Dozens of Stephen King’s short stories and novels have been turned into movies and TV series, and each adaptation is peppered with clever nods to the rest of his sprawling oeuvre. In this guide we’ll count down 10 easter eggs that savvy viewers can spot, from subtle props to full‑blown cameo appearances, proving that King loves to wink at his own universe.
10 Pennywise
Stephen King designed The Dark Tower as a grand unifying multiverse, so pulling Easter eggs from it feels like cheating—but the film’s director, Nikolaj Arcel, gave us free rein. Among the many hidden gems, the most obvious is the It reference that pops up in the ruins of Mid‑World.
When the young, shine‑empowered Jake Chambers wanders through the shattered remains of an old theme park, he discovers a half‑buried statue whose clown hand clutches a bunch of balloons, unmistakably Pennywise’s signature. Beside it sits a dilapidated ride simply labeled “Pennywise,” a sly shout‑out that ties the two King universes together.
9 “Wanna See a Body?”
Let’s start with the low‑effort Easter eggs and work our way up. Like The Dark Tower, the TV series Castle Rock serves as a bridge linking many of King’s stories. It’s littered with recognizable locations, props, and even characters that reference his novels, but some nods are surprisingly subtle, such as a brief homage to Stand By Me.
Although King is famed for horror, he also penned the coming‑of‑age tale that became the classic film Stand By Me. The story’s inciting line—”You guys wanna go see a dead body?”—reappears in Castle Rock episode five. As the Kid stands atop a roof, overwhelmed by a chorus of inner voices, one voice cuts through and repeats, “Wanna see a body?” echoing the original novel’s famous invitation.
8 Turtles
King lore enthusiasts will recognize Maturin, the colossal, god‑like turtle who birthed at least one of his universes and isn’t exactly a fan of Pennywise. In the novel, Maturin appears directly, conversing with Bill and offering guidance. While the creature’s on‑screen presence was trimmed from the movies, director Andy Muschietti slipped in several subtle nods.
Throughout both films, turtles surface in various guises—stickers, LEGO bricks, statues, and even casual conversation about actual turtles. The most understated reference is the root Mike acquires from the Native Americans, which is named Maturin. As Muscietti explained, “Maturin’s still there in the movie. It’s just not personified by a giant turtle.”
7 Cujo
The original Pet Sematary novel contains a clear reference to Cujo and its murderous St. Bernard. In the book, neighbor Jud Crandall tells Louis Creed about a rabid dog that killed four people years earlier. This anecdote survived into the 2019 film, but the context became even darker.
In the movie, Jud recounts the tale during a child’s birthday party, an oddly inappropriate setting that makes viewers question his judgment. It also raises the unsettling notion that this slice of Maine seems cursed with pet‑related tragedies within a remarkably short span.
6 Gunslinger Roland
The 2007 cinematic version of King’s The Mist delivers tense, visceral horror and offers commentary on factionalism. While the film’s ending diverges sharply from King’s more hopeful conclusion, the opening shot hides a delightful Easter egg.
The very first frame shows protagonist David Drayton painting Roland the Gunslinger from The Dark Tower. The artwork is unmistakable: the gun‑clad figure, bandoliers, solitary red rose, and the looming Dark Tower itself. The depiction mirrors the early cover art that cast Roland as a Clint Eastwood‑style gunslinger.
5 Hedge Maze Foreshadowing
Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining is arguably the best King adaptation, even though King himself isn’t a fan. Its heavy symbolism has inspired endless fan theories, and one clever observation points to a pre‑emptive hint of the hedge‑maze finale.
First, Jack’s green tie features an exaggerated knit pattern that resembles a maze layout. Second, the cartoons Danny watches provide clues: one shows Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner through a literal maze of train tracks, and the next cartoon pairs the duo with a song that warns, “The coyote’s after you, Road Runner. If he catches you, you’re through.”
4 “Here’s Johnny!”
Speaking of The Shining, It: Chapter 2 throws an unmistakable homage to the classic horror film. The iconic line—“Here’s Johnny!”—delivered by Jack Torrance as he breaks through a bathroom door, is perfectly mirrored.
When Bev finds herself trapped in a bathroom stall, Pennywise, masquerading as bully Henry Bowers, forces his head through the cracked door and delivers the famous Nicholson line. The framing replicates Kubrick’s original shot, making the reference instantly recognizable.
3 Tim Curry Cameo
Tim Curry’s unforgettable portrayal of Pennywise in the 1990 It miniseries deserved a nod in the 2017 film, and the filmmakers delivered via a cleverly placed doll.
Richie ends up in a room filled with dozens of unsettling clown dolls, each a variation on Pennywise. Among them sits a doll on the left that perfectly mirrors Curry’s hair, makeup, and costume, serving as a clear tribute to his iconic performance.
2 Original Danny
Many Easter eggs are obvious, but this one from Doctor Sleep stands out for its sheer improbability. During a little‑league game where the True Knot scouts a young player with the shine, the camera shifts to two men watching from the stands.
One of those men is the grown‑up Danny Lloyd, who originally played Danny Torrance in The Shining. Remarkably, Lloyd retired from acting after that role, making his cameo here his first on‑screen appearance in 38 years—a true fan‑service moment.
1 Bad Endings
The crowning Easter egg comes from It: Chapter 2, where Stephen King himself takes a playful jab at his own storytelling. Throughout the film, Bill, now a successful writer, is praised for his talent—except for his notoriously weak endings.
King appears in a cameo, directly telling Bill that his endings “stink,” a tongue‑in‑cheek acknowledgment of the common criticism that his novels, while brilliant, often conclude unsatisfactorily. It’s a humble, self‑referential moment that caps off the list of hidden gems.