Stephen King's 10 Best Ghost Stories, Ranked

Author Stephen King has been at the center of the horror genre for decades now, and among his catalog of amazing books, some of his best stories are those about ghosts. Like any other genre, horror has many tropes and storylines to choose from, and ghost stories are one of them. Typically, a traditional ghost story will see a person being haunted by a ghost or many ghosts, and this leads them into spooky scenarios. Sometimes, these tales get even scarier when the ghost inhabits a person or object. Either way, ghost stories can definitely keep readers up at night.

Over the years, King has written more than 70 novels, which means he has explored pretty much every trope in the book. From demons to psychic abilities to horrifying curses, King's books often get to the core of humanity's scariest folktales and fears, all in very unique ways. Therefore, King has quite a few ghostly stories in his repertoire, both in his novels and his short stories. The following ten King stories can be considered some of the best ghost stories he has ever written up to this point.

10 Sneakers

A Man Finds A Pair Of Haunted Sneakers

One solid ghost story from King is the short story, Sneakers. This 1989 tale follows a man named John who works at a recording studio. While using the bathroom, John discovers a pair of old dirty sneakers that he has never seen before. Over the next few days, John notices the shoes moving around and collecting flies and insects. Eventually, John discovers who the sneakers really belong to, and worse, that his workplace is hiding a murderous secret.

Sneakers is not King's most shocking or horrifying story, but it is still entertaining and unique. Where other King books include hundreds of pages of backstory and lore, Sneakers is as straightforward as it gets. A man runs into a ghost and discovers a secret. What sets Sneakers apart is the fact that the story relies on an unexpected object in an unexpected place. King gives the traditional ghost story a special flair in Sneakers.

9 Joyland

An Amusement Park Is Being Haunted In More Than One Way

Another King ghost story that goes beyond what is expected is Joyland. A more recent King project, Joyland is a 2013 novel that centers on a young man named Devin who begins working a summer job at an amusement park called Joyland. There, Devin learns about a horrific murder that occurred at the park, and the woman who allegedly continues haunting the place. However, Devin soon realizes that this murder is not just a thing of the past, but could affect him in the present day.

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Joyland doesn't focus completely on ghosts, as murder plays a big part in the novel as well, but it can definitely still be categorized as a ghost story. It isn't necessarily that Devin is haunted by an actual spirit, but it is that he is haunted by the case of the spirit and what it means today. King shows how hauntings can happen in various ways, and how ghost stories can actually have real-life consequences. Thus, Joyland isn't just a scary story, but a life lesson.

8 Duma Key

An Artist Is Possessed

One King novel where the ghost is front and center is Duma Key. In this 2008 book, a contractor moves to a beach house on the Florida coast after suffering a traumatic accident which led to brain damage and an amputated arm. The contract begins making art as a form of therapy, but soon discovers that he has gained psychic abilities wherein his paintings can change reality. Yet, this exciting ability turns dark when he discovers who - or what - is actually behind it all.

Like Sneakers, Duma Key is not your typical horror story which might take place in a haunted house or a cemetery. Duma Key has a beautiful beach setting and an unexpected character at its center, but it still manages to be frightening. What is even better is that the book's central villain is not just a nameless ghost, but has a backstory that is as interesting as the present day storyline. In this way, Duma Key offers a riveting and fast-paced ghost story.

7 Sometimes They Come Back

Old Villains Return Decades Later

Another notable short story surrounding ghosts is King's Sometimes They Come Back. Originally published in 1974, this story is about a man whose brother was killed in a brutal beating in the 1950s. Then, 20 years later, the man finds himself face-to-face with his brother's attackers once again, yet they haven't aged a day since the murder. The man must figure out why these ghosts are reappearing and what their intention is with him and his peers.

As the title says, Sometimes They Come Back answers the question of what happens when bad people return from the afterlife, intent on destruction. Unlike Sneakers, this story is a bit fuller and has more tragic and horrifying consequences. It is truly chilling to watch the protagonist reunite with those who caused the greatest loss of his life. Sometimes They Come Back is a satisfying and dark story within King's impressive catalog.

6 Christine

A Car Is Taken Over By A Violent Ghost

A notable King novel with a ghostly element is Christine. This 1983 book follows friends Arnie and Dennis as they purchase a 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine. Arnie quickly becomes obsessed with the car while Dennis gets a bad feeling from it. Soon enough, Christine begins to affect Arnie, and not only that, but exhibits behaviors that prove she is more than just a car. Dennis must work out who is possessing the car before it is too late for his friend.

