The All-Time Greatest Works Of Stephen King

Ranker Community
Updated March 1, 2025 277.4K views 73 items

Facebook

Twitter

Copy link

Ranked By
151.9K votes
13.7K voters
33 reranks
Voting Rules

Must be books written by Stephen King and published under either his name or his pseudonym.

Fans of spine-chilling fiction have heard of Stephen King, arguably the most famous horror author with a slew of best selling novels under his belt. Few authors can rival King's storytelling prowess, which is why discovering or rereading his best books is an irresistible quest. With an extensive body of work adored by fans and celebrated by critics, King has cemented himself as one of the very best writers of all time. Even his less popular offerings are guaranteed to be good. From horror stories to psychological thrillers, each page-turner is a testament to King's skill at weaving captivating tales. 

Examining some of the outstanding, oft-recommended King books demonstrates how effectively he weaves tales across genres without losing his distinctive touch. Each chilling story shows his versatility while maintaining his signature flair. As readers journey through these narratives, they are drawn into realms where terror lurks just beneath the surface, keeping them enthralled from cover to cover. 

Standing out among King's impressive collection of books are novels such as The Shining, It, and Pet Sematary, three of his most popular. These bestsellers demonstrate what makes his writing so bewitching: unforgettable characters, nerve-racking plots, and eerie atmospheres that stick with readers long after they've turned the final page. In The Shining, readers explore a haunted hotel that exploits its occupants' deepest fears; It follows childhood friends confronting an unspeakable evil tormenting their small town. And who could forget Pet Sematary, which delves into the sinister consequences of meddling with supernatural forces? These thrilling adventures are just a small fraction of Stephen King's classic tales. While we all have our favorite story, and most of us will never tackle every one of his haunting reads, there are plenty more exceptional titles just waiting to be discovered.  

King's many thrillers have all of the elements that make such works unforgettable and some of the scariest within their genre, so ranking them may feel like a lofty challenge. Spanning decades and traversing diverse themes and settings, each novel proves how powerful storytelling can ignite the imagination and stir emotions. There's no doubt King's work will remain influential and admired for generations to come. For the definitive list of Stephen King books ranked and ready to peruse, simply scroll down and enjoy readers' top picks.

Ranked by
  • The Shining
    1
    1977
    5,770 votes
    • Author: Stephen King
    • Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Children's literature, Horror Film, Fiction, Gothic fiction
  • It
    2
    1986
    6,816 votes
    • Author: Stephen King
    • Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Horror Film
  • The Green Mile
    3
    1996
    4,420 votes
    • Author: Stephen King
    • Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Horror Film, Fantasy
  • The Stand
    4
    1978
    6,449 votes
    • Author: Stephen King
    • Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, Children's literature, Horror Film, Fiction
  • Pet Sematary
    5
    1983
    4,759 votes
    • Author: Stephen King
    • Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Suspense, Horror Film, Fiction
  • 'Salem's Lot
    6
    1975
    4,542 votes
    • Author: Stephen King
    • Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Horror Film, Gothic fiction