Stephen King’s 10 Favorite Movies Might Surprise You

Horror master Stephen King has given us decades of nightmares, but when it comes to watching movies, his taste is actually a lot more classic than creepy. The author just shared his 10 all-time favorite films online, and it’s a lineup that would make any film buff nod in approval.

Here’s King’s list, in no particular order:

• “Sorcerer” (1977)
• “The Godfather Part II” (1974)
• “The Getaway” (1972)
• “Groundhog Day” (1993)
• “Casablanca” (1942)
• “Treasure of the Sierra Madre” (1948)
• “Jaws” (1975)
• “Mean Streets” (1973)
• “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977)
• “Double Indemnity” (1944)

It’s a mix of crime dramas, Hollywood classics, and a few that show King’s soft spot for suspense and human nature. You can definitely see the fingerprints of these films in his own work, from the paranoia in “Sorcerer” to the small-town dynamics in “Jaws.”

Interestingly, King left off any movies based on his own novels, though he couldn’t resist giving a nod to four fan favorites: “Misery,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Stand by Me,” and “The Green Mile.” Each of those films earned critical praise, with “Shawshank” in particular often topping “best movies of all time” lists.

What makes King’s list fun is how eclectic it is. He’s clearly drawn to stories about flawed characters, moral dilemmas, and a bit of the surreal. “Groundhog Day” might feel like the odd one out, but then again, the idea of reliving the same day over and over has a psychological twist that fits right into King’s wheelhouse.

Fans have been quick to react online, with many praising his picks as “spot on” while others joked that they expected more horror. But maybe that’s the point. When your day job is scaring people, maybe you just want to relax with “Casablanca” or “The Godfather Part II”???

So if you’re looking for a Stephen King-approved movie marathon, you’ve got your list. Just don’t watch “Jaws” right before a beach trip.