Amazon Prime's new series Carrie, based on Stephen King's first novel, has debuted to strong Rotten Tomatoes scores, and viewers are binge-watching all eight episodes in one sitting. The 2026 release has earned an 85% Popcornmeter (Audience Score) and an 86% Tomatometer (Critics Score) on the review aggregator.
The show, made by the same creator as The Haunting of Hill House, has prompted TV reviewer Luke Eccleston, known as Eccy Reviews, to urge people to "cancel all of their plans" and prepare for a binge session. He believes the series will become viewers' new "obsession," saying they'll be "absolutely hooked" from start to finish.
A darker, modern adaptation
Eccleston described the series as a modern adaptation that is "absolutely fantastic," adding: "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."
The plot includes a twist on King's horror, exploring the disturbing ways technology impacts kids at school today, which arguably makes it even more chilling than the original.
Fan reactions and reception
Eccleston's video has garnered more than 1,400 likes, with many viewers leaving their thoughts in the comments. One responder argued that "nothing could compare to the original 1976 film." 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!!!"
One viewer who binged the whole series in one day said: "Just seen it had a day off work, been in bed watching the whole thing on and off... 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…"
A Stephen King classic reimagined
Carrie is the breakthrough novel that first put Stephen King on the map. Fans have described the show as "brilliant," a "masterpiece" and "perfectly executed," with many praising its place in the spooky world despite the cult 1976 film that many horror fans know and love.
