The Mist

Based off the short story in King’s compilation, Skeleton Crew, The Mist is adapted into film by director Frank Darabont. Starring Thomas Jane, the film is made on am $18 million budget and grosses $57.3 million in the box office. Darabont took a risk by rewritting the screenplay’s ending to tear away from King’s original vision. To his surprise, King praised the ending, describing it as one that would be unsettling in studios.

The ending is such a jolt—wham! It’s frightening. The story is less about the monsters outside than about the monsters inside, the people you’re stuck with, your friends and neighbors breaking under the strain.