Stephen King’s “Carrie” has been remade, sequeled, sung, and now turned into a series. With Mike Flanagan’s version streaming on Prime Video since October 7, 2026, a lot of people are asking the same thing: how many versions are there, and which ones are worth watching?
There are five screen versions, plus a stage musical that has its own strange story. I went through each one so you can see what’s what. I haven’t watched the new series yet, so where I mention critics, I’m passing along what they said, not my own verdict.
Where It All Started: The 1974 Novel
King’s first published novel came out on April 5, 1974, from Doubleday. It follows Carrie White, a bullied 16-year-old in Chamberlain, Maine, who has telekinetic powers and a controlling, deeply religious mother. A cruel prank at the prom ends in disaster.
The origin story is great. King first thought of it as a short story for a men’s magazine and hated the opening shower scene so much that he threw the pages away. His wife, Tabitha, pulled them out of the trash and told him to keep going. Without that, we might never have had any of what follows.
Carrie (1976): The One Everyone Compares to
Brian De Palma’s film opened November 3, 1976, with Lawrence D. Cohen writing the script. Sissy Spacek played Carrie, and Piper Laurie played her mother. Both were nominated for Oscars, though neither won.
It was a hit with critics. Rotten Tomatoes lists 94% positive, and Metacritic gave it 85 out of 100. It cost about $1.8 million and grossed over $33.8 million. In 2022 the Library of Congress picked it for the National Film Registry.
It’s also the version later adaptations get measured against. One Gizmodo reviewer says the earlier versions all fall short of De Palma’s film, and that its famous jump scare is still the best-known moment of the whole franchise.
The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999): The Sequel Nobody Asked For
This follow-up came out March 12, 1999, directed by Katt Shea. Emily Bergl plays Rachel Lang, a telekinetic teen who turns out to be Carrie’s half-sister. Amy Irving came back as Sue Snell, now a school counselor.
It didn’t land. Rotten Tomatoes shows 23% positive, and it earned about $17.8 million against a $21 million budget. Critics did praise Bergl, who was making her film debut. If you only watch one thing from this list besides the original, this probably isn’t it.
Carrie (2002): The TV Movie That Wanted to Be a Series
NBC aired this on November 4, 2002, and about 12 million people tuned in. David Carson directed, Bryan Fuller wrote it, and Angela Bettis starred, with Patricia Clarkson as Margaret.
It was meant as a backdoor pilot. The ending changed so that Carrie survives and escapes to Florida, which would have let a series continue. NBC wasn’t interested, and no series followed. Critics were harsh, with a 20% score on Rotten Tomatoes, though they liked Bettis and Clarkson.
Carrie (2013): The Big-Budget Remake
Kimberly Peirce directed this one, released October 18, 2013. Chloë Grace Moretz played Carrie, and Julianne Moore played Margaret. Judy Greer and Portia Doubleday were in the cast too.
It made $84.8 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, so it earned its money back. Critics were split. Its Rotten Tomatoes score sits at 51%, and the site’s consensus calls it “woefully unnecessary.” That’s a rough label, but you can see how people felt.
The Musical: Broadway’s Famous Flop
Yes, there’s a musical. Michael Gore wrote the music, Dean Pitchford the lyrics, and Lawrence D. Cohen the book. It opened on Broadway in May 1988 and closed after five performances, following 16 previews. Reports put the cost around $7 to $8 million, and it’s often listed among Broadway’s most expensive flops.
The odd part is what happened next. The flop gained a cult following. A 1992 book, Not Since Carrie, took its title from the show. A revised version ran off-Broadway in 2012 and got better reviews, and it won an award for best musical revival. A 2018 episode of Riverdale centered on it too.
Carrie (2026): Mike Flanagan’s Series
The newest version is an eight-episode Prime Video series from Flanagan, who also directs four episodes. Stephen King is an executive producer. Summer H. Howell plays Carrie, and Samantha Sloyan plays Margaret.
According to Hollywoodlife, this version makes the digital era a new threat to Carrie, with a viral bullying scandal at its center. Rotten Tomatoes’ first-reviews roundup shows 86% positive. Critics praised Howell, and they singled out Sloyan for adding sympathy to Margaret.
Quick Guide: Which Version Is Which?
| Version | Year | Format | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrie | 1976 | Film | 94% |
| The Rage: Carrie 2 | 1999 | Film | 23% |
| Carrie | 2002 | TV movie | 20% |
| Carrie | 2013 | Film | 51% |
| Carrie | 2026 | Series | 86% |
These scores come from different reviewer pools and different times, so they’re a rough guide, not a ranking.
Where to Stream Them
Hollywoodlife says Amazon MGM Studios owns the franchise, so most versions sit on Amazon-linked platforms. The 1976 film is on HBO Max and Prime Video. The other titles are listed across Prime Video, Tubi, Pluto TV, MGM+, AMC+, and Philo. Streaming lists change often, so check your own service before you plan a marathon.
What Didn’t Work
I’ll be direct: most of these versions didn’t impress critics. The sequel, the TV movie, and the remake all landed well below the original, and the musical closed within days.
Even the new series isn’t getting a free pass. Gizmodo’s review says it has power but doesn’t quite stick the landing. It calls the finale rushed, the prom almost anticlimactic, and the show not very scary. The Rotten Tomatoes roundup adds complaints about padding across eight episodes.
I haven’t seen it, so I can’t say who’s right. But it’s a useful reminder that “Carrie” is harder to adapt than it looks. The story is short and the original film is a tough act to follow.
So Which Should You Watch?
If you’re new to the story, start with 1976. It’s short, it’s the version everyone references, and every later one makes more sense after it. After that, the 2026 series is the obvious next step, since it has the best reviews of the rest.
If you’re a completist, the 2013 film is a decent comparison point, and the 2002 TV movie is interesting mostly for what it tried to become. The sequel is only for people who love the franchise.
What’s your favorite version of “Carrie,” and where does the new series land for you? Tell me in the comments.