#4 Carrie
Stephen King has a gift for crafting stories that dive deep into the chilling battle between good and evil, and Carrie remains one of his most iconic creations. First published in 1974, the novel introduced readers to Carrie White, a shy, isolated teenager whose struggles with bullying and a fanatically strict mother make her story both heartbreaking and terrifying. Her character resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, awkward, or painfully misunderstood.
The 1976 film adaptation, with Sissy Spacek in the lead role, became a cultural phenomenon. Spacek’s haunting performance made audiences sympathize with Carrie before being horrified by her descent into revenge on that infamous prom night. Over the years, Carrie has been revisited multiple times, including the 2013 remake starring Chloë Grace Moretz, proving that the story still strikes a powerful chord. Carrie White endures as both a tragic figure and a cautionary tale of cruelty’s devastating consequences.