‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ Debuts With an Impressive Rotten Tomatoes Score

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Stephen King’s terrifying world is coming back to television with the new HBO series, Welcome to Derry. This show is a prequel to the popular It movies from 2017 and 2019, and it revisits the creepy town of Derry, Maine. Created by the same team who made the films—Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs—the series will explore how Pennywise and the town’s long history of evil began.

The story takes place in 1962 when a family moves to Derry around the time a young boy disappears. Soon after, unsettling and frightening things begin to happen, and their lives quickly descend into chaos.

Don’t miss IT. 🎈

The official #ITWelcometoDerry teaser drops tomorrow.

— Actually HBO Max (@StreamOnMax) May 19, 2025

The film stars Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine, and Mikkal Karim-Fidler. Bill Skarsgård is back as the terrifying Pennywise the Clown, and he also helped produce the movie.

Making the show wasn’t easy. It first started development in 2022, but filming was paused in 2023 due to the actors’ strike. Production finally finished in August 2024, and the series will now premiere on HBO on October 26th.

Currently, It: Welcome to Derry has an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 33 critic reviews. Most critics agree the show takes some interesting risks right away, creating a creepy atmosphere that ultimately works well. While some feel the young actors don’t quite match the energy of the original cast from the movies or miniseries, their performances are still authentic and convincing.

Reviewers have described the series as a frightening addition to the world of It, filled with expanded backstory, unsettling creatures, and even more disturbing tales set in Derry. Some also note that it powerfully portrays a town that has become accustomed to living alongside both human and supernatural evil.

Some reviewers have drawn comparisons to The Boys, praising its boldness and shocking content, but within a horror framework. They’ve also highlighted how the series skillfully incorporates the history of Derry and subtly connects to Stephen King’s wider universe. The show’s production values, including its unsettling imagery and authentic period details, have received widespread acclaim.

The show takes a risky move right away to unsettle the audience, and it works well. The actors have good chemistry together, though it doesn’t quite reach the same level as the original 1990s version or the movies, it’s still believable.

Melissa Hannon

As a huge fan of the IT movies, I was really excited about this series, and it definitely delivers! It digs deeper into the mythology and gives us even more terrifying monsters and creepy stories from Derry. It took a little while to really get going, but once it found its footing, it breathed fresh, unsettling life into Stephen King’s world – and that’s saying something!

Zach Pope

This is a compelling look at a town that has come to terms with both supernatural and human wickedness.

Belen Edwards

The film It: Welcome to Derry doesn’t simply revisit Stephen King’s well-known world; it offers a new look at both the creature and the unsettling town central to the story.

Aglaia Berlutti

This IT prequel is a game-changer for horror, much like The Boys was for superhero stories. It’s both shocking and captivating, cleverly weaving together the history of Stephen King’s Derry with elements from his other novels. It’s a well-made series from start to finish.

Grace Randolph

Even though the series sometimes feels slow, most viewers and critics believe that It: Welcome to Derry successfully revitalizes Stephen King’s iconic horror story. One reviewer noted that the show’s quality as a standalone horror series should speak for itself, as it’s a compelling supernatural mystery set in a well-realized historical period, despite the weight of its source material.

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2025-10-22 21:18