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The Shining adaptations: books & films
Every version of The Shining — the books & films, compared across media.
The Overlook Hotel sits at the centre of The Shining — a place of winter isolation and encroaching madness. Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny are cut off from the world, unprepared for what waits inside. Stephen King's 1977 novel introduced the story, and Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film brought it to the screen — two distinct tellings of the same harrowing premise across two different media.
The Shining films
The Shining books
Frequently asked
Is The Shining based on a book?
Yes. The Shining originated as a 1977 horror novel by Stephen King — his third published novel and first hardback bestseller. The 1980 film is an adaptation of that book.
How many versions of The Shining are there?
There are two versions covered here: Stephen King's 1977 novel and the 1980 film adaptation. Both centre on the Torrance family's isolation at the Overlook Hotel.
Which version of The Shining should I start with?
Either works as an entry point. The 1977 novel by Stephen King is where the story began, while the 1980 film is a self-contained cinematic telling of the same premise.