Stephen King’s only Oscar-winning adaptation, *Misery*, is returning just in time for Halloween 2025. The acclaimed psychological thriller will soon be available to stream for free, giving fans a chance to experience one of the author’s most celebrated stories once again.
Directed by Rob Reiner, the 1990 film stars James Caan as author Paul Sheldon and Kathy Bates as his obsessive fan, Annie Wilkes. Bates’ powerful performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, marking the only Oscar win for a Stephen King adaptation to date.
The story follows Sheldon after a severe car crash leaves him trapped in Annie’s remote cabin. As she nurses him back to health, her obsession turns violent upon discovering that Sheldon plans to kill off her favorite fictional character. The tension unfolds entirely within the confines of her home, creating an intense and claustrophobic atmosphere as Sheldon struggles to escape.
*Misery* also features memorable performances from Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, Frances Sternhagen, and Graham Jarvis. The film premiered in November 1990 and went on to earn $61.3 million worldwide. It maintains an impressive 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The screenplay was written by William Goldman, with production by Andrew Scheinman and Rob Reiner. Critics lauded Kathy Bates for her intense and realistic portrayal of Annie Wilkes, cementing the character as one of cinema’s most memorable villains.
Following *Misery*, it took four years for another King adaptation, *The Shawshank Redemption* (1994), to receive Academy Award nominations. Frank Darabont’s film earned seven nods but did not win any awards. Another Darabont adaptation, *The Green Mile* (1999), later received four nominations, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor.
Fans can look forward to streaming *Misery* for free on Tubi starting October 31, 2025. The film joins the platform’s expanding library of classic horror titles, perfect for Halloween viewing.
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/2048108-misery-streaming-tubi-halloween-stephen-king