Watching the It movies in order is straightforward in principle yet nuanced in practice, because you must choose between the definitive 1990 television miniseries and the two modern theatrical films. This guide explains the core story, production context, and structural differences so you can select the sequence that best fits your time and expectations. We treat the 1990 miniseries as the canonical adaptation, then follow with the 2017 film and its 2019 sequel, highlighting how scope, tone, and fidelity to source material shift across formats.
Which It Adaptation to Start With
Before we map the exact order, decide what you want from the story. The 1990 miniseries is the earliest complete adaptation and remains the longest, most detailed version. The 2017 film and its 2019 follow-up are streamlined, effects-driven reinterpretations focused primarily on the Losers’ Club. If you want comprehensive world-building and character depth, begin with 1990. If you prefer concentrated horror with modern production values, start in 2017.
1) It: The Television Miniseries (1990)
Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace for television, this three-part adaptation follows the book closely, with Bill Denbrough summoning the Losers’ Club after his brother Georgie’s death. The horror is atmospheric and dialogue-rich, leaning on practical effects and strong ensemble performances. Chronologically, this is the first complete adaptation of Stephen King’s novel and establishes the full mythology, including the Ritual of Chüd and the historical reach of It across centuries.
Key Arcs and Ending Beats
The miniseries resolves the Losers’ journey in 1985, culminating in the Ritual and a decisive, if bittersweet, victory. It spends time on adult lives and cycles of trauma, which makes the emotional payoff more deliberate. Because of its length, it can feel dated in production values but unparalleled in storytelling completeness.
2) It (2017)
Directed by Andy Muschietti, the 2017 theatrical film zeroes in on the Losers’ Club in Derry, Maine, emphasizing tension, set pieces, and Bill Skarsgård’s unsettling Pennywise. It condenses the book’s first half, largely omitting the adult timeline and much of the secondary plotlines. The tone is darker and more fast-paced, designed for theatrical horror rather than small-screen intimacy.
Structure and Ending Explained
The film ends with the Losers making a blood oath as children, setting up the sequel. Its mid-credit scene introduces the adult Losers briefly, foreshadowing unresolved trauma. For viewers watching in order, this is an incomplete chapter that benefits from its sequel.
3) It Chapter Two (2019)
Released two years later, the sequel reunites the adult cast in a final confrontation. It expands on the 1990 and 2017 material by bridging gaps, restoring key characters, and delivering a darker, more violent climax. The adult sequences give emotional weight to the Losers’ shared history, while the child timeline remains tightly focused on survival.
Thematic and Narrative Resolution
Chapter Two closes the circle by reconciling outcomes from both earlier versions, making the 1990 miniseries the foundational text and the 2019 film the definitive finale. Whether you value breadth or intensity, this three-part framework lets you map the story’s evolution.
Viewing Order at a Glance
| Format | Release Year | Runtime (approx.) | Scope and Fidelity Notes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| It (1990 miniseries) | 1990 | ≈190 minutes | Most complete adaptation; deep character work; slower pace | Comprehensive understanding |
| It (2017) | 2017 | ≈135 minutes | Tighter, horror-first retelling; modern effects; omits adult arc | Sustained tension and scares |
| It Chapter Two (2019) | 2019 | ≈165 minutes | Bridges child and adult timelines; darker, more conclusive | Emotional closure and expanded lore |
Practical Sequencing and Viewing Strategy
For an evergreen, binge-oriented plan, watch in this order: 1990 miniseries, 2017 film, then 2019 sequel. This preserves narrative cause and effect and lets you experience the story’s evolution. If time is limited, you can watch the two theatrical films back-to-back, but you will miss the depth and context that make the miniseries a touchstone for completists.
Comparisons of Tone, Scope, and Source Fidelity
The miniseries stays closer to King’s sprawling prose, embracing melancholy and community history. The 2017 film streamlines events for modern horror pacing, and the sequel balances spectacle with emotional payoff. None of these versions invalidate the others; they highlight different facets of the same mythos, from intimate childhood terror to sweeping supernatural reckoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the 1990 miniseries still the most complete? Yes; it covers nearly all major plotlines from the book and includes an adult timeline that the films omit.
- Can I watch the 2017 and 2019 films without seeing the miniseries? Yes; many viewers do, but you will lose some backstory and character depth that enrich the overall saga.
- Are there major scenes in the books not covered in any adaptation? Likely; both the miniseries and films condense or alter certain episodes, which is why the novel remains the ultimate source.
- Which version has the most screen time with adult Losers? The 1990 miniseries, followed by the 2019 sequel; the 2017 film only hints at the adult world.
- Do the films share a cast with the miniseries? No; the casts are entirely separate, though the sequel intentionally echoes the miniseries through callbacks and casting of younger actors who resemble the original ensemble.
Final Recommendation
To watch the It movies in order with maximum clarity and emotional resonance, begin with the 1990 miniseries to build foundational context, then experience the 2017 film for modern horror intensity, and finish with the 2019 sequel for narrative closure. This sequence honors the story’s breadth and depth while giving you flexibility to prioritize time, tone, or format based on your viewing goals.