King on Screen

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1:47

King on Screen

2023

1h 15m

Documentary

Biography

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Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

1976, Brian de Palma directs Carrie, the first novel by Stephen King. Since then, more than 50 directors have adapted the master of horror's books, in more than 80 films and series, making him the most adapted author alive in the world. What's so fascinating about him that filmmakers cannot stop adapting his works? KING ON SCREEN reunites the filmmakers that have adapted Stephen King's books for cinema and TV, including Frank Darabont (Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Walking Dead), Tom Holland (The Langoliers, Chucky), Mick Garris (The Stand, Sleepwalkers) and Taylor Hackford (Dolores Claiborne, Ray). It is a movie made for the fans and with the fans, led by an international ambition.

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Brian Lowry

CNN.com

Almost inadvertently, though, this new documentary highlights what a mixed bag all those productions have yielded, with insights into where and how King-inspired productions shine, and where they haven’t.

Aug 15, 2023

Full Review

Meagan Navarro

Bloody Disgusting

While Baiwir successfully underscores how prolific King and his adapted works remain, King’s expansive output presents a tricky hurdle for the director to connect the interviews and talking points to a cohesive throughline.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 10, 2023

Full Review

Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

Baiwir assesses King’s work through the medium of adaptation, turning for insightful commentary to nearly all the directors who have converted his writing to cinema, in a whistle-stop tour of this prolific, often prescient author’s œuvre.

Jun 19, 2023

Full Review

Rebecca Sayce

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

From the uninitiated to the hardened King fan, the documentary has something for everyone as it covers everything from the beginning of his career to his more recent works, and delves into how he has influenced genre cinema and TV every step of the way.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 24, 2025

Full Review

Lee Zumpe

Tampa Bay Newspapers

The documentary never fully engages the viewer. Baiwir fails to impart her enthusiasm for King’s work and for the dedication of so many filmmakers who have helmed King adaptations.

Oct 26, 2023

Full Review

Daniel M. Kimmel

North Shore Movies

In spite of its shortcomings, “King On Screen” is a film that fans of the author and/or the film versions will find fascinating. Consider this the start of the conversation rather than the final word on the subject.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 11, 2023

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nilufer e

Even though I'm one of Stephen King's biggest fans I didn't enjoy this documentary as much as I wanted to. It was poorly directed and didn't give me much new information.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Valerii Ege D

A good documentary for those who love Stephen King's adaptations. It was a documentary in which I learned things I didn't know, learned the details of what I knew, and had very enjoyable details, especially regarding my research.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/24/23

Full Review

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Daphné Baiwir

Director

Frank Darabont

Self

Mick Garris

Self

Mike Flanagan

Self

Tom Holland

Self

Vincenzo Natali

Self

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King on Screen: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

1976, Brian de Palma directs Carrie, the first novel by Stephen King. Since then, more than 50 directors have adapted the master of horror's books, in more than 80 films and series, making him the most adapted author alive in the world. What's so fascinating about him that filmmakers cannot stop adapting his works? KING ON SCREEN reunites the filmmakers that have adapted Stephen King's books for cinema and TV, including Frank Darabont (Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Walking Dead), Tom Holland (The Langoliers, Chucky), Mick Garris (The Stand, Sleepwalkers) and Taylor Hackford (Dolores Claiborne, Ray). It is a movie made for the fans and with the fans, led by an international ambition.

Director: Daphné Baiwir
Producer: Sebastien Cruz, Jean-Yves Roubin
Distributor: Dark Star Pictures
Production Co: Da Yamms Entertainment, Shamans Films, Frakas Productions, Les Films de la Plage, FilmCore, Mr Salmon Films
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 8, 2023
Runtime: 1h 15m

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