Stephen King has shared an early Stephen King IT review for HBO’s upcoming series It: Welcome to Derry, marking an important moment for the IT franchise. This new show, set to debut on October 26, 2025, expands the IT universe by serving as a prequel to the widely popular films, drawing attention for its promise to continue capturing the terror and essence of King’s original work.
The Evolution of IT on Television and King’s Mixed Feelings on Earlier Versions
The first television adaptation of Stephen King’s IT was a miniseries broadcast in 1990 featuring Tim Curry as Pennywise the Clown. While this two-part show remains a memorable King adaptation for many viewers, critics gave it a somewhat divided response, reflected in a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. King’s own reactions mirrored this mixed sentiment.
Regarding the original 1990 miniseries, King expressed surprise at the show’s ambition during a 2015 interview, stating it exceeded expectations. He acknowledged the significant impact Tim Curry’s Pennywise had on a generation of viewers, recalling how
“kids between the ages of 8 and 14 were scared sh**less by Tim Curry.”
This chilling portrayal left a lasting impression on audiences, which King compared to the first IT movie’s ability to
“give audiences a chance to revisit that particular experience in their childhood.”
Despite the praise, King had reservations about the show’s creative scope. He felt that the miniseries did not adequately explore the adult characters’ stories and notably criticized its treatment of Richie Tozier. According to King, Richie’s character was simplified to just two facets: “a scumbag” or
“sort of a kindhearted Buddy Hackett,”
demonstrating a diminished depth compared to the source material.
King’s Approval Validates Andy Muschietti’s Trilogy of IT Adaptations
Andy Muschietti’s feature film adaptation of IT in 2017 was met with both critical and commercial acclaim, earning an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. King himself praised the movie after viewing it, admitting he was
“not prepared for how good it really was,”
despite entering the experience with high hopes.
The second film, however, received a more varied critical response but still maintained King’s support. He described both films as “fun” and “scary,” reaffirming his appreciation of Muschietti’s approach to his novel. With It: Welcome to Derry now being the third adaptation by Muschietti that King has endorsed, it underscores a significant milestone for the director within the IT franchise.
This ongoing creative partnership signals that while not flawless, Andy Muschietti’s adaptations stand above many others of King’s work, effectively capturing the horror and essence of the source material. King’s early Stephen King IT review of It: Welcome to Derry, although not a guarantee of success, suggests the series stays true to the franchise’s chilling roots.
It: Welcome to Derry Explores the Origins Behind Pennywise
Set in the 1960s, It: Welcome to Derry delves deep into the town’s dark past and the circumstances that gave rise to Pennywise the Clown’s terror. As a prequel to the films, the series intends to unravel the origins of the malevolent entity while enriching the IT lore for longtime fans and new audiences alike.
Stephen King’s positive remarks about the show, describing its opening episode as “terrifying,” create high expectations for the series to deliver a similarly intense and unsettling experience as the previously successful adaptations. Whether the show will match or surpass the films’ impact remains to be seen, but King’s endorsement offers a hopeful outlook amidst the franchise’s evolving narrative.
