Stephen King’s overlooked horror series sporting a91% Rotten Tomatoes scoreenjoys a noticeable streaming resurgence five years later. The number ofStephen King adaptationsin recent years has included a multitude of TV series, some of which have become successful in their own right. This has included miniseries like11.22.63on Hulu, to multi-season shows likeMr. Mercedes.
These adaptations on TV have continued for quite some time, with MGM+’s ongoing thrillerThe Instituteadapting King’s 2019 book of the same name. There’s also anupcomingCarrieTV showheaded by horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan, which will adapt King’s first book for Prime Video. While more shows based on his work are being produced, older ones remain popular.
Such is the case with 2020’sThe Outsider, which, according toFlixpatrol, iscurrently ranked as the Number 8 show on HBO Max worldwide for June 12, 2025. This puts it above Colombian dramaThe Vortexand DC Studios TV seriesPeacemaker. It also shows how the King adaptation is suddenly becoming popular all around the globe.
What The Outsider’s Global Success Says About The Show
The Stephen King Miniseries Is A Dark Mystery With Some Familiar Faces
The Outsiderfocuses on the arrest of Terry Maitland, a Little League baseball coach accused of killing a child, Frankie Peterson. However, the investigation indicates he was both at the scene of the murder and out of town at the same time. This leads to the team bringing in private investigator Holly Gibney to help solve the case.
The show includes some notable stars, such asBen Mendelsohn as Detective Ralph Anderson, Jason Bateman as Terry, and Bill Camp as Terry’s lawyer, Howie Solomon. It’s alsoCynthia Erivo’s first TV rolewhere she starred as a series regular, portraying Holly. The show offers a dark, creepy atmosphere reflective of King’s signature work, with horrific twists throughout the story.
Fish in a Barrel
8.8
8.6
RoanokeTigers and Bears
8.2
Because of how popular the series has become on a global level, despite being five years old, these darker elements are likely resonating with audiences who watch it. This popularity could also be driven byThe Institutecurrently airing, possibly giving a boost to King’s more recent miniseries.
Our Take On The Outsider Becoming A Streaming Success
The Show Is Finally Getting The Recognition It Deserves
The Outsideradapts King’s 2018 book of the same name,hitting all the major beats from the source material.It’s a dark story with an oppressive atmosphere that doesn’t shy away from some of the most disturbing elements of King’s work. The show’s current success emphasizes how well these ideas translate onscreen.
The series might be half a decade old, butThe Outsideris clearly still a Stephen King story that audiences around the world are engaged with.
The series might be half a decade old, butThe Outsideris clearly still aStephen Kingstory that audiences around the world are engaged with. Thanks to the show’s success, it could be the start of a resurgence for King’s TV series on streaming platforms.
