A new poster for the upcoming horror series IT Welcome to Derry has been released, looking like a simple tourist advertisement but hiding a much darker reality. The series, which premieres on October 26, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max, serves as a prequel to the recent IT films. This new artwork continues a promotional trend of presenting the town of Derry as a charming destination, all while hinting at the terror that lurks beneath its surface.
The Poster’s Chilling Design
The newly released poster mimics the style of a vintage tourist flyer or a classic cereal advertisement, using familiar imagery to create a sense of unease. One design takes inspiration from a Norman Rockwell-style painting, presenting a scene of idealized Americana that is subverted by a sinister twist. In this version, a young girl with a creepy smile is shown at a breakfast table, but the hand serving the milk is that of Pennywise the Clown. The cereal box on the table also features his picture.
The poster’s tagline, “Sink your teeth into a bowl of truth!”, plays on the horror awaiting the town. Another promotional poster takes a simpler approach, showing a wooden sign with the series’ logo standing in a foggy, eerie field, setting a haunting tone for the show. This follows a previous poster that was designed to look like a straightforward tourist flyer for the town, inviting viewers to “Visit the town everyone’s dying to see.”
Series Premiere and Story Details
IT: Welcome to Derry is set to premiere on October 26, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max. New episodes will be released weekly, with the first season’s finale scheduled for December 14. The story is set in the year 1962, exploring the early days of the evil that plagues the town of Derry, Maine, long before the events of the original IT movies.
The series will follow characters like Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon, who are the parents of Mike Hanlon, a member of the Losers’ Club from the original story. The show will begin as they settle into Derry, just as a young boy goes missing and Pennywise’s cycle of violence begins anew. The creators have a larger plan for the series, with intentions for a three-season run where each season explores a different, earlier time period in Derry’s haunted history.
The Creative Team and Cast
The series is guided by the same filmmakers behind the IT movies. Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti act as executive producers through their Double Dream company. Andy Muschietti also directs multiple episodes of the series. The co-showrunners are Brad Caleb Kane and Jason Fuchs. Fuchs also wrote the teleplay for the first episode.
A key reason for excitement among fans is the return of Bill Skarsgård as the terrifying Pennywise the Clown. He is joined by a cast that includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, and Madeleine Stowe. The series also features a number of other actors, though the specific characters for many remain under wraps.
A Growing Merchandise Line
Alongside the new poster, a massive line of merchandise for IT: Welcome to Derry is launching just in time for Halloween. The product assortment includes action figures from companies like NECA and McFarlane Toys, new Funko Pop! figures, and even a Pennywise Squishmallow from Jazwares.
Fans can also find apparel, accessories, and makeup inspired by the series. Melt Cosmetics is releasing a collection with a haunting eyeshadow palette and red lipstick, while Loungefly will offer bags featuring the show’s chilling imagery. For those looking to bring the horror home, a Derry Sewer Candle from Homesick will be available.
Connecting to the IT Universe
The series is based on Stephen King’s classic novel and expands the vision established in the IT films directed by Andy Muschietti. The director has spoken about the approach to the horror in the series, noting the importance of building tension and not showing the monster until the right moment. He described it as using the “Jaws effect,” a technique that is fitting for a shapeshifting creature like Pennywise, who can appear in many different forms before revealing himself as the clown.
Also Read: IT: Welcome to Derry Trailer Brings Pennywise Back to Haunt Kids in Sinister and Creepy Town; WATCH
