Stranger Things fans! Can you imagine a face-off between the gang from Hawkins and Pennywise, the show known for its bikes, waffles, baseball bats… and a killer clown.
If that isn’t the best kind of chaos, I don’t know what could be.

But many fans are totally rooting for this kind of chaos – a Stranger Things × IT crossover.

And, being Stranger Things Nerds, we couldn’t wait to dig into this fictional world’s collision. Here’s Stranger Things and IT crossover would look like—from our perspective. 

Stranger Things and IT: Two shows that are same, but different?

First things first: Let’s make a checklist of similarities of both shows:

  • Small towns? ✅
  • Kids fighting monsters? ✅
  • Creepy things nobody talks about? Double ✅
  • Are there nightmarish events waiting to be unleashed? Triple ✅

It feels like Hawkins and Derry could practically be twin towns.
In both cases, there’s an “OMG what is happening?!” energy under their quiet little streets.

Even Finn Wolfhard, the boy who played Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things and Ritchie Tozier in IT has jokingly spoken about the similarities of both shows: Stranger Things and IT.

In a chat with MTV News and others during the IT movie promo, he said jumping from Hawkins to Derry felt natural because both had: a group of close, nerdy friends, creepy supernatural monsters, and the whole “small town kids fighting evil” vibe.

Did Stranger Things steal a little inspiration from IT?

Short answer? Absolutely yes.

Even the Duffer Brothers have directly said that Stephen King, especially IT, was a huge inspiration for creating Stranger Things. The Duffer Brothers have shouted out Stephen King so many times, it’s basically a love letter at this point.

In interviews (like with The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone), they mentioned that they grew up obsessed with King’s stories, not just IT, but also a splash of Carrie, Firestarter, Stand by Me… 

They wanted Stranger Things to feel like “a lost Stephen King novel” mixed with 80s Spielberg movies, especially IT—blood pacts, bikes, and monsters that feed on fear.

So, basically Duffer brothers were building a Stephen King smoothie.

Here’s what the IT King, Stephen King, thinks about Stranger Things:

A quick spoiler. He’s a fan.

Stephen King tweeted about it, praised it, and even joked he wished he’d written it himself.

The tweet from Stephen King about Stranger Things. He kind of confirms that it looks like a brew from some of his good shows, but brewed in a great way.

Is there an actual connection between Stranger Things and IT?

Officially? There is no connection between Stranger Things and IT.
But unofficially, yes. Stranger Things fans have built wild theories, and honestly, they’re not all crazy.

Some random moments from Stranger Things that feel like IT from Stephen King:

-> When Bob (RIP, king) said he hated clowns because of something in Maine?
Yeah. Pennywise, anyone?

-> The connection between Hawkins’ kids and the Losers club, which you would notice if you squint a little bit.

Think about it:

  • Mike = Mike (no change needed)
  • Dustin = The funny one (Richie vibes)
  • Eleven = Beverly (tough, brave, and psychic-ish)
  • Will = Stan (trauma magnet)

They’re all lovable weirdos who would 1000% survive a killer clown summer together.

-> People on Reddit claiming how Upside Down and Pennywise’s world could be distant cousins, which could be a wild cannon, but we still can’t stop thinking this way.

Other Horror Flicks That Shaped Stranger Things

IT isn’t the only horror parent here for Stranger Things. You could also spot inspiration from the following shows:

  • The Thing (trust no one)
  • Poltergeist (hello, missing kids)
  • The Goonies (treasure hunt but make it spooky)
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street (dream world = bad news)
  • Firestarter (girl power + mind powers)

Basically, the Duffer Brothers grabbed everything awesome from the 80s and said: “Let’s make it cooler.”

Does Pennywise Get a Shoutout in Stranger Things?

Not exactly. You won’t hear anyone name-dropping him.

BUT… that clown story from Bob?
Definitely felt like a tiny wink at IT fans.
Plus, Demogorgons lurking in the dark? Feels like Pennywise was taking notes.

Could a Crossover between Stranger Things and IT ACTUALLY Happen?

It can take bringing sky to the ground kinda effort to make the crossover between Stranger Things and IT. Why? Simple, legal reasons.

Netflix owns Stranger Things. Warner Bros owns IT. Mashing them together would take a miracle (or a lot of expensive paperwork).

BUT!
We could totally see:

  • A comic book crossover
  • A fan-made short film
  • A Halloween special where they “accidentally” don’t say the word “Pennywise” but you know what’s up 👀

Never say never, folks. A magical collaboration might happen in the future, especially in the last season. We just have to wait.

I am a Stranger Things & IT fan. Recommend me some good shows, series, and books with similar energy

  • Locke & Key — spooky keys and family drama
  • The OA — weird, wild, and beautiful
  • Dark — small-town secrets and time travel headaches
  • Paper Girls — 80s vibes and sci-fi madness
  • Something Wicked This Way Comes — pure Halloween energy

If Stranger Things and IT had a bookshelf baby, it would look like this.

Final Thoughts: The Crossover of Our Dreams?

Stranger Things and IT already live in the same spiritual universe — one where being a weird kid is your superpower, and monsters are basically your side hustle.

A real crossover would break the internet, heal our 80s-loving hearts, and give us the most iconic group battle ever.Until then?
We’ll just keep imagining Dustin roasting Pennywise… and honestly, winning.