A sleeper hit no more. Stephen King’s genre-blending miniseries 11.22.63 has finally arrived on Netflix in the United States for the first time, premiering on January 7, 2026. Originally released as a Hulu Original in February 2016, the eight-episode limited series—executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Stephen King himself, Bridget Carpenter, and Bryan Burk—has surged to the top of the charts, reaching No. 3 on Netflix’s U.S. rankings shortly after launch, trailing only heavyweights like Stranger Things and the Harlan Coben series Run Away. This long-overdue streaming debut has introduced the show to a massive new audience, sparking renewed excitement and countless binges as viewers discover one of King’s most ambitious and emotionally resonant works.
Adapted from King’s 2011 bestselling novel of the same name, 11.22.63 poses a haunting “what if” question: What would you do if you could change history? The story follows Jake Epping (James Franco), a divorced high school English teacher in present-day Maine, who learns from his dying friend Al Templeton (Chris Cooper) about a mysterious time portal hidden in the back of a local diner. The portal always sends travelers back to September 9, 1958—exactly five years before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Al tasks Jake with the monumental mission: go back, live through those years, and prevent Lee Harvey Oswald from pulling the trigger in Dallas.
Jake, adopting the alias James Amberson to blend in, steps into 1958 and begins the slow, deliberate process of infiltrating Oswald’s life. He relocates to Texas, takes a job as a teacher in Jodie, and meticulously gathers evidence about Oswald’s instability and motives. Along the way, he falls deeply in love with Sadie Dunhill (Sarah Gadon), a kind-hearted school librarian whose presence complicates everything. Their romance becomes the emotional core of the series—a tender, doomed relationship shadowed by the knowledge that any success in altering history could erase the life Jake has built in the past.
The series masterfully blends sci-fi, historical thriller, drama, and romance. The past “pushes back” against changes, manifesting as eerie coincidences, accidents, and obstacles that grow more dangerous the closer Jake gets to November 22, 1963. Time itself seems to resist alteration, creating a palpable sense of dread and inevitability. The narrative explores profound themes: the cost of ambition, the fragility of fate, the weight of tragedy, and what it truly means to be human in the face of irreversible choices.
Franco delivers a compelling, understated performance as Jake—a relatable everyman thrust into extraordinary circumstances. His portrayal captures the character’s growing obsession, moral dilemmas, and quiet heartbreak. Supporting cast members shine: Chris Cooper as the haunted Al Templeton; Sarah Gadon as the luminous Sadie, whose chemistry with Franco grounds the high-concept plot in genuine emotion; Daniel Webber as a chilling, volatile Lee Harvey Oswald; George MacKay as the young, impressionable Bill Turcotte; Cherry Jones in a powerful recurring role; and others like T.R. Knight, Kevin J. O’Connor, and Josh Duhamel adding depth to the ensemble.
Visually stunning, the miniseries recreates the late 1950s and early 1960s with meticulous detail—vintage cars, period costumes, diners, and the bustling streets of Dallas. Filmed primarily in Ontario with key scenes in Dallas, it evokes the era’s optimism and underlying tension leading up to the Kennedy assassination. The pacing builds deliberately over eight episodes, allowing time for character development while ramping up suspense toward the climactic Dallas sequence.
Critically acclaimed upon its original release with an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes (and an 88% audience score), 11.22.63 earned praise for its faithful yet inventive adaptation, strong performances, and emotional depth. Critics called it “impressively stout-hearted” and noted how the romance adds texture to the conspiracy thriller elements. Fans have long hailed it as one of King’s best adaptations, with many considering it superior to other screen versions of his work due to its thoughtful exploration of time travel’s consequences.
Now, a decade later, the Netflix arrival has reignited passion. Viewers are flooding social media and review sites with fresh praise, describing it as “mind-bending,” “heart-wrenching,” and “a deep, dark exploration of time, tragedy, and humanity.” Many binge the entire series over a weekend, calling it perfect for immersive viewing. The resurgence highlights how King’s storytelling endures—timeless questions about history, regret, and love resonate as strongly today as they did in 2016.
For anyone who loves stories that challenge reality, stir the soul, and blend high-stakes thrills with profound character work, 11.22.63 is essential viewing. It’s not just a show about stopping an assassination—it’s a meditation on the past’s unyielding grip and the human cost of trying to rewrite it. Dive in on Netflix; once you step through the portal, there’s no easy way back.
