84 Stephen King Books Ranked (From CARRIE To HOLLY) (1974 To 2024) 50 years of the KING

Wherein our hero Durfee ranks 84 Stephen King books. And OMG is it ever a horrific blooper-filled struggle. #StephenKing #BookRankings #HorrorNovels

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

For those who are nitpicky...Ya I did not read or review RAGE or BREATHING METHOD for my channel so i did not include them on this list ALSO!!!. Since i did not review on the channel the individual novellas in IF IT BLEEDS and FULL DARK NO STARS i did not include them as individual books either. I figure someone will point all this out in the comments anyway...so.

[@DV-ty6yc]

Laws yes! M-O-O-N spells #1

[@peterconlon8234]

Curious: both have been around a bit...both are, imho, worthy tales...is there a reason to avoid or not read those two ? And, yes, you absolutely do not have to answer that: suffice to say there could very well be some completely subjective personal preferences involved...hope I haven't offended.

[@johnkaufman5474]

Despite being a nitpicker, I enjoy your posts and reviews!

[@user-ie4fy2sb8t]

Is the real reason you choose to not do rage cause it's controversial or that you don't want to spend money getting it they aren't cheap

[@s.p.8508]

“Steven King’s 84 books ranked” Brian: “Alright, starting with book #105….”

[@daenerysstormbornofhouseta9648]

Loved your video. Salems Lot was also my very first SK novel. However; you killed a tiny piece of my soul every time you tossed a book to the floor! Thanks again!

[@loudoesreviews]

Excellent! This is a momentous moment for your channel. And for us Constant Watchers.

[@helgestrm9670]

My man! Exactly what I needed right now ^^ Ordering some King books next week. Much appreciated! Your reviews helped me pick up Hearts in Atlantis the other month which was barely on my radar. Big Mac of literature he is not. Wowski.

[@celestialdemon1316]

I'm glad you have Needful Things ranked so high. IMO, it's his most underrated book.

[@paulflint6254]

agree

[@scottferris2686]

Great video and list. You got everything right about The Stand, It and The Shining. Love it. Going to be starting Holly next week.

[@nikirrae8495]

The fact that you’ve read all of his work is super impressive. I’ve been looking like a ranking video of his novels for years!

[@bendavenport6286]

So happy you finally finished them all. Way to go!!

[@ben-vw5ix]

Ive seen like 10 ranking videos of stephen king books and you’re the one i trust the most, you just seem like the most credible source

[@RedFuryBooks]

A great video and a heck of an achievement to reread everything in the span of 3 years! It'll likely take me at least a decade when I do it! I haven't ranked them all, but did a top 10 list and we share 5 of our top 10s, including the top 3 being the same, albeit in a different order. Thanks for the video!

[@Joda23]

Video i have been waiting for so long. Thank you Brian! Btw what about your health condition, any updates? Hope you are doing well!

[@toddhill7483]

Great video! We are very fortunate to have half a century of works from Mr. King. We had a couple of close calls there!!

[@boromirjonah5774]

Mr. Durfee, you read about 3 times faster than I do. Thanks for this video. I know it was tough ranking so many titles. The stand is my favorite as well. 11.22.63 is probably #2 for me. So much to read must...read....faster!!!!

[@heatherruiz9490]

Wow well done, BRAVO!!! As a fan of Stephen King that started reading his stuff in middle school I didn't realize he was up to 84 pieces of work. Highly enjoyed this recap and I agree with a lot of your rankings especially THE STAND!

[@jayv3204]

Great video! Thank you!

[@seppuku-]

Love ya Durf but man The Shining that low gut punched me. Thanks for the video!!

[@debramckean1970]

I enjoyed every minute of this. Had to sub.

[@hobbitofisengard32]

11/22/63 is not only the greatest Stephen King book, but is one of the greatest books of all-time.

[@Alex-sr3ez]

I rank it at about #5 but I do agree it’s a great book; I’ve read it twice.

