The movie 'Children of the Corn' is indeed based on a true story in the sense that it originated from Stephen King's short story which was influenced by real - life settings. King often draws from his surroundings and the cultural and geographical aspects of the places he has been. The cornfields in the Midwest are a real and prominent feature, and he used this along with the concept of a small - town community to create a story of horror where children are turned into a cult following a malevolent force.
Yes, it is. Stephen King got the idea from real - life observations. The idea of children being influenced in a small, rural community, and the omnipresent cornfields in the Midwest provided the perfect backdrop for a horror story. The story plays on the fear of the unknown and the power that can be held by the young when they are influenced by something malevolent.