‘It: Welcome to Derry’ Scares Up Strong Reviews as Rotten Tomatoes Score is Revealed
Stephen King’s chilling universe is returning to the small screen with It: Welcome to Derry, an upcoming HBO horror series that serves as a prequel to the hit It films.
The show, set in the early 1960s, dives into the sinister history of Derry, Maine—the cursed town where evil takes many forms, including the terrifying Pennywise the Clown.
The series was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the same creative minds behind the 2017 and 2019 It movies.
Bill Skarsgård, who terrified audiences as Pennywise, will once again step into the clown’s unsettling shoes while also serving as an executive producer. The main cast includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine, and Mikkal Karim-Fidler.
Production on the show began in 2023 but hit a pause due to the SAG-AFTRA strike before wrapping up in August 2024. HBO plans to release the series on October 26, giving fans a Halloween season filled with fresh nightmares.
The story centers on a family that moves to Derry in 1962, just as a local boy disappears. Their arrival sparks a series of disturbing events that expose the town’s deep and horrifying secrets. Viewers can expect new stories tied to Derry’s cursed past while also uncovering more about how Pennywise came to be.
Don't miss IT. 🎈
— Actually HBO Max (@StreamOnMax) May 19, 2025
The official #ITWelcometoDerry teaser drops tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/R8Mom7LFp1
Early reviews for It: Welcome to Derry are already in, and the response has been mostly positive. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the show currently holds an 82% rating based on 33 reviews. Critics have praised the series for its bold choices, eerie atmosphere, and strong visual direction. Many agree that it successfully expands the It universe with more lore and creepy storytelling, even though it takes a little time to find its rhythm.
Some reviewers say the show’s portrayal of Derry feels deeper and more unsettling than before, showing how the town has learned to live with evil. Others note that while the chemistry between the younger cast members may not match the previous films, their performances still feel authentic.
A few critics have compared the series’ tone and ambition to The Boys, saying it’s daring, shocking, and full of energy. They’ve also highlighted how the show connects to other parts of Stephen King’s world, adding extra layers for long-time fans.
The show makes a very bold decision early on that aims to make viewers feel unsafe, and it pays off. While the young actors’ on-screen chemistry doesn’t quite match the levels seen in the 1990 miniseries or…feature films, it remains convincing.
Melissa Hannon
Expanding on everything you loved about the IT films! More lore, more twisted creations and even more haunting tales from Derry! By exploring all of this the series breathes eerie new life into the King’s world, even if it takes a bit to find its rhythm
Zach Pope
A fascinating portrait of a town that has learned to live with evil, both supernatural and human in nature.
Belen Edwards
It: Welcome to Derry doesn’t just explore Stephen King’s familiar universe. It also gives a fresh perspective to both his monster and the sinister town that gives the book its title.
Aglaia Berlutti
This new IT prequel is to horror what The Boys is to superheroes. Shocking but also intriguing, this new series not only makes excellent use of the history of Stephen King’s Derry but his other works too. An excellent production from top to bottom.
Grace Randolph
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