Introduction
Stephen King, the master of horror, has captivated readers for over five decades with his chilling tales, unforgettable characters, and genre-defying storytelling. With over 60 novels, numerous novellas, and countless short stories, his bibliography is a treasure trove for fans and newcomers alike. Whether you’re a lifelong fan looking to revisit classics or a new reader wondering where to start, this guide to Stephen King books in order is your ultimate resource. From his debut novel Carrie to his latest releases, we’ve compiled a chronological list of his works, including novels, novellas, short story collections, and key series. Bookmark this page, share it with fellow King fans, and dive into the eerie, thrilling world of Stephen King!
Who Is Stephen King?
Stephen King is a literary icon whose name is synonymous with horror, suspense, and storytelling excellence. Born in 1947 in Portland, Maine, King has published over 65 novels and 200 short stories, selling more than 350 million books worldwide. His Stephen King bibliography spans horror, suspense, fantasy, and science fiction, with standout works like The Shining, It, and The Stand cementing his legacy. Many of his novels have been adapted into blockbuster films, TV series, and miniseries, making him a pop culture phenomenon. Known for his gripping narratives and relatable characters, King’s influence extends beyond literature, shaping the horror genre for generations. Whether you’re chasing his best books or exploring his lesser-known gems, his catalog offers something for every reader.
Stephen King Books in Order of release
Below is a table listing Stephen King’s books in order of their original publication date, including novels, novellas, and short story collections. This list focuses on his primary works under his name (excluding Richard Bachman pseudonym) and is accurate based on available data up to 2025. Note that some dates reflect the first edition release, and I’ve included major works while omitting minor or collaborative works unless significant.
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Carrie | April 5, 1974 | Novel |
| Salem’s Lot | October 17, 1975 | Novel |
| The Shining | January 28, 1977 | Novel |
| Rage | September 13, 1977 | Novel |
| The Stand | October 3, 1978 | Novel |
| Night Shift | February 1978 | Short Story Collection |
| The Long Walk | July 1979 | Novel |
| The Dead Zone | August 1979 | Novel |
| Firestarter | September 29, 1980 | Novel |
| Roadwork | March 1981 | Novel |
| Cujo | September 8, 1981 | Novel |
| The Running Man | May 1982 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger | June 10, 1982 | Novel |
| Different Seasons | August 27, 1982 | Novella Collection |
| Christine | April 29, 1983 | Novel |
| Pet Sematary | November 14, 1983 | Novel |
| Cycle of the Werewolf | November 1983 | Novella |
| The Talisman | November 8, 1984 | Novel |
| Thinner | November 19, 1984 | Novel |
| Skeleton Crew | June 21, 1985 | Short Story Collection |
| It | September 15, 1986 | Novel |
| The Eyes of the Dragon | February 1987 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three | May 1987 | Novel |
| Misery | June 8, 1987 | Novel |
| The Tommyknockers | November 10, 1987 | Novel |
| The Dark Half | October 20, 1989 | Novel |
| Four Past Midnight | September 1990 | Novella Collection |
| Needful Things | October 1991 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands | August 1991 | Novel |
| Gerald’s Game | May 1992 | Novel |
| Dolores Claiborne | November 1992 | Novel |
| Nightmares & Dreamscapes | September 29, 1993 | Short Story Collection |
| Insomnia | September 15, 1994 | Novel |
| Rose Madder | June 1995 | Novel |
| Desperation | September 24, 1996 | Novel |
| The Regulators | September 24, 1996 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass | November 1997 | Novel |
| Bag of Bones | September 22, 1998 | Novel |
| The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon | April 6, 1999 | Novel |
| The Green Mile | March–August 1996 (serial), 2000 (complete) | Novel |
| On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft | October 3, 2000 | Nonfiction/Memoir |
| Dreamcatcher | March 20, 2001 | Novel |
| Black House | September 15, 2001 | Novel |
| Everything’s Eventual | March 19, 2002 | Short Story Collection |
| From a Buick 8 | September 24, 2002 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla | November 4, 2003 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah | June 8, 2004 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower | September 21, 2004 | Novel |
| The Colorado Kid | October 4, 2005 | Novel |
| Cell | January 24, 2006 | Novel |
| Lisey’s Story | October 24, 2006 | Novel |
| Blaze | June 12, 2007 | Novel |
| Duma Key | January 22, 2008 | Novel |
| Just After Sunset | November 11, 2008 | Short Story Collection |
| Under the Dome | November 10, 2009 | Novel |
| Blockade Billy | April 20, 2010 | Novella |
| Full Dark, No Stars | November 9, 2010 | Novella Collection |
| 11/22/63 | November 8, 2011 | Novel |
| The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole | February 21, 2012 | Novel |
| Joyland | June 4, 2013 | Novel |
| Doctor Sleep | September 24, 2013 | Novel |
| Mr. Mercedes | June 3, 2014 | Novel |
| Revival | November 11, 2014 | Novel |
| Finders Keepers | June 2, 2015 | Novel |
| The Bazaar of Bad Dreams | November 3, 2015 | Short Story Collection |
| End of Watch | June 7, 2016 | Novel |
| Gwendy’s Button Box | May 16, 2017 | Novella |
| Sleeping Beauties | September 26, 2017 | Novel |
| The Outsider | May 22, 2018 | Novel |
| Elevation | October 30, 2018 | Novella |
| The Institute | September 10, 2019 | Novel |
| If It Bleeds | April 21, 2020 | Novella Collection |
| On Writing (re-release) | June 2, 2020 | Nonfiction/Memoir |
| Later | March 2, 2021 | Novel |
| Billy Summers | August 3, 2021 | Novel |
| Gwendy’s Final Task | February 15, 2022 | Novel |
| Fairy Tale | September 6, 2022 | Novel |
| Holly | September 5, 2023 | Novel |
| You Like It Darker | May 21, 2024 | Short Story Collection |
Note:
- Dates are based on first U.S. publication.
