Amazon Prime's new adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel Carrie has launched to an 85% Popcornmeter (Audience Score) and an 86% Tomatometer (Critics Score) on Rotten Tomatoes, with fans praising it as a "masterpiece" and many watching all eight episodes in a single sitting.
The 2026 series, based on the 1974 book that became a cult film in 1976, has been hailed by viewers as "brilliant", "perfectly executed", and an "all-time Stephen King classic". One viewer revealed they had watched the entire series in one day off work, saying: "It was really good, and it highlighted some really good points... we're losing our grip on our kids. I won't say more than that. It's set in today's age and technology. I think there's more after the first series."
Modern adaptation praised as darker and gruesome
TV reviewer Luke Eccleston, known to his followers as Eccy Reviews, urged people to settle in for a serious binge-watching session, claiming the show will become your new "obsession" and that you'll be "absolutely hooked" from the first episode to the last. He added: "If you think you know this story, this is a modern adaptation, and it is absolutely fantastic. This is a lot darker and more gruesome than the original, as this follows Carrie from being a child, all the way until the point that she is forced to go to school after being trapped in her house her whole entire life."
Created by the same person behind The Haunting of Hill House, the series puts a fresh spin on King's horror, with the plot also delving into the disturbing influence of technology on youngsters in schools today - arguably making it even more terrifying than the original.
Fans share mixed but enthusiastic reactions
Luke's clip has racked up more than 1,400 likes, with countless viewers sharing their thoughts in the comments. One viewer argued that "nothing could compare to the original 1976 film", while another said it "wasn't what they were expecting" but they're really enjoying it. A third gushed: "This is an all-time Stephen King classic..... can't wait to watch this new version!!!"
With its strong Rotten Tomatoes scores and enthusiastic audience response, the series has firmly carved out its own niche in the world of horror, proving that something popular in the 1970s can remain relevant today.
