Author Stephen King has been at the center of the horror genre for decades, and among its catalog of incredible books, some of its best stories are those about ghosts. Like any other genre, horror has many tropes and stories to choose from, and ghost stories are one of them. Typically, a traditional ghost story will see a person being haunted by a ghost or many ghostsand this leads them to scary scenarios. Sometimes these stories get even scarier when the ghost inhabits a person or object. Either way, ghost stories can definitely keep readers up at night.
Over the years, King has written more than 70 novels, which means he’s explored virtually every trope in the book. From demons to psychic abilities to horrific curses, King’s books often get to the heart of humanity’s folktales and scariest fears, all in unique ways. Therefore, King has some ghostly stories in his repertoireboth in his novels and his short stories. The following ten King stories could be considered some of the best ghost stories he has written thus far.
10
Tennis
A man finds a pair of haunted sneakers
A solid King ghost story is the tale, Tennis. This 1989 story follows a man named John who works in a recording studio. When using the bathroom, John discovers a pair of dirty old sneakers that he has never seen before. Over the next few days, John notices the shoes moving around and collecting flies and insects. Eventually, John discovers who the sneakers really belong to and, worse, that his workplace is hiding a murderous secret.
Tennis It’s not King’s most shocking or horrifying story, but it’s still fun and unique. While King’s other books include hundreds of pages of history and lore, Tennis It’s as simple as possible. A man encounters a ghost and discovers a secret. What defines Tennis Apart from this is the fact that the story is based on an unexpected object in an unexpected place. King gives the traditional ghost story a twist in Tennis.
9
Joyland
An amusement park is being haunted in more ways than one
Another King ghost story that goes further than expected is Joylândia. A more recent King project, Joyland is a 2013 novel that revolves around a young man named Devin who starts working a summer job at an amusement park called Joyland. There, Devin learns about a horrific murder that took place in the park.and the woman who allegedly continues to haunt the place. However, Devin soon realizes that this murder is not just a thing of the past, but could affect him in the present day.
Joyland It doesn’t completely focus on ghosts, as murder also plays a major role in the novel, but it can definitely still be classified as a ghost story. It’s not necessarily that Devin is haunted by an actual spirit, but it’s that he’s haunted by the spirit’s case and what it means today. King shows how hauntings can happen in many waysand how ghost stories can actually have real-life consequences. That’s why, Joyland It’s not just a scary story, but a life lesson.
8
Duma Key
An artist is possessed
A King novel where the ghost is front and center is Key to the Duma. In this 2008 book, a contractor moves into a beach house on the Florida coast after suffering a traumatic accident which led to brain damage and an amputated arm. Contract begins making art as a form of therapy, but soon discovers that he has acquired psychic abilities where his paintings can change reality. However, this exciting ability goes dark when he discovers who – or what – is really behind it all.
What’s even better is that the book’s central villain isn’t just a nameless ghost, but has a backstory that’s just as interesting as the current story.
As Tennis, Duma Key Not your typical horror story which can happen in a haunted house or a cemetery. Duma Key It has a beautiful beach setting and an unexpected character at its center, but it still manages to be scary. What’s even better is that the book’s central villain isn’t just a nameless ghost, but has a backstory that’s just as interesting as the current story. In this way, Duma Key offers a fascinating, fast-paced ghost story.
7
Sometimes they come back
Old villains return decades later
Another notable ghost tale is King’s Sometimes they come back. Originally published in 1974, this story is about a man whose brother was killed in a brutal beating in the 1950s. 20 years later, the man finds himself face to face with his brother’s attackers once again, but they haven’t aged a day since the murder. The man must find out why these ghosts are reappearing and what their intention is with him and his colleagues.
|
Every collection of Stephen King short stories |
Year of Publication |
|---|---|
|
Night Shift |
1978 |
|
Skeleton Crew |
1985 |
|
Nightmares and dreamscapes |
1993 |
|
Everything is eventual |
2002 |
|
Just after sunset |
2008 |
|
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams |
2015 |
|
Do you like it darker |
2024 |
As the title says, Sometimes they come back answers the question of what happens when evil people return from the afterlifewith intent to destroy. Different Tennis, this story is a little more complete and has more tragic and horrible consequences. It’s truly chilling to see the protagonist reunite with those who caused the greatest loss of his life. Sometimes they come back is a dark and satisfying story within King’s impressive catalogue.
