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’ unforgettable performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, marking the only Oscar win for a Stephen King adaptation to date.
The story follows Paul 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 intensifies as the entire narrative unfolds within the confines of her isolated home, with Sheldon struggling to escape his captor’s grasp.
*Misery* also features strong supporting performances from Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, Frances Sternhagen, and Graham Jarvis. The film premiered in November 1990, earning $61.3 million worldwide and maintaining an impressive 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The screenplay was penned by William Goldman, while production was handled by Goldman alongside Rob Reiner. Critics widely praised Kathy Bates for her intense and realistic portrayal of Annie Wilkes, cementing the character as one of cinema’s most memorable villains.
Following the release of *Misery*, it took four years for another Stephen King adaptation, *The Shawshank Redemption*, to receive Academy Award nominations. Frank Darabont’s 1994 film earned seven nods but did not win any. Darabont’s later adaptation, *The Green Mile* (1999), 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 just in time for Halloween.
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/2048108-misery-streaming-tubi-halloween-stephen-king