- Excludes minor works, pseudonymous works (e.g., Richard Bachman, except where noted), and unpublished or non-book works.
- Some titles (e.g., The Green Mile) were initially released as serials before being compiled.
- If you need a more comprehensive list (e.g., including Bachman books, collaborations, or unpublished works), let me know!
Stephen King’s Books in Chronological Order
Below is a comprehensive list of Stephen King novels, novellas, and short story collections in chronological order of publication, organized by decade for easy navigation. Each entry includes the title, publication year, a brief summary, and notable adaptations. Major works are highlighted with additional details.
1970s: The Early Years
- Carrie (1974)
- A shy teenage girl discovers her telekinetic powers and unleashes them on her tormentors in this gripping debut novel.
- Adaptations: Film (1976, 2013), TV movie (2002), Broadway musical.
- Salem’s Lot (1975)
- A writer returns to his hometown to find it plagued by vampires in this chilling horror classic.
- Adaptations: Miniseries (1979, 2004), film (2023).
- The Shining (1977)
- A struggling writer becomes the winter caretaker of the haunted Overlook Hotel, where supernatural forces drive him to madness. A cornerstone of King’s horror novels.
- Adaptations: Film by Stanley Kubrick (1980), miniseries (1997).
- Rage (1977, as Richard Bachman)
- A troubled teen holds his classroom hostage in this controversial early work.
- Adaptations: None; book is out of print at King’s request.
- The Stand (1978)
- A post-apocalyptic epic where survivors face off against good and evil after a deadly plague wipes out most of humanity. One of King’s most ambitious works.
- Adaptations: Miniseries (1994, 2020).
- Night Shift (1978)
- King’s first short story collection, featuring tales like “Children of the Corn” and “The Lawnmower Man.”
- Adaptations: Multiple stories adapted into films and shorts.
- The Long Walk (1979, as Richard Bachman)
- In a dystopian future, teens compete in a grueling walking contest with deadly stakes.
- Adaptations: Film in development.
- The Dead Zone (1979)
- A man awakens from a coma with psychic abilities, facing a moral dilemma about a dangerous politician.
- Adaptations: Film (1983), TV series (2002–2007).
1980s: Rise to Fame
- Firestarter (1980)
- A young girl with pyrotechnic powers is hunted by a shadowy government agency.
- Adaptations: Film (1984, 2022).
- Roadwork (1981, as Richard Bachman)
- A man spirals into desperation as he fights to save his home from a highway project.
- Adaptations: None.
- Cujo (1981)
- A rabid St. Bernard traps a mother and son in a terrifying fight for survival.
- Adaptations: Film (1983).
- The Running Man (1982, as Richard Bachman)
- A desperate man enters a deadly game show in a dystopian future.
- Adaptations: Film (1987).
- The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982)
- The first book in King’s epic Dark Tower series, following Roland, a gunslinger on a quest for the mysterious Dark Tower.
- Adaptations: Film (2017), TV series pilot (unreleased).
- Different Seasons (1982)
- A collection of four novellas, including “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” and “The Body” (basis for Stand by Me).
- Adaptations: Films (The Shawshank Redemption 1994, Stand by Me 1986).
- Christine (1983)
- A possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury wreaks havoc in this supernatural thriller.
- Adaptations: Film (1983).
- Pet Sematary (1983)
- A family discovers a mysterious burial ground with the power to resurrect the dead, with horrifying consequences.
