It
Despite a mid-range budget of $35.0M, It became a box office phenomenon, earning $704.2M worldwide—a remarkable 1912% return.
12 wins & 49 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rainy October day in Derry, Maine. Bill Denbrough helps his sick younger brother Georgie make a paper boat, demonstrating their loving relationship. Bill is caring but stuck inside due to illness while Georgie gets to play.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when The beginning of summer vacation coincides with Ben discovering the history of Derry's missing children and violent past in the library. He finds that children disappear at a rate 6x the national average, always in 27-year cycles. This revelation transforms the mysterious disappearances into a pattern that demands investigation.. At 9% through the film, this Disruption arrives earlier than typical, accelerating the narrative momentum. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 21% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to After the projector scene where Pennywise attacks the entire group together for the first time, the Losers realize they're all seeing IT. Bill declares "That's why we're all here" and they make the active choice to fight back rather than run. They commit to finding out what's killing the kids of Derry and stopping it., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 42% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. Notably, this crucial beat The Losers discover the well house on Neibolt Street where IT lives. Bill leads them inside for their first direct confrontation with Pennywise in his lair. Eddie's arm is broken, and the group barely escapes. False defeat: they realize IT is far more powerful than they thought and can be hurt but not easily killed. The stakes are raised - this isn't just research anymore, it's life or death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (62% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Beverly is taken into the deadlights and falls into a catatonic state, floating among the bodies of dead children. Bill realizes Georgie is truly dead when he finds his raincoat in the sewer. The "whiff of death" is literal - Georgie is gone, and Bill must accept this loss. The group is separated and at their lowest point., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 66% of the runtime. The Losers return to Neibolt Street and descend into the sewers for the final confrontation. They fight Pennywise together, each overcoming their personal fears. They face projections of their worst nightmares but stand united. Bill confronts the Pennywise-Georgie illusion and finally accepts his brother is dead, breaking IT's hold on him. Working together, they beat Pennywise into submission and he falls down the well shaft. The group makes a blood oath to return if IT ever comes back., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
It's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping It against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish It within its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rainy October day in Derry, Maine. Bill Denbrough helps his sick younger brother Georgie make a paper boat, demonstrating their loving relationship. Bill is caring but stuck inside due to illness while Georgie gets to play.
Theme
Bill tells Georgie "Be careful" before he goes out with the boat. The theme of protection, facing fears, and the loss of childhood innocence is introduced through the brothers' interaction and Bill's inability to protect Georgie from what comes next.
Worldbuilding
Establishing Derry as a small town with dark secrets. Georgie plays with his paper boat in the rain. The town appears normal but isolated. We see the storm drains and gutters where Georgie meets Pennywise, who tears off his arm and drags him into the sewer. Jump to June 1989: Bill is traumatized and guilt-ridden. Introduction of the Losers Club members dealing with their own issues: Beverly (abuse), Ben (bullying), Richie (insecurity), Eddie (overprotective mother), Mike (outsider), Stan (faith and fear).
Disruption
The beginning of summer vacation coincides with Ben discovering the history of Derry's missing children and violent past in the library. He finds that children disappear at a rate 6x the national average, always in 27-year cycles. This revelation transforms the mysterious disappearances into a pattern that demands investigation.
Resistance
The Losers Club members gradually come together, each experiencing their own terrifying encounters with Pennywise in different forms. Beverly sees blood only she can see, Eddie encounters a leper, Bill sees Georgie. They debate whether these visions are real. They resist the idea that something supernatural is hunting them. Ben shares his research about Derry's dark history. The group forms bonds while dealing with bullies (Henry Bowers) and their personal fears.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After the projector scene where Pennywise attacks the entire group together for the first time, the Losers realize they're all seeing IT. Bill declares "That's why we're all here" and they make the active choice to fight back rather than run. They commit to finding out what's killing the kids of Derry and stopping it.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - kids vs. supernatural killer clown. The Losers spend the summer investigating, having adventures, cliff diving at the quarry, bonding and confronting their individual fears. They map out the sewers, research the history of Derry, and realize IT takes the form of their greatest fears. Each member faces personal manifestations of Pennywise. The group dynamics strengthen - romance between Bill and Beverly, friendship and loyalty, standing up to bullies together.
Midpoint
The Losers discover the well house on Neibolt Street where IT lives. Bill leads them inside for their first direct confrontation with Pennywise in his lair. Eddie's arm is broken, and the group barely escapes. False defeat: they realize IT is far more powerful than they thought and can be hurt but not easily killed. The stakes are raised - this isn't just research anymore, it's life or death.
Opposition
After the Neibolt Street disaster, the group fractures. Eddie's mother blames the Losers for his broken arm. The kids argue about whether to continue fighting. Bill's obsession with finding Georgie drives a wedge between him and the others. Henry Bowers, now manipulated by Pennywise, becomes more dangerous and violent. Beverly is kidnapped by Pennywise and taken to the sewers. The group's unity crumbles as fear and doubt take over.
Collapse
Beverly is taken into the deadlights and falls into a catatonic state, floating among the bodies of dead children. Bill realizes Georgie is truly dead when he finds his raincoat in the sewer. The "whiff of death" is literal - Georgie is gone, and Bill must accept this loss. The group is separated and at their lowest point.
Crisis
Bill grieves Georgie and processes his guilt and failure. The Losers Club regroups, realizing that Beverly is still alive and they won't abandon her. They overcome their fears and divisions, choosing loyalty and love over safety. Each member confronts their internal crisis and finds resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The Losers return to Neibolt Street and descend into the sewers for the final confrontation. They fight Pennywise together, each overcoming their personal fears. They face projections of their worst nightmares but stand united. Bill confronts the Pennywise-Georgie illusion and finally accepts his brother is dead, breaking IT's hold on him. Working together, they beat Pennywise into submission and he falls down the well shaft. The group makes a blood oath to return if IT ever comes back.