What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMisery
Stephen King · Book · 1987
If you loved Misery, start with Misery (Rob Reiner, 1990) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Misery across media.
If Misery hooked you, it is because you crave stories where isolation and psychological entrapment force characters into harrowing, high-stakes power struggles.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Misery
Rob Reiner · Film · 1990
Films on the same thread
The Shining
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1980
Shares a thread with Misery: Isolation.
Much like the claustrophobic confinement of Misery, this film traps its characters in a remote location where forced isolation rapidly accelerates a descent into terrifying, unpredictable madness.
The Mist
Frank Darabont · Film · 2007
Explores: Group dynamics under pressure, Religious fanaticism, Fear of the unknown.
The desperate struggle for survival against an external threat in a contained space mirrors the intense, trapped feeling found in Misery, highlighting how quickly social dynamics collapse under pressure.
Fatal Attraction
Adrian Lyne · Film · 1987
Shares a thread with Misery: Psychological Thriller.
This film captures the same terrifying obsession seen in Misery, focusing on the dangerous consequences of a one-sided connection that spirals into a relentless, life-threatening pursuit of control.
Split
M. Night Shyamalan · Film · 2017
Shares 2 threads with Misery: Trauma, Survival.
The psychological tension of being held captive by a captor with a fractured psyche will resonate with those who admired the power dynamics and constant survival stakes of Misery.
Series on the same thread
Storm of the Century
Stephen King · Series · 1999
Shares 3 threads with Misery: Isolation, Horror, Psychological Thriller.
The fear of an inescapable, isolated environment occupied by a malevolent force echoes the dread of Misery, where the protagonist is powerless against a stranger with a dark agenda.
Mr. Mercedes
David E. Kelley · Series · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Misery: Obsession, Trauma, Psychological Thriller.
The cat-and-mouse game between the antagonist and the protagonist mirrors the psychological torment found in Misery, fueled by a dangerous obsession that refuses to let the target escape.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
For fans of the dark obsession explored in Misery, this podcast offers a deep, conversational dive into the real-world crimes and psychological motivations that underpin such terrifying human behavior.
Sleep With Me
Silver Sleeper Productions LLC · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Insomnia Relief, Mindfulness, Boredom Induction.
If the intense anxiety of Misery leaves your mind racing, this podcast provides the necessary opposite, using steady, boring narratives to help you decompress from high-tension psychological horror.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the movie Misery based on the book by Stephen King?
Yes, the 1990 movie Misery is an adaptation of the 1987 novel written by Stephen King. Both versions follow the story of novelist Paul Sheldon after he survives a car crash and is held captive by a deranged fan.
What is the plot of the book Misery?
The book Misery follows novelist Paul Sheldon, who suffers an almost fatal car crash. He is rescued by a deranged fan who nurses him back to health while holding him captive, forcing him to deal with the consequences of his writing.
Should I read the book Misery before watching the movie?
You can experience the story of Misery in either format. Both the 1987 book and the 1990 movie adaptation cover the same core narrative regarding the novelist Paul Sheldon and his captor, so the order depends on your preference for reading or watching.
When was the book Misery released?
The book Misery was published in 1987. It was written by Stephen King and details the experience of Paul Sheldon, a novelist who is held captive by a fan following a near-fatal car accident.