It Movies: Release Order
Based on Stephen King's 1986 novel, these two theatrical films adapt the story of the Losers Club - a group of outcast kids who band together to fight Pennywise the Dancing Clown, a malevolent entity that feeds on fear and emerges every 27 years to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine. The first film focuses on the group as children in the 1980s, while the sequel follows them as adults returning to Derry nearly three decades later to confront the creature once more.
This release order watch list contains the 2017 and 2019 theatrical films directed by Andy Muschietti, which became massive commercial successes. The story was previously adapted as an excellent 1990 TV miniseries starring Tim Curry as Pennywise, and the theatrical films' universe has since expanded with the HBO series Welcome to Derry, which explores earlier cycles of It's reign of terror.
Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order
It
In a small Maine town, seven outcast children must confront their fears and face off against a malevolent entity that appears as a terrifying clown named Pennywise.
It: Chapter Two
Twenty-seven years later, the adult members of the Losers' Club are forced to return to their hometown of Derry when the evil entity Pennywise resurfaces to terrorize the town once again.
Other Film Series
Alien
Humanity's terrifying encounters with a perfect killing organism across centuries of space exploration.
Benson-Moorhead Universe
An interconnected indie sci-fi/horror universe from filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.
Cults
Films exploring the manipulation, devotion, and darkness of religious and psychological cults.
David Lynch
Visionary surrealist filmmaker known for his exploration of dream logic, suburban darkness, and the mysteries lurking beneath everyday American life.
Jaws
Steven Spielberg's shark thriller spawned three sequels of diminishing quality, with increasingly loose continuity connecting the Brody family saga.
M3GAN
A tech-horror series about an AI-powered doll that becomes self-aware and dangerously protective, blending campy humor with commentary on artificial intelligence.