Stephen King has a special talent for making us spill our popcorn in fright — and, if we’re being honest, that jump scare might as well be followed by a sip of something strong. Whether you’re in it for Pennywise’s sinister grin, endless fields of grass, or a certain set of bed-bound handcuffs, here’s your ultimate playbook for a Stephen King drinking game night.
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Stephen King Movies on Netflix 2025 – What’s Streaming This Year
Netflix’s 2025 lineup brings some of King’s creepiest stories right into our living rooms, and what better way to watch them than with a drinking game that makes every suspenseful stare, eerie shadow, and ominous balloon a cue for fun We’ve built this guide to pair the chills of King’s imagination with a little social mischief.
2025 Netflix Stephen King Movie List
Netflix’s 2025 horror roster offers five Stephen King adaptations that range from supernatural thrillers to claustrophobic psychological horrors:
- Gerald’s Game (2017) – Survival thriller with a woman trapped handcuffed to a bed.
- In the Tall Grass (2019) – A disorienting time-bending nightmare in a field.
- 1922 (2017) – A farmer’s confession to a murderous plot and its ghostly aftermath.
- Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022) – A supernatural bond beyond the grave via a smartphone.
- It: Chapter One (2017) – The Losers’ Club faces an evil clown feeding on fear.
Why These Picks are Perfect for a Drinking Game
Stephen King’s screen worlds are bursting with repeatable tropes that make for great drinking cues — mysterious phone calls, creepy kids, ominous dialogue, Maine accents, rats in unexpected places, and villains that show up just when you thought it was safe to relax. These movies are tense enough to keep you watching and absurd enough to keep you laughing between sips.
Stephen King Movie Drinking Game Rules
Casual Level – For When You Want to Remember the Ending
- Take a sip every time someone mentions “Maine.”
- Drink whenever a creepy kid appears.
- One gulp if there’s a sudden loud noise just to make you jump.
Perfect for a relaxed evening where you don’t end up slurring your way through the credits.
Intermediate Level – For Brave but Sensible Players
- Sip whenever there’s an obvious 80s hairdo.
- Drink every time a supernatural event is treated as mildly inconvenient.
- Finish your glass when someone is revealed to have psychic powers.
A balanced approach — you’ll get tipsy, but still be able to explain the plot to latecomers.
Hardcore Level – The “TV Tropes” Warning Tier
- A drink every time someone says “It’s just a story.”
- Two drinks if blood is described as smelling like pennies.
- Finish your drink if the ending takes a sudden supernatural turn in the last 10 minutes.
Best for short movies or nights when you’re ready to meet your hangover early.
Turn Netflix Stephen King Movies into Drinking Games
It: Chapter One Drinking Game Rules
- Sip every time you see a red balloon.
- Drink when Pennywise smiles in that “I know something you don’t” way.
- Take a sip whenever someone says, “You’ll float too.”
- Finish your drink if Pennywise emerges from a place he shouldn’t fit.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone Drinking Game Rules
- Sip when the phone buzzes unexpectedly.
- Drink when Craig gets a text from someone who shouldn’t be texting.
- Take a sip when a character ignores something obviously supernatural.
1922 Drinking Game Rules
- Sip every time a rat appears.
- Drink whenever Wilfred narrates in his slow, ominous drawl.
- Take a sip when the ghost of Arlette shows up to ruin someone’s night.
In the Tall Grass Drinking Game Rules
- Sip when someone yells another person’s name into the grass.
- Drink whenever someone gets turned around or loses track of time.
- Take a sip when reality clearly doesn’t follow the rules anymore.
Gerald’s Game Drinking Game Rules
- Sip whenever the handcuffs rattle.
- Drink when Jesse sees a hallucination or flashback.
- Take a sip when the “Moonlight Man” shows up.
Themed Drinks for Your Stephen King Night
Bloody Penny (for It)
A crimson cocktail with cranberry juice, vodka, and a dash of cinnamon — spicy enough to wake up even the sleepiest sewer clown.
Overlook Old Fashioned (for The Shining)
Classic bourbon, bitters, and orange peel. The kind of drink you could imagine Jack Torrance sipping before he took up axe-based problem-solving.
Dead Man’s Float (non-alcoholic)
Root beer, vanilla ice cream, and grenadine for those pacing themselves or for guests who prefer scares over shots.
How to Host a Stephen King Drinking Game Marathon Night
Step 1: Pick Your Poison (a.k.a. The Movie Lineup)
- Go for variety: mix slow-burn creeps (The Shining, Doctor Sleep) with absolute chaos (Maximum Overdrive, Sleepwalkers).
- Limit yourself to 3–4 films unless you want to be found in the morning like a background character from The Mist.
- Consider a theme: all Pennywise, all Maine, or all killer objects.
Step 2: Set the Stage for Terror
- Dim the lights and add themed decor: red balloons, typewriters, and “Welcome to Derry” signs.
- Play creepy King-inspired background music before the marathon starts (bonus points for 80s synth or unsettling carnival tunes).
- Keep blankets and pillows handy — comfort will be needed when Pet Sematary hits certain scenes.
Step 3: Load Up on Themed Drinks and Snacks
- Serve Bloody Penny cocktails (It) and Overlook Old Fashioneds (The Shining).
- Offer non-alcoholic “Dead Man’s Float” for pacing (and designated drivers).
- Snacks: “Shining” popcorn mix, “Carrie’s Caramel Apples,” “The Mist-erious Pretzels.”
Step 4: Choose Your Drinking Rules Wisely
- Start with Casual Rules for the first film so everyone can ease in.
- Gradually escalate to Intermediate or Hardcore levels as the night goes on.
- Toss in wild card rules like the “Pennywise Prize Wheel” or “Maine Bingo Board” for unpredictable chaos.
Step 5: Keep Score or Crown a ‘Survivor’
- Award points for funny commentary, best horror reaction face, or correctly predicting a plot twist.
- At the end, crown the “King of King” — the player who drank the most, or survived the longest without breaking a rule.
Step 6: Plan the Aftermath
- Have plenty of water and food for recovery.
- Offer a “hangover breakfast” the next morning for any survivors who braved the whole night.
- Encourage everyone to share their best/worst moments so you can build hype for the next round.
Hosting one of these marathons isn’t just about watching movies — it’s about creating a shared, absurd, slightly reckless horror experience. And if you do it right, you’ll have the photos, empty bottles, and possibly a broken typewriter to prove it.