[@larryhatcher8927]

Falls in the middle of the pack for me. After reading the reviews of YLID and the story "Rattlesnakes", I was amazed at how people were just thrilled to no end that he brought back a character from Cujo. I see 11/22/63 as ranking high simply because the Losers are characters in this book. IMO it was way too long. It was great it you like long books about high school teachers in the early 60s

[@Beekeeper8011]

This man's dedication has definitely earned my "like"

[@mikebruce3933]

Nice ranking. I'm going to have to watch it again to take it all in since you rattled through it at a fair old clip. ❤

[@colinparry3419]

Fantastic video, thank you 🙏

[@KimP0612]

Thanks for this video! I love that I come across KZbinrs like yourself who take the time to talk about King and rekindle my enjoyment of his work.

[@jimave]

Bravo for doing this! I have not read all of SKs books, but he is my favorite author.

[@blakelyons365]

I picked up reading middle of last year and I’m finishing the last tower book now. I’ve read over 15 king and I love most so far. Love seeing different rankings too.

[@klaymoon1]

Great review! What a chance, we both share the same Top 3 in the exact order! The rest of the ranking were totally different. I think that's what makes Stephen King's ranking fascinating - everyone is so different because there are so many masterpieces! By the way, either your mic or editing was picking up more sound (if not most sound) into the left channel at the beginning.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Great list . . . thanks for doing this. My top three are It, Salem's Lot, and The Drawing of the Three.

[@nohemiperez912]

Cool video - it looks like it was fun to do! "Thinner" was the first book I ever read from King - I think I was 15 at the time. And it still holds a special place in my heart - it is the book that hooked me. "The Wind Through the Keyhole" I thought was fantastic! It was neat to step back and see a little bit of Roland's early life. "Sleeping Beauties" is on my October TBR. However, my all time favorite King book has to be "The Stand" with "11.22.63" a very close second followed by "The Green Mile". I haven't read all his books yet, but I'm getting there!

[@Alex-sr3ez]

Fair warning. “Sleeping Beauties is one of King’s worst books. It’s just dreadful and it drags painfully slow in many sections.

[@nohemiperez912]

@@Alex-sr3ez thanks for the warning! I read the book in October. Actually, I devoured it. I know a lot of people didn't like it, but I loved it! It took me 6 or 7 days to read it (I also work many hours - I'm an event planner - so I read every free second I had). That's why books are so amazing! You just never know. :-)

[@Alex-sr3ez]

@@nohemiperez912 wow, well that’s great that you enjoyed it.

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Great stuff Brian 👌

[@StewartyMac]

Great list, your top 10 is similar to mine, and so happy to see the love for the 7th Dark Tower book, I was starting to think I was the only person who really dug it. Anyway, here's my own top 10... 1. The Stand 2. It 3. The Dark Tower VII - The Dark Tower 4. 11/22/63 5. Needful Things 6. Salem's Lot 7. Under the Dome 8. The Dark Tower II - The Drawing of the Three 9. The Dark Tower III - The Waste Lands 10. The Green Mile.

[@margaritaramos3393]

From my understanding, there's supposed to be a remake of Salem's Lot.

[@dannyplaza5474]

Ungh, you’re killing me!!! Wizard and Glass was sublime!!!

[@Heathennation1976]

You have a really badass Stephen King list here I've read every single one of them my favorite is It I read that book way back when I was in high school and it got me on my path to reading pretty much also I like Sleeping Beauties it was a pretty good book and honestly my opinion on Stephen King is he's one of the most prolific fiction authors ever and he still to this day cannot end a book,character work and world-building there's no one better but when it comes to endings. anybody out there that read Stephen King knows what I'm talkin' about. Keep up the good work you're a speed-reading monster

[@zacherylong2411]

You’re becoming my Stephen King channel..maybe you can get Mike to finally finish his tier list 😂

[@artmanjohn2]

I've read "The Stand" twice and I recently got the extended version with all the pages added that were cut from the earlier pressings! Is the extended version really better? Dumb question, of course it is, my next one to (re-read) on my list! I just ran across your channel and I'm hooked. You've rekindled my love for reading and I really appreciate it! Thankyou!

