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It Movie: Plot, Cast, Reviews, and Everything You Need to Know
Here’s the nutshell: It (2017), directed by Andy Muschietti and adapted from Stephen King’s novel, follows seven outcast kids in Derry, Maine, who face an ancient evil clown, Pennywise, as they confront the terrors stalking their town and their own fears.
Plot Overview and Story Flow
This version of It, sometimes called It: Chapter One, centers entirely in the late 1980s. It begins with young Georgie chasing his paper boat into a storm drain and meeting Pennywise. After Georgie’s tragic fate, his older brother Bill rallies a group of misfit friends—called the Losers’ Club—to uncover the sinister mystery behind the disappearances in Derry .
This adaptation stays linear, unlike the book’s time-hopping style. That makes it feel more grounded and immersive. The Losers face their individual fears—informed by grief, bullying, family trauma—and fight this demonic clown with courage and friendship . It sets up the sequel, It Chapter Two (2019), where the now adults return to face Pennywise once more .
Cast & Characters
This film introduced a young ensemble cast including:
- Jaeden Lieberher as Bill Denbrough (leader, driven by grief)
- Sophia Lillis as Beverly Marsh (brave, complex)
- Finn Wolfhard as Richie Tozier (sharp-tongued comic relief)
- Jeremy Ray Taylor as Ben Hanscom (sweet, thoughtful)
- Jack Dylan Grazer as Eddie Kaspbrak (anxious, caring)
- Wyatt Oleff as Stan Uris (quiet, fragile)
- Chosen Jacobs as Mike Hanlon (outsider, historian)
- Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, the clown—terrifying and unforgettable .
The cast drew wide praise. Skarsgård’s Pennywise was called “chilling perfection” and a standout performance by Vanity Fair and Salon reviewers . The kids were also lauded—Roger Ebert.com noted their camaraderie and emotional resonance was more powerful than the jump scares .
Box Office and Records
It was a massive success. On a modest budget (~$35–40 million), it grossed over $700 million worldwide, becoming at the time the highest-grossing horror film ever (unadjusted) and one of the top R-rated films . Its opening weekend alone shattered records for a September release and for a Stephen King adaptation, earning about $117 million domestically .
Critical Reception & Standing
Critics loved it. Rotten Tomatoes holds it at around 85–86%, calling it “well acted and fiendishly frightening with an emotionally affecting story at its core” . Metacritic scores hover in the high 60s, indicating generally favorable reviews .
Praise focused on its balance of scares and heart. The performances, especially Skarsgård’s, direction, and cinematography stood out . Roger Ebert’s Christy Lemire described how the film’s warmth, humor, and humanity anchor the horror in emotional stakes .
Some criticism centered around reliance on jump scares and a few disjointed sequences toward the end .
It Chapter Two: The Reunion
The sequel picks up 27 years later, with the Losers as adults returning to Derry to vanquish Pennywise forever . The adult cast includes James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and others, with Skarsgård reprising his role .
The reception was mixed. It earned a solid box office haul (~$473 million globally) but didn’t match its predecessor . Critics cited its bloated runtime and weaker cohesion, although acting and design were still praised . Some doubted the scares were as effective—GQ rated its terror factor low, noting clichés and diminished Pennywise presence . Bill Hader humorously shared his daughter’s take: “First movie was better” .
Expansion of the Universe: Welcome to Derry
In 2025, the prequel series It: Welcome to Derry premiered on HBO, exploring Pennywise’s origins in the 1960s. It drew a remarkable 5.7 million U.S. viewers in its first three days—HBO’s third-best debut ever . Stephen King himself praised the series, noting its surreal scares and Muschietti’s touch of genius .
Why It (2017) Still Resonates
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Emotional Core
The film grounds its horror in real grievances—loss, abuse, bullying—and showcases the power of friendship in facing terror. -
Fresh, Tense Direction
Muschietti balanced nostalgic 80s feel with cinematic tension, drawing comparisons to Spielberg’s early work . -
Standout Villain
Pennywise, as portrayed by Skarsgård, is unnervingly subtle yet explosively terrifying. -
Skilled Young Cast
The Losers feel distinctly real, each contributing depth to the group’s dynamic. -
Cultural Moment
It tapped into 80s nostalgia and mainstream horror appetite, becoming both a critical and commercial juggernaut.
Conclusion
It (2017) delivers compelling horror rooted in emotional authenticity. It combines great performances, clever direction, and memorable scares into a story about confronting the things that terrify us most. The follow-up and prequel expand that world with varied success, but the original remains the defining chapter—scary, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
FAQs
What is the plot of It (2017)?
A group of seven misfit kids in 1980s Maine confront an ancient, shape-shifting clown named Pennywise and the fears he exploits to terrorize their town.
Who stars in the 2017 It film?
The cast includes Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, and Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, supported by a talented ensemble of young actors.
How well did It perform at the box office?
On a roughly $35–40 million budget, the film grossed over $700 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing horror movie ever at the time.
How was It Chapter Two received?
While it earned nearly half a billion dollars globally, critics found it less cohesive and scary than the first, citing an overlong runtime and weaker impact.
Is there more It content beyond the movies?
Yes, the prequel series It: Welcome to Derry launched on HBO in October 2025, earning strong viewership and praise from Stephen King for its surreal horror and direction.
Why is the 2017 It still considered a standout?
It blends heartfelt storytelling and deeply human characters with masterful horror craft—making fears feel real and the bonds between characters truly meaningful.
