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Carrie (franchise)

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Carrie
Image
Logo from the 2026 TV series
Created byStephen King
Original work
Carrie
by Stephen King
OwnerMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Amazon MGM Studios)
Years1974–present
Print publications
NovelCarrie (1974)
Films and television
Films
Television seriesCarrie (2026–present)
Television filmCarrie (2002)
Theatrical presentations
MusicalCarrie (1988)
Audio
SoundtracksList of soundtracks

Carrie is an American horror media franchise, based on the 1974 novel of the same name by author Stephen King, and owned by Amazon MGM Studios through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It mainly follows Carrie White, a high school girl from an abusive household who has telekinetic powers.

The franchise includes four films and a television series. It also spawned a stage musical adaptation, which in turn, inspired an unofficial parody show, and was the focus of a musical episode of the American television series Riverdale.

The 1976 film and the first season of the television series received positive reviews from critics, while the two other film adaptations received mixed reviews, and the 1999 sequel received negative reviews but later received some retrospective positive commentary for its themes. At the box office, the franchise has generated over $136 million.

Novel

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In the novel, which was King's first work, a slightly overweight, shy, and usually bullied girl named Carietta Nadine "Carrie" White is being raised by Margaret, an unstable religious fanatic who thinks almost everything could be sinful. The book describes an odd incident of her exhibiting signs of telekinesis as a child, before focusing on her as a teen in high school; when she gets her first period in the shower, she panics as Margaret never taught her to prepare for having a period. Popular girls Christine "Chris" Hargensen and Susan "Sue" Snell ringlead the other girls to chant "period" and taunt Carrie. A few of the girls even throw tampons, further confusing Carrie, who believes she is dying. The gym teacher, Rita Desjardin, punishes the girls with a week of detention and suspends Chris when she refuses to comply. Desjardin also sends Carrie home with Margaret, believing Carrie should confront her mother about never being taught about a period. Margaret locks Carrie in the "praying closet," as Margaret believes that periods are a symbol of a sexual sin on Carrie's part. However, she lets Carrie out much earlier than she does normally, and Carrie believes it is because her mother knows that Carrie has become aware of her own powers.

Meanwhile, Chris is furious at her suspension and decides to take revenge on Carrie. Sue, however, feels bad about her part in the incident and wants to apologize, but is too nervous to do so. She tells her boyfriend Thomas "Tommy" Ross to ask Carrie to prom, noting that Carrie has a crush on him “like half the girls in the school.” Carrie originally thinks that the invitation was a means of tricking her, but Tommy pleads, and Carrie realizes that his invitation is genuine and accepts. She then sews herself a beautiful white dress to wear to the prom. Meanwhile, Chris and her boyfriend Billy Nolan collect pigs’ blood in a bucket and hang it over the auditorium stage. Chris employs her friend Tina Blake to make fake Prom Queen ballots with Carrie's name on them so that she will be called onstage, where the blood will dump on Carrie and humiliate her. On prom night, Margaret initially forbids Carrie to attend prom, claiming that Tommy and the others will laugh at her, but Carrie is tired of her mother controlling her life and uses her powers to shove her mother into the "praying closet." At prom, the blood is dumped on Carrie, but in the process the bucket falls and hits Tommy on the head, killing him.

Carrie at first flees in sadness, but is soon overtaken by rage and locks the gymnasium doors with her powers and sets the room on fire. She continues to wreak havoc on the scene, killing multiple students and teachers. Leaving a path of destruction in her wake, Carrie returns home, where Margaret tells Carrie that she was conceived in a bizarre instance of marital rape. Margaret then comes to the conclusion that Carrie's powers come from Satan and stabs her with a knife. Carrie telekinetically stops Margaret's heart in an attempt to save herself, but is immediately regretful of this and of all she has done. Carrie attempts to flee, but she is bleeding so heavily from the stab wound that she can barely walk. Sue finds Carrie, and after a brief telepathic conversation, Carrie forgives Sue. Soon after, Carrie dies crying out to her mother.

