Stephen King’s It franchise is expanding again with the upcoming release of a prequel TV series, IT: Welcome to Derry. King’s novel It, which was published in 1986, has become one of his most recognizable works, spawning multiple film and TV adaptations.
Since 1990, Pennywise the Clown has been terrifying audiences on both the big and small screen in the United States and internationally. Viewers who want to catch up with the franchise can use our guide to find out where to watch every It adaptation in release date order on platforms like Max, Hulu, and more.
It (1990)
The first adaptation of King’s novel was the 1990 live-action miniseries, It, starring Tim Curry in the titular role. The series follows seven outcast preteens who, in 1960, confronted and defeated the evil Pennywise the Clown. When the clown returns in the present, the seven reunite as adults to defeat him once more. It relies more heavily on psychological horror and a character-driven plot than gore and jump scares. As a result, it’s a very thoughtful adaptation with an eerie atmosphere. Meanwhile, fans of the franchise still hail Curry as the best iteration of Pennywise, with his uncanny ability to naturally turn an ordinary clown into one of the most terrifying horror icons ever without the help of special effects.
Woh (1998)
Woh is a Hindi-language TV show adaptation of King’s It. The series takes place in the Indian town of Panchgani, which is terrorized by a clown called Woh (Lilliput). Fifteen years after defeating Woh as teenagers, seven adults reunite to fight him again as he resurfaces, but they soon find his influence impacting their personal lives and families. Woh is the most unique adaptation of King’s It. Similar to the 1990 series, it features very little gore but still invokes an atmosphere of dread. Additionally, Woh made the bold decision to make its titular villain a more sympathetic character who was once human rather than an extraterrestrial being.
It (2017)
It is the first film in a two-part adaptation of King’s work by director Andy Muschietti. The film adapts the novel's first half, which follows The Losers Club as children in the 1980s, who begin investigating their friend Bill’s (Jaeden Martell) little brother’s disappearance. Their investigation reveals a string of suspicious murders and kidnappings in the town of Derry, putting them on the tracks of Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgård). It is a more brutal adaptation of King’s work as it wasn’t limited by TV restrictions. However, it’s also quite unique in that it's a cross between a horror story and a poignant coming-of-age tale. Meanwhile, Skarsgård’s performance is nothing short of chilling and unsettling.
It Chapter 2 (2019)
It Chapter 2 serves as the second half of Muschietti’s adaptation. The film takes place 27 years after the original, where Mike Hanlon (Isaiah Mustafa) is the sole Losers Club member still in Derry. However, when signs of Pennywise’s return arise, he calls the gang together to fulfill their oath to defeat him again. It Chapter 2 is a faithful adaptation with a top-notch cast and even bigger chills and thrills, though the loss of the coming-of-age aspect makes it a little less impactful than the first. Still, the film is a satisfying conclusion that effectively brings King’s novel to life.
IT: Welcome to Derry (2025)
IT: Welcome to Derry will premiere on HBO on an undetermined date in 2025. The TV series is meant to serve as a prequel to the two-part film adaptation. It will follow a group of children in Derry, Maine, in the 1960s, roughly 20 years before the first film's events. The series will explore the victims of Pennywise the Clown before the Losers Club ended his reign of terror. Meanwhile, viewers can expect another chilling depiction of Pennywise as Skarsgård reprises his iconic role for the series.
Where To Watch 'It' Movies And TV Shows Online
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