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- #1: Classic Pennywise (1990 Tim Curry Version)
- #2: Modern Pennywise (2017 Bill Skarsgård Version)
- #3: Georgie in the Yellow Raincoat
- #4: The Deadlights Pennywise (Cosplay Level: Expert)
- #5: Pennywise Gender-Swap Variations (“Pennywise but Make It Fashion”)
- #6: “Casual Pennywise” (For the Low-Effort Spooky Vibe)
- #7: Pennywise Pet Costumes
- How Fans Ranked These Costumes
- of Additional Experiences Related to “The Best ‘IT’ Halloween Costumes, Ranked By Fans”
If there’s one horror character who refuses to stay in the sewer where he belongs, it’s Pennywise. Every Halloween, Stephen King’s infamous dancing clown floats back into our livesusually holding a bright red balloon and an even brighter grin. Over the past decade, Pennywise has become one of the most popular Halloween costumes in America, dominating searches on Google Trends, winning top spots on fan-voted rankings, and popping up everywhere from neighborhood block parties to Hollywood-style cosplay events.
But with so many versions of Pennywise and “IT”-inspired outfits flooding costume stores, Etsy shops, and social media feeds, fans have a lot of opinions about which ones are actually worth their balloon weight in gold. To settle the score, we reviewed fan rankings, costume sales data, social media trends, and expert commentary from U.S. entertainment and lifestyle outletsincluding Costume.org, People.com, Variety, ScreenRant, Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, Insider, USA Today, The Cut, and more. What we found? Some versions send chills. Others… just send confusion.
Below is a fun, fan-approved breakdown of the best ‘IT’ Halloween costumesranked by popularity, authenticity, and just how terrifying they look when someone jumps out at you holding a plastic balloon.
#1: Classic Pennywise (1990 Tim Curry Version)
The Tim Curry-esque Pennywise continues to dominate fan rankings, especially among older Millennials and Gen-X horror buffs who grew up hiding under blankets after watching the 1990 miniseries. This version blends circus whimsy with true nightmare fuel: bright colors, oversized pom-poms, a ruffled collar, and that unforgettable, slightly-too-human grin.
Why Fans Love It
- Nostalgia factor: For many, Curry’s Pennywise is the original “you’ll float too.”
- Easy to assemble: A rainbow suit, some white makeup, and the right smirk do the job.
- Recognizable instantly: No one confuses this clown with a birthday entertainer.
Pro Costume Tip
Add yellowing teeth and a slightly raspy laugh for full 1990s terror credits.
#2: Modern Pennywise (2017 Bill Skarsgård Version)
After Andrés Muschietti’s 2017 reboot, Pennywise experienced a second lifeand an upgrade. Bill Skarsgård’s Victorian-inspired clown costume is far creepier, more detailed, and, as fans agree, more unsettling than the original. The puffed sleeves, high collar, cracked porcelain-style makeup, and drifting red lines have become staples of modern horror cosplay.
Why Fans Love It
- Terrifying makeup: The smeared red lip-to-eye crack is a Halloween classic now.
- High costume accuracy: Retailers and Etsy creators have perfected the replica suit.
- The eyes: Yes, some dedicated fans try to recreate the “wandering eye” trick.
Pro Costume Tip
Create subtle, cracked white makeup effects to mimic the aged porcelain look of the 2017 film version.
#3: Georgie in the Yellow Raincoat
You don’t need to wear clown makeup to terrify people on Halloweensometimes all it takes is a bright yellow raincoat, boots, and a paper boat. Georgie’s tragic role in the IT saga has turned this outfit into one of the most popular minimalist costumes of the decade.
Why Fans Love It
- Iconic and simple: Everyone recognizes the raincoat + boat combo.
- Budget-friendly: You might already have the coat and boots at home.
- Couples costume potential: Pair with Pennywise for instant Halloween photo magic.
Pro Costume Tip
Write “SS Georgie” on the paper boat for extra authenticity (and fan approval).
#4: The Deadlights Pennywise (Cosplay Level: Expert)
For fans who want to go beyond the basics, the “Deadlights” Pennywiseglowing eyes, sharp teeth layers, extended jawranks high among hardcore horror enthusiasts. This is the version that dominates conventions and high-level costume contests across the U.S.
Why Fans Love It
- Unmatched scare factor: People will cross the street to avoid you.
- Visually impressive: LED lighting adds dramatic supernatural flair.
- Ultimate fan flex: It shows you’re not just a vieweryou’re a connoisseur.