Films

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Carrie films
Film U.S. release date Directed by Screenplay by Produced by
Carrie November 3, 1976 (1976-11-03)Brian De PalmaLawrence D. CohenPaul Monash
The Rage: Carrie 2 March 12, 1999 (1999-03-12)Katt SheaRafael Moreu
Carrie October 18, 2013 (2013-10-18)Kimberly PeirceLawrence D. Cohen & Roberto Aguirre-SacasaKevin Misher

Carrie (1976)

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Directed by Brian De Palma from a screenplay written by Lawrence D. Cohen, the film stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White, a shy teenage girl who is constantly mocked and bullied at her school. She later develops the power of telekinesis and uses it to wreak vengeance on her tormentors. The film also features Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, Nancy Allen, William Katt, P. J. Soles, Betty Buckley, and John Travolta in supporting roles.

The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

[edit]

A sequel to the 1976 film directed by Katt Shea from a screenplay written by Rafael Moreu, the film stars Emily Bergl as Rachel Lang, the younger half-sister of Carrie White, also suffering with telekinesis, who finds that her best friend Lisa Parker's suicide was spurred by a group of popular male classmates who exploited her for sexual gain.

Carrie (2013)

[edit]

A remake of the 1976 film while including some elements from Stephen King's 1974 novel that were not included in the first adaptation. Directed by Kimberly Peirce from a screenplay by Lawrence D. Cohen and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, it stars Chloë Grace Moretz as the titular character.

Television film

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Carrie television films
Film U.S. release date Directed by Screenplay by Produced byNetwork
Carrie November 4, 2002 (2002-11-04)David CarsonBryan FullerDavid Carson & Stephen GeaghanNBC

Carrie (2002)

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Written by Bryan Fuller, and directed by David Carson, the film stars Angela Bettis in the leading role. In the story, Carrie White, a shy girl who is harassed by her schoolmates, disappears and a series of flashbacks reveal what has happened to her.

Unproduced sequel television series

[edit]

Despite being commissioned as a stand-alone feature by NBC, the 2002 television film was intended as a backdoor pilot for a potential television series by MGM Television and Bryan Fuller. In order to allow for a continuation of the story, the ending of the film was changed so that Carrie White remained alive at the end. The film was developed with the intention of creating a sub-plot for the series, featuring Jasmine Guy as Ruby Moore, a paranormal investigator, but these scenes were ultimately cut.[1]

Angela Bettis and Kandyse McClure were expected to reprise their roles, and Fuller had a concept in mind. The series would feature Carrie and Sue on a journey to help other people with telekinetic powers. Carrie also had to deal with the remorse and the responsibility for killing several people. Fuller wrote the outline for a second episode, but NBC had no interest in it, and MGM ended their deal. In Fuller's opinion, "the network [n]ever intended to do a series, they were just playing the studio".[1]

Television series

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SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedNetworkShowrunnerStatus
Carrie18October 7, 2026 (2026-10-07)Amazon Prime VideoMike FlanaganReleased
2[2]TBATBAIn development

Carrie (2026–present)

[edit]

In October 2024, Amazon MGM Studios announced that they were developing a miniseries adaptation of the novel with American filmmaker Mike Flanagan for Amazon Prime Video.[3][4] Flanagan had previously written and directed multiple Stephen King adaptations including Gerald's Game (2017), Doctor Sleep (2019) , and The Life of Chuck (2024). Summer H. Howell stars as Carrie White, while Siena Agudong plays Sue Snell.[5] The rest of the cast include Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Amber Midthunder as Rita Desjardin, Josie Totah as Tina, Arthur Conti as Billy, and Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross.[6] Stephen King also executive produces the series.[7]

Although the serialized series includes differences to the original novel, Flanagan confirmed that core events from the original story like familiar characters were still maintained. The series include characters from the novel who did not appear in previous adaptations, like Principal Grayle or Ralph White, as well as new characters written for the miniseries. To expand the story, Flanagan built out from the book's mythology, using the panicked 911 calls, police reports, newspapers articles, courtroom testimonies and scientific investigations, that were ignored by most of the previous adaptations.[8]

The series premiered on October 7, 2026 on Amazon Prime Video.[9] Despite being originally billed as a miniseries, Flanagan announced that he envisioned Carrie as being a three-season show. Similar to the 2002 television film, the ending of the novel was changed in the series so that Carrie White remained alive at the end to allow for a continuation of the story.[10] In October 2026, the series was renewed for a second season.[2]

