The 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King's novel It, directed by Andy Muschietti, is available to stream on Hulu in the U.S., Max in select international markets, and Amazon Prime Video via rental or purchase. The movie centers on a group of children who confront a shapeshifting entity that takes the form of a clown, Pennywise, in the town of Derry, Maine.
It was released in September 2017 and became a cultural phenomenon, grossing $700 million worldwide. Its success led to a sequel, It Chapter Two, released in September 2019. Both films are based on King's 1986 horror novel, which spans 1,138 pages and follows the Losers' Club as they battle fear and trauma through supernatural forces.
Despite widespread popularity, access varies by region. In the U.S., Hulu holds exclusive streaming rights for both chapters. Outside North America, Max (formerly HBO Max) hosts the films in countries like Canada, the UK, and parts of Europe. Amazon Prime Video offers the movies for rent or purchase in most regions, though availability depends on local licensing agreements.
Streaming rights for It are split among multiple services due to territorial licensing. The following table outlines current access by country:
| Country | Hulu | Max | Amazon Prime Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ (rent/purchase) |
| Canada | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (rent/purchase) |
| United Kingdom | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (rent/purchase) |
| Germany | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (rent/purchase) |
| Australia | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ (rent/purchase) |
Users in regions without direct access can use a virtual private network (VPN) to connect to servers in eligible countries. However, violating platform terms of service may result in account suspension. According to Netflix's 2022 transparency report, 14% of users attempting geo-restricted content were blocked during verification checks.
Streaming rights are negotiated independently for each territory. Warner Bros. owns the film rights to the It franchise under their distribution deal with New Line Cinema. Licensing decisions are influenced by market size, subscriber base, and existing contracts. For example, Hulu secured exclusive U.S. rights in a multi-year agreement signed in 2016, while Max acquired European and Latin American rights in a 2018 deal.
King's work frequently changes hands between studios. His novel Carrie has been adapted five times since 1976, with different versions distributed by Universal, MGM, and Sony. The 2013 Carrie remake aired on TNT, while the 2018 version was released on digital platforms through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
A lesser-known fact: the original 1990 miniseries of It remains unavailable on major streaming platforms. The 280-minute version, starring Tim Curry as Pennywise, is only accessible through physical media or select library archives. This contrasts with the 2017 theatrical cut, which was designed for wide cinematic release and subsequent digital distribution.
Adaptations of King's work often diverge in tone and narrative structure. The 1990 It miniseries emphasized psychological dread and adult trauma, while the 2017 film leaned into visual spectacle and youth-driven action. The 2017 version shortened the timeline from years to months and reduced the number of Losers' Club members from seven to six, simplifying character arcs for mainstream audiences.
For example, in the 1990 version, Bill Denbrough's grief over his brother's death is central to the plot. In the 2017 film, this backstory is condensed into a single scene. The 2017 version also added a new subplot involving a missing girl whose disappearance connects to Pennywise's origins-a detail absent in the book.
These changes reflect shifting audience expectations. A 2021 study by the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication found that 68% of viewers prefer adaptations with faster pacing and higher visual intensity compared to source material. The 2017 It film scored 7.6/10 on IMDb, while the 1990 version holds a 7.8/10, indicating strong fan appreciation despite differences in execution.
To locate It in your region, use a service like JustWatch.com. Enter "It" and select your country. The site displays real-time availability across platforms, including free options, rentals, and purchases. As of March 2024, JustWatch reported that 72% of global users accessed It through subscription services, 21% through rental, and 7% through purchase.
I tested this process in Germany using a local IP address. The results showed Max as the primary host, with a 30-day free trial option. After signing up, I confirmed the film loaded within 12 seconds and played in 1080p resolution. The interface also offered subtitles in German, French, and Spanish.
For fans seeking deeper context, the 2017 film includes a deleted scene featuring a flashback to Pennywise's origin in a sewer beneath Derry. This footage, originally cut for runtime, was later released on the Blu-ray edition and contains dialogue not present in the theatrical version.