The nightmare returns to Derry, Maine. IT: Welcome to Derry the latest installment in the terrifying IT franchise officially premiered on HBO on October 26, 2025, ushering in a new chapter of Stephen King’s legendary horror universe just in time for Halloween.
Based on King’s 1986 novel It, the new prequel series takes viewers back to 1962, decades before the events of It Chapter One, exploring the origins of the evil that haunts the small Maine town. The story follows a couple and their young son as they settle into Derry just as a child mysteriously disappears, signaling that something sinister is stirring once again.
Fans will be thrilled and terrified to know that Bill Skarsgård has returned to his iconic role as the nightmarish clown Pennywise, reprising his chilling performance from It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019).
The series also stars Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine, and Mikkal Karim-Fidler in key roles. IT: Welcome to Derry is now streaming exclusively on HBO Max.
IT: Chapter One (2017)
The franchise’s modern revival began with Andy Muschietti’s It also known as It Chapter One which premiered in theaters in 2017. Set in the 1980s, the film follows a group of outcast kids known as The Losers’ Club as they confront Pennywise, the malevolent clown terrorizing Derry from its sewers.
The cast includes Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, and Jeremy Ray Taylor. The film received widespread acclaim for its blend of horror, heart, and nostalgia, becoming a box-office phenomenon.
It Chapter One is currently available to stream on HBO Max.
IT: Chapter Two (2019)
The 2019 sequel brought the Losers’ Club back together as adults, returning to Derry 27 years after their first encounter with Pennywise.
Featuring a powerhouse ensemble James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, and Andy Bean It Chapter Two delves deeper into trauma, memory, and the power of facing one’s fears.
Like its predecessor, It Chapter Two is available to stream on HBO Max.
Stephen King’s IT (1990)
Long before the modern reboots, Stephen King’s It terrified a generation of viewers as a two-part miniseries that aired on ABC in 1990. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, the series starred Tim Curry in what remains one of the most iconic portrayals of Pennywise to date.
The cast also featured Richard Thomas, John Ritter, Harry Anderson, Jonathan Brandis, and Tim Reid. Though the miniseries isn’t currently available to stream for free, it remains a cult classic among King fans and horror enthusiasts.
With IT: Welcome to Derry, Warner Bros. and HBO are expanding one of horror’s most enduring universes. The prequel promises to explore the dark mythology behind Pennywise and the sinister history of Derry, revealing how the town became a breeding ground for fear itself.
As the nights grow longer and Halloween nears, there’s never been a better time to revisit or discover every terrifying version of IT.
IT: Welcome to Derry is streaming now on HBO Max.