Recurring cast and characters

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Key
  • A dark gray cell indicates the character does not appear.
  • An A indicates an appearance through archival footage.
  • A C indicates the actor portrayed the role in a scene cut from the film.
  • A U indicates an uncredited appearance.
  • A Y indicates the actor portrayed the role of a younger version of the character.
  • A V indicates a voice-only role.
Characters Films Television series Stage
Original series Television film Remake
Carrie The Rage:
Carrie 2		 Carrie Carrie Carrie Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
1976 1999 2002 2013 2026 1988 2012
Main cast
Carietta "Carrie" White Sissy Spacek Sissy SpacekA Angela Bettis
Jodelle FerlandY		 Chloë Grace Moretz
Skyler WexlerYCU		 Summer H. Howell
Juliet Rose FoleyY		 Linzi Hateley Molly Ranson
Margaret White (née Brigham) Piper Laurie Piper LaurieA Patricia Clarkson Julianne Moore Samantha Sloyan
Theo FlanaganY		 Betty Buckley Marin Mazzie
Susan "Sue" Snell Amy Irving Kandyse McClure Gabriella Wilde Siena Agudong Sally Ann Triplett Christy Altomare
Miss Rita Desjardin Betty Buckley
(as Miss Collins)		 Rena Sofer Judy Greer Amber Midthunder Darlene Love
(as Miss Gardner)		 Carmen Cusack
(as Miss Gardner)
Thomas "Tommy" Ross William Katt William KattA Tobias Mehler Ansel Elgort Joel Oulette Paul Gyngell Derek Klena
Christine "Chris" Hargensen Nancy Allen Emilie de Ravin Portia Doubleday Alison Thornton Charlotte d'Amboise Jeanna de Waal
William "Billy" Nolan John Travolta Jesse Cadotte Alex Russell Arthur Conti Gene Anthony Ray Ben Thompson
Norma Watson P. J. Soles P. J. SolesA Meghan Black Karissa and Katie Strain
(as Nicki & Lizzy Watson)		 Appears as ensemble
Helen Shyres Edie McClurg Chelan Simmons Mentioned Appears as ensemble
Tina Blake Katharine Isabelle Zoë Belkin Josie Totah Appears as ensemble
Rachel Lang Emily Bergl
Kayla CampbellY
Jesse Ryan Jason London
Supporting characters
Assistant Principal / Principal
Peter Morton		 Stefan Gierasch Stefan GieraschA Laurie Murdoch Barry Shabaka Henley Tim Bagley
Eleanor Snell Priscilla Pointer Priscilla PointerA Mentioned Cynthia Preston Mapuana Makia
Mr. Fromm Sydney Lassick Sydney LassickA
George Dawson Harry Gold Harry GoldA Demetrius Joyette Appears as ensemble
Freddy Holt
The Beak		 Doug Cox
(as Frank Geen)		 Connor Price Appears as ensemble
Frieda Jason Noelle North Noelle NorthA Mentioned Appears as ensemble
Kenny Garson Rory Stevens Miles Meadows Kyle Mac
Tommy Erbter Cameron De Palma
Betty BuckleyVU		 Andrew Robb Tyler Rushton
Estelle Horan Tina RomanusCU Michaela Mann Vanessa SmytheCU Naika Toussaint
(as Stella Horan)
Mrs. Horan Uncredited actressCU Deborah DeMille Irene PooleCU Mentioned
Jackie Talbot Michael Talbott
(as Freddy DeLois)		 Malcolm Scott Max Topplin
John Hargensen Michael Kopsa Hart BochnerU Michael Trucco
Ralph White Mentioned Tahmoh Penikett

