The Most Popular Stephen King Book, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the book you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:50
In the realm of horror and suspense, one author has consistently captured the fascination of readers with a prolific array of narratives that chill to the bone. For fans and newcomers alike, choosing which book to dive into next can be daunting given the extensive library of options. Knowing the most popular Stephen King books as voted by fellow readers can serve as a guiding light, helping to prioritize which dark corners of his mind to explore first.
This live ranking system offers a dynamic and interactive way for fans to cast their votes and see how their favorite novels stack up against others in real time. By participating, users not only contribute to the accuracy of the ranking but also find themselves part of a larger community of enthusiasts. Let your voice be heard and help determine which of these captivating stories resonates the most with audiences around the world.
What Is the Most Popular Stephen King Book?
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163votes
The Shining
Stephen KingThis book is considered one of Stephen King's best works, and it also became a successful film adaptation. The story follows a family that moves into a haunted hotel, and the father's descent into madness.The Shining is a horror novel written by Stephen King. It was first published in 1977 and has since become one of King's most popular and enduring works. The story follows the Torrance family, who move to the remote Overlook Hotel where the father, Jack, has taken a job as the winter caretaker. As the family experiences the isolation and supernatural events within the hotel, Jack's sanity deteriorates, and his son Danny's psychic abilities, known as 'the shining', become more powerful and revealing. The Shining explores themes of madness, family dynamics, and the influence of dark forces.- Publication Year: 1977
- Genre: Horror
- Setting: Overlook Hotel
- Main Characters: Jack Torrance, Wendy Torrance, Danny Torrance, Dick Hallorann
- Themes: Madness, Isolation, Supernatural, Family Dynamics
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232votesThis novel is known for its terrifying portrayal of a shape-shifting monster that preys on children in a small town. The book has also been adapted into successful films and TV series.The word 'it' is a pronoun in the English language that is used as a neutral third-person singular pronoun. It serves as a substitute for a noun or noun phrase when referring to something that has already been mentioned or is understood from the context. 'It' is known for its versatility and frequent usage in various contexts.
- Part of Speech: Pronoun
- Singular/Plural: Singular
- Gender: Neutral
- Case: Nominative, Objective
- Antecedent: Refers back to a noun or noun phrase
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320votes
Stussll · CC BY-SA 4.0The Stand
Mother MotherThis post-apocalyptic novel follows a group of survivors of a deadly virus that wiped out most of the world's population. It's considered one of King's most epic works.The Stand is one of the most popular songs by Mother Mother. It is an alternative rock song characterized by its energetic and catchy melodies, combined with emotional and thought-provoking lyrics. The song was released as a single on September 13, 2021.- Genre: Alternative rock
- Release Date: September 13, 2021
- Length: 3 minutes and 32 seconds
- Album: Single release
- Lyrics by: Ryan Guldemond
The Stand in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Mother Mother song
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419votesKing's first published novel, Carrie, is a classic horror story about a teenage girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied at school.Carrie is a psychological horror novel written by Stephen King. It tells the story of Carrie White, a high school girl with telekinetic powers, who is relentlessly bullied by her classmates and oppressed by her religiously fanatic mother. As Carrie's powers grow stronger, she seeks revenge on those who have wronged her, culminating in a horrifying climax.
- Genre: Psychological horror
- Publication: April 5, 1974
- Setting: Chamberlain, Maine, USA
- Main Protagonist: Carrie White
- Themes: Bullying, Religion, Power, Revenge
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513votes
Pet Sematary
Stephen KingThis novel is known for its chilling depiction of death and the supernatural. It follows a family who discovers a burial ground that can bring the dead back to life.Pet Sematary is a horror novel written by Stephen King. It tells the story of the Creed family who moves to a rural town and inadvertently discovers a burial ground with the power to bring the dead back to life. As they face tragedy, they are tempted to use the burial ground, leading to catastrophic consequences.- Genre: Horror
- Publication Year: 1983
- Page Count: 374
- Main Characters: Louis Creed, Rachel Creed, Ellie Creed, Gage Creed, Jud Crandall
- Setting: Ludlow, Maine, USA
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616votesThis psychological horror novel follows a famous writer who is kidnapped and tortured by his biggest fan. The book was adapted into a successful film starring Kathy Bates.Misery is a psychological thriller novel written by Stephen King. It tells the story of famous author Paul Sheldon who gets trapped in the remote home of his self-proclaimed number one fan, Annie Wilkes, after a car accident. Annie is a mentally disturbed woman who becomes increasingly obsessed with Paul and his fictional character, Misery Chastain. As Paul's confinement becomes more desperate, he realizes he must find a way to escape before Annie's twisted actions consume him.