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The concept of a conscious car isn't necessarily new, but the way King employs this trope for horror is impressive. Watching Arnie change under the powers of Christine is incredibly creepy, and it is easy to root for Dennis, who senses something is wrong right from the very beginning. Furthermore, having a car as a villain leads to some pretty intriguing power dynamics and scenes. Overall, Christine is the perfect King book for fans of possession stories.

5 The Reach

A Woman Comes Face To Face With The Afterlife

One story that is as heartfelt as it is eerie is The Reach. The 1981 short story is set on Goat Island, where 95-year-old Stella has never left. However, as Stella's cancer begins to rear its ugly head and she realizes her life is finally coming to an end, Stella is convinced to cross the Reach, a segment of frozen lake that separates the island from the mainland. On her quest, Stella reunites with her loved ones who have already passed away.

Ghost stories can certainly be scary, but they can also be emotional, and The Reach mixes the two feelings. While it is certainly unsettling to see an old woman trekking to her inevitable death, it is also sweet to watch her reunite with those she loved who have come to usher her to her grave. The Reach is one of those stories that tries to provide some comfort around the idea of death, and King succeeds in offering this feeling through this meaningful story.

4 Later

A Young Boy Can Speak To Dead People

Though many may not have heard of this book, Later is a King ghost story definitely worth checking out. Later centers on Jamie Conklin, a young boy who has the ability to see and speak to the dead. Jamie resents his powers and yearns for a normal life, but he seems to always find his way into trouble. His life gets even more risky when an NYPD officer tries to use Jamie to help solve a crime committed from beyond the grave.

Characters who can speak to the dead are one awesome trope within the ghost story genre. King's character Jamie is intriguing not only because of his ability but because of how he feels about it, and the ways it affects those around him. Later is not just a ghost story but a novel about crime, morality, and the loss of innocence. Those who have enjoyed King's other young characters will probably find a lot to love in this book.

3 1408

A Man Stays In A Haunted Hotel Room

One final King short story surrounding ghosts is his 1999 tale, 1408. The story centers on Mike, a writer who specializes in ghosts, despite not believing in the supernatural. For a project, Mike decides to stay in what is considered to be one of the most haunted hotel rooms in America. Despite Mike's superstitions, he ends up remaining in the room for only a brief period of time after finding himself in a horrifying hellscape.

1408 may be one of the most explicitly scary ghost stories that King has written. It is not just tension that King builds, but visuals that stick with readers as much as they stick to the protagonist. 1408 deploys its scares in ways that audiences may not expect, which in turn, makes them even creepier. Ultimately, 1408 is the closest King gets to a traditional haunted house story.

2 The Shining

A Family Is Terrorized In A Haunted Hotel

What is likely King's most popular ghost story is The Shining. His second ever published novel, The Shining follows Jack Torrance as he takes a job as an off-season caretakerat the Overlook Hotel. Jack brings along his young son Danny and his wife Wendy. Though Jack attempts to be a responsible father and husband, fighting against his alcoholism, he quickly begins losing control due to supernatural forces within the hotel.

There is a reason why The Shining is so well-loved among horror fans. This book is full of haunting images and scenes that have become iconic parts of popular culture. From the creepy twins and the elevator of blood to Jack yelling "Here's Johnny," The Shining is a powerhouse in building tension and having a huge payoff. Of course, the ghosts play a massive part in this. The Shining's supernatural forces are the foundation of Jack's reign of terror.

1 Bag of Bones

A Writer Grieves His Ghostly Wife

Finally, King's best ghost story of all time is Bag of Bones. Published in 1998, this novel follows Mike Noonan, a writer who is struggling to work after the unexpected death of his wife. As a result, Mike travels to his lake house to try and grieve and get his spark back. However, Mike soon becomes obsessed with a young girl in town, and worse, finds himself haunted by the ghost of his deceased wife.

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Bag of Bones is exactly what one would expect from a King novel. There is a traumatized protagonist, an eerie lake house setting, and a complex set of storylines that blend and diverge into a spider web of questions that are eventually answered in one big climactic moment. Of all the ghosts in King's stories, Bag of Bones' ghost may be one of the best. Ultimately, this is a beloved Stephen King book that more people should check out, especially if they're looking for a spooky read.