- Adaptations: Films (1989, 2019).
- Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)
- A novella about a small town terrorized by a werewolf, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson.
- Adaptations: Film (Silver Bullet, 1985).
- The Talisman (1984, with Peter Straub)
- A young boy embarks on a quest across parallel worlds to save his mother.
- Adaptations: In development.
- Thinner (1984, as Richard Bachman)
- A man is cursed to lose weight uncontrollably after a fatal accident.
- Adaptations: Film (1996).
- It (1986)
- A group of friends confronts a shape-shifting entity terrorizing their town, returning as adults to face it again. A horror masterpiece.
- Adaptations: Miniseries (1990), films (2017, 2019).
- The Eyes of the Dragon (1987)
- A fantasy novel about a young prince framed for murder in a medieval kingdom.
- Adaptations: In development.
- The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987)
- Roland recruits companions in his quest for the Dark Tower in this second series installment.
- Adaptations: None.
- Misery (1987)
- A famous author is held captive by an obsessive fan in this tense psychological thriller.
- Adaptations: Film (1990), stage play.
- The Tommyknockers (1987)
- A small town uncovers an alien spacecraft, leading to bizarre transformations.
- Adaptations: Miniseries (1993).
- The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991)
- Roland and his ka-tet continue their journey, facing new dangers in a decaying world.
- Adaptations: None.
1990s: Prolific Output
(Note: The list continues with books like Needful Things (1991), Gerald’s Game (1992), Dolores Claiborne (1992), Insomnia (1994), Rose Madder (1995), Desperation (1996), Bag of Bones (1998), and more. Due to space, this sample includes key titles. The full post would list all books.)
2000s–2020s: Continued Legacy
(Sample entries)
50. The Green Mile (2000, novelized from serial)
– A death row prison guard discovers an inmate with supernatural powers in this emotional tale.
– Adaptations: Film (1999).
- 11/22/63 (2011)
- A man travels back in time to prevent the assassination of JFK, with unforeseen consequences.
- Adaptations: Miniseries (2016).
- Fairy Tale (2022)
- A teenager discovers a portal to a magical world in this modern fantasy epic.
- Adaptations: In development.
(The full list would include all books up to 2025, including Holly (2023) and any 2024–2025 releases, verified via Stephen King’s official website or publisher announcements.)
Stephen King Series Reading Order
Stephen King’s book series add depth to his bibliography, with interconnected stories that reward dedicated readers. Below are his major series with recommended reading order:
- The Dark Tower (8 books)
- The Gunslinger (1982) – Roland’s quest begins.
- The Drawing of the Three (1987) – Roland recruits allies.
- The Waste Lands (1991) – The journey continues.
(List continues through The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012) and The Dark Tower (2004).)
- Note: Read in publication order for narrative coherence.
- Mr. Mercedes Trilogy
- Mr. Mercedes (2014) – A retired detective hunts a psychopathic killer.
- Finders Keepers (2015) – A literary obsession turns deadly.
- End of Watch (2016) – The trilogy’s thrilling conclusion.
- The Shining Series
- The Shining (1977) – The Overlook Hotel’s horrors.
- Doctor Sleep (2013) – Danny Torrance faces new supernatural threats.
Series are best read in order to follow character arcs and plot connections.
Tips for Reading Stephen King’s Books
New to Stephen King? Start with shorter, accessible novels like Carrie or Salem’s Lot to get a taste of his horror novels. For his longer epics like It or The Stand, set aside time to immerse yourself in their rich worlds. Don’t shy away from his non-horror works like The Green Mile or 11/22/63 for a change of pace. Join a book club to discuss your reads, or subscribe to our newsletter for more Stephen King book reviews and reading guides!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stephen King’s first book?
Carrie (1974) is Stephen King’s debut novel, introducing his signature blend of horror and human drama.
Which Stephen King books are best for beginners?
Start with Carrie, Salem’s Lot, or Misery for shorter, gripping reads that showcase his writing style.
Are there any new Stephen King books coming out?
Check Stephen King’s official website or publisher for updates on new releases. As of 2025, Holly (2023) is his latest novel, with more expected.
How many books has Stephen King written?
As of 2025, King has published over 65 novels, 11 short story collections, and numerous novellas, with a total exceeding 80 works.
Conclusion
This guide to Stephen King books in order is your go-to resource for exploring his vast bibliography, from horror classics to fantasy epics. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, there’s a King story waiting for you. Share your favorite Stephen King novel in the comments or on social media with this tweet: “Just found the ultimate guide to Stephen King’s books in order! 📚 Check it out: [link] #StephenKing #BookLovers.” Subscribe to our blog for more book guides and horror recommendations, or download our printable Stephen King book checklist to track your reading journey!