- Genre: Psychological thriller/horror
- Publication year: 1987
- Setting: Colorado, USA
- Main characters: Paul Sheldon, Annie Wilkes
- Themes: Obsession, captivity, writer's block
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712votes
Salem's Lot
Stephen KingThis novel is King's take on the vampire genre, following a writer who returns to his hometown to investigate a series of vampire attacks.Salem's Lot is a horror novel written by Stephen King. It was first published in 1975 and has since become one of King's most popular and influential works. The story takes place in the small town of Jerusalem's Lot, which becomes infested with vampires after the arrival of a mysterious antiques dealer. As the townspeople are gradually turned into vampires, a group of survivors, including a writer named Ben Mears, must fight to save their town and destroy the vampire menace.- Publication Year: 1975
- Genre: Horror
- Setting: Jerusalem's Lot, a small town
- Protagonist: Ben Mears, a writer
- Major Theme: Vampirism and its consequences
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810votesThis novel takes a departure from King's typical horror genre, following a man who goes back in time to prevent the assassination of JFK.11/22/63 is a novel written by Stephen King. It explores the concept of time travel as Jake Epping, a high school teacher, goes back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. This thrilling book combines elements of historical fiction, science fiction, and suspense, captivating readers with its intriguing plot and character development.
- Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction/Science Fiction
- Publication Date: November 8, 2011
- Pages: 849
- Setting: Maine, Texas, and 1960s United States
- Main Characters: Jake Epping, Sadie Dunhill, George Amberson, Lee Harvey Oswald
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95votes
The Dark Tower series
Stephen KingThis epic fantasy series spans eight novels and follows a gunslinger on a quest to find the Dark Tower, which holds the key to saving the universe.The Dark Tower series is a complex blend of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and western genres. It consists of eight novels written by Stephen King, the celebrated American author.- Number of Books: 8
- Publication Years: 1982-2012
- Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Western
- Main Protagonist: Roland Deschain, The Gunslinger
- Setting: A post-apocalyptic world with parallel universes
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103votes
Doctor Sleep
Stephen KingThis novel is a sequel to The Shining, following an adult Danny Torrance who uses his psychic abilities to help dying patients.Doctor Sleep is a supernatural horror novel written by Stephen King. It serves as a sequel to King's 1977 novel, The Shining. The story follows an adult Dan Torrance, who is now known as Doctor Sleep, as he battles a group of supernatural beings that feed on children with the shining abilities. When a young girl with immense powers named Abra crosses his path, he becomes her mentor and protector, guiding her against a cult known as the True Knot, who seek to exploit her powers for immortality.- Genre: Supernatural Horror
- Publication Year: 2013
- Pages: 531
- Setting: Various locations in the United States
- Protagonist: Dan Torrance / Doctor Sleep
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Ranking factors for popular book
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ReviewsReviews can play a big role in how popular a Stephen King book is. Positive reviews from critics and readers alike can help propel a book to popularity.
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AdaptationsPopular adaptations of Stephen King's books, such as movies or television series, can also contribute to a book's popularity.
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Cultural ImpactSome of Stephen King's books have had a distinct cultural impact, which can contribute to their popularity. For example, books such as It or The Shining have become cultural touchstones in their own right.
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TimelessnessFinally, books that have stood the test of time and continue to be read and enjoyed by new generations are generally considered to be highly popular.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Stephen King book. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or book is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2100 views
- 189 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each book once every 24 hours. The rank of each book is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular stephen king book
Stephen King is a prolific author with a career spanning over four decades. He has written over 60 novels, many of which have been adapted into films and television series. King's books are known for their gripping plots, complex characters, and supernatural elements.
Among his most popular works are "The Shining," "Carrie," and "It." These books have become cultural touchstones, inspiring countless adaptations and influencing popular culture in numerous ways.
In this poll, we aim to determine which of Stephen King's books is the most beloved among fans. With so many classic titles to choose from, it's sure to be a heated debate. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to King's work, this poll is sure to provide some fascinating insights into the author's enduring legacy.
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