Stephen King is known as one of the greatest horror writers of all time, but even the master of fear isn’t immune to being scared. During a recent Reddit AMA, King surprised fans by naming the last movie and TV show that genuinely terrified him.

The Scariest TV Show: The Fall of the House of Usher

When asked about television, King immediately pointed to The Fall of the House of Usher, Mike Flanagan’s gothic Netflix series. The show, which debuted in 2023, quickly won over critics and audiences with its chilling mix of horror, family drama, and psychological suspense.

King has praised the series multiple times, even posting about it on his private X account. After catching up on the show following a hip surgery, he called it a “case of delayed gratification” and lauded its sharp writing and strong pacing. He went as far as to suggest that Flanagan might be “the Quentin Tarantino of horror.”

With a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and King’s seal of approval, The Fall of the House of Usher has cemented itself as one of the standout horror series of the decade.

The Scariest Movie: Weapons

On the film side, King singled out Weapons, the 2025 mystery-horror movie from writer-director Zach Cregger. Known for Barbarian, Cregger has been hailed as one of the most exciting voices in modern horror, and Weapons appears to have confirmed that reputation.

The movie’s plot is as unsettling as it is mysterious. Seventeen children from the same classroom disappear on the same night, taken by an unseen force. The tension builds as the story unravels, keeping viewers trapped in an atmosphere of dread.

The film stars a powerhouse cast, including Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan. Critics have raved about it — Rotten Tomatoes reports that 94% of 338 reviews were positive, with the consensus praising Cregger as a “master of horror.”

Why King’s Endorsement Matters

Stephen King has spent decades crafting stories that terrify readers, from The Shining to It. For someone so steeped in the genre to admit he was scared speaks volumes about the quality of both The Fall of the House of Usher and Weapons.

His praise not only boosts the visibility of these projects but also reassures horror fans that they deliver genuine chills. If King himself says they’re terrifying, they’re worth adding to your watchlist.

Why Stephen King’s Picks Matter for Horror Fans

Even after decades as the “King of Horror,” Stephen King still finds stories that make his skin crawl. His latest picks — The Fall of the House of Usher and Weapons — show that the genre is thriving on both the big and small screen. Whether you’re a fan of Flanagan’s gothic style or Cregger’s tense modern mysteries, these are two titles that promise to haunt your imagination.

Will you be watching Weapons or diving into The Fall of the House of Usher? Let us know in the comments.