6
Cristina
A car is taken over by a violent ghost
A notable King novel with a ghostly element is Cristina. This 1983 book follows friends Arnie and Dennis as they buy a 1958 Plymouth Fury called Cristina. Arnie quickly becomes obsessed with the car, while Dennis has a bad feeling. Soon, Christine begins to affect Arnie, and not only that, but she also exhibits behaviors that prove she is more than just a car. Dennis must find out who is owning the car before it is too late for his friend.
The sentient car concept isn’t necessarily new, but the way King employs this trope for horror is impressive. Watching Arnie change under Christine’s powers is incredibly frightening, and it’s easy to root for Dennis, who senses something is wrong from the start. Furthermore, having a car as the villain leads to some pretty intriguing scenes and power dynamics. General, Cristina is the perfect King book for fans of possession stories.
5
The range
A woman comes face to face with the afterlife
A story that is as heartfelt as it is frightening is The range. The 1981 tale is set on Goat Island, where 95-year-old Stella has never left. However, as Stella’s cancer begins to appear and she realizes that her life is finally coming to an endStella is convinced to cross the Reach, a segment of frozen lake that separates the island from the mainland. In her search, Stella reunites with her loved ones who have passed away.
The range is one of those stories that tries to provide some comfort around the idea of ​​death, and King manages to offer that feeling through this meaningful story.
Ghost stories can certainly be scary, but they can also be emotional and The range mixes the two feelings. While it is certainly disturbing to see an old woman walking towards her inevitable death, it is also pleasant to see her reunite with those she loved and who came to lead her to the grave. The range is one of those stories that tries to bring some comfort around the idea of ​​deathand King manages to deliver that feeling through this meaningful story.
4
Later
A boy can talk to dead people
Although many may not have heard of this book, Later is a King ghost story that is definitely worth checking out. Later centers on Jamie Conklin, a boy who has the ability to see and speak with the dead. Jamie resents his powers and longs for a normal life, but always seems to encounter problems. His life becomes even more risky when an NYPD officer tries to use Jamie to help solve a crime committed beyond the grave.
Characters who can talk to the dead are an awesome trope in the ghost story genre. King’s character, Jamie, is intriguing not just because of his ability, but because of how he feels about it and how it affects the people around him. Later is not just a ghost story, but a novel about crime, morality, and the loss of innocence. Those who enjoyed King’s other young characters will likely find a lot to love in this book.
3
1408
A man stays in a haunted hotel room
One final King tale about ghosts is his 1999 short story, 1408. The story centers on Mike, a writer who specializes in ghosts, despite not believing in the supernatural. For a project, Mike decides to stay in what is considered one of the most haunted hotel rooms in America.. Despite Mike’s superstitions, he ends up remaining in the room for only a brief period of time after finding himself in a horrific hellscape.
1408 may be one of the most explicitly frightening ghost stories King wrote. It’s not just the tension that King creates, but the visuals that hook readers as much as the protagonist. 1408 deploys its scares in ways audiences might not expectwhich in turn makes them even scarier. Ultimately, 1408 is the closest King comes to a traditional haunted house story.
2
The Shining
A family is terrorized in a haunted hotel
What is probably King’s most popular ghost story is The Shining. His second published novel, The Shining follows Jack Torrance as he takes a job as an off-season janitor at the Overlook Hotel. Jack brings with him his son Danny and his wife Wendy. Although Jack tries to be a responsible father and husband while battling alcoholism, he quickly begins to lose control due to supernatural forces within the hotel.
There’s a reason why The Shining is so beloved among horror fans. This book is filled with frightening images and scenes that have become iconic parts of popular culture. From the scary twins and the blood elevator to Jack shouting “Here’s Johnny”, The Shining It’s a tension-building powerhouse and has a huge payoff. Of course, ghosts play an important role in this. The Shining Supernatural forces are the basis of Jack’s reign of terror.
1
Bag of Bones
A writer mourns his ghostly wife
Finally, King’s best ghost story of all time is Bag of Bones. Published in 1998, this novel follows Mike Noonan, a writer who struggles to work after the unexpected death of his wife. As a result, Mike travels to his lake house to try to grieve and regain his spark. However, Mike soon becomes obsessed with a young woman in town and, worse, is haunted by the ghost of his late wife.
Bag of Bones is exactly what one would expect from a King novel. There’s a traumatized protagonist, a mysterious lake house setting, and a complex set of stories that intertwine and diverge in a web of questions that are eventually answered in a big climactic moment. Of all the ghosts in King’s stories, Bag of Bones’ ghost might be one of the best. Ultimately, this is a beloved Stephen King book that more people should check out, especially if they’re looking for a scary read.