[@reginaldforthright805]

Great list Ill just write my top ten: 1. Waste lands 2. Talisman 3. The stand 4. Drawing of the three 5. Gunslinger 6. Wolves of the Calla 7. Wizard and Glass 8. Shining 9. Salems lot 10. Needful things 11. It 12. Nightmares & dreamscapes 13. Desperation

[@austinmoore1113]

The Shining being that low gives me indigestion.

[@Robthemonk]

Yes, Brian! I was literally wondering if you'd do a list like this. I'm going to watch this tomorrow. Also doing similar with reading all King stuff. Just read The Dead Zone which was great. Wonderful author. Love your channel mate. Always makes me smile.

[@NecroMancer84]

I am just beginning my journey through the SK catalog in order of publishing. I get my books from the library so I am waiting for Carrie and Salem's Lot. Cant wait to get started! I havent decided if I am going to reread the books I have already read.

You got my like in the 1st minute just be saying you've managed to read all of Stephen King's books! That was a tremendous journey!!!

[@user-bc7lk9ue6g]

Completely agree with you about The Stand, my favourite book of all time too

[@BranTheBald]

Damn I'm used to wild SK book rankings but yours is like spot on with my own rankings, right on

[@RK-fh4bp]

I’ve never read a Stephen King novel, and actually just finally started my first book a week ago. I chose the stand to start with and seems like I made a great choice because it is awesome so far! Super excited to see where the story goes and am excited to read more of his books!

[@LauraPussycat17]

You poor soul

[@allengainzmma]

After reading the stand read It. Even if you’ve seen the movie. It has the best scenes out of any book I’ve ever read and it will help you understand Kings writing style if you’re just getting into his novels. They’re a commitment but it gets so much easier to read lengthy books when you’re starting with the stand or it. Hope you have fun on the journey!

[@corbinschneider9997]

U will not be disappointed King got me into reading. Dark tower series was my fav. Stand was great duma key is awesome

[@user-bc7lk9ue6g]

That's my favourite!

[@camwatters644]

Christine was my first king book. Good place to start

[@alterniemand73]

I really appreciate that you must have put a lot of work and thinking in this nice project. But as it is a matter of taste,mine is another. For me Gunslinger and Wizard and Glass are the best novels that King has written.His typical horror stories are mostly absolute fine but the whole Dark Tower series digs way deeper.Gunslinger is somehow even a philosophical book.Wizard and Glass is something for the heart with a really touching story in a story.

[@scoobydoo_forever]

I laughed when you knocked over the phone. Very relatable

[@lucylu59]

Rose Madder is my favorite King book. So many aspects appealed to me. I really enjoy reading King's work. He develops characters so well.

[@albertschweitzer8334]

Always nice to see a real King fan in action, I enjoyed it!

[@angelaholmes8888]

Totally agree with you about the wind through the keyhole

[@bobdigital21]

Glad to see The Long Walk got some love. The most underrated King novel. It also hits very close to home as someone who has drive down route 1 more times than i can count.

[@joanneparcellin4666]

Thank you for validating my love of The Long Walk.

[@stevedeshotel2417]

Bravo on selecting The Long Walk. A truly chilling tale…

[@mikedavis1476]

One of my absolute favorite stories by him

[@RLDesrochers]

We’ll just edit that out. 😂 Loved this.

[@scotthagens6613]

Great list! I've read most of them🎉

[@shanelindemanmusic2650]

Good work.

[@glasswhisperer]

I love the Langoliers, I didn't even know they sold it individually 😮 ordering that right now. A lot lighter than the old hardback compilation when I do a reread

[@margaritaramos3393]

What a Great short story!!

