Throughout the IT movies and miniseries, Pennywise says some of the creepiest, most bone-chilling quotes. Author Stephen King is one of the most prolific horror writers of all time, and there’s no question why. He can create monsters that tap into the most basic human fears. While many great Stephen King adaptations exist, perhaps the best-known ones are the movies IT and IT Chapter 2, as well as the IT miniseries that came out in 1990. This centers on a group of friends called the Losers Club who go up against a shape-shifting alien called IT.
IT wakes up every 27 years, tormenting the town of Derry, Maine. The monster takes the form of a victim’s worst nightmares, feeding off their fear. Throughout both the movies and the miniseries, IT’s most common form is that of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Played by Bill Skarsgård in the movies, Tim Curry in the miniseries, and an unnamed actor in the upcoming prequel TV series Welcome to Derry, Pennywise manages to torture many little kids with his appearance and words. Many of Pennywise’s quotes throughout the adaptations are terrifying enough to induce nightmares in the bravest souls.
6 IT Characters Just As Scary As Pennywise
Pennywise was a terrifying villain in IT, but some other characters were just as scary as the shapeshifting monster who haunts the town of Derry.
10 “Hiya, Georgie.”
IT (2017) and IT Miniseries (1990), Said To Georgie
The first line said by Pennywise in both IT and the IT miniseries is, “Hiya Georgie.” While the words on their own aren’t terrifying, they become one of the creepiest lines when examined in context. Pennywise is talking to Georgie from inside the sewage drain, a location that nobody should be. The little boy never tells the monster his name, making it eerie that he knows. What’s more, the specific way of greeting Georgie sounds casual, friendly, and familiar. This contrasts with his unnerving physical appearance and tone of voice – which subtly hints at the shape-shifting monster’s sinister intentions.
9 “I’m every nightmare you ever had. I’m your worst dream come true.”
IT Miniseries (1990), Said To The Losers Club
When looking through photos of old Derry in the IT miniseries, Pennywise addresses the Losers Club through a photograph, telling them about the danger that they face with him. This quote would already be scary if said hyperbolically, but it’s even worse when considering that his words are quite literal. Pennywise can read their fears and become their worst nightmares in a tangible way. He then feeds off those fears and gets stronger. What’s more, because everybody is afraid of something, Pennywise saying this quote could make anybody afraid.
8 “I’m Pennywise, the dancing clown.”
IT (2017), Said To Georgie
It
- Release Date
- September 8, 2017
- Director
- Andres Muschietti
- Cast
- Bill Skarsgard , Jack Dylan Grazer , Wyatt Oleff , Nicholas Hamilton , Jaeden Lieberher , Sophia Lillis , Finn Wolfhard , Chosen Jacobs , Jeremy Ray Taylor
- Studio(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures , Sony
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures , Lionsgate , 20th Century , Sony
- Franchise(s)
- IT
One of the least scary-sounding quotes that’s really terrifying is Pennywise’s introduction to Georgie in IT. The line is delivered immediately after Georgie says he isn’t allowed to take things from strangers. By introducing himself, he disarms Georgie’s hesitations. What’s more, by using the phrase “Pennywise the Dancing Clown” instead of just his first name, the monster makes himself sound more appealing to Georgie – a kid who has positive memories of the circus.
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IT’s main villain, Pennywise, becomes even more terrifying when taking into account their full kill count, and the number is higher than expected.
This quote shows just how manipulative Pennywise is, making it much more creepy than many of his other statements. While shape-shifting aliens aren’t something that the general population would be able to relate to, psychological manipulation is something that happens in the real world. It’s terrifying to know that humans can do damage in the same way a shape-shifting alien does. Additionally, this character isn’t just manipulating an adult. Pennywise is preying on children, the most vulnerable population. This adds a certain level of depravity to this introduction.
7 “Tasty, tasty, beautiful fear.”
IT (2017), Said To Eddie
Throughout IT, Pennywise feeds off fear. This creepy quote shows that it isn’t just a necessity. Pennywise seemingly takes joy in the idea of eating children’s fear. He finds the prospect satisfying and beautiful. This makes Pennywise an even worse monster because he’s not just trying to survive. Additionally, by saying these words aloud, he expresses those thoughts in addition to making Eddie more afraid. Eddie could have guessed how Pennywise would kill him, but he now knows that he’s going to be eaten. These elements combined make this one of the creepier Pennywise quotes, albeit on the milder side.
6 “This isn’t real enough for you, Billy? I’m not real enough for you?”
