Pennywise: 1990 Vs 2017

Stephen King's latest hit adaptation is the scariest thing we've seen in a long time, mostly thanks to Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of Pennywise the clown, but how does he stack up against the original IT's Pennywise, played by Tim Curry? WatchMojo puts them head to head to find out which version of the dancing evil clown is better! 1990 or 2017? Watch to find out!

WatchMojo's Social Media Pages

WatchMojo’s ten thousand videos on Top 10 lists, Origins, Biographies, Tips, How To’s, Reviews, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

[teenagedgodspeed]

1990’s pennywise was more serial killer
2017’s pennywise was demonic

[ZekePreiti]

Can't compare them... it's like comparing the Jack Nicholson's joker with Heath ledger's... both are unique at their own way... and im glad I was able to enjoy them both.. same with Pennywise

[TokuBoyStudios]

Pennywise 2017: I'm Scarier
Pennywise 1990: I'm Funnier
Pennywise 2017: We're not supposed to be funny
Pennywise 1990: We're Frikin clowns

[O]

The thing about Curry's Pennywise is that he looked and acted kind of like a birthday clown that you may ACTUALLY see, which in my mind makes his portrayal more frightening.

[dianafox]

1990 one looked like a psychopath clown that can kill you painfully in real life (a more realistic one )
While the 2017 looks like a fucked up demon that would drag you at night to a closet and devour you whole (a more fictional one )

[markulyssestabasan]

"KISS ME FAT BOI!"
I love that line. 😂

[Ryan-xlko]

I am not scared of pennywise

... I am scared of background music

[abubaseet]

What I find scarier about Tim Curry's Pennywise is that he at one time will seem kind of jovial and funny, and then suddenly just goes dead cold cruel-faced. Not a made-up cruel face, but a truly cruel, heartless face. That transformation itself sent chills down my spine. Major props to Tim Curry for pulling that off. I didn't see that with the Skaarsgard version. They started with him trying to look too scary-faced, so there was no transformation like that. He never got any scarier.

[Dunkskins]

They're both absolutely outstanding in their own rights.
Kudos to both actors.
Can't wait to see the Sequel!

[carmenroro]

I think 50 % of both, taking into account Tim Curry did the whole thing with 0 budget, no amazing makeup or FX and still scares me more than Skarsgard, but it's a different kind of scare. Tim Curry played a lot with the kids while 2017 was more aggressive. The book had both sides of Pennywise so I think Curry and Skarsgard understood that particular side and did an amazing job taking the character to a different edge.

[ZeroGryphon]

Let's talk about their foreheads for a moment here... Seriously, they're FRICKING HUGE...

[inkdemonmclemore]

I was just a kid when IT/90 came out, and it scared me to death. When they said that a new one was coming out, I wasn't too excited about it. I thought they might ruin the whole concept, as usual. But I've seen both now, and I actually really liked them. I think that it boils down to this. Tim Curry was excellent in his role and for 1990, he was truly terrifying. And Bill Skarsgard did excellent as well. I'm with Stephen King, Bill made us all proud! Both men deserve recognition for their roles as one of the creepiest boogie man ever!!

[Andrew-]

Personally after watching both, I feel that newer rendition uses more jump scares and creepy look to scare people, which is too textbook for my taste. Tim Curry made your skin crawl due to just the realism. It is too easy to get scared from jump scares but it takes real talent to scare where there isn't anything to be scared of.

[russelltant]

the fact that Tim curry is so calm and collective throughout the original is what gives him my vote. he was scary without trying because he was able to draw the kids to him. he looks may not e as scary but his personality alone takes the cake

[LiftBoy]

I disagree with the first category. The fact that Curry doesn't look that frightening, odlly makes him more frightening. Plus, what child would be drawn to somone like the new Pennywise? They would run away, the minute they see him. While Curry's Version seems nice enough to lore them to their death by gaining their trust.

[alento]

Kids today will never know how scary Pennywise from the 90's was.

[lgz]

Pennywise 1990: Kiss me fat boi
Pennywise 2017: I’m way scarier
Pennywise 2019: hold my beer

[brainthestop]

2017 it: IM SCARY

1990 it: IM COMEDY

2019 it: hold my balloons

[Grace-ecvz]

"Kiss me fat boy!"
I died 😂😂🤣🤣

[mapoosianmacrack]

I remember being so scared of the 1990 Pennywise then they said a new movie was coming out wasn't expecting it being this good
Love both