Carrie: Is Prime Video's adaptation still relevant in 2026?

Covered by USA Today, IGN and 10 more since

  • Stephen King
  • Brian De Palma
  • Samantha Sloyan
  • Sissy Spacek
  • Matthew Lillard
  • Siena Agudong
  • Kate Siegel
  • Alison Thornton
Empty school gym decorated for prom at night, a glowing smartphone lying on the floor under a mirror ball's scattered light.

What happened

Prime Video released all eight episodes of Mike Flanagan's "Carrie" on Oct. 7, 2026. The series is a present-day retelling of Stephen King's 1974 novel about a sheltered teen who is bullied on social media. Its finale breaks from the book by adding other characters with psychic powers. The show has not yet been renewed for a second season.

Summary

Mike Flanagan's version of Stephen King's first novel is now streaming. All eight episodes of "Carrie" arrived on Prime Video on Oct. 7. Summer H. Howell plays Carrie White, an isolated, homeschooled girl who starts high school and quickly becomes the target of a cyberbullying campaign. Her classmate Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton) leads it through an anonymous Instagram account. Samantha Sloyan plays Carrie's religious mother, Margaret. This is Flanagan's first series in eight years that isn't on Netflix: his deal there ended, and he signed with Prime Video. It is also the first time the story has been told as a TV series. [3] [4] [7] [8] [9] [12]

The finale arrives at the prom night many people know. Chris and her boyfriend Billy (Arthur Conti) dump pig's blood on Carrie right after she is crowned prom queen, and nearly everyone at the dance dies. That includes gym teacher Rita Desjardin (Amber Midthunder) and Principal Grayle (Matthew Lillard). The show changes who is responsible, though. Emaline (Thalia Dudek), a girl who seemed to be Carrie's friend, turns out to be a psychic who takes control of Carrie during the massacre. Margaret survives thanks to her own buried powers. She is then killed by Adelaide (Kate Siegel), a mysterious gifted woman who has been interviewing survivors. [3] [6] [8] [9]

Critics are divided on the changes. Tom's Guide called it one of the strongest shows of the year, but said eight episodes stretch a contained story and the added mythology weakens it. The Atlantic argued the show is too sympathetic to its characters, and that handing the massacre to Emaline takes Carrie's own climax away from her. Thornton told CBR that Flanagan told the cast from day one, "There are no monsters in the show." Flanagan told GamesRadar+ he kept the pig's slaughter off-screen because he "didn't have much of a stomach" for it. The series has not been renewed, but the ending leaves room for more. [6] [7] [9] [10] [11]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 12 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

Where can I watch Carrie?

"Carrie" streams only on Prime Video, in the U.S. and more than 240 other regions. Business Insider says Prime Video costs $9 a month on its own, or comes with a $15-a-month Amazon Prime membership, and new users get a 30-day free trial. [4] [12]

How is Prime Video's Carrie different from the book?

It moves the story to the present day, with bullying carried out over social media. It also adds new psychic characters: Emaline, who takes over Carrie during the prom massacre, and Adelaide. In this version, Margaret survives prom night before Adelaide kills her. [6] [7] [8] [9]

Will Carrie get a season 2?

The series has not yet been renewed for a second season. Several outlets note that the finale leaves the door open to one. [3] [6] [7] [8]

Sources 12

  1. 1USA Today

    'Carrie' TV show creator unpacks shocking finale, changes from Stephen King book

    "Carrie" creator Mike Flanagan explains the show's jaw-dropping Season 1 finale, which makes massive changes to Stephen King's story. Spoilers ahead! Spoiler alert!

    Read on USA Today (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2IGN

    "We're Presenting The Anti-Carrie" | How Mike Flanagan Updated Carrie For The 21st Century

    For a book that's over fifty years old, Prime Video's Carrie feels incredibly timely.

    Read on IGN (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3Forbes

    Amber Midthunder Got A TV Magic Masterclass On Mike Flanagan's 'Carrie'

    Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Prime Video's Carrie. Everyone knows the tragic story of Carrie White, whether vaguely or as a superfan of Stephen King's debut novel Carrie, which spawned Brian De…

    Read on Forbes (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4Business Insider

    Here's where to watch Carrie, Mike Flanagan's latest Stephen King adaptations

    Horror television mastermind Mike Flanagan is back, but for the first time in eight years, his latest series isn't on Netflix.

    Lillian Brown

    Read on Business Insider (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5Game Rant

    7 Best Horror TV Shows to Watch After Mike Flanagan's Carrie

    Christian's career in entertainment journalism is now old enough to be classified as a teenager. Before joining GameRant, he wrote for a variety of other publications, including We Got This Covered.

    Christian Bone

    Read on Game Rant (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6Variety

    'Carrie' Finale Burning Question: Who Is Adelaide? Kate Siegel on Why Her Mysterious Character 'Controls This Story'

    Her familiarity with King's vast writings also meant she knew exactly which of his characters to draw upon when asked to play something completely new within his sandbox.

    Read on Variety (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7Tom's Guide

    Mike Flanagan proves there's more to 'Carrie' than prom night

    Few horror stories have had quite the life cycle of "Carrie." Stephen King's debut novel was first published in 1974, introducing readers to Carrie White, a bullied teenager with telekinetic powers…

    Alix Blackburn

    Read on Tom's Guide (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8CNET

    'Carrie' Ending Explained: How the Fiery Finale Shines a Light on Another Stephen King Classic

    Aaron is a writer for the streaming entertainment team.... Read full bio Every episode of Carrie dropped on Prime Video on Wednesday, and we got to see the titular character get her time in the prom…

    Aaron Pruner

    Read on CNET (opens in a new tab)
  9. 9The Atlantic

    This 'Carrie' Isn't Mean Enough

    A modern-day take drains the original story's brutal finale of its catharsis. The following article contains spoilers for the TV adaptation of Carrie.

    Read on The Atlantic (opens in a new tab)
  10. 10CBR

    Mike Flanagan's Main Message to the Carrie Cast From Day One Revealed

    This single message shows exactly why viewers are rushing to Prime Video to watch Carrie. What a time to be alive.

    Patrik Walker, Rachel Leishman

    Read on CBR (opens in a new tab)
  11. 11gamesradar

    Carrie's Mike Flanagan explains why he chose to exclude one infamous scene: "I didn't have much of a stomach"

    Exclusive: Mike Flanagan skipped the pig scene in his version of Carrie Mike Flanagan says he opted to skip the infamous pig slaughtering scene in his adaptation of Carrie.

    Lauren Milici

    Read on gamesradar (opens in a new tab)
  12. 12Rolling Stone

    How to Watch Mike Flanagan's New 'Carrie' Show Online for Free

    If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

    Alexis Mikulski Ruiz

    Read on Rolling Stone (opens in a new tab)