Stephen King

In the wind down from Halloween season this list is a tribute to movies based on stories by the king of horror - Stephen King. 

1. The Shining; Stanley Kubrick Click here to see trailer

Definitely one of the best horror films ever made, this film follows Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) who moves to an empty snowed-in hotel for the winter with his wife and son. The longer they stay there, the more Jack succumbs to the haunts of the hotel and he starts to terrorize his young family. This one is more of a tribute to the director Stanley Kubrick and his amazing set design, soundtrack and camera techniques which made the novel truly come to life, as the acclaimed writer didn't actually enjoy this rendition at all. 

2. Gerald's Game; Mike Flanagan Click here to see trailer

Such a simple premise. Jessie (Carla Gugino) and Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) attempt to spice up their love life by using handcuffs - but everything is ruined when Gerald has a heart attack and dies, leaving Jessie trapped and vulnerable. With a storyline like this you'd expect another Buried style one location, one character, one boring movie. But this is much much more, with flashbacks to Jessie's younger self, a dog that savagely feasts on the dead body of her husband, hallucinations of her stronger self, and a 'moonman'; this film is terrifying, triumphant, and disturbing. 

3. Carrie; Brian De Palma Click here to see trailer

Less scary and more disturbing, this is the story of naive Carrie (Sissy Spacek) who lives with her over-controlling and downright despicable mother. As a result Carrie is relentlessly picked on at school - but her peers and community don't know what she is actually capable of. The film turns from teen angst into a mass of explosions, blood, and murder. 

4. The Shawshank Redemption; Frank Darabont Click here to see trailer

For a good reason, this is IMDB's most highly rated movie. When Andy Dufresne's (Tim Robbins) wife and her lover are murdered in his bed, he doesn't convince the court of his innocence and is sentenced to life in prison. He makes a name for himself as being quiet but strong, friendly but takes no shit, and extremely intelligent. 

5. Misery; Rob Reiner Click here to see trailer

Before American Horror Story, Kathy Bates showed her horrifying potential as the obsessive and violent Annie Wilkes. Famous novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) crashes his car near the superfan's home and she 'nurses' him back to health. Yet when she learns he has killed of the lead character in the novels, things take a turn and Paul has to fight for his life. 

6. The Mist; Frank Darabont Click here to see trailer

With one of the most talked about plot twists of all time, this thriller either enthralled or infuriated audiences alike. When a mysterious mist and terrifying monsters encircle a small town, the people have to choose to either stay and fight or to run and hide. David (Thomas Jane) and his young son work with the townsfolk to hatch a plan - that basically goes wrong at every turn. 

7. Children of the Corn; Fritz Kiersch Click here to see trailer

This is a movie praised for being kitsch, not for being well-made, but with a premise this ridiculous you can't expect much. A young couple move across states to start their new life and new jobs, but when they find a dead body in the middle of the road their trip is suddenly dampened. When searching for police, they come across a town full of children - and very creepy children at that, and now must try and escape before it's too late. 

8. 1408; Mikael Hafstrom Click here to see trailer

Mike (John Cusack) has made a name for himself debunking and disproving claims of supernatural beings. When he hears of the notoriously dangerous hotel room, 1408, he doesn't think twice about stay the night despite the horrors which have previously taken place in the room. Pretty quickly Mike sees why the room has this reputation.