IT (1990)

Today we’re diving into one of the most talked-about TV horror movies of the ’90s — Stephen King’s IT. Long before Bill Skarsgård’s version hit theaters, this two-part miniseries scared an entire generation of kids into avoiding storm drains for life. It might not hold up perfectly today, but there’s no denying its place in horror history — and let’s be honest, Tim Curry’s Pennywise still gives nightmares.

Story – 6.6

The story (based on King’s massive novel) jumps between two timelines — a group of kids in the late 1950s who battle a terrifying clown-like creature, and those same kids 30 years later when the evil returns to their hometown of Derry, Maine.

The TV version does a decent job of adapting the book’s key moments, especially the childhood stuff. The “Losers Club” feels believable, and their friendship is what holds the story together. But since it was made for TV, a lot of the darker or stranger parts of King’s story got toned down or left out. The adult half of the movie is where things drag a bit — it just doesn’t have the same energy or emotional punch as the first half.

Still, for a 1990s TV production, it’s ambitious and surprisingly creepy at times.

Monsters/Villains – 8.1

Let’s be real — Tim Curry IS the movie. His version of Pennywise is the reason this miniseries still gets talked about. He’s funny, terrifying, and weirdly charming all at once. One second he’s cracking jokes, the next he’s baring sharp teeth and ruining childhoods.

The rest of the horror effects are pretty tame by modern standards, but Curry’s performance alone carries the whole villain category. Even the cheesiest moments work because he sells every scene.

Actors/Characters – 6.2

The cast is solid but uneven. The child actors do a great job making the “Losers Club” feel real and likable. You actually care about them and want them to make it out alive. The adult cast, though, doesn’t quite hit the same emotional beats. Their chemistry isn’t as strong, and a few scenes feel a little over-the-top or soap opera–like.

Still, for a TV production, the performances hold up decently — especially considering how much emotional ground they have to cover between the two timelines.

Joe Score – 6.8

Stephen King’s IT (1990) deserves credit for what it pulled off on a small-screen budget. It’s creepy, nostalgic, and packed with heart — and while it might not be perfect, it laid the groundwork for all the Stephen King adaptations that came after.

And seriously, Tim Curry’s Pennywise? Still one of the most memorable horror performances ever.