When a prolific author like Stephen King has been crafting stories for over fifty years, readers often engage in lively debates about which decade of his extensive career stands out as the most remarkable. While some writers may experience a clear peak, King’s prolific output across six decades poses a unique challenge in determining the best period. Nonetheless, exploring this topic is an exciting endeavor, especially when it comes to ranking Stephen King books.

This particular analysis will concentrate exclusively on King’s literary works, leaving aside the vast number of Stephen King movie and television adaptations. Including adaptations would create a completely different list and could lead to inconsistencies, especially considering that many adaptations were outside King’s influence. Some adaptations, like The Lawnmower Man, were even disliked by King. Thus, this exploration will focus solely on his novels, examining their impact within his overall career, how his writing has transformed over the years, and the critical reception of each decade’s output. Let’s delve into this ranking!

6

The 2000s: A Decade of Mixed Literary Triumphs

Notable Works: Black House, The Dark Tower V-VII, Lisey’s Story, Duma Key, Under the Dome

Many authors would envy the literary success that Stephen King experienced in the 2000s, but when compared to other decades of his career, this era has some shortcomings. Although there are excellent books from this timeframe, such as Lisey’s Story, which is among King’s personal favorites, and the much-anticipated sequel to The Talisman titled Black House, the overall impact of his works from this decade seems less pronounced. Most of the novels from the 2000s lack the enduring power and distinctive qualities that define a quintessential King read.

It’s important to note that the inconsistent quality of King’s works during the 2000s can be attributed to the aftermath of a serious accident that occurred on June 19, 1999. The road to recovery was arduous and lengthy, and King has candidly discussed his reliance on pain medications during this period. The pain and discomfort he endured while attempting to write during his recovery undoubtedly impacted his productivity and creativity. While any decade that includes the completion of King’s Dark Tower series holds significance, it simply doesn’t resonate with the same intensity as other periods in his career.

5

The 2020s: A Promising and Diverse Literary Era

Notable Works: If It Bleeds, Holly, You Like It Darker, Gwendy’s Final Task, Fairy Tale

While it might have been tempting to place the current decade at the bottom of this list, it’s important to remember that we are only halfway through it. The ultimate assessment of this decade’s literary contributions is yet to be determined. Nevertheless, the first five years of the 2020s have shown promise, with a diverse array of books that demonstrate King’s evolving storytelling abilities.

In just five years, King has released two outstanding collections: one featuring short stories and another filled with novellas. He has also produced the final installment of his collaboration with Richard Chizmar in their Gwendy series, a nostalgic dark fantasy adventure reminiscent of The Talisman titled Fairy Tale, and continued his exploration of crime novels with Billy Summers and Holly. With the upcoming release of Never Flinch, another Holly Gibney book, it is evident that King continues to masterfully navigate various genres, even if some long-time fans may prefer his horror-centric narratives.

4

The 1990s: A Decade of Experimentation and Growth

Notable Works: Needful Things, Gerald’s Game, Insomnia, Desperation, The Regulators, The Green Mile, Hearts in Atlantis, On Writing

The 1990s represent a contentious chapter in Stephen King’s prolific career, with many critics labeling it as the weakest decade. This assessment has merit, as it was a time when King ventured into outlining and plotting his books, a departure from his usual organic storytelling method. King himself acknowledges that the results of this experimentation were mixed, and he was not always satisfied with the outcomes. However, it is precisely this willingness to explore new narrative styles that elevates this era in my ranking.

The 1990s quietly encompass some of Stephen King’s finest literary achievements, including The Green Mile, which he initially released in an innovative serial format. This decade also features his dual narrative approach with Desperation and The Regulators, where one was penned under his own name while the other was released under the long-dormant pseudonym, Richard Bachman. Furthermore, Hearts in Atlantis significantly expanded the Dark Tower universe, while Insomnia introduced critical elements to the overarching narrative. Additionally, On Writing showcased King’s dual talents as a memoirist and writing guide. Despite some missteps, the 1990s is undoubtedly deserving of recognition for its ambitious experimentation.