Additional production and crew details

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Title Crew/detail
Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor(s) Production companies Distribution companies Running time
Carrie (1976) Pino Donaggio Mario Tosi Paul Hirsch Red Bank Films United Artists 98 minutes
The Rage:
Carrie 2 (1999)		 Danny B. Harvey Donald M. Morgan Richard Nord 105 minutes
Carrie (2002) Laura Karpman Victor Goss Jeremy Presner Trilogy Entertainment Group
MGM Television		 NBC 132 minutes
Carrie (2013) Marco Beltrami Steve Yedlin Lee Percy
Nancy Richardson		 Misher Films
Screen Gems
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures		 Sony Pictures Releasing 99 minutes
Carrie (TV series) The Newton Brothers Michael Fimognari
Michael Wale
Maria Rusche		 Mike Flanagan
Brett W. Bachman		 Red Room Pictures
Reunion Pacific Entertainment
Amazon MGM Studios		 Amazon Prime Video 48–59 minutes
(per episodes)

Reception

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Box office performance

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Film Year Box office gross Budget Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide
Carrie 1976 $33,800,000 N/a $33,800,000 $1.8 million [11]
The Rage: Carrie 2 1999 $17,762,705 N/a $17,762,705 $21 million [12]
Carrie 2013 $35,266,619 $49,524,059 $84,790,678 $30 million [13]
Total $86,829,324 $49,524,059 $136,353,383 $52.8 million

Critical and public response

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Critical and public response of Carrie films
Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
Carrie (1976) 94% (83 reviews)[14] 86 (21 reviews)[15] N/a
The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999) 23% (39 reviews)[16] 42 (21 reviews)[17] C+[18]
Carrie (2002) 32% (41 reviews)[19] N/a N/a
Carrie (2013) 51% (184 reviews)[20] 53 (34 reviews)[21] B−[18]
Critical response of Carrie series
TitleSeasonRotten TomatoesMetacritic
Carrie185% (84 reviews)[22]73 (30 reviews)[23]

Other media

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Tie-in media

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A tie-in book edition of the 1974 novel to promote the 2013 film was released by Doubleday on September 24, 2013.[24] Another version for the tie-in edition of the novel was to promote the television miniseries released by Vintage Books on September 29, 2026.[25]

Stage adaptation

[edit]

In 1986, a stage adaptation of the novel was announced. Co-produced with the Royal Shakespeare Company, with direction by Terry Hands and choreography by Debbie Allen, the original production completed pre-Broadway tryouts in the United Kingdom at Stratford-upon-Avon's Royal Shakespeare Theatre in February and March 1988 and premiered on Broadway at the Virginia Theatre in April 1988 of that year. Its original stars included Linzi Hateley as the title character, Sally Ann Triplett as Sue Snell, Charlotte d'Amboise as Chris Hargensen, Gene Anthony Ray as Billy Nolan, and Darlene Love as Miss Lynn Gardner. Barbara Cook played Margaret during the tryouts, but was replaced by Betty Buckley, who played Miss Collins in the 1976 film, for the Broadway run following Cook's resignation after a technical accident.[26]

The show received mostly negative reviews and closed after 16 previews and five regular performances in Broadway. It is considered one of the most notable and expensive failures in Broadway theatre history. Its reputation, the story behind its difficult production, and its limited run created a passionate response from fans, with the show gaining a cult following.[27] It inspired a book by Ken Mandelbaum which chronicled the history of flop Broadway musicals, and a 2021 podcast, Out for Blood, which documented its creation and development.

An Off-Broadway revival premiered in 2012 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, with the book and score almost entirely revised. The revival received better reviews than the original production. It became the official version of the show, and opened the rights for licensing the following year.[28]

Carrie: The Musical in Riverdale

[edit]

On April 18, 2018, The CW aired a musical episode of the Archie Comics television series Riverdale, created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa who also co-wrote the 2013 film. Titled "Chapter Thirty-One: A Night to Remember", this episode from the series' second season was written by Arabella Anderson and Tessa Leigh Williams and directed by Jason Stone. It follows a high school production of the stage musical adaptation of Carrie and use the revival versions of the songs. A soundtrack album with songs performed by the cast was released after the episode aired.[29][30]

Unofficial stage adaptations

[edit]

The franchise inspired two unofficial stage shows. The first one, Scarrie! The Musical, premiered in 1998 in Illinois and is a parody of both the 1976 film, and the Broadway show.[31] The second, Carrie 2: The Rage (An Unauthorized Musical Parody), premiered in 2017 in Chicago and is a parody of the 1999 sequel.[32]

