IT The horror universe of It is expanding, and fans of the franchise have plenty to be excited about as the new series IT: Welcome to Derry arrives on streaming. Debuting on HBO Max with its first episode on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the show sets the stage for a chilling journey into the early days of the small Maine town of Derry and the return of the infamous clown, Pennywise.
Release Schedule & Early Drops
While the standard model for the series is a weekly drop of new episodes on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, there’s a special treat for horror fans just in time for Halloween. Episode 2 is being made available early on HBO Max on Friday, October 31 at midnight PT / 3 a.m. ET — ahead of its linear HBO airing on Sunday, November 2.
From that point forward, the regular weekly Sunday pattern returns, with Episode 3 hitting November 9 and the complete 8-episode – or, according to some accounts, 9-episode – season concluding December 14.
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What’s Ahead in the Story
Set in 1962, the series will delve deeper into the origin of Pennywise and the dark history of Derry. We follow a family moving to the town while a boy disappears-young, and of course, the evil lurking beneath the surface that the It films dealt with two decades later.
In the upcoming episodes, viewers can expect threads related to social and historical turmoil, continuity with the films, and brand new mysteries that expand the mythology.
What to Watch For in the Weeks Ahead
Watch early if you can. And if you’re subscribed to HBO Max, don’t miss the special early drop of Episode 2, it’s a great way to stay ahead of the pack.
Mark your Sundays. Barring another early release, new episodes follow the classic weekly rhythm: no binge-drop.
Look for hidden lore: The show weaves in familiar elements from King’s novel and the films, but it also goes into completely new directions — expect surprises.
Keep in the mood for the season. It starts just before Halloween and wraps up mid-December; thus, an excellent atmospheric fit for fall and early winter streaming.
Why It Matters This is a big moment for fans of the It franchise, because this prequel series doesn’t just rehash what we’ve already known. Instead, it digs into the earlier chapters of evil in Derry, as told through fresh storytelling and backed by a high-profile creative team with premium production values. It’s one of the most highly-anticipated streaming releases of the year, especially for fans of horror. In short: If you’re looking for spooky vibes, big mythology, and fresh ongoing horror to follow, keep your calendar clear for the upcoming weeks of IT: Welcome to Derry on HBO Max. The clown is back-and this time, terror starts a lot earlier than you think.
