HBO Max has officially confirmed that It: Welcome to Derry Episode 2 will release early to mark Halloween 2025. The second installment of the chilling prequel to Stephen King’s It drops for streaming on October 31 at 12 a.m. PT / 3 a.m. ET, giving horror fans a perfect reason to stay up through the spooky night.
Titled “The Thing in the Dark,” the episode continues exploring the mysterious and terrifying beginnings of Pennywise and the dark history of Derry. Fans can stream it early on HBO Max, while the televised airing on HBO will take place on Sunday, November 2 at 9 p.m. ET.
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Global Release Timings
HBO Max’s early release means global fans can tune in simultaneously. The episode will be available at the following times across key regions:
- US: 12 a.m. PT / 3 a.m. ET
- UK: 7 a.m. GMT (on Sky Max and NowTV)
- Europe: 3 a.m. CEST / 4 a.m. EEST
- India: 6:30 a.m. IST
- Australia: 11 a.m. AEST
- New Zealand: 1 p.m. NZDT
- Brazil: 10 p.m. BRT (Oct 30 night)
The synchronized release ensures that viewers worldwide can experience Pennywise’s return without the fear of spoilers.
Episode 2: “The Thing in the Dark” – Plot Overview
Set in the 1960s, It: Welcome to Derry acts as a terrifying origin story for the entity known as “It.” The second episode digs deeper into how the creature’s sinister influence took hold of the small Maine town. It delves into the town’s recurring cycles of tragedy and introduces new characters who begin to suspect that something ancient and evil lurks beneath their feet.
Follow every lead.
Don’t miss an early release of Episode 2 on Halloween. Episode 1 of #ITWelcomeToDerry is now streaming. pic.twitter.com/DPwZ9RTb4X
— IT: Welcome to Derry 🎈🎈 (@ITMovieOfficial) October 29, 2025
According to HBO, the series seeks to answer key questions- How did It come to Derry? Why does it stay? And why does Pennywise the Dancing Clown remain its chosen form?
Episode 2 promises a mix of psychological horror, human drama, and moments of raw terror as townspeople uncover disturbing truths tied to Derry’s history.
Inside the Minds Behind the Madness
The series is created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the same team that brought It (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019) to life. Co-creator Jason Fuchs revealed that Episode 2 will reveal new layers of Pennywise’s personality — not just as a monster but as a presence deeply connected to Derry itself.
“We wanted to understand why It takes the forms it does, and what draws it to the fears of people,” Fuchs explained. “This is a more intimate, yet more terrifying, look at Pennywise.”
Director Andy Muschietti hinted that fans should prepare for unexpected turns, saying that early episodes were designed to keep audiences guessing and unsettled.
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Episode Count and Schedule
It: Welcome to Derry will feature eight episodes in total. Following the Halloween special early drop, the series returns to its regular Sunday 9 p.m. ET slot. The finale is expected to air on December 14, 2025.
Upcoming episodes will further connect the series to Stephen King’s wider universe, with the return of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) from The Shining and hints of military involvement in Derry’s growing chaos.
What to Expect Next
Episode 2 teases intense sewer sequences, an ongoing police investigation into the theater massacre, and Pennywise’s horrifying transformation scenes. As Derry’s residents descend into fear and confusion, fans can expect the tension to rise and the line between myth and nightmare to blur even further.
This Halloween, Derry’s darkest secret resurfaces and the clown is only getting started.