There have been numerous movie adaptions of Stephen King books over the years, but cursed town of Derry, Maine, It tells the story of seven friends (called the Loser's Club) who battle a demonic shapeshifting entity known primarily as "Pennywise The Dancing Clown" first as children and then as adults. It was first adapted in 1990 as a television miniseries, and although Tim Curry's portrayal of Pennywise left a terrifying legacy, the miniseries itself is often regarded as a cheesy product of its time that brushed over some of the more horrifying elements of the novel.
In comparison, the two movie adaptions released in the late 2010s had a much darker tone, delving deeper into the horrors - both supernatural and human - that the Loser's Club faced. Although It: Chapter Two was inconsistent and problem-filled, the 2017 film (sometimes referred to as It: Chapter One), which focuses solely on the group as children, was critically acclaimed upon release. Along with being well received by critics and audiences alike, It was also a box office success, grossing higher than other King adaptions by a wide margin.
It: Chapter One was released at exactly the right time, when the success of shows like Stranger Things had opened up a market for eighties nostalgia, something that It: Chapter One was able to perfectly encapsulate without feeling overbearing. By changing the timeframe of the novel (in King's book, the Loser's Club are children during the 1950s), It: Chapter One capitalized on a perfect opportunity and was able to bring a fresh perspective to the story. Casting Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard as Loser's Club member It: Chapter One gave audiences further incentive to see the film, while simultaneously introducing them to a cast of talented young actors. While It: Chapter Two relied too heavily on famous names, the 2017 film used its relatively unknown cast to its advantage. Unburdened by lengthy filmographies or any typecasting, the young actors were able to make the characters their own, without any preconceived judgments on behalf of the audience.
Along with a cleverly timed release, It: Chapter One was well d from the beginning, emphasizing the visuals of a red balloon held by Pennywise and the yellow raincoat worn by Georgie Denbrough (the younger brother of the Loser's Club's unofficial leader, Bill) when he was killed. The visuals became synonymous with the film, and helped to showcase the darker tone of the adaption. As It: Chapters One & Two explored scarier themes than the 1990 miniseries, this chilling imagery enticed audiences and helped cement the films in horror history.
The success of It: Chapter One was well deserved, with some arguing that it is one of the best Stephen King adaptions. The well-thought-out marketing and release date encouraged people to see the film, and the clever casting choices and darker tone earned praise from fans and critics alike and introduced a whole new generation to the chilling tale. With this critical success came a commercial one, making the movie not only the most successful It adaption to date, but in of box office, the most successful Stephen King book adaption of all.
