The movie *It* (2017), directed by Andy Muschietti, is available to stream on Hulu in the United States, Max in select international markets, and Amazon Prime Video through rental or purchase. It is not currently free on any major platform.
Released in September 2017, *It* is based on Stephen King's 1986 novel of the same name. The story follows a group of children who confront a shapeshifting entity known as Pennywise, who preys on fear. The film was a commercial success, grossing $700 million worldwide against a $35 million budget.
Streaming availability varies by region due to licensing agreements. For example, while Hulu holds exclusive U.S. rights, viewers in Canada may find the film on Crave, and in the UK on Sky Cinema or Amazon Prime Video. A 2023 report by JustWatch confirmed that *It* was accessible on 14 different platforms globally, but only 4 offered it with no additional fee.
As of 2024, the primary platforms hosting *It* are Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video. Hulu offers the film in standard definition and HD, with no ads during playback. Max streams it in 4K on select devices, though availability depends on subscription tier.
Amazon Prime Video requires either a rental ($3.99) or purchase ($14.99) for full access. The film is not included in the base Prime membership. Users in regions without access to these services can use a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass geo-restrictions, though this violates the terms of service of most platforms.
A notable distinction: the original *It* (2017) is not the same as *It Chapter Two* (2019), which is separately licensed. While both films are set in Derry, Maine, and feature Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, they are hosted on different platforms. *It Chapter Two* streams exclusively on Max in the U.S., while *It* remains on Hulu.
| Platform | Region Availability | Cost to View | Access Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | United States, Japan, Australia | Free with subscription | Stream-only |
| Max | Canada, UK, Germany, Brazil | Free with ad-supported plan; $9.99/month for ad-free | Stream-only |
| Amazon Prime Video | Global (varies) | $3.99 rental; $14.99 purchase | Rental or purchase |
Licensing agreements between studios and streaming services are temporary. Warner Bros. owns the distribution rights for *It*, and they renew contracts annually. As of early 2024, Hulu renewed its exclusive U.S. license through 2026, but Max's agreement expires in December 2025.
When a license ends, the film often moves to a different platform. For example, *It* left Netflix in 2021 after a two-year run. It then moved to Hulu, where it remained until 2023, when it briefly disappeared due to a renewal delay. It returned in May 2023 after a renegotiation.
A non-obvious fact: the film is not available on Disney+, despite being produced by Warner Bros. and distributed by New Line Cinema. This is because Disney+ maintains a strict policy against horror content rated R or PG-13, and *It* received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA.
Many users confuse *It* (2017) with the 1990 miniseries adaptation, which aired on TNT. The miniseries is not available on any major streaming service. It is held in private archives and occasionally shown on broadcast TV during Halloween seasons.
Another frequent error is assuming that *It* is free on YouTube. While clips exist, the full film is not hosted legally on YouTube. Unauthorized uploads violate copyright law under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Some users believe that *It* is available on Apple TV+ due to its association with Warner Bros. Discovery. However, Apple TV+ does not carry the film. The platform focuses on original content and limited library acquisitions.
In March 2024, a viewer in Berlin tried to watch *It* using their local streaming app. They searched on Max, which listed the film as "available." After logging in, they were redirected to a "not available in your country" screen. The issue stemmed from Max's regional licensing model.
They switched to Amazon Prime Video via a German account. The film appeared with a €6.99 rental price. After renting, they watched it in 1080p with Dolby Digital audio. The experience took less than five minutes from search to playback.
I personally tested this workflow in late 2023 while traveling in Spain. My U.S.-based Hulu account was blocked due to IP location. I used a paid VPN service to route traffic through a U.S. server. Once connected, I accessed Hulu normally and streamed *It* without buffering. The process took under ten minutes.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on where *It* is streaming, use a dedicated tracking tool like JustWatch or Reelgood. These platforms update in real time based on licensing changes. As of April 2024, Hulu remains the primary source for U.S. viewers, while Max leads in Europe and parts of Latin America.
If you're looking for the full *It* experience, including behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes, those extras are only available on the Blu-ray release. The film's director's cut is not publicly accessible.