Stephen King’s only Oscar-winning adaptation is returning just in time for Halloween 2025. The acclaimed thriller will soon be available to stream for free, giving fans a chance to experience one of the author’s most celebrated stories once again.

Misery to start streaming on Tubi on Halloween

Tubi has announced that Misery, the Oscar-winning adaptation of Stephen King’s 1987 novel, will begin streaming on October 31 (via Collider).

Directed by Rob Reiner, the 1990 psychological thriller stars James Caan as author Paul Sheldon and Kathy Bates as his obsessive fan, Annie Wilkes. Bates’ performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, marking the only Oscar win for a Stephen King adaptation to date.

The film follows Sheldon after a severe car crash leaves him trapped in Annie’s remote cabin. As she nurses him back to health, her obsession turns violent upon discovering that Sheldon plans to kill off her favorite fictional character.

The story unfolds entirely within the confines of her home, heightening the tension as Sheldon struggles to escape. The movie also features performances from Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, Frances Sternhagen, and Graham Jarvis.

Misery, which premiered in November 1990, earned $61.3 million worldwide and maintains a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. William Goldman wrote the screenplay, and Andrew Scheinman, along with Reiner, produced the film. Critics praised Kathy Bates for her intense and realistic portrayal of Annie Wilkes, cementing the character as one of cinema’s most memorable villains.

After Misery’s release, it took four years for another King adaptation, The Shawshank Redemption, to receive Academy Award nominations. Frank Darabont’s 1994 film earned seven nods but did not win any. Another Darabont adaptation, The Green Mile (1999), later received four nominations, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor.

Misery will stream for free on Tubi starting October 31, 2025. The film joins the platform’s expanding library of classic horror titles for Halloween.