When Did Pet Sematary Come Out?

Pet Sematary is a horror novel written by Stephen King and published in 1983. The novel tells the story of Louis Creed, a doctor who moves his family to a new town and discovers a mysterious pet cemetery in the woods behind their house.

Publication History

Pet Sematary was first published in hardcover by Doubleday on November 14, 1983. The novel was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies in its first year of publication. It was also met with critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising King's writing and the novel's suspenseful plot.Stephen King was inspired to write Pet Sematary after his cat, Smucky, was killed by a car. He began writing the novel in 1980 and finished it in 1983. The novel was originally titled "Smoke Stack," but King changed it to "Pet Sematary" after his wife, Tabitha, suggested it.

Adaptations

Pet Sematary has been adapted into two films, a television miniseries, and a number of video games.

The first film adaptation was released in 1989 and starred Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby, and Fred Gwynne. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $57 million worldwide. It was also met with mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the film's atmosphere and acting while others criticizing its slow pacing and lack of suspense.

The second film adaptation was released in 2019 and starred Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, and John Lithgow. The film was a commercial failure, grossing only $113 million worldwide. It was also met with negative reviews from critics, with many criticizing the film's uninspired plot and lack of scares.

The television miniseries, also titled Pet Sematary, was released in 1992 and starred Stephen King, Dale Midkiff, and Clancy Brown. The miniseries was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best adaptations of Stephen King's work.

There have also been a number of video games based on Pet Sematary, including a 1989 game for the Commodore 64 and a 2019 game for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.

Legacy

Pet Sematary is considered to be one of Stephen King's most popular and enduring novels. It has been praised for its suspenseful plot, atmospheric setting, and complex characters. The novel has also been the subject of a great deal of critical analysis, with many critics exploring the novel's themes of grief, love, and the dangers of trying to control death.

Pet Sematary remains a popular and influential horror novel, and it continues to be enjoyed by readers and viewers around the world.