The Stand

After a deadly plague kills most of the world’s population, the remaining survivors split into two groups - one led by a benevolent elder and the other by a maleficent being - to face each other in a final battle between good and evil.

The Stand (1994) is an American television miniseries created by Stephen King for ABC, adapted from his own sprawling novel. Across four ninety-minute episodes, a broken America struggles after a deadly plague has killed most of the population. Stu Redman (Gary Sinise) and Nick Andros (Rob Lowe) are among the survivors who gather in the wake of the collapse, while Frannie Goldsmith (Molly Ringwald) navigates the uncertain new world beside them. Their journey pulls them toward one of two opposing forces: a benevolent elder, Mother Abagail Freemantle (Ruby Dee), and the maleficent Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan). The engine of the story is the pull of a looming final confrontation, with characters forced to choose sides as the old order crumbles around them. Each episode moves through scattered communities, shifting alliances, and lingering dread, with the emotional register swinging between grief, tenderness, and mythic menace. Fans of The Walking Dead, Lost, and Station Eleven will find resonance in its blend of apocalyptic survival and human warmth. Its portrait of a world rebuilding under the shadow of an ancient battle makes it a memorable, if uneven, piece of genre television.

Viewers broadly find the miniseries gripping and faithful in its first episodes but feel the ending falls short of the source novel.

• The Walking Deadapocalyptic pandemic collapse, survivors gathering around opposing moral leaders, good versus evil epic
• Lostsprawling end-of-the-world survival drama with a large ensemble and a supernatural adversary
• Station Elevenpost-pandemic survivor community, dread-filled moral struggle, small-town resilience
• It (1990)Stephen King adaptation with supernatural horror and a sweeping small-town-to-epic scope

Created by

Stephen King

Release Date

1994-05-08

Episode runtime

90 min

Rating

7.1 / 10 (538)

What is The Stand about?

After a plague wipes out most of humanity, survivors are drawn toward one of two opposing leaders in a sprawling struggle between good and evil.

What is The Stand like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Stand as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is The Stand violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Stand as moderate.

What did critics think of The Stand?

Viewers broadly find the miniseries gripping and faithful in its first episodes but feel the ending falls short of the source novel.

Which shows are like The Stand?

Shows with a similar feel include The Walking Dead, Lost, Station Eleven, and It (1990).

How long is The Stand?

The Stand: 1 season, 4 episodes.

Is The Stand still running?

No, The Stand has ended.

Where can I watch The Stand?

In United States, The Stand is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home.