The moment horror fans have been dreading and dreaming about is finally here! The prequel series to the blockbuster IT films, **IT: Welcome to Derry**, is about to premiere, taking us back to the cursed town of Derry, Maine, decades before the Losers Club first confronted Pennywise. Developed by the Muschietti siblings who directed the movies, this series promises to be a deep, terrifying dive into the very origins of the cosmic evil. Get ready to mark your calendars, because this fall belongs to Pennywise! 😊
First Main Section Title 🤔: Premiere Date and Full Weekly Release Schedule
The highly anticipated eight-episode first season of Welcome to Derry is set to kick off the Halloween season. Here is the official schedule, so you can plan your Sunday nights accordingly.
**IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1 Episode Guide (HBO / Max)**
| Episode | Original Air Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1: The Pilot | October 26, 2025 | Sunday |
| Episode 2 | November 2, 2025 | Sunday |
| Episode 3 | November 9, 2025 | Sunday |
| Episode 4 | November 16, 2025 | Sunday |
| Episode 5 | November 23, 2025 | Sunday |
| Episode 6 | November 30, 2025 | Sunday |
| Episode 7 | December 7, 2025 | Sunday |
| Episode 8 (Finale) | December 14, 2025 | Sunday |
New episodes will premiere on **HBO** and stream simultaneously on **Max** every Sunday night at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT. Max subscribers can stream the episode shortly after it airs on HBO.
Second Main Section Title 📊: The 1962 Timeline and Pennywise's Origins
Welcome to Derry isn't just retreading old ground. It is set in **1962**, roughly 27 years before the first film adaptation, exploring the deeper, more sinister history of the town. The series draws directly from the chilling "Derry Interludes" in Stephen King's original novel.
The show promises to answer long-standing questions about Pennywise the Dancing Clown and how this cosmic entity begins its cyclical reign of terror. A major focus will be the tragedy of the **Black Spot nightclub**, which draws in themes of racial tension and social unrest prevalent during the 1960s.
**Key Connections and Cast**
- **Director:** Andy Muschietti, who directed IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), directed multiple episodes, ensuring visual consistency with the films.
- **The Monster:** The series confirms the return of the terrifying entity, though it will face new and familiar characters.
- **The Hanlon Family:** The series focuses on the family of Mike Hanlon (one of the Losers Club members), specifically his grandfather, who investigates the missing children case.
The show has received incredibly positive early reviews, with critics calling it "outstanding," "a masterfully woven and terrifying tale," and the "scariest IT story till now". This confirms the series is not just filler; it is a vital, high-quality addition to the IT universe.
Final Section: Key Summary 📝
IT: Welcome to Derry is poised to be this fall's biggest horror event. The series premieres on **Sunday, October 26, 2025**, on HBO and Max, with eight episodes airing weekly until the finale on December 14th.
Prepare for the deepest exploration yet of Derry's dark past and the sinister origins of Pennywise. If you are a Stephen King fan, this series is a must-watch to understand how the nightmare truly began. Don't forget to mark your calendars! Feel free to leave any questions in the comments below! 😊
