HBO Max Releases IT: Welcome to Derry Episode 2 Early for Halloween

HBO Max's horror series "It: Welcome to Derry," a prequel to the original novel and films centered on Pennywise the Clown, has released its second episode early to coincide with Halloween, debuting on October 31 at midnight PT/3 AM ET, ahead of its usual Sunday night slot. The show is set in 1962 and explores a brutal massacre at the Capitol Theater that sets the season's story in motion, with the creators planning for an anthology spanning three seasons that explore different cycles of Pennywise's appearances in 1962, 1935, and 1908. The series aims to surprise viewers by subverting expectations around the familiar story and characters, including exploring the mythology behind the Turtle and its influence on the town of Derry. Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise, while the show features new characters and storylines that deepen the horror and mystery. HBO Max's scheduling change is designed to provide viewers with a spooky Halloween watch without interfering with their plans, and the series is part of HBO's efforts to find new hits in the post-Game of Thrones era. Critical reception has been positive, with praise for the show's precision in horror storytelling and its ability to unsettle audiences.