[@fernandopaiz3696]

I'm with you on your top 2! "The Stand" is my all time fav and "IT" is a very close 2nd place!

[@rodhamm8484]

I was pleased you have Desperation in your top ten! It is one of my favorite King novels, so under-rated by most King fans. That pile of books... book abuse! Bad man! no doughnut!

[@theivory1]

I just finished that one a few days ago. It's a good one, without thinking to deeply, I would say it made the back half of my King top ten.

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

​@@theivory1what about the tommyknockers?? Rereading it now and it's classic King. I don't get the hate it gets

[@NamasteBbooktube]

😮😮 very surprising and interesting rankings!

[@ichidonlee1512]

I think his short stories are some of his best. I do prefer the longer books, but these collections have some of the best he’s ever written.

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

Night shift and skeleton crew are very solid collections. Children of the corn, the jaunt, night shift, ballad of the flexible bullet, the monkey, the mist, jerusalem's lot, survivor type... He was a master at the shorter format, strange because his novels are usually so bloated

[@ichidonlee1512]

@@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 I agree, and the novella books are great too. I love the bloat! 😂🤘Sai King

[@pembie2]

How often do your publishers take submissions I have a few short stories Nice video by the way

[@samm8190]

This is the video that we’ve all been waiting for!!!

[@FryedSaw]

Greetings and Salutations I recently started reading Rose Madder But that was after The Golden Years by author Stephen King 😊 Great upload thanks 😊

[@liamblake1614]

Totally agree on Wizard and Glass and the Shining!

[@gulfgirl54]

I absolutely agree with #s 1 & 2!! The Stand - best of all time. I would rank Misery in the top 5 somewhere along with IT.

[@Nasser851000]

0:00 I bet Brian never gets tired of doing that intro all the time XD

[@mammaaustin9742]

King and I are contemporaries so I was able to read these as they came out. I've always looked forward to a new King novel.

[@matthewkirkhart2401]

I never think The Dead Zone gets enough love on these lists. I'm not saying it's top 10 or anything, but I have always found it to be a very powerful story starting with such a simple theme. And, if you are into the "world on the turtle's back" business, it is sort of a pivotal book for that whole "King universe" idea with how it starts to pull other books, like Cujo, into the story. In terms of chronological order of release of books, it was in my memory one of the first to do that.

[@margaritaramos3393]

The Dead Zone is a classic!!

[@carlosfarina3665]

The Stand is my 1st Stephen King book. I'm halfway done with it after 7 days of reading. I work a 9-5 and any moment I'm not working, driving, or sleeping, I'm reading The Stand. I haven't gone to the gym or done anything else since starting it lol. I'm mad at myself for never starting sooner. 😅

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

Glad you liked that horribly boring book 👏

[@dirtyhiggins5484]

It's not my favorite but if you make it through it I would suggest The Talisman next followed by The Dark Tower saga. Remember when reading the saga, don't give up on it after the first book. I always feel it is harder to get through but is necessary for the rest of the story same as The Drawing of the Three. By The Wastelands though it is balls to the wall can't put down reading. The saga as a whole is my favorite work of fiction all time, and I get called to go on the quest at least every couple of years. Happy reading!

[@dirtyhiggins5484]

The Audible audiobooks of Kings books are great! I listen to them almost daily at work.

[@Europa1749]

The unabridged The Stand will always be my favorite. Runners up are 11/22/63 and The Langoliers.

[@notyourdad]

I've only read maybe 25 of his books but I actually really enjoyed Elevation, surprised to see it second to last.

[@fangs1972]

Very entertaining video, Brian! Lots of disagreements (I'm finishing "Billy Summers" and for me that would be ranked somewhere near 80/"Pet Sematary" would be #1). And what kind of librarian ends a video that way 😆!#TeamEdward

[@fcsolis]

Funny. I think Billy Summers should be in the top 10. Prolly the vet in me. Thank you.

