Stephen King‘s reputation for gripping beginnings is widely acknowledged among readers. However, when it comes to unforgettable finales, the most infamous Stephen King book endings ranked often spark debates over their shocking twists, ambiguity, or divisive resolutions, leaving a lasting impression for better or worse on fans and critics alike.
While King’s stories—like Dee Wallace and Danny Pintauro’s harrowing tale in “Cujo,” or the intense journey of Roland in the “Dark Tower” series—draw readers in with strong hooks and characters, it’s the ending that often decides whether a book becomes legendary, controversial, or even notorious among his extensive bibliography. Here, we examine ten Stephen King endings that have become infamous for their bold choices, unexpected turns, or the enduring conversations they have incited.
10. Desperation’s Fizzling Climax
King’s 1996 horror novel “Desperation” stands out for its initial intrigue as travelers are detained in a remote Nevada town by an unsettling sheriff. The story begins with a strong mystery and a looming sense of supernatural evil as ancient entity Tak emerges as the true antagonist—loosely connecting it to the companion novel “The Regulators.” However, as the survivors unite against evil, the narrative momentum noticeably slows. The promising suspense gives way to a more classic good-versus-evil confrontation, undermining the story’s earlier energy and causing many to lose patience by the time the plot wraps up. Readers commonly note that “Desperation” starts stronger than it finishes, with a final act that lacks the intensity or resolve many expect from a King thriller.
9. The Tommyknockers’ Uneven Conclusion
Published in 1987, “The Tommyknockers” blends science fiction with horror, exploring secrecy and mass hysteria after a spaceship fragment is discovered near a small town. The psychological unraveling of residents shares echoes of “Salem’s Lot,” but on a grander and messier scale. Even Stephen King has admitted the book would benefit from significant revision. The staggered plot and overextended length can erode readers’ interest, with the payoff arriving almost as a relief rather than an earned climax. While the ending offers closure, it’s perceived as too tidy for such a sprawling narrative, contributing to its notoriety among long-time King fans.
8. The Colorado Kid’s Unresolved Mystery
Among King’s shortest novels, “The Colorado Kid,” released in 2005, deviates sharply from his traditional horror roots. The story investigates a mysterious dead body with the intrigue building towards a solution that never arrives. Instead, the narrative openly embraces ambiguity, thematically delving into the allure of unsolved mysteries. For many readers, the lack of closure feels deliberate but unsettling, especially for those expecting a conventional payoff. While the book explores why unsolved cases captivate us, its refusal to wrap up the central puzzle ensures its place among Stephen King’s most infamous endings.
7. The Mist and its Divergent Endings
“The Mist” first appeared in 1980 and gained greater attention through Frank Darabont’s 2007 film adaptation. Both versions trap survivors inside a supermarket besieged by supernatural terrors, but the resolutions diverge sharply. The novella concludes on an ambiguous note, leaving the group’s fate uncertain. In contrast, the film stunned audiences with a brutal twist: the protagonist, believing rescue is impossible, kills his loved ones to spare them a worse fate, only to see salvation arrive moments too late. This gut-wrenching choice elevates the story’s infamy, pushing the conclusion into truly unforgettable territory.
6. The Waste Lands’ Cliffhanger Leaves Readers Waiting
“The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands,”
published in 1991, is notorious for its unresolved finale. The novel follows Roland and his companions as they board Blaine the Mono, a sentient and deadly train demanding a deadly riddle contest. Just as the stakes hit their peak, the story abruptly stops, forcing readers to wait years for the next installment, “Wizard and Glass,” which finally resumes the narrative. Fans who endured the six-year gap remember the frustration and anticipation, as the cliffhanger became notorious for leaving so many threads hanging across the sprawling timeline of Roland’s quest.
5. Cujo’s Darker Ending in Print
Both the novel “Cujo” and its film adaptation, featuring a rabid St. Bernard tormenting a small town, contain nerve-racking suspense. However, it’s the book’s ending that has drawn the most attention—and debate. In the novel, the mother’s young child tragically dies of dehydration before help can arrive, a fate altered for a happier resolution in the film version. This devasting outcome in print sets “Cujo” apart, making it one of the darkest and most infamous of King’s conclusions, as the contrast with the adaptation forces readers and viewers to confront how horror narratives choose to end their stories.
4. Under the Dome’s Polarizing Discovery
“Under the Dome,” published in 2009, hooks readers from the start, thrusting a small town into chaos when an impenetrable dome descends from the sky. As paranoia spreads and the town spirals into crisis, intrigue builds steadily. Yet, the revelation about the dome’s origin strikes many as anticlimactic, with the answer feeling disconnected from the human drama that drives most of the story. Whether readers find the finale ridiculous or refreshingly unexpected, “Under the Dome” is frequently remembered—sometimes fondly, sometimes otherwise—for its strikingly unconventional conclusion.
“more about the journey than the destination”
—Stephen King, Author
3. It’s Dual Endings Stir Strong Emotions
King’s massive novel “It” must weave together two battlegrounds: children contending with ancient evil, and adults forced to return to the source of their trauma. The book’s conclusion juggles cosmic horror and deeply controversial narrative choices, with one infamous scene involving the children drawing frequent criticism. Meanwhile, the cosmic elements of the final confrontation don’t resonate with all fans. “It” stands out for producing intense reactions—sometimes admiration for its ambition, sometimes discomfort—ensuring the ending remains one of the most talked-about and notorious in Stephen King lore.
2. The Stand’s Divine Resolution and Lingering Evil
First released in 1978, “The Stand” follows the collapse of civilization after a global pandemic kills most of the population. As factions of good and evil form, a final act showdown is expected. Yet, King resolves the central conflict through what many see as a deus ex machina, as the most dangerous antagonists are defeated suddenly rather than through rising tension. The bittersweet coda hints that evil will never be entirely vanquished, leaving some readers unsatisfied by the abrupt wrap-up, yet fascinated by the themes of human nature and temptation lingering beyond the story’s close.
1. The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower’s Circular Fate
Concluding a seven-book saga in 2004,
“The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower”
bore enormous narrative weight, and its ending is among the most infamous in King’s entire catalog. Roland’s quest finally leads him to the Tower itself after countless sacrifices and losses. The twist: upon entering, he’s forced to relive his entire journey, suggesting he may be trapped in an eternal cycle—yet with the faintest hint of hope for a different outcome in the future. The fate of beloved characters, the ease with which certain villains are dispatched, and the surreal loop of Roland’s fate combine to leave readers awestruck, confounded, or even outraged, ensuring King’s magnum opus is discussed for years after its final page.
The impact of these book endings ripples through the world of horror fiction and beyond. Whether provoking admiration, sorrow, or outrage, Stephen King’s famously divisive finales have ensured his novels remain part of ongoing conversations among fans, casual readers, and critics alike. The resonance of these conclusions, whether loved or loathed, cements their legendary status within King’s vast body of work—and continues to shape how we talk about endings in modern literature.
