The social media embargo for Stephen King’s It lifted last night, releasing the first wave of critics’ reactions into the world. While nobody has reviewed the movie in full yet, we’ve got a consensus on the horror adaptation and it’s quite positive. Sounds like not just the scariest movie of the year but maybe a horror classic?
Could this be one of the most acclaimed King adaptations when the reviews do drop? Currently, the top title is the 1976 version of Carrie, which has a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s followed by non-horror movies Stand By Me (91%) and The Shawshank Redemption (91%) then 1983’s The Dead Zone (90%) and Misery (89%) rounding up the first five (see the rest of the rankings here).
Here are some of the praise for It via Twitter:
“It is everything I hoped for and more. Has heart, laughs and TONS of incredible scares. Fell in love with the Losers. Didn’t want it to end.” – Perri Nemiroff, Collider
“Just saw It. Really well done. Cast were all great with some twisted visuals. Going to make a ton of money. Ready for the sequel tomorrow.” – Steven “Frosty” Weintraub, Collider
“Saw It. I loved it. Then took trash out in my empty, dark, stairwell…SH*T FREAKED ME OUT CAUSE THAT MOVIE SCARED ME LIKE FOR REAL.” – Mark E. Reilly, Collider
“I love It. It’s everything I wanted. Scary as sh*t, Skarsgard nails Pennywise, and the Losers are perfection.” – Haleigh Foutch, Collider
“Thrilled I can now say that It is spectacular. Totally terrifying, but also amazing fun (the Losers are PERFECT). Top 10 candidate for me.” – Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend
“LOVED It. Captured the spirit of the book & still created something new. Perfect combo of dark and fun. And the Losers Club was PERFECT!” – Rachel Heine, Nerdist
“It was spooktacular. Great cast, surprisingly funny, and genuinely unnerving scares. You’ll still be freaked out when you get home.” – Dan Casey, Nerdist
“Just finished watching It. Wow! Incredible! Scared me sh*tless!” – Rama’s Screen
“I can finally talk about It. New adaptation is more fun, frightening and familiar than you think.” – Mara Reinstein, Mara Movies
“I liked it! Kids are great. BSkars is great. Also, surprisingly, it’s pretty dang funny.” – Rebecca Pahle, Film Journal
“It was terrifying and hilarious and delightful, so we’re deciding to see how this thing goes.” – Terri Schwartz, IGN
“I can say I saw It tonight. And it was great. Cast is excellent. And, yes, [Pennywise] is scary! This will be a, ahem, monster at the box office.” – Jim Vejvoda, IGN
“Happy to say It is an effectively scary and faithful adaptation of (half) of Stephen King’s novel. Walked out very satisfied.” – Eric Walkuski, Arrow in the Head
“Saw It and it’s definitely the best horror movie of the year imo (yes, better than Get Out). Screening erupted into a standing ovation.” – Kurt Smejkal, Three Angry Nerds
“It definitely captures frights of the novel whilst adding new fears. Major set pieces are bone-chilling — even summons a splash of tears.” – Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
“It makes me nostalgic for when I used to get scared by things, because I don’t anymore. But man oh man, if you still do…” – Fred Topel, We Live Entertainment
“It: a carnival funhouse of a film; loud, scary, funny. And best of all: it has heart.” – Chris Evangelista, CutPrintFilm
“Can’t post specifics yet but It is GOOD.” – Mike Rougeau, Game Spot
“Bill Skarsgard is putting in a performance that is going to turn him into the Freddy Krueger of a new generation. The amount of violence and horrific imagery in regards to children is SHOCKING. They didn’t hold back. It’s great.” – Drew Dietch, Fandom
Looks like we should at least have a score in the 90s here, folks! Watch the trailer once again below and see the movie when it opens on September 8.
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