[@joshuajoyce1289]

Cell above the shining is CRAZY 😂 no hate I was just genuinely floored

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Trust me. I am too

[@MaxSpender]

Why does Cell get so much hate? The movie’s a bit of a mess, but I quite enjoyed the book.

[@hakonsoreide]

It's interesting how the few Stephen King book rankings I've seen so far disagree on many things, but they seem unified in putting "It" and "The Stand" in the top two. The fact that you've put what has remained my favourite since I read it just over 30 years ago, The Long Walk, very highly, and also Needful Things which was the first Stephen King novel I bought when it was actually published, and which I also loved, it seems your list might possibly be closer to what my future list may one day look like. I'll of course make up my own mind as I make my way through them in between all the other stuff I am reading these days.

[@milolink6993]

I love Stephen King books and also agree that his short stories aren’t the best but some gems have come from his short stories

[@user-ps1nn3pv9v]

Numbers one and two cannot be denied! The rest of the list sort of how each person might subjectively deal with the King catalog, but The Stand and It are essential and the best.

[@marcusmusings]

for me, switch It and The Stand, at least for right now. Have you also read the original version or just the expanded?

[@margaritaramos3393]

My favorite 1. The Stand 2. Carrie 3. Pet Semetary 4. Cujo 5. It 6. Misery 7. The Shining 8. The Dead Zone 9. Christine 10. 11.22.63 11. The Talisman 12. The Black House

[@tljmusic]

My excitement kept building as I realized he hadn’t mentioned 11.22.63 yet. I was holding out for #1 but I’ll take #3.

[@Shadowfax85]

11.22.63 is my most favorite novel! I would absolutely love for SK to write additional stories about Al in the diner. Like, what his first trip down the rabbit hole was like etc. I think it would make for some cool stories. 😊

[@groofay]

Revival at 27, I'll take it. It's my current favorite King novel, so I'll have to read 1-26 now.

[@guitearist]

The Wind Through the Keyhole might be my all-time favorite King novel!! 😢

[@browhuggg8455]

I am reading The dark tower . So far I read the first 2 books and I am at the end of the 3. I really don't know if its worth it to read 8th book or to read the dark tower 4 ...

[@dandanz7877]

great list.

[@epiphoney]

A tour de force in Stephen King book ranking. Let the bodies hit the floor. Durfee is so raw. The John Cassavettes of youtube.

[@jaya5264]

I love this ranking. Different from what you typically see with the Shinning usually in the top 10. Like you I prefer Doctor Sleep. Thank you.

[@buckfozos5554]

Ouch, just started Wind Through the Keyhole, didn't think it would be mentioned so soon! I agree Hearts in Atlantis is literary genius. It's okay to have The Shining so low, though on my list it might actually trade places with 'It'.

[@turtleanton6539]

It suxx imo

[@guitearist]

I personally thought The Wind Through the Keyhole was one of his best. It isn't integral to the series, but, for me, it was just beautifully written and was a wonderful way to spend some time with the Ka-tet one more time.

[@buckfozos5554]

@@guitearist yeah I really enjoyed it, and glad I read it as a coda to Dark Tower instead of book 4.5

[@edcollante]

We absolutely agree on #2 & #1.

[@mtwice4586]

I have same issue with Misery that you have with The Shining. I know it is a fantastic book, but I had seen the movie so many times as a kid that it took all the shock and awe out of it for me.

[@theivory1]

I saw that movie probably 5 times over the years. I decided to read the book on the beach a few summers ago. I was amazed how closely the movie stayed to the book. I agree the book would have been better had I not seen the movie. My daughter just started Misery yesterday. We're buried in snow here now and they're off school today, what a perfect recipe.

[@mtwice4586]

@@theivory1 What a perfect setting!! I agree. The movie was very true to the book. Stay safe and happy reading.

