Stephen King has long been crowned the master of horror, with his novels spawning iconic films and TV series for decades. From Carrie to The Shining to Misery, his work has dominated pop culture. But his latest small-screen adaptation, IT: Welcome to Derry on HBO, might just be his scariest yet—and the perfect weekend binge for horror fans.
Based on King's magnum opus about a child-killing, shapeshifting entity that often appears as the clown Pennywise, this prequel series dives deeper into the cursed town of Derry, Maine. While Andy Muschietti's 2017 film IT was a massive hit, thanks to Bill Skarsgård's chilling performance and a perfectly cast group of child actors, the 2019 sequel IT: Chapter Two didn't quite capture the same magic. That's where IT: Welcome to Derry comes in—a prequel that explores the untold horrors of 1962, giving the story room to breathe across eight episodes.
Unlike the films, which had limited time to develop characters, the series fleshes out a new generation of kids and adults. Lily (Clara Stack) is a fierce girl with a tragic past; Ronnie (Amanda Christine) fights for her wrongly accused father; Will (Blake Cameron James) is the group's brain; and Rich (Arian Cartaya) is a lovable dreamer. But this isn't just the Pennywise show—it's about how this community bands together to confront the killer clown.
The series also focuses on the adults of Derry in ways previous adaptations never did. The Hanlon family—Charlotte (Taylour Paige) and Leroy (Jovan Adepo)—bring fresh dynamics, while James Remar's Francis Shaw leads a mysterious Air Force mission tied to Pennywise. Perhaps the most exciting addition is Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), a beloved character from The Shining, now tortured by his psychic abilities. These layers make IT: Welcome to Derry a richer, more complex horror experience.
Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise is scarier than ever. The series wisely keeps him off-screen for much of the early episodes, building dread and exploring the entity's mythology. When he finally appears, Skarsgård amplifies his performance to a new, more violent level. The premiere ends with a shocking twist that sets the tone for the season, proving this isn't just a cheap prequel—it's a standalone horror masterpiece.
If you missed IT: Welcome to Derry because you expected a cash grab, give it another chance. It's smartly written, full of twists, and stands on its own while connecting to King's larger universe. With two more seasons already announced, now is the perfect time to binge this terrifying series. For more binge-worthy picks, check out our list of Best Shows to Binge on Prime Video This Week or see why HBO's 98% Fresh 'Station Eleven' is another must-watch.
