You've felt it, haven't you? That specific brand of Maine-induced dread that only Stephen King can conjure. Ever since the credits rolled on IT Chapter Two, horror fans have been starving for more Pennywise. Well, the wait is over, but the way we consume TV has gotten so messy lately that most people are just left asking: where can you watch Welcome to Derry without getting lost in a maze of subscriptions?
Honestly, the answer is simpler than it looks, though the branding shuffle between HBO and Max hasn't helped anyone's headache.
The Short Answer: Where Can You Watch Welcome to Derry?
If you're in the United States, there is really only one primary home for this nightmare: Max.
The series officially premiered on October 26, 2025, which was a Sunday—perfect for that "school night" anxiety that the IT franchise thrives on. Because it’s an HBO Original, it lives on the Max streaming platform. You might still hear people call it HBO Max, but the app is just Max now. Basically, if you have a subscription to that purple-ish app, you’re good to go.
For the folks across the pond in the UK, the situation is a tiny bit different. It’s a Sky Exclusive, so you’ll find it on Sky and the NOW streaming service. They usually drop episodes about a day later than the US, so if you're dodging spoilers, stay off Twitter on Sunday nights.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
What about the schedule?
They didn't dump the whole season at once. HBO loves the "watercooler" effect, so they stuck to a weekly release. Here is how the episodes rolled out (and how you can binge them now):
- Episode 1 (The Pilot): October 26, 2025
- Episode 2 (The Thing in the Dark): November 2, 2025
- Episode 3 (Now You See It): November 9, 2025
- Episode 4 (The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet's Function): November 16, 2025
- Episode 5 (29 Neibolt Street): November 23, 2025
- Episode 6 (In the Name of the Father): November 30, 2025
- Episode 7 (The Black Spot): December 7, 2025
- Episode 8 (Winter Fire - Season Finale): December 14, 2025
Why You Can’t Find It on Netflix or Hulu
I see this question all the time. People search for the show on Netflix, and when it doesn't pop up, they think it’s been cancelled or "wiped" from existence. It’s not. Warner Bros. Discovery owns the rights to IT. They aren't about to hand over their crown jewel of horror to a competitor like Netflix.
That said, there is a weird little workaround if you're a Sling TV user. You can actually add Max as a "premium extra" to your Sling account. It’s often a few bucks cheaper if you bundle it that way. You can also get it as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime Video. So, while the show lives on Max, you might be viewing it through the Prime interface if that's how you pay your bills.
Is It Worth the Subscription?
If you're a casual fan, maybe wait for a free trial. But for the King die-hards? It's mandatory. This isn't some cheap cash-in. Andy and Barbara Muschietti—the duo behind the 2017 and 2019 films—are the ones steering the ship here.
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
The story takes us back to 1962. We’re seeing the Hanlon family (yes, Mike Hanlon's ancestors) arriving in Derry. It’s a period piece, which adds this thick layer of 1960s Americana that feels both nostalgic and deeply wrong. The big draw, obviously, is Bill Skarsgård. There were rumors he wouldn't come back, but he did. Seeing him back in the greasepaint is genuinely unsettling in a way that no other horror villain has managed in years.
The show also dives deep into "The Black Spot," a tragic event from King's novel that the movies only briefly touched on. It’s heavy, it’s violent, and it explains a lot about why Derry is the way it is.
Quick Technical Checklist for the Best Experience:
- Resolution: If you have the "Max Ultimate Ad-Free" plan, the show streams in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos. Trust me, you want the Atmos. The sound design with the "deadlights" and the sewer echoes is half the scares.
- Offline Viewing: If you’re traveling, you can download episodes on the Max app, but only on the Standard and Ultimate plans. The "Basic with Ads" plan won't let you.
- ASL Version: Interestingly, Max released a version of the series with American Sign Language (ASL) integrated, which is a pretty cool move for accessibility in the horror genre.
How to Get the Best Price
Look, streaming is getting expensive. If you just want to watch this one show and leave, the "Basic with Ads" plan is usually around $9.99/month. If you hate being interrupted by a Geico commercial right as a clown is eating someone's arm, the Ad-Free version is $16.99.
Pro tip: Check your credit card offers. Amex and Chase frequently have "Max" discounts where you get $25 back if you spend a certain amount. It’s basically like getting two months for free.
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
What to Do Now
If you’ve already figured out where can you watch Welcome to Derry and you’re ready to hit play, make sure you’ve revisited the movies first. While this is a prequel, there are dozens of "Easter eggs" and references to the Muschietti films that you’ll miss if the 2017 version isn't fresh in your mind.
Check your current streaming bundles. If you have the Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle, you already have access—just log into the Max app using your existing credentials. If you're starting fresh, sign up for a single month, binge the eight episodes, and then decide if you want to keep the service for the rest of their library. Just don't look into the storm drains while you're at it.
To get started, head over to the Max website or download the app on your Smart TV, sign in with your provider or a direct subscription, and search for "Welcome to Derry" to begin the eight-episode journey into Pennywise's origins.