IT
Created by horror novelist Stephen King in 1986, IT is a globally renowned horror franchise centered on an ancient, shape-shifting cosmic entity that haunts Derry, Maine every 27 years. Spanning iconic novels, television adaptations, record-breaking feature films, and virtual reality experiences, the franchise is famous for its terrifying central avatar, Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
Cronologia
Panoramica
Created by legendary horror author Stephen King with his 1986 novel, the *IT* franchise centers on an ancient cosmic horror that terrorizes the fictional town of Derry, Maine roughly every 27 years. Taking the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown to feed on children's fears, the entity has become one of horror's most recognizable figures.
Across nearly four decades, the franchise has expanded into a massive multimedia property.
Its history encompasses Stephen King's original epic novel (and high-end collector releases like the 2025 Folio Society edition), two main feature film adaptations (*IT Chapter One* in 2017 and *IT Chapter Two* in 2019), a seminal 1990 TV miniseries, a 1998 Indian television adaptation (*Woh*), and an 8-episode HBO prequel drama series (*IT: Welcome to Derry* in 2025). Additionally, the franchise includes three interactive video and VR games, as well as the 2022 feature documentary *Pennywise: The Story of IT*. The 2017 film adaptation marked a major milestone for the IP, becoming the highest-grossing horror film of all time with over $704 million in global box office earnings.
Origini
The franchise originated in September 1986 with the publication of Stephen King's epic 1,000+ page novel *IT* by Viking Press.
Built around a non-linear dual timeline, the novel followed seven children—the self-named 'Losers' Club'—confronting an ancient evil in Derry, Maine during 1957–1958, and returning as adults in 1984–1985 to destroy it.
King established deep cosmic lore for the creature, revealing that IT originated in 'The Macroverse' and exists in its true, incomprehensible form as the 'Deadlights.' The monster's primary adversary in the Macroverse is Maturin, a benevolent giant turtle who guides the children through the ancient Ritual of Chüd. Following the novel's massive literary success, the franchise made its screen debut in November 1990 with ABC's two-part television miniseries directed by Tommy Lee Wallace. Starring Tim Curry in a defining performance as Pennywise, the adaptation shifted the timelines to 1960 and 1990, introducing King's terrifying vision to television audiences worldwide.
Personaggi
Collezionismo
The collecting landscape for *IT* revolves around the franchise's rich publishing history and the memorable screen portrayals of Pennywise the Dancing Clown—famously depicted by Tim Curry in 1990 and Bill Skarsgård in 2017 and 2019. High-value literary items serve as major centerpieces for serious collectors, highlighted by ultra-limited physical releases like the 2025 Folio Society Illustrated Edition.
Approved directly by Stephen King, this luxury publication was strictly limited to 500 copies, featuring double-page artwork by Jim Burns and an introduction by director Guillermo del Toro. Beyond rare books, physical media and behind-the-scenes historical production material from the 1990 miniseries remain highly prized among horror enthusiasts, as documented in the 2022 feature documentary *Pennywise: The Story of IT*. With HBO expanding the screen lore through *IT: Welcome to Derry* and Warner Bros. continuing to explore King's universe, demand for Derry-related media and Pennywise collectibles remains exceptionally high.
Curiosità
* The 2017 feature film *IT* became the highest-grossing horror movie of all time, earning over $704 million worldwide. * IT awakens roughly every 27 years in Derry, Maine, to feed on human fears, primarily targeting children.
* IT's true, incomprehensible form consists of cosmic light energy known as the 'Deadlights' from 'The Macroverse.' * In 1998, Zee TV broadcast *Woh*, a 52-episode Hindi television drama adaptation based on Stephen King's novel. * Maturin, a giant benevolent turtle from the Macroverse, acts as IT's cosmic rival and guides the Losers' Club.
Film
* **IT (IT: Chapter One)** (2017) – Directed by Andy Muschietti and starring Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, following the young Losers' Club fighting IT in 1988–1989.
* **IT Chapter Two** (2019) – Directed by Andy Muschietti, following the adult Losers' Club reuniting 27 years later in 2016 to defeat Pennywise permanently.
Serie TV
* **Stephen King's IT** (1990) – A 2-part television miniseries directed by Tommy Lee Wallace starring Tim Curry as Pennywise (ABC).
* **Woh** (1998) – A 52-episode Hindi horror drama series loosely adapting King's novel, starring Lilliput as the shape-shifting evil entity Woh (Zee TV). * **IT: Welcome to Derry** (2025) – An 8-episode prequel drama series set in the 1960s exploring Derry's history leading up to the 2017 film, featuring Bill Skarsgård (HBO / Max).
Videogiochi
* **IT: Enter the Sewer** (2017) – An official 8-bit promotional arcade browser game where players navigate Georgie's paper boat through Derry's sewers.
* **IT: Float VR** (2017) – A 360-degree promotional cinematic VR experience putting players down the storm drain and inside Pennywise's lair. * **IT: Escape from Pennywise VR** (2017) – An interactive virtual reality game where players explore 29 Neibolt Street and choose doors to escape Pennywise (Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream, Meta Quest).
Libri & Fumetti
* **IT** (1986) – The original 1,000+ page epic horror novel by Stephen King published by Viking Press, told through non-linear dual timelines.
* **IT (Folio Society Illustrated Edition)** (2025) – A luxury 500-copy limited edition approved by Stephen King featuring artwork by Jim Burns and an introduction by Guillermo del Toro.
