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Excitement is building for the horror series It: Welcome to Derry, that's been earning acclaim and weaving in elements from other Stephen King works. Now, HBO announced that the next chapter will debut sooner than expected, released fittingly for October 31st.

Early Release Details

Kicking off on the last day of October at midnight PT, the next part of Welcome to Derry will premiere on HBO Max, prior to its traditional TV airing. Subsequent episodes of the show's first season will premiere on Sundays on the network and streaming service, culminating in the concluding chapter on Sunday, December 14.

Series Overview

Taking place within the Derry mythology, It: Welcome to Derry is inspired by the classic book while expanding on the universe established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the recent movie adaptations. The first It movie focused on young characters facing unimaginable horrors, so it’s fitting that the series upholds that legacy. However, the premiere episode of the HBO series demonstrates it intended to escalate the fear, providing heightened horror than the cinematic versions and setting a harsh vibe for the rest of the season.

Setting and Themes

Set in 1962, the series features a new generation of adults and children living in a outwardly charming locale hiding a evil heart. The town follows a cruel, recurring cycle—one marked by aggression, prejudice, and paranormal events, as a monstrous presence reappears each 27-year cycle. Even though Welcome to Derry might sound like it strays too near to the movies on the surface, what distinguishes the HBO Max series is its dual perspective—narrated via the perspectives of kids and grown-ups at the same time. Younger characters are especially susceptible to the monster's horror, but grown-ups don't escape confronting their individual fears arising from Derry’s deep-seated bigotry and hidden paranormal elements.

The series debuts on October 31 at 12 a.m. Pacific Time.