List of Stephen King Books in Order: How to Actually Tackle the King of Horror

Let’s be real for a second. Looking at a complete list of Stephen King books in order is like staring at the base of Mount Everest while wearing flip-flops. It’s intimidating. The man writes faster than most people read. Since 1974, he’s been a literary factory, churning out everything from sentient cars to interdimensional clowns.

If you're trying to figure out where to start—or how to catch up—you’ve basically got two choices. You can follow the path of the "Constant Reader" and go by publication date. Or, you can dive into the weeds of the Dark Tower multiverse. Honestly? Most people just want to know what came when so they don't miss the subtle "easter eggs" King hides everywhere.

The Early Years: When Carrie Met the Vampire

King didn't just walk onto the scene; he exploded. Before he was a household name, he was a guy struggling to pay the bills in a trailer in Maine.

1. Carrie (1974) – The one that started it all. If his wife, Tabitha, hadn't fished the crumpled manuscript out of the trash, we might not be talking about him today.
2. 'Salem's Lot (1975) – Vampires in Maine. It’s classic, it’s creepy, and it’s arguably one of the best "small town" horror stories ever written.
3. The Shining (1977) – Forget the movie for a second. The book is a deeply personal look at alcoholism and isolation.
4. Rage (1977) – Published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. King eventually let this one go out of print for personal reasons.
5. Night Shift (1978) – His first short story collection. "Graveyard Shift" and "Children of the Corn" live here.
6. The Stand (1978) – The big one. A superflu wipes out the world. It was later re-released in 1990 as a "Complete and Uncut" version that’s over 1,000 pages.
7. The Long Walk (1979) – Another Bachman book. It’s a dystopian marathon where if you stop, you die. Brutal.
8. The Dead Zone (1979) – A high school teacher wakes up from a coma with psychic powers.

It’s wild to think he put out that much legendary material in just five years. Most authors would retire after The Stand. King was just getting warmed up.

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The 80s Fever Dream and the Rise of Bachman

The 1980s were... prolific for King. There’s a famous story that he doesn't even remember writing Cujo because of his struggles with substance abuse at the time. Yet, the work stayed top-tier.

He continued using the Richard Bachman name to see if his books would sell without the "Stephen King" brand. They did. Until a bookstore clerk noticed the similarities and the cat was out of the bag.

• Firestarter (1980)
• Roadwork (1981) - Bachman
• Danse Macabre (1981) - Non-fiction about the horror genre.
• Cujo (1981)
• The Running Man (1982) - Bachman. Very different from the Arnold movie.
• The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982) - The start of his magnum opus.
• Different Seasons (1982) - This contains Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption and The Body (which became Stand By Me).
• Christine (1983)
• Pet Sematary (1983) - King famously thought this one was "too dark" to publish at first.
• Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)
• The Talisman (1984) - Co-written with Peter Straub.
• Thinner (1984) - The Bachman book that finally got him "caught."
• Skeleton Crew (1985) - Includes The Mist.
• IT (1986) - The definitive "scary clown" book. It’s also a massive coming-of-age story.
• The Eyes of the Dragon (1987) - A straight-up fantasy novel.
• Misery (1987) - Every writer’s nightmare.
• The Tommyknockers (1987) - King’s take on sci-fi horror.
• The Dark Half (1989) - A meta-look at what happens when a pseudonym comes to life.

Navigating the 90s and the New Millennium

By the 90s, King was the undisputed king of the bestseller list. He started experimenting more with formats, like the serialized release of The Green Mile.

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The Mid-Career Classics

1. The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition (1990)
2. Four Past Midnight (1990) - Includes The Langoliers.
3. Needful Things (1991) - The "Last Castle Rock Story" (sorta).
4. Gerald's Game (1992)
5. Dolores Claiborne (1992)
6. Insomnia (1994) - Heavy ties to the Dark Tower.
7. Rose Madder (1995)
8. The Green Mile (1996) - Originally released in six paperback chapbooks.
9. Desperation (1996) and The Regulators (1996) - Twin novels published simultaneously, one as King, one as Bachman.
10. Bag of Bones (1998)
11. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999)
12. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000) - If you want to write, read this.

The Dark Tower Order: A Quick Sidebar

If you're specifically looking for the list of Stephen King books in order regarding Roland Deschain’s quest, it’s not just 1 through 7. King added a "4.5" later.

• The Gunslinger (1982)
• The Drawing of the Three (1987)
• The Waste Lands (1991)
• Wizard and Glass (1997)
• The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012) - This is the "4.5" entry.
• Wolves of the Calla (2003)
• Song of Susannah (2004)
• The Dark Tower (2004)

The Modern Era and Holly Gibney

In recent years, King has pivoted toward hard-boiled detective fiction and "merely" supernatural thrillers. He fell in love with a character named Holly Gibney, who first appeared in Mr. Mercedes. She has since become the star of her own sub-series.

Recent Hits and 2025/2026 Releases

• 11/22/63 (2011) - Widely considered one of his best modern works. Time travel and JFK.
• Doctor Sleep (2013) - The sequel to The Shining.
• Mr. Mercedes (2014)
• The Outsider (2018)
• The Institute (2019)
• Fairy Tale (2022) - A massive portal fantasy that felt like "classic King."
• Holly (2023) - The titular character takes center stage in a gruesome mystery.
• You Like It Darker (2024) - A new short story collection.
• Never Flinch (May 2025) - The latest Holly Gibney novel involving a celebrity activist and a stalker.
• Hansel and Gretel (September 2025) - A reimaged picture book collaboration.
• Untitled Talisman Sequel (TBD) - King has been "beavering away" at a third book in the Talisman series, channeling the late Peter Straub.

Why Order Matters (and Why It Doesn't)

Look, you don't have to read King in order. You won't be lost if you read The Outsider before Carrie. But there's a certain magic in seeing his "multiverse" expand.

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For instance, if you read 'Salem's Lot before the later Dark Tower books, a certain character's reappearance will hit way harder. If you read The Stand, you'll recognize the man in black across a dozen other stories.

A Pro-Tip for New Readers

Don't start with the 1,000-page behemoths.
Try The Dead Zone or Misery. They are tight, fast-paced, and show off his ability to build tension without needing a map of the universe.

If you're a seasoned vet, your next move is definitely checking out the 2025 releases. Never Flinch is already getting buzz for being "punchy" crime fiction. King is nearly 80, and he’s still outworking everyone in the room.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Audit your shelf: Compare your current collection against the list of Stephen King books in order above to see which gaps you need to fill.
• Pick a "flavor": If you want horror, go for Pet Sematary. If you want a "coming of age" vibe, grab Different Seasons.
• Pre-order the new stuff: Keep an eye out for Never Flinch (May 2025) to stay current with the Holly Gibney saga.