The real Losers Club: Has ‘It: Chapter Two’ failed already?
Pennywise returned to Derry in 2019 with It: Chapter Two, completing the adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that began with the 2017 hit. Director Andy Muschietti brought back the core cast for flashbacks while introducing adult versions of the Losers Club, setting the stage for a larger confrontation decades after the first film’s events.
The original film had already established itself as a commercial benchmark for horror and R-rated releases. With an established fanbase built on the book, the 1990 miniseries, and the first movie’s success, expectations for the sequel ran high. The casting of James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and Isaiah Mustafa as the adult Losers added further visibility ahead of the premiere.
Early reactions after the Hollywood premiere noted a mixed response. Some critics found the tone uneven and the scares less consistent than in the first film. Others praised individual performances and the handling of the source material’s later chapters. The film opened on September 6, 2019, and went on to prove its commercial viability despite the divided reviews.
It: Chapter Two’s scares aren’t there like they were in the first It
Trailers highlighted new set pieces involving shape-shifting threats and carnival imagery, yet several reviewers felt the sequel leaned harder on humor than sustained tension. Sean O’Connell described the film as gruesome and strange but rarely scary, while William Bibbiani noted that jokes sometimes undercut the horror. The final Metascore of 58 and 63 percent Tomatometer from 381 reviews confirmed that early complaints about the balance of scares and tone held across the wider critical response.
It: Chapter Two focuses too much of the first film
Flashback sequences earned praise for capturing the younger Losers, yet some critics felt the constant callbacks limited forward momentum. Scott Menzel observed that the film spent too much time rehashing the first movie, and Heather Wixson noted an over-reliance on those earlier scenes. While the novel’s structure requires the adult characters to reckon with their past, reviewers argued that new confrontations with Pennywise needed more room to breathe.
The chemistry between It: Chapter Two’s adult Losers Club isn’t strong enough
The story’s premise includes distance and estrangement among the adult characters, but the original film’s strength came from the tight bond formed by the child actors. Chris Evangelista pointed to an odd lack of chemistry among the adults, and Peter Sciretta observed that the shift from coming-of-age energy to grown-up dynamics cost the sequel some of its charm. The contrast with the younger ensemble remained a frequent point of comparison in the final coverage.
Bill Hader steals every It: Chapter Two scene he’s in
Bill Hader’s turn as adult Richie Tozier drew consistent praise even in otherwise mixed notices. Chris Evangelista called the performance scene-stealing, and Haleigh Foutch highlighted Hader as the standout many had hoped for. Later assessments continued to single out the emotional nuance and timing he brought to the role, confirming its lasting impact within the ensemble.
It: Chapter Two analyzes childhood trauma and friendship
Gary Dauberman’s screenplay placed heavier emphasis on the long-term effects of the childhood ordeal. Erik Davis noted the film’s darker tone when confronting the burden of past trauma, and Kate Gardner described it as a strong look at friendship tested across decades. Retrospective pieces continue to cite these themes as a lasting element of the film’s engagement with King’s material.
Franchise Expansion and Legacy Projects
The story of Derry has continued beyond the theatrical releases. It: Welcome to Derry premiered on HBO on October 26, 2025, with Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise. Andy and Barbara Muschietti have also moved forward with plans for a supercut of both films that adds new scenes, a project that carries Stephen King’s support and extends the narrative reach of the original adaptations.
Final Box Office and Profitability
Pre-release forecasts placed the domestic opening between $110 million and $150 million. The film ultimately grossed $211.6 million domestically and $473.1 million worldwide against a $79 million budget. Deadline estimated a net profit of $169 million, demonstrating that strong audience turnout offset the mixed critical response.
Home Media and Streaming Availability
Digital availability began November 19, 2019, followed by physical releases on December 10, 2019, including 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD editions. The film remains accessible on streaming platforms such as Max, allowing later viewers to revisit the Losers Club’s return to Derry without relying on theatrical reissues.
Aggregate Critical Reception
Initial reactions captured a divided response that aligned with the final numbers. Metacritic assigned a Metascore of 58, placing the film in the mixed or average range. Rotten Tomatoes recorded a 63 percent Tomatometer from 381 reviews. The scores reflected ongoing debate over tone, pacing, and the weight given to the source novel’s second half.
The commercial record and continued franchise activity show that It: Chapter Two maintained an audience even as critics offered tempered assessments. Viewers can still assess the film’s strengths and shortcomings through current streaming options and the additional projects now expanding the Derry universe.
