Welcome to Derry fully expected to have to battle executives over one element of the show, but were surprised when HBO was on board.

IT: Welcome To Derry' will bring viewers back to Stephen King's horrific universe starting October 26 with new episodes arriving weekly on HBO Max.

Episode 1 was chilling and sets the thrilling tone for the upcoming episodes. While expectations were sky-high for the return to Derry’s haunting streets, early viewers have expressed disappointment over what they’re calling “bad CGI” and underwhelming visuals.

The new horror/drama spin-off series, “It: Welcome to Derry,” debuts this Sunday, October 26 on HBO Max.

Beginning Oct. 31 at 3 a.m. EST (midnight PT), episode two of Welcome to Derry will debut on HBO Max, ahead of its linear premiere Sunday on HBO proper. "Subsequent episodes of the eight-episode season will continue to air Sundays on HBO and HBO Max leading up to the season finale on Sunday, Dec. 14," per HBO PR.

Matty Clements shares a brief time period, but he appears to be the first victim of It, the greater evil power. His existence symbolizes the return of Pennywise in Derry, Maine, the looming threat that viewers are about to witness. Matty's character arc defines the horror of Derry and sets up anticipation for what's to follow.

"It" and "It Chapter Two" director Andy Muschietti helmed the opening episode of "It: Welcome to Derry" and he included a nod to his failed DC superhero film.

IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1, Episode 1, released on October 26, 2025, on HBO Max, marks the highly anticipated beginning of a prequel to the IT films.

Andy Muschietti follows his two-part big-screen adaptation of the Stephen King novel with an eight-episode show set in 1962.

It: Welcome to Derry serves as a prequel to the two most recent films in the franchise, but when the show creators pitched it to HBO, it was a trilogy.