Forget 'Carrie,' Stephen King's Near-Perfect Thriller Resurfaces as a Streaming Hit

Published Oct 20, 2026, 9:43 PM EDT

Stephen King is known for having his books adapted into classic movies – the film versions of Carrie, The Shining, and The Shawshank Redemption have all become as well known as the source material. One film, however, has climbed to the top of the Tubi charts 27 years after its release — a film that became one of only two King adaptations to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar upon its original release. The Green Mile, the 1999 adaptation of King’s novel, was an immediate hit in cinemas and has stayed in the hearts of all who have seen it in the years since. A powerful tale of the human spirit surviving in the most hopeless of places, it featured a career-best performance by Michael Clarke Duncan, as well as another classic turn from star Tom Hanks.

‘The Green Mile’ is a Supernatural Prison Drama

Set in 1935, the film stars Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, a corrections officer who works at Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s “Green Mile,” which houses inmates sentenced to execution. Hardened by his experiences, Edgecomb’s worldview is changed when he meets John Coffey (Duncan), a man sentenced to death for the murder of two young girls. Taken aback by his gentle nature, Edgecomb befriends Coffey, only to discover that he possesses magical healing abilities. This revelation, as well as other facts about his case, lead him to believe Coffey has been wrongly convicted, leaving all the men trapped in a process they know is unjust.

The film was directed by Frank Darabont, who had adapted another Stephen King prison drama, The Shawshank Redemption, five years earlier. Whereas that film took some time to find its audience, The Green Mile was an immediate hit, both with critics and at the box office, and earned four Oscar nominations. Audiences responded to the emotional roller-coaster of a plot, which seemed to offer a story that was something of a departure for a King adaptation.

Stephen King’s Writing was Given a Hopeful Twist

Image via Universal Pictures

Given that he is considered one of the greatest horror writers of all time, King’s work is known for being quite dark and gritty. The Green Mile, however, is different, choosing a dark and seemingly hopeless setting, but allowing some light to pour through. This is true of both the book and the movie, given that Darabont’s film is generally considered one of the more faithful adaptations of King’s writing. While some details are changed or expanded, the film generally stays true to the source material.

Like The Shawshank Redemption, it is an unashamedly sentimental movie, but earns that emotional investment. During the course of its three-hour runtime, the audience gets to know the characters, their relationships, and ultimately the heartbreaking portrayal of a system where good men are forced to participate in deeds they know to be wrong. Yet beneath that sadness is a hope that in all the characters, and us as people, decency can still exist even in the darkest of times. It is also a film bolstered by magnificent performances, but despite the presence of industry veterans like Hanks and Gary Sinise, the film belonged to the relative newcomer in the cast.

Michael Clarke Duncan Gave the Performance of a Lifetime

Duncan had only been acting for four years prior to playing John Coffey, mainly appearing in comedies and action movies that played on his imposing frame (6 feet 5 inches, and 315 pounds). However, this role asked something different of him – to defy the physical expectations of his character and be a source of light in an ugly world. His innocence, charm, and tenderness made an immediate impression, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and taking his career to a new level.

Sadly, the actor would pass away in 2012, aged just 54, with John Coffey being the role most celebrated by those who remembered him. During his tribute to the actor, Darabont reflected: “What sticks most in my mind was his devotion to his craft and the strides he made as an artist during that time, which was beyond inspiring to those of us who took the journey with him. Never has an actor more richly deserved the recognition of an Academy Award nomination than Michael did for his performance as John Coffey.”

One of the great benefits of modern streaming is the ability to discover old classics, and Tubi viewers have certainly done that with The Green Mile. A powerful script and captivating performances come together to make something that stands out even in the lofty sub-category of King adaptations, with its star leaving his mark on Hollywood history.