Stephen King, who has written numerous books focusing on themes of horror, many of which have been turned into movies, can rightfully claim the title “King of Horror.”

His books have sold over 350 million copies worldwide. Some titles familiar to many include “Carrie,” “Cujo,” “The Shining” and “It.”

My introduction to King’s work came about 40 years ago (I’ve since read several of his novels) when I was working at a call center for a police department in a large city. I was working the graveyard shift, and someone handed me a copy of King’s “Pet Sematary.” During the long hours of my shift, with the hum of the dispatcher’s console as background sound, and the low lights of the below ground dispatch center, I consumed that book.

I was thrilled by the sensation of the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. The book is about pets that are accidentally killed, buried, and then come back to life as the “undead” (vampires) in their original pet form.

“Salem’s Lot” and “Children of the Corn” (a 1977 short story) are two other movies based on King’s work that are just downright creepy and scary.

However, not all of King’s books and movies are scary. Take for example, “Stand By Me.” This is more of a coming-of-age story about young boys who think they’ve found a dead body one summer and race to claim it before an older group of boys gets there first. Or “The Green Mile,” another of King’s works that takes place on death row.

Many of King’s books play on one’s psychological fears of the unknown and what we have been taught to fear.

If I had to pick a favorite work it would be “Stand By Me.” (The movie is adapted from his novella “The Body,” which was published in his 1982 collection “Different Seasons.”) The movie includes one of my favorite songs and the boys in the movie (which also features Joaquin Phoenix) are sensitive and well-developed in their adolescent angst as they are caught between still wanting to be just kids but faced with a very adult situation.

Other King movies/books include, “Firestarter,” “Misery,” “Christine” and “The Dead Zone.”

Many of these can still be found on streaming features and through Amazon. Many feature film stars we’re familiar with such as Drew Barrymore, James Caan, Kathy Bates and Christopher Walken.

Halloween is almost upon us. So, make some popcorn, invite some friends over for a Stephen King movie fest and prepare to be scared.

Happy Halloween!