20 Horror Movies WAY More Successful Than Anyone Expected
3. IT
Look, nobody was surprised IT made bank. Firstly, it's adapted from one of Stephen King's most famous novels. Also, the nostalgia factor was present, thanks to the TV mini-series starring Tim Curry as Pennywise.
Based on the trailers, it was clear that director Andy Muschietti had captured the spirit of the source material. Even though Muschietti only had one film under his belt, his directorial debut Mama was well-received and made a sizeable profit. For this reason, the 2017 adaptation of IT was sure to be a hit. But nobody anticipated IT would earn $720 million, making it the most successful horror ever.
Looking back, several factors contributed to the supernatural extravaganza's glowing reception. The casting of the young ensemble brought authenticity to the coming-of-age storyline, fine-tuning the horror elements with moments of emotional depth. Bill Skarsgård’s career-defining portrayal of Pennywise added a staggering level of menace, blending creepiness with unpredictability in a way that's lingered in viewers’ minds for years. And though jump scares can be annoying, every one of them is deserved here, since they're built up effectively and creatively.
Though many were anticipating a solid result, IT's commercial impact was nothing short of historic.