Stephen King and Mike Flanagan: The Review Darlings That Box Office Ignores!

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Summary

  • Mike Flanagan excels at adapting Stephen King’s works, earning stellar reviews yet struggling at the box office.
  • Doctor Sleep and The Life of Chuck have been well-received, but audiences didn’t show up.
  • Flanagan’s talent shines in TV, and he has multiple King adaptations on the way.

Why does every movie adaptation of Stephen King’s works directed by Mike Flanagan receive excellent critiques but struggle to perform well financially? Stephen King is renowned for his horror novels, some of which have been successfully adapted into films such as “The Shining,” “Carrie,” and “It.” However, not all adaptations of his work are successful, with examples like the numerous “Children of the Corn” sequels and the film adaptation of “The Dark Tower” featuring Idris Elba being less popular.

As a cinema enthusiast, I must admit that Mike Flanagan seems to grasp the essence of Stephen King like no other filmmaker. His accomplishments span across shows such as “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass”, horror films including “Oculus” and “Ouija: Origin of Evil”. Interestingly, his adaptations of King’s works have led to an intriguing divide between the perceived quality and the success they’ve garnered.

Mike Flanagan and Stephen King Seem Like A Match Made In Heaven

In 2017, Flanagan dipped his toes into the world of Stephen King for the first time with Netflix’s production of ‘Gerald’s Game’. This chilling psychological thriller revolves around a woman who finds herself handcuffed to a bed after her husband dies suddenly, leaving no help in reach. Although it bypassed the box office as a streaming release, it was critically acclaimed with a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In 2019, Flanagan revisited King’s work once more, providing a continuation to The Shining titled Doctor Sleep. This film served as a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s chilling horror masterpiece, which King famously found displeasing. Despite this, King appreciated Flanagan’s craftsmanship, particularly the meticulous attention given to restoring the Overlook Hotel in the movie. Critics and audiences alike were captivated by Doctor Sleep, praising it as one of the finest adaptations of King’s literary works.

Lately, the director delved back into Stephen King’s literature through the story titled “The Life of Chuck“. Unlike previous adaptations such as “Gerald’s Game” and “Doctor Sleep“, this new work is a fantasy drama. In fact, Mike Flanagan has demonstrated his skill in this genre before with the movie “Before I Wake“. Critics have praised “The Life of Chuck“, appreciating Flanagan’s ability to capture King’s cosmic existentialism, a trait that Flanagan is recognized for in terms of character development.

Flanagan Understands King, But Audiences Aren’t Showing Up

Whenever Flanagan directed a Stephen King story, the movies were critically acclaimed and popular among audiences. In fact, all three of these films received rave reviews. Although various genres are at play, both Flanagan’s and King’s fans have been left in awe. As a result, it’s no surprise that these films achieved commercial success, particularly given the reprisal of well-known stories like The Shining. However, it appears that when they join forces, their collaborations tend to underperform at the box office.

As a dedicated cinephile, I must admit that the production of “Doctor Sleep” boasted an impressive budget of $45 million, a figure that speaks volumes about its breathtaking visuals and stellar cast. Yet, when you factor in marketing expenses, the film was deemed a box office underperformer, grossing only $72 million globally. While some viewers might have viewed a sequel to “The Shining” as blasphemy, it stemmed from a King novel nonetheless. With Flanagan commanding his own legion of devoted fans, one would expect “Doctor Sleep” to be a far greater success, particularly within the horror genre.

In my humble opinion as a film critic, “The Life of Chuck” is now gracing our cinemas, yet it seems to struggle in drawing the crowds despite garnering favorable reviews. The promotional efforts for this movie were rather subdued, which might have hindered its potential success. This underwhelming box office performance currently hovers around $8.3 million, as I pen these words.

The scant marketing could be attributed to the creators venturing into a new genre, potentially making it a tough sell for some audiences who were accustomed to different styles. However, with its glowing reviews and the exceptional talent involved in “The Life of Chuck,” it mirrors the underappreciated box office performance of “Doctor Sleep.” This film truly deserves more recognition from cinemagoers.

Flanagan Has Plenty Of Success On TV, Where His King Works Can Thrive

In the world of television, Flanagan has enjoyed numerous triumphs, with shows like “The Haunting of Hill House” and “The Haunting of Bly Manor” receiving critical acclaim on Netflix. Moreover, his success continues in the short miniseries format, as demonstrated by “Midnight Mass” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Additionally, Flanagan made history by setting a Guinness World Record for the most jump scares in a single TV episode with the premiere of “The Midnight Club.

Mike Flanagan is making a comeback to television by adapting more works of Stephen King. Specifically, he’s turning “Carrie” into a TV show for Amazon, which is currently in the process of casting characters. This new adaptation will offer a fresh perspective on King’s writing and provide an ideal format for Flanagan, who has achieved significant successes in this medium. Additionally, Flanagan is developing a TV series based on “The Dark Tower” by Stephen King, as well as plans for a new “Exorcist” movie.

Stephen King’s works are skillfully handled by Flanagan, promising more exceptional feedback in future ventures. Their teamwork is anticipated to deliver captivating content for enthusiasts to enjoy. A transition of these adaptations to television appears most advantageous for success as it frees Flanagan from box office pressures, enabling the series to thrive with impressive reviews.

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2025-07-04 17:05