The sewers of Derry, Maine, are open for business once again, and Pennywise has returned. Early reviews for HBO’s new prequel series, IT: Welcome to Derry (slated to premiere on October 26 on HBO and October 27 on JioHotstar for Indian viewers), have surfaced, and the initial consensus is overwhelmingly positive, cementing the show’s place as a worthy and terrifying entry into the beloved Stephen King franchise.
Set in the early 1960s, a crucial period in the novel’s lore, the series takes viewers back 27 years before the IT films to explore a previous cycle of Pennywise’s terror. With filmmakers Andy and Barbara Muschietti, who helmed the hit 2017 and 2019 movies, returning to guide the prequel, the series retains the cinematic scope and visceral horror that made the films blockbusters.
Early reviews from critics have praised the show’s efforts to deepen the mythology of both the ancient entity, It, and the cursed town of Derry.
A standout aspect lauded by reviewers is the series’ setting against the backdrop of the 1960s, a volatile era of social change. The story prominently features a Black family arriving in Derry, allowing the narrative to explore themes of racism, bigotry, and systemic indifference that mirror the monster’s own malice.
Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise the Clown has been well received by critics, and the rest of the cast has also earned praise.
IT: Welcome to Derry’s Rotten Tomatoes score suggests that those who enjoyed the Muschietti films will find a bloody good time, with many calling it a terrifying and captivating expansion of the universe. Currently, it holds a fresh critic score of 78% (based on 41 reviews).
However, the prequel is not without its flaws. Critics have pointed out that the series sometimes struggles with an overabundance of plot threads, and it appears this season tries a bit too hard to lay the foundation for future installments.
The overall verdict is that the show benefits strongly from its exceptional cast, high-quality production, and commitment to a uniquely terrifying vision of Derry’s past, making it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts and King devotees alike.
Here are some early reviews for IT: Welcome to Derry.
“It: Welcome to Derry” is a Variety Critic's Pick.
"The series is a masterfully woven and terrifying tale about the origins of the monstrous Pennywise the Clown," reads our review.https://t.co/Xcxm4eMKaf pic.twitter.com/XyM6LM4MGX
— Variety (@Variety) October 22, 2025
IT: Welcome to Derry is off to a great start in its season premiere by re-establishing Derry and Pennywise, even if some of the CG doesn't quite work.
Our review: https://t.co/AHwRaUTCji pic.twitter.com/ZEZJg78Y3b
— IGN (@IGN) October 23, 2025
'IT: Welcome to Derry' Review: HBO's Stephen King Prequel Doesn't Top the Films' Intense Scares https://t.co/5T38DphWrg
— Collider (@Collider) October 22, 2025
The prequel series It: Welcome to Derry brings back Pennywise and unleashes a surprisingly gory story with plenty of nightmare fuel. Here's our review. https://t.co/5naxJIryQz
— /Film (@slashfilm) October 22, 2025
'It: Welcome to Derry' Is a Harrowing Expansion of Stephen King’s Story https://t.co/eRg2jZ73UD
— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) October 22, 2025
The Rotten Tomatoes score for It: Welcome to Derry has arrived. https://t.co/ELF47DPCNC
— CBR (@CBR) October 22, 2025
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