Cinema to host 'clown only' screenings of 'It: Chapter Two'

Coulrophobics beware: A cinema chain in America has announced a series of special “clowns only” screenings of It: Chapter Two.

The Alamo Drafthouse will be hosting select screenings of the horror sequel at 17 locations in 11 American cities, where guests are encouraged to come dressed as a clown, in tribute to the film’s villain Pennywise The Clown.

The arthouse chain hosted similar screenings for the first It in 2017, but only in their flagship branch in Austin, Texas. The clowns are going nationwide for the sequel which arrives in U.K. cinemas on 5 September.

“Please come dressed as a clown,” the ticket page urges, “the wig, the makeup, the oversized pants and suspenders, the blood-curdling makeup – and sit through this coulrophobia-inducing fright fest with a theater full of fellow... clowns.”

Read more: Pennywise to stalk London horror maze

The first film, directed by Andy Muschietti and based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, caused quite a stir within the clown community back in 2017.

After the first trailer dropped professional clown Guilford ‘Gilly’ Adams protested that the Warner Bros. horror film was going to adversely affect his business

“It’s gonna be bad for clowns,” he told MEL Magazine. “It’s a dying profession. And the people who do it and scrape together a living have to grapple with the fact that it’s cool and hip not to like clowns.”

After the film was released to critical and commercial acclaim the World Clown Association produced materials to help clowns to combat the bad press and public perception of clowns.

The document, called ‘WCA Stand On Scary Clowns’, outlined the clowning body’s stance on the matter.

“Please understand, just because someone wears a rubber Halloween mask, that does not make one a clown!,” it reads.

“The horror movie character Jason wears a hockey goalie mask. But, people would be mistaken if they actually thought he was a hockey player! We disavow any relationship with these ‘horror characters.’”

Read more: Prankster slips Pennywise into engagement photos

The movie also seemingly inspired a wave of creepy clown sightings around the world, with people donning killer clown costumes to stalk the streets scaring strangers for fun.

Along with the clown-only screenings, Warner Bros. and IMAX have today released a special poster for the film to promote its super-sized screening option.

There’s also a brand new featurette available to watch online which shows a bit more of Pennywise and the Losers Club in action. Watch it below.

IT: Chapter Two lands in cinemas on 5 September.