The Haunting Legacy of the It Franchise: From the 2017 Origin Movie to the Latest It: Welcome to Derry Series
The It franchise has grown much since Stephen King first wrote the book in 1986. Now the story moves again into a new form
October 18, 2025, Mumbai — The It franchise has grown much since Stephen King first wrote the book in 1986. Now the story moves again into a new form.
The terrifying world of Stephen King’s It is getting bigger. The story of Pennywise the Dancing Clown has scared millions worldwide. It is a story about deep-seated childhood fear and the power of friendship. This dark journey began again in a big way with the successful It movie in 2017.
How it all began: King and the 1990 miniseries
Stephen King published It in 1986. The book told the long, dark history of Derry, Maine. It mixed childhood fear with grown-up trauma. The story moved between times. It showed how memory and violence repeat in the town.
In 1990, ABC made a two-part TV miniseries based on the book. That version made Pennywise famous to a new generation. Tim Curry’s clown left a strong mark on pop culture.
The Success of It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019)
The 2017 movie, simply called It, brought the classic horror story to a new generation. Director Andy Muschietti made the film. It focused only on the childhood part of King’s long book. The story is about seven young outcasts in the town of Derry, Maine. They call themselves the “Losers’ Club.
These children face a shape-shifting evil that feeds on their fear. It usually appears as Pennywise, a sinister clown. The movie shifted the timeline from the book’s 1950s setting to the late 1980s. This made the story feel new and relatable to modern audiences.
The young cast was praised for their chemistry. Bill Skarsgård’s performance as Pennywise was terrifying. This movie earned a lot of money and was one of the highest-grossing horror films ever. It proved that the story of It still holds a lot of power.
The sequel, It Chapter Two, came out in 2019. It showed the Losers’ Club returning to Derry 27 years later as adults. They have to face Pennywise one last time to keep the promise they made as children. This movie completed the two-part film story. It earned the IT film series over a billion dollars globally.
Going Back in Time: The Prequel Series
Now, the It story is expanding again on the small screen. The new series is called It: Welcome to Derry. It is a prequel to the two movies. This means the show will happen before the events of the 2017 film.
The series is set to premiere on HBO and Max on October 26, 2025. It will take viewers even further into Derry’s dark history. The first season is mostly set in the year 1962.
This is 27 years before the Losers’ Club’s first fight with the monster. The number 27 is important because Pennywise awakens every 27 years to feed.
The show will explore the dark times in Derry. It will look at the town’s earlier history of violence and disappearances. The creative team from the movies is involved again. Andy Muschietti and his sister Barbara Muschietti are key producers. Andy Muschietti will also direct some episodes.
Focus on New Stories and Characters
It: Welcome to Derry is expected to focus on new characters. They will experience Pennywise’s evil in the 1960s. One important storyline will cover the historical event in the novel known as ‘The Black Spot’ fire. This was a horrific tragedy rooted in the town’s racism.
Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige are leading the new cast. Most exciting for fans is the return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. His version of the demonic clown is now a horror icon. Stephen King himself has praised the new series. He called the first episode “terrifying.”
Reports suggest the series might have three seasons. Each season could explore an even earlier time. Season 2 might go back to 1935, and Season 3 to 1908. This plan shows a huge effort to explore the full, disturbing history of the cursed town of Derry.
The It franchise has truly become a modern horror giant. From a successful two-part movie event, it is now expanding with a detailed prequel series.
Fans are waiting eagerly for October 26, 2025, to finally float back to Derry. This new show promises to unlock the secrets of the evil creature and the town that it calls home.
Why the franchise still matters
It endures because it speaks about real things through horror. It talks about friendship, memory, prejudice, and how small towns hide big secrets. For Indian readers, this mix is familiar.
Many films and books use genre to explore social problems. The success of it shows that horror can do more than frighten. It can also make people think. The move to a series format opens space for deeper storytelling. It can show parts of Derry’s past that films could not fit into two hours.
Final note
The It franchise has come a long way. From King’s long novel to the 1990 TV miniseries, to the blockbuster films of 2017 and 2019, and now to a streaming prequel in 2025 — the story keeps growing.
It: Welcome to Derry promises more history and more fear. It also promises new ways to look at an old town’s scars. For many viewers, Derry will remain a place to fear — and a place to study.
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