horror: one of the best-selling authors of the 20th century, he has written not only dramatic short stories but also modern horror classics. With so many of his works in the world, it is no wonder that Hollywood studios are eager to adapt his work for the screen. However, not all Stephen King films and television series are created equal. In fact, there is a huge quality gap between his best and his worst, but whether the problem lies in the original work or the adapted screenplay is debatable. As we enter the spooky season, here are some of the most chilling Stephen King adaptations available for streaming online.

There have been several adaptations of Stephen King's 1979 novel Salem's Lot, but the original 1979 miniseries is by far the best. Starring David Soul as writer Ben Mears, who lives in his childhood home of Maine (where else?), the film is a tale of a young man's journey into the world of the horror genre, and his attempts to find his way home. Directed by Tobe Hooper, the director of the horror film milestones “Operation Texas Chainsaw” and “Poltergeist,” the film is a masterpiece. Above all, the unforgettable and disturbing sequence in which the Glick brothers, now vampires, eerily float outside a neighborhood boy's window and beckon him to let them in is worthy of praise.

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Unlike many other Stephen King adaptations, “Castle Rock” was not directly derived from one particular book, but rather a setting that the author has recycled in several books. the TV series distributed on Hulu, ” Castle Rock” provided an opportunity to bring together many of his most popular characters and stories. There will be no other opportunity for Annie from Misery, played by Lizzy Caplan, to appear with the characters from Shawshank Prison. Although Castle Rock only ran for two seasons, it was a show that made creative and imaginative use of Stephen King's characters and horror-filled landscapes.

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One of Stephen King's early novels, “Carrie,” dominated the most effective anti-bullying campaign in recent years. Sissy Spacek plays Carrie, a teenage girl with telekinetic powers. She is ruthlessly bullied by her classmates and abused by her sexually repressive mother. When the kids at school plan a cruel prank on her at prom, she loses control of her powers, with tragic consequences. With enough psycho-sexual content to make Sigmund Freud tremble, “Carrie” left a powerful impression on audiences and served as a calling card for a young Stephen King as a horror writer to watch.

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Sometimes fame isn't everything--with a group of admirers comes a large fan base that is more trouble than it's worth. Such is the case in Misery, in which writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is saved from a car accident by mild-mannered Annie (Kathy Bates). She is a good friend, for his injuries could have been fatal had she not brought him home and tended to him. But it soon becomes clear that she is obsessed with his most famous series of novels and is willing to go to some pretty extreme measures to get the story to end the way she wants it to. Kathy Bates dominates the film as Annie, winning an Oscar, which is incredibly rare for a horror film.

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When it was announced that IT: When You See “It”, It's Over was being remade for the big screen, King fans had mixed emotions. A Hollywood version might solve some of the problems that plagued the 1990 miniseries, but would it be able to surpass Tim Curry's delightfully twisted performance as Pennywise? Enter Bill Skarsgard. Alexander Skarsgard's brother effortlessly makes the character his own, giving the central antagonist a more animalistic performance. With a talented young cast and genuine scares, IT: When You See “It,” It's Over is one of the most accomplished of Stephen King's film adaptations. Let's hope he doesn't squander all this good reception with a disappointingly overlong sequel.

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Adaptations of Stephen King's work have always been charmingly vulgar, but not so with “The Shining,” helmed by legendary director Stanley Kubrick. When Jack (Jack Nicholson) moves with his family to a secluded cabin to serve as caretaker during the off-season, he thinks it will be a well-deserved vacation. And it is, in a sense - or at least an escape from reality. The Overlook Hotel has a spirit and evil energy all its own, and it doesn't take long for Jack, his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd) to have nightmarish hallucinations. It is certainly one of Stephen King's most unabashed film adaptations.

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You know the guy who loves cars. That's basically Christine. In this film, geeky Ernie Cunningham (Keith Gordon) buys and restores a vintage 1950s sports car, and his destiny changes. There's just one problem - it's a very cursed car. At first, the car gives him a newfound confidence, but soon it begins to antagonize everyone in his life. Christine, this car he calls it, is murderously jealous of everyone who stands between him and Ernie, and acts accordingly. As Ernie becomes more and more obsessed with Christine, there seems to be no stopping the horrifying twosome--unless he is somehow freed from the spell. It may not be John Carpenter's best horror film, but it is certainly one of his most enjoyable.

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