How To Watch Stephen King's 'It' Franchise In Order

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 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. 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. It's ideal for viewers who prefer atmospheric, low-gore horror and fans of classic Stephen King TV adaptations like Salem's Lot (1979).

Woh is a Hindi-language TV show adaptation of It. The series takes place in 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 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 that was once human rather than an extraterrestrial being. It's great for viewers interested in alternative takes on familiar stories like Mahakaal (1994) which was inspired by A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

It is the first film in a two-part adaptation of King's work. The film adapts the novel's first half, which follows The Losers Club as children in the 1980s, who begin investigating the disappearance of their friend Bill's (Jaeden Martell) little brother. 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. The movie is perfect for horror viewers who want emotional storytelling (sort of like 2016's Stranger Things) mixed with scares.

It Chapter Two 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. The movie is a faithful adaptation with a top-notch cast and even bigger chills, though the loss of the coming-of-age aspect makes it a little less impactful.

Still, the film is a satisfying conclusion that effectively brings King's novel to life. It provides emotional closure to the modern duology and highlights how childhood trauma follows the Losers into adulthood. The film is ideal for viewers who enjoy character-focused horror like Chapelwaite (2021), which is another King adaptation.

IT: Welcome to Derry is meant to serve as a prequel to the two-part film adaptation. It follows a group of children in Derry, Maine, in the 1960s, roughly 20 years before the first film's events. The series explores the victims of Pennywise the Clown before the Losers Club ended his reign of terror. Viewers can also expect another chilling depiction of Pennywise as Skarsgård reprises his iconic role for the series.

This series is especially exciting because it expands the mythology beyond what King wrote, exploring the town's disturbing history and the generational trauma that defines it. The series is perfect for newcomers who loved Midnight Mass (2021), or longtime fans, who will feel like they have uncovered a hidden chapter in the story that deepens the entire franchise.