Stephen King’s Carrie: The Bestseller That Outshone The Shining
Stephen King’s stories have become box office hits, but one of his earliest novels quietly became his most lucrative, inspiring two major film adaptations and a new series. Find out which tale left the biggest mark.
When it comes to authors whose work has made a splash on the big screen, Stephen King is right up there. While most punters immediately think of IT or The Shining, there’s another story that’s quietly outdone them all in terms of sales and screen success: Carrie.
Box Office Success: Carrie’s Two Film Adaptations
King’s debut novel, Carrie, has been adapted for the screen twice, and both versions pulled in strong numbers at the box office. The 1976 film, directed by Brian De Palma, scored a 7.4/10 on IMDb and a whopping 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. The 2013 remake, helmed by Kimberly Peirce, didn’t fare quite as well with critics, landing a 5.8/10 on IMDb and a 51% Rotten Tomatoes score, but still managed to draw plenty of attention from horror fans.
Both films brought King’s unsettling tale of a bullied schoolgirl with telekinetic powers to life, each with its own take on the story’s infamous prom night. The original starred Sissy Spacek and John Travolta, while the newer version featured Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore.
Sales Figures: Carrie Leads King’s Bestsellers
First published in 1974, Carrie quickly became a phenomenon, shifting over 4 million copies worldwide. The story’s unique structure—told through newspaper clippings and interviews—helped it stand out from the crowd. The plot follows a shy teenager, tormented at school and at home, who discovers her telekinetic abilities and unleashes them in a dramatic act of revenge.
According to sales data, Carrie sits at the top of King’s bestsellers, even ahead of The Shining (over 1 million copies), The Stand (1.5 million), Pet Sematary (2 million), and IT (2.5 million). Only The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger, released in 1982, has sold more, with over 5 million copies snapped up by readers.
New Adaptation: Carrie Returns on Amazon
After two successful film outings, Carrie is set to make a comeback, this time as a series on Amazon Prime Video. Mike Flanagan, known for his work on Doctor Sleep, is on board as executive producer, showrunner, and writer for the eight-episode project. Flanagan will also direct select episodes, bringing his knack for unsettling storytelling back to King’s universe.
The original 1976 film, directed by De Palma, featured a cast that included Amy Irving, Piper Laurie, and Nancy Allen alongside Spacek and Travolta. The 2013 version brought a fresh cast and a modern spin, but both adaptations kept the core of King’s chilling narrative intact.
Beyond Carrie: King’s Other Chilling Tales
While Carrie, The Shining, and The Dark Tower have all made waves, King’s catalogue is packed with other gripping reads. Revival explores questions of faith, Insomnia follows a man drawn into a surreal struggle with otherworldly forces, and Salem’s Lot offers a gothic horror twist with a young boy’s encounter with a vampire.
King’s ability to blend everyday fears with supernatural elements has kept readers and viewers coming back for decades. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just dipping your toes into his work, there’s no shortage of stories to keep you up at night.
Carrie (1976) and Carrie (2013) are currently available to stream on FuboTV and MGM+.