12 Best Movies Like It (Ranked & Where to Stream)

Scott Derrickson's 'The Black Phone' plunges viewers into the terrifying world of Finney Blake, a shy 13-year-old abducted by a sadistic killer. Like 'It,' this film masterfully blends the vulnerability of childhood with supernatural elements, as Finney receives calls from the killer's past victims. It explores the insidious nature of evil preying on the innocent, the bonds formed under duress, and the fight for agency against overwhelming terror. The pervasive dread and the focus on adolescent resilience make it a spiritual cousin to the Losers' Club's struggle against Pennywise.

James Wan's 'The Conjuring' redefined modern supernatural horror by delivering truly palpable dread. Centered on the Perron family's encounter with a malevolent entity in their farmhouse, it evokes the insidious, pervasive evil that Pennywise represents. The film excels at slow-burn suspense, jump scares earned through atmosphere, and the Warrens' desperate fight against a powerful, intelligent darkness. Much like 'It,' it portrays a force that doesn't just kill but psychologically tortures its victims, making their home a living nightmare and highlighting the vulnerability of those targeted.

John Carpenter's 'In the Mouth of Madness' is a deeply unsettling dive into Lovecraftian cosmic horror, echoing the ancient, reality-bending malevolence at the heart of 'It.' An insurance investigator searches for a missing horror novelist in a town where the line between fiction and reality blurs, leading to a pervasive, existential dread. The film captures the terrifying notion of an entity so old and powerful it can fracture the human mind and warp the very fabric of existence, forcing characters to confront madness as much as monsters.

Frank Darabont's 'The Mist,' another brilliant Stephen King adaptation, mirrors the small-town horror and psychological pressure found in 'It.' When a mysterious mist envelops a Maine town, trapping residents in a supermarket with unseen creatures, the film deftly explores how human nature buckles under extreme duress. Beyond the monstrous threats, it’s the insidious fear and breakdown of societal order that truly terrify, showcasing humanity's capacity for both resilience and horrifying extremism when confronted by an overwhelming, unknown force.

Bernard Rose's 'Candyman' transcends typical slasher fare, much like 'It' transcends creature features. It explores the power of urban legends and the tragic, recurring evil born from historical injustice. The titular entity, a vengeful spirit summoned by belief, mirrors Pennywise's reliance on fear and communal memory to sustain itself. Set against the backdrop of racial injustice, the film crafts a genuinely terrifying and thought-provoking narrative about a monster whose existence is deeply intertwined with the suffering and shared stories of a community.

Leigh Janiak’s 'Fear Street: 1994' kicks off a trilogy that feels like a spiritual successor to 'It' for a new generation. It’s a compelling blend of slasher and supernatural horror, centering on a group of teenagers battling an ancient curse that has plagued their town, Shadyside, for centuries. The film captures the essence of young protagonists confronting an enduring, malevolent force tied to their community's dark past, relying on their bonds and wits to survive against an evil that periodically rises to claim victims, reminiscent of Pennywise's cyclical hunger.

Tim Burton’s 'Sleepy Hollow' offers a gothic, atmospheric take on a small town plagued by a recurring, supernatural killer—the Headless Horseman. Much like 'It,' the film establishes a deep sense of historical evil and a palpable dread that permeates the isolated community. Ichabod Crane's investigation slowly unravels the town's dark secrets and the true nature of the monstrous entity, blending visceral horror with an intricate mystery. The film's enduring antagonist and its focus on a town living under a dark shadow resonate strongly with the themes of Derry, Maine.

Frank LaLoggia’s 'Lady in White' is a poignant and genuinely spooky film seen through the eyes of a young boy, Frankie, who witnesses a spectral murder. Like 'It,' it connects childhood vulnerability with supernatural horror and small-town secrets. Frankie's quest to solve the mystery of the ghost and her killer unravels a sinister layer beneath his seemingly idyllic town. It’s a film that resonates with the innocence lost and the terrifying awakening to the darkness lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life, much like the Losers' Club's early encounters.

This Stephen King adaptation directly parallels 'It' in its exploration of childhood trauma returning to haunt adulthood. Jim Norman, a high school teacher, is forced to confront the bullies who murdered his brother decades ago, now returned as malevolent spirits. The film dives into the lasting scars of childhood bullying and the insidious way past horrors can resurface, much like Pennywise's cyclical return to prey on the Losers. It’s a raw portrayal of how unresolved trauma can manifest into terrifying, tangible threats.

David Slade's 'Dark Harvest' captures the small-town horror and mythical creature elements central to 'It.' Set in a desolate Midwestern town, it depicts a deadly annual ritual where teenagers must confront the monstrous 'Sawtooth Jack,' who rises from the cornfields. The film evokes a strong sense of a community trapped by its own terrifying traditions and an ancient evil that demands sacrifice. It’s a visceral, atmospheric tale that explores the generational burden of fear and the desperate fight for survival against a relentless, otherworldly threat.

'Starve Acre' is a chilling British folk horror film that resonates with the insidious, ancient evil aspect of 'It.' When a couple's son begins acting strangely, they unwittingly invite dark forces tied to their home's long-dormant ancient past. The film masterfully builds a sense of quiet dread, where the land itself seems to harbor a malevolent entity that preys on grief and vulnerability. It showcases how deep-rooted, supernatural evil can slowly corrupt and destroy from within, creating a pervasive sense of unease akin to the subtle horrors in Derry.

Another Stephen King adaptation, '1922' offers a more grounded, yet equally unsettling, dive into the psychological horror that underpins much of 'It.' It follows a proud rancher who conspires to murder his wife, only to be haunted by guilt, rats, and potentially supernatural manifestations of his monstrous act. While lacking an overt creature like Pennywise, the film excels at portraying how evil, once committed, can fester and manifest, consuming a person and their environment. It’s a chilling study in pervasive dread and the inescapable consequences of monstrous deeds.