Jack is a disgraced former English teacher and writer attempting to rebuild his life after losing his job at Stovington Preparatory School. Now sober after a history of severe alcohol addiction, he takes the caretaker job at the isolated Overlook Hotel to finish a play and support his family. His recent sobriety is fragile, and his lingering guilt over accidentally breaking his son's arm fuels a deep well of anger and insecurity.

Danny is Jack and Wendy's five-year-old son who possesses a powerful psychic ability known as "the shining." He can read thoughts, sense emotions, and experience vivid premonitions of future events. Because he frequently perceives the unspoken fears of his parents, he carries a heavy emotional burden for a child of his age. He relies on an entity named Tony to help him interpret his supernatural visions.

Wendy is Jack's wife and Danny's fiercely protective mother. She met Jack in college and married him partially to escape her domineering mother. While she wants to believe in Jack's renewed sobriety, she remains traumatized by his past physical abuse of their son. The isolation of the Overlook Hotel amplifies her constant vigilance regarding her family's physical and emotional safety.

Dick is the head cook at the Overlook Hotel who heads to Florida for the off-season. He possesses a mild version of the same psychic ability that Danny has, which his grandmother taught him to call "the shining." He immediately recognizes Danny's immense power and offers the boy crucial advice on how to handle the hotel's lingering psychic residue.

Ullman is the meticulous manager of the Overlook Hotel. He prioritizes the reputation and profitability of the resort above all else, keeping quiet about the building's violent history to avoid scandal. He openly resents having to hire Jack due to pressure from the hotel's board of directors.

Al is a wealthy investor who holds a near-majority stake in the Overlook Hotel. He used to be Jack's primary drinking companion until a drunk-driving incident frightened him into permanent sobriety. He uses his wealth and influence to secure Jack the caretaker position as an act of charity.

Tony is an entity that Danny describes as a little boy who lives in his mouth. He appears to Danny in trances, communicating largely through abstract visual warnings and signs. Jack and Wendy view him as an imaginary friend, though Danny relies on him to navigate the terrifying premonitions he receives.

Mr. Watson is a seasoned maintenance worker and seasonal caretaker at the Overlook Hotel. He gives Jack a practical tour of the building's basement, specifically warning him about the dangerous pressure limits of the ancient boiler.

Delbert Grady is a former winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. He infamously succumbed to cabin fever and murdered his wife and two young daughters before committing suicide. His legacy looms heavily over Jack's tenure at the property.

George is a handsome but struggling former student of Jack's who suffered from a stutter. After Jack cut him from the debate team, George slashed Jack's tires in retaliation, leading to a violent physical altercation that destroyed Jack's teaching career.

Lloyd is a ghostly bartender who manifests in the Overlook Hotel to serve drinks. He acts as an accommodating listener, soothing Jack's ego while enabling his devastating return to alcohol.

Dr. Edmonds is a medical professional who hooks Danny up to an electroencephalograph to evaluate his trances. As a man of science, he dismisses the concept of precognition and attempts to find psychological explanations for the boy's unique behavior.

Horace Derwent is a wealthy inventor and a prominent former owner of the Overlook Hotel. His postwar tenure at the resort was marked by lavish masquerade balls, mob connections, and rampant corruption, leaving a permanent stain on the property.

Aileen is Wendy's sister who died in a car accident. Danny psychically picks up on his mother's thoughts about her, revealing the depth of his abilities to Dr. Edmonds.

Larry Durkin is a local resident of Sidewinder who rents out snowmobiles. He provides critical assistance and winter gear to individuals needing to navigate the treacherous mountain passes.

Howard is a local snowplow driver who operates on the dangerous mountain roads leading toward the Overlook Hotel. He provides assistance to stranded drivers during intense blizzards.