HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry is off to a robust start with critics giving the prequel series, adapted from Stephen King‘s novel a solid welcome. The early reviews have landed the show an 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 42 critics, earning it a “Certified Fresh” label. The number places it just under Andy Muschietti’s 2017 It, which scored 85%, but well ahead of It Chapter Two at 62% and the 1990 miniseries, which stands at 67%.
#ItWelcomeToDerry is now officially Certified Fresh! https://t.co/PkvExQhEs4 pic.twitter.com/4firVTtajd
— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) October 22, 2025
It: Welcome To Derry – Storyline & Solid
The brand new show is ready in 1962, twenty-seven years before the events of the 2017 film, following a pair and their son who move to Derry, Maine, as a boy mysteriously vanishes. From there, the familiar, strange, and disturbing events begin to unfold within the town.
Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine, and Mikkal Karim-Fidler star, with Bill Skarsgård returning as Pennywise the Clown. The show premieres on October 26 on HBO, running for eight episodes through mid-December.
Critics Praise It: Welcome To Derry
The critics are calling It: Welcome to Derry a worthy continuation for fans of Muschietti’s earlier It movies. Many describe it as filled with the identical mix of supernatural dread and spectacle that made the franchise a success.
Nevertheless, some reviewers have identified pacing issues, saying the story might stretch itself too thin for an eight-episode season. Others argue it could have worked higher as a shorter prequel film. Still, the general response leans positive, and plenty of highlight the daring decisions in its early episodes and the convincing performances, especially from the younger forged.
Where Does Welcome To Derry Stand In Rotten Tomatoes Amongst Other Stephen King Adaptations?
The series currently stands because the second-highest-rated adaptation of an It novel thus far and matches comfortably amongst recent Stephen King screen projects. The Long Walk scored 89%, The Monkey earned 77%, The Institute stands at 64%, and The Lifetime of Chuck got 80%. It’s a rather slower start than HBO’s 2020 adaptation of The Outsider, which holds a 91% critic rating, however the response to date suggests that Welcome to Derry could climb higher over again viewers sink their teeth into it.
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