Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now, he’s writing to stay alive.
After an accident, acclaimed novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued by a nurse who claims to be his biggest fan. Her obsession takes a dark turn when she holds him captive in her remote Colorado home and forces him to write back to life the popular literary character he killed off.
Cast
Kathy Bates
Annie Wilkes
James Caan
Paul Sheldon
Richard Farnsworth
Buster
Lauren Bacall
Marcia Sindell
Frances Sternhagen
Virginia
Graham Jarvis
Libby
Jerry Potter
Pete
Thomas Brunelle
Anchorman
June Christopher
Anchorwoman
Julie Payne
Reporter #1
Archie Hahn
Reporter #2
Gregory Snegoff
Reporter #3
Wendy Bowers
Waitress
Rob Reiner
Helicopter Pilot (uncredited)
J.T. Walsh
State Trooper Sherman Douglas (uncredited)
Jay Dee Witney
News Photographer (uncredited)
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- Release Date 11/30/1990
- Language English
- Director Rob Reiner
- Editor Robert Leighton
- Cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld
- Producers Andrew Scheinman, Rob Reiner
- Companies Castle Rock Entertainment, Nelson Entertainment
- Budget $20,000,000
| Country | Date | Format | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Nov 29, 1990 | Premiere (Westwood, California) | R |
| Canada | Nov 30, 1990 | Theatrical | 14A |
| United States | Nov 30, 1990 | Theatrical | R |
| Poland | Dec 31, 1990 | Theatrical | 16 |
| AR | Jan 17, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| TR | Feb 1, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| Japan | Feb 2, 1991 | Theatrical | PG12 |
| France | Feb 13, 1991 | Theatrical | 12 |
| CH | Feb 22, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| GR | Feb 22, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| SE | Feb 22, 1991 | Theatrical | 15 |
| South Korea | Mar 1, 1991 | Theatrical | 15 |
| Italy | Mar 8, 1991 | Theatrical | VM14 |
| DK | Mar 22, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| Australia | Mar 28, 1991 | Theatrical | M |
| Netherlands | Mar 29, 1991 | Theatrical | 16 |
| HK | Apr 11, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| Spain | Apr 11, 1991 | Theatrical | 18 |
| Germany | Apr 25, 1991 | Theatrical | 16 |
| CH | Apr 26, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| United Kingdom | May 10, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| PT | May 24, 1991 | Theatrical | M/16 |
| RS | Jun 7, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| IE | Jun 21, 1991 | Theatrical | 18 |
| PE | Jun 23, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| HU | Jul 12, 1991 | Theatrical | 18 |
| FI | Jul 26, 1991 | Theatrical | K-16 |
| UY | Sep 5, 1991 | Theatrical | — |
| Brazil | Mar 4, 1992 | Theatrical | 14 |
| PH | Jul 8, 1992 | Theatrical | — |
| CZ | Mar 18, 1993 | Theatrical | 15+ |
| PH | Apr 27, 1994 | TV (GMA Network, GMA's Best) | — |
| Russia | Feb 3, 1995 | Theatrical | — |
| United States | Dec 29, 1998 | Physical (DVD) | R |
| Netherlands | Jul 27, 2002 | TV (Net 5) | 16 |
| Germany | Mar 13, 2003 | Physical (DvD) | 16 |
| Mexico | Sep 15, 2009 | Physical (DVD) | — |
| Netherlands | Oct 7, 2009 | Physical (Bluray) | 16 |
| ZA | Nov 27, 2009 | Physical (Blu-ray) | — |
| SG | Sep 8, 2015 | Physical (Blu-ray) | — |
| United Kingdom | Dec 14, 2016 | Digital | 15 |
| AE | May 24, 2021 | TV | — |
| IL | Oct 12, 2021 | Physical (Blu-ray) | — |
| IN | Oct 12, 2021 | Physical (Blu-ray) | — |
| Brazil | Apr 29, 2022 | Digital (Prime Video) | — |
| EG | Nov 9, 2022 | Physical (DVD) | — |
| TW | Apr 12, 2025 | Premiere (Golden Horse Fantastic Film Festival) | — |
| France | Dec 14, 2025 | Digital (Arte•tv) | 12 |
| France | Dec 15, 2025 | TV (Arte) | 12 |
Misery Ratings
Overall
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Scares
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Atmosphere
How immersive and tense is the atmosphere
Gore
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Story
Quality of the storyline and plot
Special Effects
Quality of special/visual effects
Sound Design
Audio quality and sound effects
Pacing
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