Stephen King's 10 Best Villains of All Time, Ranked
News Source
β’Sat, 24 Oct 2026 16:01:20 GMT
π° What Happened
Stephen King has written dozens of novels and short stories, and many of his villains are as famous as his heroes. Polygon has ranked his ten best, from vampires to ordinary people gone wrong.
At number ten is Kurt Barlow, the vampire in Salem's Lot. King has said he likes giving villains a fair chance, because most of them see themselves as the heroes of their own lives.
π The Backstory
King's books have been turned into films and TV shows for almost 50 years, from Carrie in 1976 to the current Carrie series on Amazon, which was just renewed for a second season.
His best villains often mix cruelty with something sad or human. That mix is why readers remember them long after the plots fade.
π― Why It Matters
Horror is having a moment before Halloween, and the list is a quick guide to King's scariest characters if you want somewhere to start.
Stephen King has written dozens of novels and short stories, and many of his villains are as famous as his heroes. Polygon has ranked his ten best, from vampires to ordinary people gone wrong.
At number ten is Kurt Barlow, the vampire in Salem's Lot. King has said he likes giving villains a fair chance, because most of them see themselves as the heroes of their own lives.
King's books have been turned into films and TV shows for almost 50 years, from Carrie in 1976 to the current Carrie series on Amazon, which was just renewed for a second season.
His best villains often mix cruelty with something sad or human. That mix is why readers remember them long after the plots fade.
Horror is having a moment before Halloween, and the list is a quick guide to King's scariest characters if you want somewhere to start.