Horror fans rejoice! The Welcome to Derry OTT release date is finally here—October 26, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max. This highly anticipated prequel to the blockbuster IT films brings Pennywise the Dancing Clown back to terrify audiences, with Welcome to Derry OTT release date perfectly timed for Halloween scares. Bill Skarsgård returns as the iconic nightmare villain in this eight-episode horror series that explores the dark origins of Derry’s cursed history.
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Welcome to Derry OTT Release Date: Complete Streaming Information
The Welcome to Derry OTT release date was officially confirmed as Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT on HBO. Simultaneously, the series streams on HBO Max (now simply called Max), making Welcome to Derry OTT release date accessible to millions of horror enthusiasts. For international viewers, the UK premiere follows on October 27, 2025, at 2:00 AM GMT on Sky and NOW.
This strategic Welcome to Derry OTT release date positioning ensures maximum Halloween season viewership, capitalizing on audiences’ appetite for quality horror content during October’s spooky season.
Welcome to Derry: Complete Series Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| OTT Release Date | October 26, 2025 |
| Release Time (US) | 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT |
| Streaming Platform | HBO Max (Max) |
| TV Broadcast | HBO |
| Total Episodes | 8 episodes (Season 1) |
| Episode Schedule | Weekly on Sundays |
| Season Finale | December 14, 2025 |
| Setting | Derry, Maine – 1962 |
| Lead Star | Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise |
| Developers | Andy & Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 78% (54 reviews) |
What Makes Welcome to Derry OTT Release Date Special?
The Welcome to Derry OTT release date marks the return of one of horror’s most terrifying characters in a fresh format. Unlike the theatrical IT films that grossed a combined $1.17 billion worldwide, this series format allows deeper exploration of Stephen King’s expansive novel. The Welcome to Derry OTT release date introduces viewers to the 1962 cycle of terror—27 years before the Losers Club’s first encounter with Pennywise.
Set against the backdrop of 1960s America, Welcome to Derry follows Major Leroy Hanlon (Mike Hanlon’s grandfather, played by Jovan Adepo) and his wife Charlotte (Taylour Paige) as they move to Derry. The Welcome to Derry OTT release date couldn’t be better timed for fans eager to understand why this seemingly normal town harbors such unspeakable evil.
Welcome to Derry OTT Release Date: Episode Schedule
Following the Welcome to Derry OTT release date premiere, new episodes drop weekly on Sundays:
- Episode 1 – October 26, 2025
- Episode 2 – November 2, 2025
- Episode 3 – November 9, 2025
- Episode 4 – November 16, 2025
- Episode 5 – November 23, 2025
- Episode 6 – November 30, 2025
- Episode 7 – December 7, 2025
- Episode 8 (Finale) – December 14, 2025
This weekly release strategy following the Welcome to Derry OTT release date builds anticipation and allows fans to theorize and discuss each episode between releases—perfect for a horror series designed to generate conversation.
Cast and Crew Behind Welcome to Derry OTT Release Date
The Welcome to Derry OTT release date brings together exceptional talent. Bill Skarsgård reprises his Emmy-worthy performance as Pennywise, now also serving as executive producer. The cast includes:
- Taylour Paige (Hit the Floor) as Charlotte Hanlon
- Jovan Adepo (3 Body Problem) as Leroy Hanlon
- Chris Chalk (Gotham)
- James Remar (Dexter: Resurrection)
- Stephen Rider (Marvel’s Daredevil)
- Madeleine Stowe (Revenge)
- Rudy Mancuso (Música)
Filmmakers Andy and Barbara Muschietti, who directed the IT films, developed Welcome to Derry alongside Jason Fuchs. Andy Muschietti directed multiple episodes, including the pilot, ensuring the Welcome to Derry OTT release date delivers the same cinematic quality as the theatrical films.
Why the Welcome to Derry Matters for Horror Fans
The Welcome to Derry OTT release date represents more than just another streaming premiere—it’s the expansion of Stephen King’s IT universe into long-form storytelling. The series format allows exploration of King’s novel’s “interlude chapters” that the films couldn’t accommodate.
According to Andy Muschietti, three seasons are planned, each set 27 years apart (1962, 1935, and 1908), told in reverse chronological order. This ambitious vision makes the Welcome to Derry OTT release date just the beginning of a multi-year horror saga exploring Pennywise’s origins and Derry’s curse.
Critical Reception After Welcome to Derry
Following the Welcome to Derry, critics have responded positively. Rotten Tomatoes shows 78% positive reviews from 54 critics. The consensus praises the series for “compellingly deepening the myth of Pennywise through sharp social commentary, a dreadful atmosphere, and committed performances,” though noting “scattered plotting occasionally drains fear from its chilling premise.”
Collider emphasized the adult storylines are “stronger” than the children’s arcs, with standout performances from Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo. Polygon called it an “excellent prequel,” praising its focus on Derry’s lore over simple scares.
How to Watch After Welcome to Derry OTT Release Date
Post-Welcome to Derry OTT release date, viewers have multiple streaming options:
Max (HBO Max): Subscription starts at $10.99/month with ads, $18.49/month ad-free, or $22.99/month for 4K and multi-device viewing. Annual subscriptions offer 12 months for the price of 10.
HBO Add-ons: Available through Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus for existing subscribers of those platforms.
Traditional Cable: HBO cable subscribers can watch on HBO’s broadcast channel at the Welcome to Derry air time.
What’s Next After Welcome to Derry OTT Release Date?
Beyond the Welcome to Derry OTT release date and first season, the Muschiettis plan multiple seasons exploring Pennywise’s history. Each season jumps back 27 years, aligning with IT’s mythology where Pennywise awakens every 27 years to feed.
Season 2 would explore the 1935 cycle, Season 3 the 1908 era—progressively revealing how Pennywise and Derry’s evil originated. Stephen King reportedly loves this reverse-chronological approach, making future seasons beyond the Welcome to Derry highly anticipated.
Bottom Line
The Welcome to Derry OTT release date of October 26, 2025, marks a significant moment for horror television. By returning to Stephen King’s IT universe with Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise, prestige television production values, and ambitious multi-season planning, Welcome to Derry promises to redefine horror series.
Whether you’re watching on the Welcome to Derry or catching up weekly through December 14, this prequel series offers the perfect Halloween season viewing. The weekly release schedule following the Welcome to Derry OTT ensures horror fans have quality scares throughout fall 2025.
Mark your calendars for the Welcome to Derry OTT release date—October 26, 2025—and prepare to discover what made Derry the most cursed town in horror history. Just remember: We all float down here.
Watch Welcome to Derry starting the OTT release date on HBO Max, read reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and explore Stephen King adaptations through Stephen King’s official website for authoritative horror entertainment coverage.
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