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

The shining on the other hand... Completely different from the movie. Those who watched it shouldn't mind since the book is way better because the character development is insane, plus some of the plot it's not the same. The movie is just fun but the book is a piece of art

[@sherribugd3799]

I tried to get through the Dark Tower series back in the day. But I really got tired of waiting for them to come out.

[@TheOdMan]

The Black House, The Talisman, Dreamcatcher, Wizard and Glass and The Shining would all jump like 40 to 50 spots on my list :D. The Eyes of the Dragon would also jump quite a bit, I have a soft spot for that one, really enjoy it. Fairy Tales would go to the back of the list, really did not enjoy that one very much. I think it was something about the first person perspective in a fantasy setting, it didn't feel right to me, I don't know I just didn't like it very much. The Outsider is another one I would also rank a lot lower on my list, I felt that one ran out of steam about half way, very strong start and interesting premise that became less and less engaging the longer it went on for. I actually kind of agree on the Sleeping Beauty ranking, I loved that book man. Your top 10 is interesting, some of my own picks are in there but some are ones I would put a bit further down if I ever did a list of my own. I would exchange The Dark Tower with Salem's Lot for example, and swap in Dreamcatcher instead of Shawshank Redemption, I really loved Dreamcatcher. And I have not read On Writing so I can obviously not have it in my top 10, and while I really enjoy The Green Mile it's not in my top 10. I'm pretty sure I would have Duma Key in my top 10, I love the characters in that book, some of his best characterization imo, I really connected with it. Your top 3 is hard to argue with, they're all in my top 10 for sure. Desperation is in the running for my number 1 spot, but my top 10 is almost all interchangeable for me, they could all end up on top, depending on what day it is. Anyway, always interesting to see a Stephen King ranking, everyone always has at least 1 "controversial" pick.

[@Bigguy13-sy6mk]

My favorites in no order. Desperation, it, drawing of three, dream catcher, green mile, dead zone. I also really enjoyed the short story Jerusalems lot.

[@heidi6281]

I loved Wizard & Glass so much that when SK got hurt I sent him a get well soon card so he could finish the Dark Tower!

[@bessonovafan6454]

I had to do so much mental gymnastics to separate the book from the movie when I read the Shining. I can completely understand someone who had seen the movie first not loving the book nearly as much. I definitely prefer the book, especially after knowing why King didn't love the movie. But, I may be in the minority when it comes to those who have seen the movie first. With that being said, thank you for going through the process of ranking all of these books! I can only imagine how challenging that was!

[@jimthar17]

Just added your book to my amazon list.

[@jobuckley2999]

That was epic. Library Of Congress material. The only extreme error was Blaze. I forgive you.

[@wixom01]

"IT" is my favorite book of all time, period. I couldn't put it down.

[@rustypatch9543]

Love THE STAND. Greatest book I read this year.

[@wibre8753]

Most of my favorite King books come from early in his career. After the mid-80s, he's kind of spotty for me. 1. The Stand 2. The Dead Zone 3. Different Seasons 4. Christine 5. Salem's Lot 6. It 7. Pet Sematary 8. The Shining 9. Bag of Bones 10. Doctor Sleep

[@Ejacula]

The Stand is my favorite King book too! Salems Lot is my 2nd

[@johnkaufman5474]

There is a difference, in length, content and intention, between a short story and a novella. You don't recognize that difference. Different Seasons (1982), Four Past Midnight (1990), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), Full Dark, No Stars (2019) and If It Bleeds (2020) are collections of novellas. Night Shift (1978), Skeleton Crew (1985), Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), Everything's Eventual (11 stories, three novellas) (2002), Just After Sunset (2008) and The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (1915) are short story collections.

[@slthjawa5062]

Steven king has so many novels. I feel like he just pumps them out nonstop. They can't ALL be quality. But it is kind of crazy to see steven king having more shelf space than Tolkien in every Barnes and noble store.