How to watch

Published in 1975, Salem's Lot was Stephen King's second novel and remains one of the most influential vampire stories ever written. Writer Ben Mears returns to the small Maine town of Jerusalem's Lot only to discover that a sinister antiques dealer and his master are turning the townsfolk into the undead. Over the decades, filmmakers have returned to the Lot again and again, from Tobe Hooper's iconic 1979 miniseries to Gary Dauberman's 2024 film.

🕐 Release Order

Release order covers nearly five decades of King adaptations, from network TV to streaming.

1. Salem's Lot (1979)
2. A Return to Salem's Lot (1987)
3. Salem's Lot (2004)
4. Chapelwaite (2021)
5. Salem's Lot (2024)

These entries aren't one continuous story. A Return to Salem's Lot is a loose sequel to the 1979 miniseries, the 2004 TNT miniseries and the 2024 film are standalone remakes, and Chapelwaite is based on King's short story Jerusalem's Lot, which acts as a prequel.

📖 Story Chronology

If you want to follow the town's history, start with Chapelwaite, which is set in the 1850s and explores the dark origins of Jerusalem's Lot.

1. Chapelwaite (2021) — 1850s prequel
2. Salem's Lot (1979)
3. A Return to Salem's Lot (1987) — loose sequel
4. Salem's Lot (2004) — standalone remake
5. Salem's Lot (2024) — standalone remake

Which Order Should You Choose?

Begin with the 1979 miniseries. Starring David Soul and featuring the unforgettable Kurt Barlow and the floating Glick boy at the window, it's the definitive version and genuinely scary. If you want more, try the 2004 miniseries with Rob Lowe for a more faithful take, then the 2024 film for a modern, compact retelling. Chapelwaite is a great bonus for fans of gothic horror, while A Return to Salem's Lot is strictly for completists.

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