Prepare to face Pennywise once more as the chilling world of Stephen King’s ‘It’ expands with the upcoming HBO series ‘Welcome to Derry.’ Whether you’re a seasoned Loser or a new fan, understanding the intricate release and chronological orders is key to fully experiencing this iconic horror saga, from the original miniseries to the latest prequel.
Since its terrifying debut in Stephen King’s 1986 novel, the story of ‘It’ and its shapeshifting antagonist, Pennywise the Dancing Clown, has haunted generations. From the memorable 1990 miniseries to Andy Muschietti’s acclaimed film duology, and now the highly anticipated HBO prequel series, ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ the nightmare continues to unfold. For those looking to revisit or experience Derry’s horrors for the first time, navigating the various adaptations can be a labyrinthine journey. This comprehensive guide will ensure you’re ready to face your fears in the correct order, with all the essential details.
The Ever-Evolving Nightmare: A Brief History of ‘It’ Adaptations
Stephen King’s original novel, a sprawling epic alternating between the childhood and adult experiences of the Losers Club, established Pennywise as a quintessential horror villain. Its first adaptation was the 1990 television miniseries, featuring Tim Curry’s iconic portrayal of the clown. Decades later, director Andy Muschietti brought the story to the big screen with ‘It’ (2017) and ‘It Chapter Two’ (2019), offering a modern and critically successful take. Now, Muschietti is expanding this universe with ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ a prequel series that promises to delve into the earlier cycles of terror.
Watching ‘It’ in Release Order: A Journey Through Cinematic History
For those who prefer to experience the adaptations as they were introduced to audiences, following the release order provides a clear progression from the first on-screen iteration to the latest. This method allows you to witness the evolution of the story and its visual style over time, culminating in the upcoming prequel series.
- It (1990 miniseries): This two-part miniseries first brought Pennywise to life with Tim Curry’s unforgettable performance. The childhood segments are set in 1960, and the adult storyline takes place in 1990.
- It (2017): The first installment of Andy Muschietti’s film duology, this movie focuses on the Losers Club’s childhood encounter with Pennywise in 1988.
- It Chapter Two (2019): This sequel continues Muschietti’s narrative, bringing the adult Losers Club back to Derry 27 years later in 2016 to confront Pennywise one final time. As Netflix announced, it became available on their streaming service, reminding fans of its importance before the prequel.
- It: Welcome to Derry (2025): The highly anticipated HBO Max prequel series, co-developed by Andy Muschietti, will explore events prior to the 2017 film.
Watching ‘It’ in Chronological Order: Unraveling Derry’s Timeline
For a continuous narrative experience that respects the story’s internal timeline, chronological order is the way to go. This approach is particularly relevant for the Muschietti-led films and the new prequel series, which share a consistent continuity. The 1990 miniseries operates on its own timeline and is best enjoyed as a standalone experience if you’re following the modern chronology.
The timeline for the current ‘It’ universe is as follows:
- It: Welcome to Derry (2025): Set in 1962, 27 years before the events of the 2017 film, this series will show Pennywise’s earlier reign of terror and how “It” becomes Pennywise, as director Andy Muschietti explained to The Hollywood Reporter. The show will draw inspiration from the novel’s interludes where Mike Hanlon researches Derry’s history.
- It (2017): This film takes place in 1988 and depicts the Losers Club’s first battle against Pennywise.
- It Chapter Two (2019): The narrative jumps forward 27 years to 2016, as the adult Losers Club returns to Derry for a final showdown.
For clarity, the original 1990 miniseries covers events in 1960 (childhood) and 1990 (adulthood).
Streaming Stephen King’s ‘It’: Where to Find the Horror
As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Andy Muschietti films and the upcoming prequel are primarily found on HBO’s streaming platform. The 1990 miniseries is often available through digital rental or purchase.
- It (1990 miniseries): Available for digital rental or purchase on various platforms.
- It (2017): Stream on HBO Max.
- It Chapter Two (2019): Stream on HBO Max (also available on Netflix at certain times).
- It: Welcome to Derry (2025): Will stream exclusively on HBO Max.
‘Welcome to Derry’: What to Expect from the Prequel
The new series, ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ is poised to be a pivotal addition to the modern ‘It’ universe. Set decades before the 2017 film, it promises to unveil new layers of Pennywise’s malevolence and the town of Derry’s dark history. Confirmed cast members include Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Blake Cameron James, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso, with the exciting return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise.
Skarsgård himself expressed his excitement, telling Happy Sad Confused podcast host Josh Horowitz that he enjoyed exploring “sides of old Pennywise that we haven’t seen.” This indicates a deeper dive into the entity’s psyche and origins.
Andy Muschietti, a co-developer for the series, highlighted his inspiration from King’s novel, specifically the interludes where Mike Hanlon uncovers Derry’s chilling past through interviews with older residents. Muschietti described these as a “puzzle that was intentionally unfinished in the book,” providing a “blueprint for a different story” that will explore “the events in which ‘It’ becomes Pennywise,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. This indicates a rich narrative exploring the foundational horrors of Derry.
Deep Dive: The Enduring Significance of ‘It’
Beyond the jump scares and monstrous imagery, Stephen King’s ‘It’ resonates deeply due to its powerful exploration of childhood trauma and the bonds forged in shared adversity. The Losers Club’s journey, both as children and adults, tackles themes of memory, fear, and the enduring impact of horrific experiences. For many fans, the story offers a cathartic experience, confronting the ‘horrible things that can happen to people in childhood’ and the strength found in friendship.
Pennywise, an ancient alien entity from space that crash-landed on Earth millions of years ago, feeds on fear. His vulnerability lies in defiance and belief, as seen when the Losers insult him or declare their lack of fear. This theme reinforces that courage, even in the face of unimaginable horror, is the ultimate weapon against such malevolence.
Prepare for Your Return to Derry
Whether you choose to immerse yourself in the franchise chronologically or follow the release order, the world of Stephen King’s ‘It’ offers a captivating and terrifying experience. With ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ set to expand the mythology even further, there’s no better time to revisit these stories and prepare for the new horrors that await in Maine’s most cursed town.
