I would recommend 'The Boogeyman'. It's a short but extremely effective story. The idea of a monster in the closet is a very primal fear for many people. King takes this simple concept and makes it truly terrifying. The way he describes the protagonist's fear and the unseen presence in the room is bone - chilling.
Another great one is 'Survivor Type'. It's disturbing because it shows the extreme lengths a person will go to in order to survive. The main character is stranded and resorts to cannibalism, which is a very dark and taboo subject. King's vivid descriptions make it a story that sticks with you long after you've read it. It really makes you question what you would do in a similar situation.
I also like 'Graveyard Shift'. It's set in a rat - infested mill, which is already a creepy setting. The discovery of something far more sinister lurking beneath the mill adds to the horror. The sense of being trapped in a dirty, dark place with an unknown and dangerous entity is what makes this story so scary.
Take 'The Boogeyman'. It's terrifying because it taps into a very common childhood fear - the fear of the monster in the closet. King has a way of taking these simple, relatable fears and making them seem very real. The way he describes the boogeyman's presence, the sounds it makes, and the sense of helplessness of the characters makes it a truly scary read.
Well, 'I Know What You Need' can be considered very scary. The idea that someone can know your every need and manipulate situations to their advantage in a rather creepy way is the essence of the horror in this story. It's a psychological horror that gets into your head.
One of his scariest short stories could be 'The Mist'. The sense of isolation and the unknown horrors lurking in the mist create a terrifying atmosphere. The characters are trapped in a supermarket, surrounded by the mist that holds all kinds of deadly creatures. The psychological tension as they try to figure out what to do and face their possible doom is truly spine - chilling.
For me, 'Salem's Lot' is really frightening. The vampires in this novel are not the glamorous kind. They are brutal and they slowly take over the town of Jerusalem's Lot. The way King builds the tension as the town falls under their control is masterful.
I think 'Survivor Type' is extremely scary. It's about a man stranded on an island and the lengths he goes to in order to survive, including some truly gruesome acts. It makes you question how far a person can go when pushed to the brink, and the vivid descriptions add to the horror.
Pet Sematary is quite frightening. The concept of an ancient burial ground that brings the dead back to life, but not in their original state, is a disturbing one. It plays on our fears of death and the unknown.
In my opinion, 'It' is one of his scariest novels. The idea of a shape - shifting evil entity that preys on children is terrifying. It can take the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, which has become an iconic horror figure. The story also delves into the deep - seated fears of the characters, and the sense of dread that builds throughout the book is palpable.
Another extremely scary one is 'Pet Sematary'. The concept of a burial ground that brings things back to life but not in a normal way is deeply disturbing. The family's grief and their ill - fated decisions regarding the cemetery lead to a series of horrifying events that make your skin crawl.
For me, 'The Mist' has a disturbing ending. The decision that the main character makes at the end, in the face of such hopelessness, is both tragic and disturbing. It's a very dark and unexpected way to end the story.
Take 'It' for example. It's scary because it targets children. Children are often seen as innocent and vulnerable. And Pennywise can take different forms, exploiting the fears of each individual. It's also set in a small town, which gives a sense of familiarity, making the horror more real.