It (2017) Movie Release Date and Key Facts Explained

Release date and theatrical rollout

The new It movie, referring to the horror film based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel, premiered at a private industry screening before its wide opening. In the United States, It opened in theaters on September 8, 2017. The film had early screenings in select international markets through the final week of August 2017, with a broader global rollout continuing into September and October of that year.

Directed by Andy Muschietti and produced by New Line Cinema, it was a major event horror release that spanned multiple territories. Its theatrical campaign emphasized the adaptation’s dual timelines and the menacing portrayal of Pennywise, contributing to strong box office reception and cultural conversation around modern horror.

Production and pre-release timeline

Principal photography for It began in June 2016 and wrapped in September 2016 in British Columbia, Canada. Before the September 2017 theatrical launch, the film attended promotional circuits including press interviews, poster releases, and teaser campaigns that gradually built anticipation. The staggered rollout in different countries allowed regional audiences to experience the film slightly apart from the U.S. date, while still clustering within the late summer–early fall window.

• Filming start: June 2016
• Filming end: September 2016
• U.S. theatrical release: September 8, 2017
• Early international screenings: August 2017

Cast and principal characters

The new It features a mixed ensemble of young actors and established names, portraying the Losers’ Club and the adults they become. Bill Skarsgård’s performance as Pennywise became a defining element of the film’s identity, supported by committed portrayals of the younger cast members who revisit their shared trauma in adulthood.

Key cast highlights

• Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Dancing Clown
• Jaeden Lieberher as Bill Denbrough
• Finn Wolfhard as Richie Tozier
• Sophia Lillis as Beverly Marsh
• Jeremy Ray Taylor as Ben Hanscom

Box office performance

It achieved strong commercial results worldwide, opening to high numbers in North America and becoming one of the top-grossing horror releases of the late 2010s. Its financial performance reinforced the viability of event-style horror adaptations based on Stephen King properties, leading to notable sequel announcements and marketing momentum.

Box office at a glance

Source material and adaptation

The film is adapted from Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel of the same name, which had previously seen a 1990 television miniseries. The 2017 version modernizes the setting while retaining core elements of the story, focusing on memory, trauma, and the cyclical nature of fear. Producer Dan Lin and screenwriters Chase Palmer and Cary Fukunaga worked to balance horror elements with character-driven drama across the film’s two timelines.

Critical and audience reception

Reviews highlighted the film’s atmosphere, performances, and effective use of period-specific production design, while noting some mixed reactions to its pacing between the young and adult timelines. Audiences frequently pointed to Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal as a standout feature, and the movie maintained strong audience scores, reflecting its success as accessible yet intense genre entertainment.

Key facts at a glance