You’ve Probably Missed This Year’s Amazing Stephen King Animated Adaptation – and It’s Available for Free!

Stephen King is one of the best-known authors of all time and a master of the horror genre. King has authored numerous novels and stories, a lot of which have been adapted for the screen. In fact, it is said that each year brings us at least one Stephen King adaptation, which is almost true.

Wwhile his large-scale TV and theater adaptations are well known, this year also brought us an animated short that adapts one of King’s oldest stories and we think that you’ve probably missed this one. Although, we believe that you absolutely have to see it!

This animated short adapts a forgotten story that King wrote back in 1968, titled “Here There Be Tygers”, and the movie’s unconventional approach to animation, as well as the style, are something we found intriguing and we simply wanted to share it with you in the report, so keep reading for more information!

As we’ve said, Stephen King’s stories are adapted into movies and shows almost every year, and 2024 is no different. Mike Flanagan’s film version of King’s 2020 novella “The Life of Chuck” has already premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and will hit theaters soon.

Another King adaptation, Gary Dauberman’s Salem’s Lot, was released on Max as a streaming movie, though it struggled with its rushed and muddled execution. Meanwhile, the highly-anticipated Dark Tower series from Flanagan is currently in the works.

Yet, there’s one recent King project that seems to have flown under the radar. In October, Dark Corners Films released an animated short titled Lily. This short is part of a YouTube horror anthology series featuring stories from different genre filmmakers.

The short is directed and narrated by Kate Siegel, best known for her roles in Hush and Midnight Mass. It adapts one of King’s earliest stories, “Here There Be Tygers,” which he wrote in high school in 1968. This story was first published in the Spring 1968 issue of Urbis magazine and is included in King’s collection Skeleton Crew.

In “Here There Be Tygers,” Charles, a third-grader, finds himself in a terrifying situation. After his teacher, Miss Bird, humiliates him for asking to use the bathroom, he steps into a school bathroom only to discover a massive tiger. To his horror, a classmate named Kenny disappears inside, leaving Charles to face the terrifying creature alone.

Siegel’s version of the story, titled Lily, brings a fresh perspective, especially with Pete Scalzitti’s stunning animation. Though some of the details have been adjusted, such as character names, the short keeps the same eerie and surreal feel of King’s original story. The short is designed for a younger audience, offering a quick but spooky dive into the unsettling parts of growing up, particularly under the influence of uncaring adults.

Even though “Here There Be Tygers” is mostly a playful take on how children’s minds work and wish fulfillment, Lily adds depth to the story. The animation and visual motifs make the bizarre aspects of the tale even more gripping.

If you have a few minutes to spare, we recommend checking out Lily, which we have linked here. It’s a short but intense exploration of childhood fears and the strange world kids have to navigate, especially when they’re surrounded by unsympathetic adults.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!