Stephen King has expressed that one of his own cinematic adaptations is his top pick for a disaster movie, a sentiment that many of his dedicated followers echo by describing it as ‘flawed but fun.’
King is renowned for crafting some of the most iconic horror narratives, including titles like It, Carrie, The Shining, and Pet Sematary.
Numerous works penned by King have been transformed into films and television series, with the latest adaptation, The Institute, available in weekly episodes on MGM+.
More adaptations are anticipated, such as the It: Welcome to Derry television series and films like The Long Walk and The Running Man, all set for release this year.
King often shares his opinions on social media and recently took to the platform on a Wednesday (July 30) to disclose one of his personal favorites.
The movie from 1986 represents the sole occasion where King assumed the role of director. Excitingly, it is currently accessible for free streaming on Plex.
The plot revolves around an unusual cosmic disturbance that animates machines, leading them to attack humans aggressively.
Picture everything from trucks to vending machines, lawnmowers, and even electric knives turning hostile.
The narrative follows a band of survivors who find themselves besieged at the Dixie Boy Truck Stop in North Carolina.
These survivors face off against a fleet of sentient, deadly 18-wheelers, notably featuring a truck with a Green Goblin visage on its grill.
The group, comprising actors like Emilio Estevez from The Breakfast Club, Yeardley Smith from The Simpsons, and Pat Hingle from Batman, must collaborate to evade the machines and flee.
This film, titled Maximum Overdrive, is adapted from King’s 1973 short story ‘Trucks.’
In a response to a Threads post that asked, “What’s your favorite disaster movie?” King replied: “MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE.”
Fans showed their approval in the comments, with one remarking: “I will forever love Maximum Overdrive. It made me terrified of everyday objects like pop machines and my dad’s push mower for years as a kid, lmao.”
Another agreed, stating: “It’s the best worst-slash-best again 80’s movie, Mr. King and I thank you very much for that. (and what’s the chance we’ll ever see the full unrated version?).”
Despite receiving only a 14 percent rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics, fans, who rated it 50 percent, feel it’s ‘hugely underrated.’
Many rated it five stars, with one saying: “A one of a kind with an awesome soundtrack by AC/DC… Old school classic, and has Lisa Simpson.”
“It’s great in a really stupid kind of way,” another commented, while a third added: “Flawed but fun. Stephen King is my favorite writer and AC/DC is my favorite band.”
“Maximum Overdrive is a quintessential 80s movie that’s hugely underrated,” someone else observed. “Does any of it make sense? Nope! That’s why it’s a quintessential 80s or even 90s movie that’s very entertaining.”
In a conversation with Tony Magistrale, the author of 2003’s Hollywood’s Stephen King, King described Maximum Overdrive as ‘a moron movie,’ remarking: “I was coked out of my mind all through its production, and I really didn’t know what I was doing.”
For those interested in watching or rewatching Maximum Overdrive, it is available for free streaming on the US entertainment platform Plex.