2 Stephen King horror fictions adapted on the big screen

The name Stephen Edward King is synonymous with horror fiction, as most of you might already know. This American fiction author is, in fact, best known for his stories with themes of supernaturalism, fantasy, suspense, thrill and crime. Over the years, he has made a niche for himself as a storyteller who specialises in penning the scariest of narratives. In fact, his works of fiction have been so popular that many of them have been adapted to the big screen. Here are two of his most frightening stories that were made into movies.  

A horror masterpiece: The Shining 
Published by: Doubleday 
Year of publication: 1977 
According to King, The Shining was greatly influenced by his contemporary Shirley Jackson’s horror novel, The Haunting of Hill House. However, King’s horror fiction became a best-selling book overnight. As a result, it was soon adapted into a movie of the same name in 1980.  

The plot is about aspiring author Jack Torrance, who along with his wife Wendy and son Danny, shift to the remote Overlook Hotel, where he has been hired as a caretaker. While struggling author Jack hopes to get over his alcoholism and finish his novel, fate has other plans. As it happens, the family soon realises that their new home is haunted by ghosts of previous guests. Unable to adapt to the horrifying state of affairs, Jack soon starts losing his sanity. Seeing his father turn helpless and dangerous, Danny tries to battle the situation using his hidden psychic powers. Today, the book is regarded as a gothic and psychological masterpiece.  

Tale of a Killer Dog: Cujo 
Published by: Viking Press 
Year of publication: 1981 
Considered one of the most horrifying stories ever told, Cujo deals with a loving and once-friendly family pet that turns into a killer dog. Set in Castle Rock, the protagonist Joe Camber’s pet dog, a huge St. Bernard, unfortunately, gets bitten by a bat infected with rabies. Following this all hell breaks loose in the castle. His guest, Donna Trenton, an abandoned wife of a workaholic, gets involved when she gets trapped with the monstrous dog Cujo in her car with her young son Tad. What makes the novel so famous is its theme of children in jeopardy.  

The story, as per King, was inspired by a growling St. Bernard whom he had encountered (and been attacked by) during one of his weekend motorcycle trips. The book was adapted onto the big screen in 1983.  

This is not the first time King made one of his real-life experiences into a novel. Apparently, the movie Stand by Me, adapted from King’s book The Body, too is largely inspired from his childhood.