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Author/Writer Stephen King Picks His Top 10 Films of 2009

by Alex Billington
January 4, 2010
Source: EW.com

I'm always excited to hear what author Stephen King chose as his best films of the year because he always makes some interesting and odd choices. Last year his best of list included Tropic Thunder, Funny Games, Lakeview Terrace, The Ruins, and Death Race. This year (via EW.com) he includes some more controversial films (and a few that will make you wonder just what the heck he was thinking), but that's exactly why I love him, because these fit his taste and he even has exact reasons for why he loved them. Read on to find out what film he says "is on par with The Silence of the Lambs." Hint: it's probably not the one you're expecting!

Stephen King's Top 10 Films of '09:
10. 2012
9. Fantastic Mr. Fox
8. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
7. Law Abiding Citizen
6. District 9
5. The Reader
4. Disgrace
3. The Road
2. The Last House on the Left
1. The Hurt Locker

The answer - King says that The Last House on the Left is "on par with The Silence of the Lambs" and that it's "easily the most brilliant remake of the decade." You can read his thoughts on each and every film over at EW.com. King also says about last year: "I'd give 2009 at the movies a B overall, and that ain't bad — it is, in fact, about as good as it gets. It's true that I found only nine straight-A's when I looked back through my movie notebook (No. 10 on this list was an A–), but there wasn't a single F, and that's a first in my years as an EW columnist." I don't agree with him on everything, but as always, I'm quite fascinated by his picks.

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26 Comments

Good list besides #8 and #10.....I thought Law abiding citizen was incredibly underrated.

Cody on Jan 4, 2010

thats a disappointing list by stephen 2012, Pelham 123, law abiding citizen, last house on the left. really?

laker on Jan 4, 2010

LAC was a bit underrated, but poorly executed and terrible ending. I'm going with he's basing his list on overall story/idea. but really? 2012? lol

lego on Jan 4, 2010

Last House on the left on par with Silence of the Lambs? Best remake of the decade? Are you back on the Crack?

GIGERBRICK on Jan 4, 2010

Pelham was awful. So bad. Law Abiding Citizen was amazing with the worst ending ever. Last House On The Left? What?

Brian Ricci on Jan 4, 2010

What is this guy talking about? There wasn't a single F? Did he watch Revenge of the Fallen? I thought 2009 was the worst year in movies of the last decade. Almost everything I was looking forward to watching ended up being disappointing. I know Stephen King is a respected author but his picks are quite substandard.

Alfredo on Jan 4, 2010

Wow...um ok, he's allowed to have his list no matter how bad it is.

Xerxex on Jan 4, 2010

I agree with xerxex... but, i dont really think he should be rating movies... he's going blind

meatcarnage on Jan 4, 2010

deffenitly a list made by a guy who likes to have fun at the movies

rowdy on Jan 4, 2010

Everyone has the right to an opinion, but I definitely don't hold his in high regard. I mean, this is the same guy who hated Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining so much that he insisted in making his own (which was an absolute joke). Forget movies, King: stick to your mediocre writing.

Tofer on Jan 4, 2010

hahahaha...wow. He is a great writer, but a terrible judge at movies. Pelham, District 9 and the Road are the only ones that deserve to be on there of that list.

one on Jan 4, 2010

Tofer you're a fucking retard and even bigger tool.

Hattori Hanzo on Jan 4, 2010

Tofer, if you actually read The Shining, you would understand why King didn't like Kubrick's version. When you think of Kubrick's 'hatcet job' of King's masterpiece, what do you think of first, the story or Nicholson's trademark over acting? .... Yeah, that's what I thought.

Jan on Jan 4, 2010

Hey Mr. King, "The Reader" came out in 2008. Also, "2012" is one of the worst movies ever made.

Film Fan on Jan 4, 2010

*puts on flame suit* I agree with him on Last House on the Left, it was one of the best remakes I've ever seen and it approved upon the original massively.

Ben on Jan 4, 2010

Didnt think there was another movie called "The Reader" that was released this year. Only one I could see in a top 10 is District 9, Last House was a decent movie/better remake but I think I had it #41 out of the #61 movies I seen this year. 2012 was crap, didnt see L.A.C. or Pelham and there was a reason I didnt sit thru that crap. The Road was good, I think Hurt Locker is a bit overrated.

Frightened Inmate #2 on Jan 4, 2010

I like that you felt the need to specify "Author/Writer" Stephen King

name on Jan 4, 2010

Xerxes, I agree. Man's a legend, I might not agree with him but I was interested in his opinion...as we all were or we wouldnt be commenting. I seen all of these' some might not be on my faves list but don't regret watching any of em'

I am Ron Burgundy? on Jan 4, 2010

Well, I actually agree with #10. Just recently read The Shining and it's pacing surprised me. It dragged tremendously without much escalation. More of a family drama than a horror novel. This was confirmed when I watched King's mini-series and was bored out of my mind. No tension whatsoever. But it was faithful to the source. Kubrick's Shining wasn't faithful, but it was a horror movie, plain and simple, and in that it was a very effective one. As far as this list goes... if I were King's friend I don't think I'd be catching many movies with him.

ebbie on Jan 5, 2010

The Hurt Locker deserves his place. Best movie of the year. The rest of the list... no comment.

me on Jan 5, 2010

He had The Ruins (horrid) on his list for 2008, and now 2012 on this year's list? Really? Ask 100 people to make a list and you'll get 100 different lists. In the end it's all meaningless. Watch what you like.

Nada Nuff on Jan 5, 2010

Damn you Stephen, where the hell is Moon on your list?!

Robbie on Jan 5, 2010

"on par with The Silence of the Lambs" hahahahah

loci on Jan 5, 2010

Silence of the Lambs was all elements of film making (acting, directing, screenwriting etc.) firing on more than all cylinders, how could one possibly even compare the two (I understand the Horror connection but even thats a far stretch)? For psychological brilliance alone, Silence of the Lambs clobbers Last House into a cocked hat! And lets not even start comparing the acting abilities of Hopkins/Foster and Goldwyn/Potter (who I have nothing against). And finally as for Horror, Silence's gut wrenching final makes House look like a kid at play. I think King has lost the plot!

Stefarooh on Jan 6, 2010

aw man... yea, the man is a legend but so was the unibomber, it doesnt make his opinion anymore valid (or invalid) Geeeezz....I would expect a list like that from a high schooler maybe.. but i guess its just like his books and movies...not much I care for there... Tarantinos list was way better!

lando on Jan 6, 2010

wow wee fantastic Mister fox was absoutely awful im amazed king chose this book adaptation he and roald dahl have something in common in that hollywood doesnt tend to do good versions of thier books

dre on Sep 10, 2010

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