#5: Pennywise Gender-Swap Variations (“Pennywise but Make It Fashion”)
From glamorous horror makeup tutorials to full runway-level clown couture, gender-swapped versions of Pennywise have soared in popularity on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. These outfits take creative libertiessparkly corsets, ruffled skirts, dramatic makeupand fans adore them for their originality.
Why Fans Love It
- Huge creativity range: No two outfits look alike.
- Great for group themes: Clown covens? Absolutely.
- Social-media-friendly: These costumes photograph beautifully.
#6: “Casual Pennywise” (For the Low-Effort Spooky Vibe)
Believe it or not, a sweatshirt that says “You’ll Float Too,” paired with a red balloon, has become a fan-favorite “lazy girl Halloween costume.” U.S. lifestyle sites confirm that low-effort Halloween costumes are trending big, especially for last-minute parties.
Why Fans Love It
- Effortless: A costume that requires zero wig glue.
- Comfortable: No corsets, no makeup remover, no itching wig cap.
- Still recognizable: Even small Pennywise references do the job.
#7: Pennywise Pet Costumes
If there’s anything scarier than Pennywise, it’s a chihuahua dressed as Pennywise sprinting across the living room. Pet costumes inspired by “IT” continue trending on TikTok and Ranker pollsespecially the versions with fake little arms holding a balloon.
Why Fans Love It
- Adorable yet terrifying: The perfect combination.
- Viral potential: Pets in costumes always win the internet.
- Matching sets: Humans + pets = unstoppable Halloween duo.
How Fans Ranked These Costumes
Based on aggregated fan votes from ranking sites, social media reactions, U.S. lifestyle blogs, and costume retailer data, here’s the final ranked order:
- Classic Pennywise (1990)
- Modern Pennywise (2017)
- Georgie in the Yellow Raincoat
- Deadlights Pennywise
- Gender-Swap Pennywise
- Casual Pennywise
- Pennywise Pet Costumes
Whether you’re aiming for nostalgia, terror, creativity, or convenience, these fan-favorite options prove that Pennywise remains one of America’s most belovedand fearedHalloween icons.
of Additional Experiences Related to “The Best ‘IT’ Halloween Costumes, Ranked By Fans”
Every Halloween, stories roll in from fans across the U.S. about their experiences wearing an “IT”-inspired costume. Some are hilarious, some downright creepy, and others surprisingly wholesome. These anecdotes show why Pennywise costumes continue to dominate the spooky season.
One Massachusetts teacher shared how she wore the 2017 Pennywise costume to her school’s Halloween event. She expected laughs, but instead, a line of brave (and trembling) third-graders formed at her dooreach daring to collect candy while avoiding eye contact. For the rest of the school year, she became known as “Miss Float,” which she has chosen to accept proudly.
A couple in Ohio took the costume duo trend to new heights: one dressed as Georgie, the other as Pennywise. According to their social media post, it was the only Halloween costume that made neighbors both laugh and sprint away. The couple won their town’s “Best Duo Costume” award and later admitted that the hardest part was keeping the paper boat dry in a surprise October rainstorm.
Pet owners have their own legendary tales. One owner in Arizona dressed her dachshund in a Pennywise pet costume with tiny puppet arms holding a balloon. The dog, unfortunately, took his role very seriously and carried the balloon around all night, terrorizing trick-or-treaters who were already suspicious of shadows. Videos of the incident reached over 250,000 views on TikTok.
Cosplayers, especially those who build the “Deadlights” Pennywise, often share stories about the engineering challenges behind glowing eyes and expanding jaws. One fan from Los Angeles described spending two months building a jaw mechanism that opened with a hidden string pull. His dedication paid offhe won a major costume contest, though he admitted he startled himself every time he looked into a mirror.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, minimalists love “Casual Pennywise” because it invites inside jokes. A college student in Michigan wore a grey sweatshirt, jeans, and carried a red balloon to a Halloween mixer. When someone asked, “Who are you supposed to be?” she simply replied, “The clownbut make it relatable.” For the rest of the night, people followed her around asking for motivational sewer speeches.
Fans also love the symbol of the red balloon itself. Many say it’s their favorite prop because it’s simple but unmistakable. One mother in Florida shared that she tied red balloons to her children’s backpacks on Halloween morning. The school principal, however, did not find it nearly as whimsical.
Whether fans go all in with professionally crafted costumes or keep it simple with a raincoat or sweatshirt, the joy lies in the reactions. Pennywise costumes allow people to perform a little, scare a little, and laugh a lot. Even those who haven’t watched the movies recognize the character instantly, which keeps Pennywise at the top of fan rankings year after year.