Music

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Soundtracks

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Title U.S. release date Length Performed by Label
Carrie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 1976 36:02 Pino Donaggio United Artists Records
The Rage: Carrie 2 – Music from and Inspired by the United Artists Motion Picture March 23, 1999 55:14 Various Artists Edel Records
Carrie: Music from the NBC Movie Event 2002 43:47 Access Denied Records
Carrie: The Musical (Premiere Cast Recording) September 25, 2012 1:10:29 Cast of Carrie: The Musical Ghostlight Records
Carrie: Music from the Motion Picture October 11, 2013 50:27 Various Artists Columbia
Carrie: Original Score October 15, 2013 48:57 Marco Beltrami Sony Classical
Carrie (Prime Original Series Soundtrack) October 7, 2026 15:55 The Newton Brothers Milan

Singles

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Title U.S. release date Length Artist(s) Label Title Ref.
"Slow Motion Memory Fade" October 1, 2026 2:52 Tone Tree Music Carrie (2026)

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Taylor, Robert (October 26, 2006). "Reflections: Talking with Bryan Fuller". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (October 22, 2026). "Carrie Renewed For Season 2 By Prime Video". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  3. ↑ Otterson, Joe (2024-10-21). "'Carrie' TV Series From Mike Flanagan in the Works at Amazon". Variety.
  4. ↑ Porter, Rick (2024-10-21). "'Carrie' Series in the Works at Amazon From Mike Flanagan". Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ↑ Otterson, Joe (April 10, 2025). "'Carrie' TV Series From Mike Flanagan Officially Greenlit at Amazon". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  6. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (June 2, 2025). "'Carrie' Series Officially Sets Summer Howell As Lead; Samantha Sloyan, Josie Totah & Amber Midthunder Among Cast". Deadline. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ Otterson, Joe (July 13, 2026). "'Carrie' TV Series: First-Look Images From Mike Flanagan's Take on Stephen King Classic". Variety. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  8. ↑ Romano, Nick (July 13, 2026). "Carrie exclusive first look: How Mike Flanagan gives the Stephen King classic a modern TV twist". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  9. ↑ Fedak, Tanya (July 25, 2026). "Stephen King's 'Carrie' Series Sets October Release Date, Drops Horrifying New Trailer". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ Tinoco, Armando (September 30, 2026). "Mike Flanagan's 'Carrie' Envisioned As Three Seasons In "Dream Scenario"". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 4, 2026. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Carrie (1976)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  12. ↑ "The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Carrie (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Carrie (1976)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. November 3, 1976. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Carrie (1976) Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  16. ↑ "The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. July 17, 2001. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  17. ↑ "The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999) Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  18. 1 2 "Cinemascore". Archived from the original on 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  19. ↑ "Carrie (2002)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. August 12, 2003. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Carrie (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Carrie (2013) Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Carrie: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Carrie: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Carrie (Movie Tie-In) by Stephen King". Doubleday. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Carrie (Television Tie-In) by Stephen King". Penguin Random House. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Linzi Hateley 'Green Room Radio' Interview". greenroomradio.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  27. ↑ Hetrick, Adam. "Carrie Dies Sooner Than Expected; Revival to Close April 8 Off-Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  28. ↑ Zoglin, Richard (2012-03-05). "Theater Review: Carrie Is Back: The Resurrection and the Life". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  29. ↑ Stack, Tim (January 24, 2018). "The Riverdale cast will sing in an adaptation of Carrie: The Musical". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  30. ↑ Dominick, Nora (April 20, 2018). "13 Side-By-Side Pictures Of The "Riverdale" Musical Episode Vs. The Original "Carrie" Movie". BuzzFeed. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Carrie... A Fan's Site: About SCARRIE". 19 June 2007.
  32. ↑ "OPENING: World Premiere of CARRIE 2: THE RAGE (AN UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY) Via Underscore Theatre Company at The Arkham". October 13, 2017.
  33. ↑ Ruelle (October 7, 2026). "Thank you, Prime Video for featuring "Slow Motion Memory Fade" in the new Amazon Original Series, Carrie". Instagram. Retrieved October 9, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Ruelle – Slow Motion Memory Fade". Apple Music. Retrieved October 9, 2026.
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