Every IT Movie & TV Show, Ranked From Worst to Best (Including Welcome to Derry)

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Stephen King is famous for his scary novels, but It stands out as particularly impactful. Published in 1986, this lengthy book follows a group of bullied kids as they fight a monster in Maine that can change its shape. Beyond the thrilling story, It significantly changed how people view clowns, turning them from fun entertainers into figures of fear. The book’s influence is clear, with numerous adaptations – from small-screen attempts to big-budget movies – all trying to capture the chilling atmosphere of King’s original idea. The story of the Losers Club and their fight against this terrifying creature remains a powerful presence in the horror genre.

The recent success of the first season of IT: Welcome to Derry has once again proven the enduring popularity of this terrifying story. The series, starring Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, created a lot of excitement by exploring the creature’s backstory and its repeated cycles of fear in the town. Now, with the franchise top of mind, we’re revisiting every live-action adaptation to see how well they deliver the scares, stay true to the original story, and manage to make even something as ordinary as a storm drain seem frightening.

5) Woh

Few Stephen King fans realize that a Hindi-language TV adaptation of It actually exists, and those who do often regret finding out. This 52-episode series, called Woh, aired in 1998 and takes the basic idea of It, but turns it into a drawn-out, over-the-top soap opera. It lacks the money and the atmosphere to pull off the horror effectively. The villain, played by M.M. Faruqui (known as Lilliput), isn’t the terrifying, ancient evil from the book. Instead, the script reimagines him as the ghost of a man who was tormented for being short, giving a surprisingly human and ordinary motivation to what should be a monstrous figure.

The biggest problem with Woh is that it feels too long and moves slowly. Although Ashutosh Gowariker does an adequate job as the main character – similar to Bill Denbrough in the original story – the series suffers from repeated storylines and music that actually removes any sense of suspense. The special effects are also very basic, using simple camera techniques that don’t create any real fear compared to the source material. Woh might be interesting for those who want to collect every version of the story, but it doesn’t succeed as a scary adaptation – it doesn’t deliver a single genuine fright.

4) IT Chapter Two

The second film in Andy Muschietti’s IT series faced the challenge of adapting the novel’s more complex adult storyline, which many consider less compelling than the first half. Despite this, IT Chapter Two boasts a fantastic cast – including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Hader – who convincingly portray the grown-up versions of the beloved characters from the first film. Bill Hader is particularly impressive, skillfully blending his character’s comedic relief with the underlying pain of his past. The movie also features creative and frightening creature effects, highlighted by a memorable and terrifying scene involving a fortune cookie.

As much as I loved the first IT, Chapter Two just didn’t quite hit the same way for me. It felt way too long, and the movie kept shifting tones, which really killed the pacing. Honestly, the de-aging effects during the flashback scenes were really distracting – they just didn’t look right and took me right out of the story. And the climax… well, the whole “Ritual of Chüd” thing didn’t translate well to the screen at all. It felt more like something out of a video game than a truly scary movie. It does wrap up the Losers’ story, but it lost the focused, simple terror that made the first film so amazing.

3) IT: Welcome to Derry

There was a lot of excitement for IT: Welcome to Derry, particularly because Bill Skarsgård was back as the iconic Pennywise. The series, taking place in 1962, gives a compelling look into the town’s past, with excellent performances from Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Chris Chalk. It’s interesting to see the racial issues of the time combined with the town’s creepy, supernatural problems, adding a new dimension to the story. Skarsgård is terrifyingly good as Pennywise, proving once again why he’s the perfect actor for the role.

The series struggles because of creative decisions that weaken its horror elements. It uses a lot of digital effects that often look incomplete, turning scary scenes into unrealistic and ineffective displays. Even worse, the writers made the mistake of overexplaining the story’s supernatural background. By adding a military storyline with General Shaw (James Remar) trying to control the creature, and by detailing how Pennywise works, the show removes the mystery that makes it so terrifying. True cosmic horror relies on the unknown, and by trying to explain everything, IT: Welcome to Derry unintentionally makes the monster seem less powerful.

2) IT (Miniseries)

For many, Tim Curry is Pennywise. His performance in the 1990 TV miniseries IT remains iconic, achieving horror history despite the challenges of network television restrictions and a limited budget. Curry’s Pennywise is unique, using a raspy voice and a deceptively friendly manner to draw children into danger. The first part of the miniseries, which centers on the young Losers Club, is particularly well-done, beautifully portraying both the joy of childhood friendships and the growing fear of living in a town haunted by evil.

While the 1990 IT miniseries has some weaknesses, especially in its second half, it remains a memorable adaptation. The adult actors, including Richard Thomas and Harry Anderson, don’t quite recapture the spark of their younger selves, and the story feels slower once it jumps to the present. The final appearance of the creature as a spider is also known for its unconvincing special effects, which unintentionally come across as comical. However, the strong start and Tim Curry’s unforgettable performance as Pennywise still make it a standout horror miniseries.

1) IT

Andy Muschietti’s 2017 film, IT, really struck a chord with horror fans. By setting the story in the 1980s and concentrating on the kids’ experiences, the movie creates a powerfully nostalgic and scary atmosphere. The young actors are perfectly cast, especially Finn Wolfhard as Richie and Sophia Lillis as Beverly, and their chemistry feels genuine and moving. This version, unlike earlier adaptations, earned an R-rating, which allowed it to realistically portray the intense violence and the troubling issue of abuse that haunt the town of Derry.

Bill Skarsgård truly makes the role of IT his own. He portrays Pennywise as a primal, almost animalistic creature, a terrifying hunter barely holding back its ravenous appetite. The film opens with a brilliantly suspenseful and shocking scene where young Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott) meets a tragic end, immediately establishing the film’s intense and frightening atmosphere. Despite relying on scary moments, the movie also takes the time to develop the characters, making us genuinely invested in the children before subjecting them to horror. Ultimately, this version of IT is the best adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, demonstrating that a big-budget horror film can be both frightening and emotionally resonant.

What Pennywise portrayal do you find the most frightening? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-20 20:19