Stephen King's It: Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 44 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

ABC | Season Premiere Date: November 18, 1990

Starring: Seth Green, Harry Anderson, Annette O'Toole

Summary: Stephen King's classic novel made for a terrifying mini-series about seven childhood friends whose lives are threatened by a demonic creature known as IT and how they try to put a stop to the killings he commits in routine. Twenty-seven years later, they must face him once again as they discovered that IT was not killed after all.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

Season 1 Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

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Critic Reviews

100

Miles Beller

May 2, 2021

A horror sci-fi miniseries these days is as rare as moon rocks, as far and few between as known inhabited planets. And make no mistake, It is a humdinger, one big kicky ride thanks to the charismatic acting of Curry as savage, sneering malevolence. Moreover, the work of Reid, Anderson, Christopher, Ritter, Thomas, O'Toole and Masur make It a sensational horror show. Read full review

John J. O'Connor

May 2, 2021

The result, featuring a strong cast, is far better than any adaptation so far of a King book...The special effects are exceptionally effective. If you're pining for a good creepy-crawly scare, don't miss it. Read full review

Peter Farrell

May 2, 2021

A true horror story, possibly the most successful horror story ever made for television, a medium hostile to sustaining belief in the unbelievable. The four-hour miniseries is a bit too long, and the ending doesn't live up to what has gone before, but this Stephen King story is gripping, fascinating, well-acted and superbly produced. [18 Nov 1990, p.5]

Howard Rosenberg

May 2, 2021

Pennywise is no sweetheart. Yet this is a story that’s icky, not scary. And when you finally do get a look at the evil force in its natural state, well c’mon! Now, the monster in “Alien” was a load. But this clanky klutz? Please! The performances here, especially Thomas as the stuttering horror novelist Bill, are very good. And director Tommy Lee Wallace nicely mixes realities, artfully using his flashbacks to establish Pennywise and repeatedly return “It” to its 1960 roots. Read full review

Robert P. Laurence

May 2, 2021

Offers some deliciously shocking moments, several sequences when you may want to remind yourself: "This is not real. [17 Nov 1990, p.C-9]

Michael Hill

May 2, 2021

This is a good, at times brilliant, always solid and well-done example of the horror/suspense genre. But be forewarned, the superb setup is better than the slightly disappointing payoff. Read full review

Matt Roush

May 2, 2021

If Twin Peaks is a midnight movie for prime-time, then Stephen King's It is the miniseries equivalent of those Saturday-matinee shockers that merrily warped a generation before Freddie and Jason began staking their more graphic turf...None of the big moments, especially the limp climax, are as nerve-wracking as the plentiful incidental spooks along the way. Accept It on its own popcorn-munching terms, and keep the lights on high. [16 Nov 1990, p.1D]

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JPK

Jul 15, 2019

The Perfect King Adaptation
Like it’s remake 27 years later, This adaptation of the classic book is faithful to the core.

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TheQuietGamer

Aug 20, 2016

One of the most remarkable book adaptions I've ever seen. While it's not likely that everything from the book made it into to the movie, this mini-series feels like a complete tale all on it's own. I never felt like I was missing something. As a result what I watched stood out as one of theOne of the most remarkable book adaptions I've ever seen. While it's not likely that everything from the book made it into to the movie, this mini-series feels like a complete tale all on it's own. I never felt like I was missing something. As a result what I watched stood out as one of the most fascinating works of horror I have ever watched.

Part of what makes Stephen King's It so great is that it's so much more than a horror story. It's a tale about friends coming together to (literally) face the demons of their past. Themes like overcoming fear, the influence childhood experiences have on who you become, and many more make this such a compelling story. The characters are well-realized and layered. It's just as emotional as it is scary.

The horror element of this mini-series is also on point. There's just so much freaky crap happening. The sense of imagination here is incredible. Tim Curry's work as Pennywise is iconic for a reason. He makes genuinely unsettling and real. The way "It" is able to bend reality to it's will and manipulate the characters is genuinely terrifying in a way few other works of horror have ever been able to achieve. They simply don't make them like this anymore.

Stephen King's twisted vision might not entirely capture the essence and events of the book (I really can't say for sure as I have not read it), but what's here is a complete, masterfully created, and twisted horror vision that needs to be experienced. It's an outright masterpiece that's earned it's name as a classic piece of horror. It gives us one of the most terrifying villains in horror history that's backed up by an incredible performance by Tim Curry. All of which is supported by all around excellence in every other department as well. It is nothing less than a must watch.… Expand

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loricritic845

Apr 1, 2018

Stephen King is an awesome writer and director. He's done so many good things such as this. Tim Curry's acting was awesome and so were the others. The scenes with Ben in the woods even brought out some tears from my eyes. This is pure gold. And the theme song's still stuck in my head.

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lukechristiansc

Jun 1, 2014

"Stephen Kings It is Creepy and one of the best novel/movie of kings career". I watch this movie with my brother sam and it was creepy , awesome , weird and creative . Grade A

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horcrux2007

Sep 4, 2014

"It" is one of the better adaptations of one of Stephen King's works. It originally aired as a two-part miniseries. I felt the first part, which took place in 1960, was genuinely scary. The second part, which took place in 1990, was weaker, but it still had its moments. The acting from"It" is one of the better adaptations of one of Stephen King's works. It originally aired as a two-part miniseries. I felt the first part, which took place in 1960, was genuinely scary. The second part, which took place in 1990, was weaker, but it still had its moments. The acting from everyone is great, including the child actors, and Tim Curry as the titular character gives an especially disturbing performance. I feel it's a classic of the horror genre, and if you are a fan of Stephen King's works, I definitely recommend this.… Expand

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Dylanhubbard77

Feb 10, 2018

While I wouldn't say this is overall a good movie, Tim Curry's iconic, and at times, frightening performance as Pennywise, the good acting and sense of friendship from the kids and some very famous moments, (albeit for good and bad reasons) make this adaptation an intriguing and somewhat funWhile I wouldn't say this is overall a good movie, Tim Curry's iconic, and at times, frightening performance as Pennywise, the good acting and sense of friendship from the kids and some very famous moments, (albeit for good and bad reasons) make this adaptation an intriguing and somewhat fun watch. Even if the ending is a little bit of a letdown and it can sometimes drag. The book is still way better though as is often the case with King.… Expand

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I_love

Jan 4, 2019

The cup of tea scene was great, the sewer scene was great, and it is kinda nostalgic, and Tim Curry was amazing, the kids did great as well. But the whole thing is boring, the ending of both the kids and adult part is terrible. The bulies are cliche.

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Seasons & Episodes

79

Series Overview
Season 1

79
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: November 18, 1990
- No episode information is currently available for this season