Buzz
A vast number of Stephen King’s novels and short stories have been brought to life on screen, each showcasing a unique connection to his expansive literary world.
King’s adaptations are filled with subtle nods and callbacks to his other works, mirroring the interconnectedness found in his books. Whether it’s the recurring Maine settings, his efforts to weave a shared universe, or simply a playful homage, these references are a hallmark of King’s storytelling. This tradition extends seamlessly into the films and TV series based on his works.
Here, we highlight ten of the most clever self-referential moments, where King and his adapters playfully ask, “Hey, remember this from King’s world?”
10. The Dark Tower – Pennywise
Stephen King originally envisioned The Dark Tower as a unifying force for his vast literary universe, making it a treasure trove of easter eggs. However, since the film was adapted by Nikolaj Arcel, it’s fair game. Among its numerous nods, the unmistakable reference to It is particularly striking.
In one scene, Jake Chambers, the young protagonist with psychic abilities, explores the desolate remains of Mid-World. He discovers the remnants of an old amusement park, where a partially buried statue of a clown’s hand clutching Pennywise’s iconic balloons emerges from the ground. Nearby, a ride is labeled with the not-so-subtle name “Pennywise.”
9. Castle Rock – “Wanna See a Body?”
Let’s start with the more obvious references. Similar to The Dark Tower, the TV series Castle Rock serves as a bridge connecting King’s diverse stories. The show is filled with locations, objects, and characters directly tied to his books. Yet, some easter eggs are more understated, like a subtle nod to Stand By Me.
While King is renowned for his horror, he also wrote the story behind the beloved coming-of-age film Stand By Me. The movie’s pivotal moment begins with Vern asking his friends, “You guys wanna go see a dead body?” This line resurfaces in Castle Rock during episode five, when the Kid, overwhelmed by a cacophony of voices, hears one distinct voice ask, “Wanna see a body?”
8. It – Turtles
Devotees of Stephen King’s universe are familiar with Maturin, the colossal, deity-like turtle responsible for creating at least one universe and who holds little regard for Pennywise. In the book, Maturin directly interacts with Bill, providing guidance and support. Although its scenes were omitted from the film, director Andy Muschietti included subtle nods to this cosmic creature.
In both films, turtles appear during key or emotionally intense moments. These references manifest as turtle stickers, Lego turtles, turtle sculptures, and discussions about real turtles. The most understated nod, never explicitly mentioned in the movie, is the root Mike acquires from Native Americans, which is named Maturin. As Muschietti explained, “Maturin is still present in the film, just not as a giant turtle.”
7. Pet Sematary – Cujo
The original Pet Sematary book featured a direct reference to Cujo and its infamous killer St. Bernard. In the story, Jud Crandall recounts to Louis Creed the tale of a rabid dog that claimed four lives years earlier. This reference was carried over into the 2019 film adaptation, but with an even darker twist.
In the film, Jud recounts the story once more, but this time to a guest at a child’s birthday party. The tale feels out of place in such a setting, casting doubt on Jud’s sense of appropriateness. It also raises questions about how that particular version of Maine could endure so much misfortune involving pets in such a short span of time.
6. The Mist – Gunslinger Roland
The 2007 film adaptation of King’s The Mist delivered a gripping and brutal horror experience, offering sharp commentary on divisive group dynamics. While the movie’s bleak, heart-wrenching ending—a stark departure from King’s more optimistic conclusion—stands out, it’s the opening scene that earns a place on our list of easter eggs.
The film begins with protagonist David Drayton painting Roland the Gunslinger from The Dark Tower. The artwork is unmistakable, featuring the character’s gun, bandoliers, a single red rose, and the iconic dark tower in the background. The depiction resembles Clint Eastwood, echoing the early Dark Tower cover art that mirrored Eastwood’s likeness.
5. The Shining – Hedge Maze Foreshadowing
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining is widely regarded as one of the finest King adaptations, though ironically, it’s the one King himself dislikes the most. Despite this, the film remains a masterpiece. Its rich symbolism and Kubrick’s meticulous direction have led fans to dissect every frame for hidden meanings, foreshadowing, and even conspiracy theories like the moon landing hoax. Among these interpretations is the clever foreshadowing of the film’s iconic hedge maze finale.
One notable example is Jack’s first tie, a forest-green piece with an intricate knit pattern resembling a hedge maze. Additionally, the cartoons Danny watches offer subtle hints. The first features Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner through a maze of train tracks, while the next includes a song with the lyrics, “The coyote’s after you, Road Runner. If he catches you, you’re through.”
4. It: Chapter 2 – “Here’s Johnny!”
Referencing The Shining, It: Chapter 2 includes a nod to the horror classic that stands out for its directness. The most famous line from The Shining—Jack Torrance’s “Here’s Johnny!” as he breaks through a door—is recreated almost identically in It: Chapter 2.
In the scene, Bev finds herself trapped in a bathroom stall as Pennywise, taking on the forms of those closest to her, tries to force his way in. As Henry Bowers, Pennywise cracks the door, sticks his head through, and delivers the iconic line. The shot mirrors Kubrick’s original framing, paying homage to the classic moment.
3. It: Chapter 2 – Bad Endings
One of the most memorable easter eggs in any King-inspired film appears in It: Chapter 2, where King humorously critiques himself. A recurring joke in the movie is that Bill, now an acclaimed author, is celebrated for his talent—except for his poorly received endings. This mirrors the frequent real-life criticism King faces: his stories are captivating but often conclude unsatisfactorily.
The joke goes even further when King makes a cameo, directly telling Bill that his endings are terrible. This moment showcases King’s self-awareness and humility—or, depending on your perspective, a playful jab at his critics. Regardless, it’s a delightful nod to King’s career-long habit of self-referential humor.
2. Doctor Sleep – Original Danny
While many easter eggs are straightforward, this one from Doctor Sleep earns its high ranking because it seemed like the least likely detail to ever appear in the film.
During a little league game where the True Knots search for a young player with psychic abilities, the camera pans to a conversation between two spectators. One of them is Danny Lloyd, the actor who portrayed young Danny Torrance in The Shining. What makes this cameo remarkable is that Lloyd retired from acting after The Shining, making his appearance in Doctor Sleep his first acting role in nearly four decades.
1. It – Tim Curry Cameo
Tim Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise in the 1990 It miniseries left an indelible mark, and the 2017 film paid tribute to his iconic performance. This homage takes the form of a Pennywise doll designed to resemble Curry’s version of the character.
In the movie, Richie is trapped in a room filled with terrifying clown dolls, each a variation of Pennywise. Among them, one doll on the left stands out, featuring the exact hairstyle, makeup, and outfit that Curry’s Pennywise famously wore, making the reference unmistakable.