3

The 2010s: A Resounding Literary Comeback

Notable Works: 11/22/63, Joyland, Doctor Sleep, Mr. Mercedes, Revival, The Outsider, Gwendy’s Button Box

The 2010s marked a significant resurgence for Stephen King, particularly following the turbulent decade of the 2000s. This era is often regarded as King’s professional comeback, showcasing his mastery of storytelling and his ability to elevate his craft. If not for the outstanding achievements of his earlier decades, the 2010s could easily claim the top position in this ranking. This decade saw King exude confidence in his writing, demonstrating an ease that comes with years of experience.

Moreover, the variety of genres explored during this decade laid the groundwork for the continued diversification witnessed in the 2020s. The decade featured the launch of the Gwendy trilogy alongside Richard Chizmar in 2017, the introduction of King’s crime fiction era with Mr. Mercedes in 2014, and the release of the dark and masterful horror narrative, Revival, within the same year. Kicking off with the classic sci-fi alternate history novel 11/22/63, King also delivered a long-anticipated sequel to The Shining with Doctor Sleep. Given the strength of his 2010s works, it’s no wonder that many have been adapted for film and television.

2

The 1970s: The Birth of a Literary Icon

Notable Works: Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot, The Shining, The Stand, Night Shift

It’s worth noting that the rankings of the 1970s and the following decade could easily be reversed, with both deserving the top two spots. The 1970s represents the genesis of Stephen King’s illustrious career, marking the emergence of a writer who would reshape modern literature. Far from succumbing to a sophomore slump, King burst onto the literary scene with the release of Carrie in 1974, displaying an unparalleled strength and creativity. His early works showcased a unique literary voice that captivated audiences and established his place as a leading figure in horror literature.

The early works of Stephen King are now considered instant classics, forever enshrined in the literary canon of horror. Titles like Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot, The Shining, Night Shift, and The Stand represent an extraordinary output that few authors could hope to replicate in their entire careers. During this time, King also published Rage, his first book under the Richard Bachman pseudonym, which is now out of print. Despite the relatively brief length of this decade, King did not truly find his stride until the following era, placing the 1970s firmly in the #2 position on this ranking.

1

The 1980s: The Apex of Stephen King’s Literary Journey

Notable Works: Cujo, The Dark Tower I-III, Different Seasons, Christine, Pet Sematary, The Talisman, Skeleton Crew, It, Misery

Unquestionably, the 1980s stand out as the pinnacle of Stephen King’s career thus far. While he had an impressive start, it was in the ’80s that King truly found his rhythm, becoming an unstoppable force in the world of literature—though much of this momentum was fueled by the substances he struggled with at the time. Regardless of these challenges, King fully embraced his role as a literary powerhouse, and the quality of his work during this period speaks volumes.

During the 1980s, Stephen King authored nearly fifteen books, with a remarkable 80% of them being considered classics, if not masterpieces. Even the release of The Tommyknockers in 1987 could not derail the remarkable momentum he built during this period. Notable titles from this decade include Cujo, The Running Man, The Gunslinger, Christine, Pet Sematary, the co-authored The Talisman with Peter Straub, The Eyes of the Dragon, It, The Drawing of the Three, and Misery. This is an astonishing array of work, especially for a writer so early in his career.

Beyond the sheer quality of his creations, the 1980s also played a crucial role in solidifying Stephen King’s iconic status, showcasing the breadth of his talents. This decade saw him skillfully navigate various genres, including sci-fi, horror, human drama, western, fantasy, cosmic horror, and epic adventure, excelling in each one. Furthermore, it was during this decade that King introduced some of his most memorable villains, such as Annie Wilkes, Christine, Cujo, and Pennywise the Dancing Clown, while also establishing Randall Flagg as a central antagonist throughout his universe. While King had already made a name for himself, the 1980s truly solidified his title as the King of Horror.