IT (2017), Said To Billy
During the Neibolt House incident, Pennywise says this quote, which is unquestionably creepy. Previously, the monster interacted in a way that induced fear but didn’t directly harm any of them. These questions almost signal that the threat will become even more real. Additionally, rather than maintaining one tone, Skarsgård jarringly changes his inflection between the two questions, adding an extra layer of fear. The speed at which Pennywise switches from a rather smug tone and expression to upset within two seconds makes him seem more volatile. Ultimately, the subtlety of the threat places it among the scariest Pennywise quotes.
IT Show Welcome To Derry Could Explore 7 Other Stephen King Stories
Stephen King’s many stories set in Derry mean that the upcoming IT prequel Welcome to Derry could explore more of the author’s back catalog.
5 “For 27 years, I dreamt of you. I craved you.”
IT Chapter Two (2019), Said To The Losers Club
It Chapter Two
- Release Date
- September 6, 2019
- Director
- Andres Muschietti
- Cast
- Bill Hader , Isaiah Mustafa , James Ransone , Jay Ryan , Jessica Chastain , Andy Bean , James McAvoy , Bill Skarsgard
- Runtime
- 169 minutes
- Studio(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- prequel(s)
- It
- Franchise(s)
- IT
Pennywise’s obsession with the Losers Club was fear-inducing in the first IT movie, but it becomes terrifying when he lures them back and tries to prey on them after 27 years. This creepy quote shows the level of Pennywise’s fixation. The words “dreamt” and “craved” are active verbs that elicit a sense of passion and longing that runs deep within the monster. If the quote used the words “thought” and “wanted” in place of the existing verbs, it wouldn’t have the same effect. However, this quote proves Pennywise becomes entranced with the ones who got away to a disturbing level.
4 “I am the eater of worlds.”
IT Chapter Two (2019) and IT Miniseries (1990), Said To The Losers Club
This Pennywise quote occurs in both IT Chapter 2 and the miniseries for good reason – it’s one of the most terrifying. This quote very directly relays to the Losers Club the extent of ITs powers. The monster isn’t just scary; he has the ability to consume entire worlds. He’s beyond the confines of man, making him seem untouchable by mere humans. The quote makes it clear that Pennywise and all of IT’s other forms are basically eternal. As such, it is equally unlikely and impressive that the Losers defeat Pennywise in every iteration of IT.
3 “I’ll feast on your flesh as I feed on your fear.”
IT (2017), Said To The Losers Club
One of the most nightmare-inducing quotes in the entire IT franchise is when Pennywise tells the Losers Club, a bunch of children, that he’s going to eat them both physically and mentally. Part of the reason this quote is so terrifying is the composition of the sentence. The word flesh stands out because it’s more graphic than words like “body” or “corpse.” The word choice brings up a very gory mental image because it is so vivid.
What’s more, the alliteration of the F sound and the assonance of the long E sound draws attention to the words “feast,” “flesh,” “feed,” and “fear.” These evocative words elicit a strong emotional reaction. If any one of those words were changed, the quote would lose its impact. Only by combining the words in this quote does it create a strong sense of terror.
2 “I know your secret, your dirty little secret.”
IT Chapter Two (2019), Said To Richie
In IT Chapter Two, it’s revealed Richie is gay, but still grappling with his sexuality and in the closet, giving Pennywise a different level of control over him. The fear of being outed is very real for many people in the LGBTQ+ community. The controversial Adrian Mellon scene at the start of the film shows that, just like in real life, being outwardly queer can put people at risk of violence and death within the narrative. As such, Pennywise’s taunting quote about knowing Richie’s dirty little secret – and the underlying threat of outing him – has a deep, visceral effect that isn’t present in almost any other IT quote.
1 “You’ll float too.”
IT (2017), IT Chapter 2 (2019), IT Miniseries (1990), Said To Various Characters
This is the only quote in the entire IT franchise that appears in every adaptation, and this is for good reason. Pennywise’s “You’ll float too” line is as iconic as it is terrifying. The shapeshifting alien is telling his victims that they’re going to die without directly saying the words. By using this roundabout phrasing, Pennywise adds an air of mystery that feels more ominous than if he just directly told a character they would die.
Additionally, there’s a sense of doom and hopelessness that comes every time Pennywise says this quote in IT, IT Chapter 2, and the IT miniseries. There’s a sense of finality, telling the character and viewer that they can never escape Pennywise. Ultimately, because of its everlasting nature, this quote has to be the creepiest and best Pennywise quote of all time.
