It: Welcome to Derry just terrified the streaming world. The HBO Max prequel series landed 5.7 million viewers in just 3 days. Released on October 26, 2025, the haunting premiere claimed HBO Max’s 3rd biggest debut ever. Only House of the Dragon and The Last of Us have topped this impressive feat.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- 5.7 million viewers watched the premiere across 3 days
- Third-largest HBO Max series debut behind House of the Dragon (10M+) and The Last of Us
- An 8-episode season with new episodes airing Sundays on HBO
- Episode 2 dropped early on October 31 for Halloween
- Stars Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in the 1962 setting
The Terrifying Numbers Behind Welcome to Derry
Horror fans answered the call. It: Welcome to Derry delivered dominant viewership across all platforms.
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HBO Max measured 5.7 million viewers in the United States during the first 3 days. This total combines viewing data from both HBO linear television and the Max streaming platform. The premiere beat out fellow Sunday night predecessor Task, which debuted to 3.1 million viewers.
“It: Welcome to Derry frightened an impressive audience with its premiere, landing within the top-three show debuts on HBO Max to date.”
The success placed Welcome to Derry ahead of countless other high-profile launches. Only two shows achieved higher inaugural viewership: House of the Dragon debuted with over 10 million viewers in a single day. The Last of Us sitting solidly in second position.
Why This Matters for Horror Television
Horror is having its moment on streaming platforms.
The strong premiere signals HBO Max viewers crave dark, atmospheric storytelling. Welcome to Derry proves that prequel series can generate serious viewer engagement. The show expands Stephen King’s It universe in fresh directions. Director Andy Muschietti brings his film expertise to television for the first time through this project.
Early critical response praised the show’s visceral approach. The premiere shocked audiences with its unflinching storytelling. Welcome to Derry creates atmosphere beyond what the theatrical films offered. The 1962 setting allows deep character exploration of the town itself.
Content creators confirm viewer hunger for quality horror drama. Streaming platforms now recognize horror series draw sustained engagement. Welcome to Derry demonstrates audiences will commit to 8-episode seasons featuring supernatural horror elements.
Understanding the Viewership Framework
HBO Max measured viewership across two distinct distribution channels:
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Viewers | 5.7 million across all platforms |
| Measurement Period | First 3 days after premiere |
| Geographic Region | United States only |
| HBO Max Rank | 3rd biggest debut in platform history |
| Release Date | October 26, 2025 |
These numbers represent multiplatform viewing data combining HBO cable channel viewership with Max streaming numbers. Nielsen and Max‘s proprietary measurement systems track viewing activity. Both traditional television watchers and streaming-only subscribers count equally in tallies.
The 3-day window captures premiere-night momentum. Most viewers watch debut episodes within the first weekend. This measurement approach differs from theatrical releases tracked by box office analytics.
What to Expect from the Rest of Season 1
Eight episodes of frights are coming. Welcome to Derry initially aired Episode 2 on October 31, moved up for Halloween celebration.
- Regular Sundays on HBO and HBO Max continue through finale
- The prequel expands Pennywise’s origins in 1962 Derry, Maine
- Cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Jovan Adepo, and Taylour Paige
- Showrunners promise deeper dives into It’s mythology
- Social media reactions suggest strong episode-to-episode retention
Creator Andy Muschietti directs from a television perspective. The expanded runtime allows character depth impossible in movies. Welcome to Derry balances horror scares with compelling personal stories.
Can Welcome to Derry Sustain This Momentum?
Strong premieres don’t guarantee series success. Can Welcome to Derry hold audience momentum through eight episodes?
The early critical reception leans positive. Horror fan communities actively discuss each episode extensively. HBO Max benefits from sustained weekly discussion driving social engagement. Halloween episode timing generated additional buzz.
Prequel series face unique challenges. Audiences know key outcomes going in. Welcome to Derry compensates with fresh character perspectives and atmospheric storytelling. Viewers invest emotionally in the townspeople facing supernatural threats.
Success or failure hinges on character development and scare execution. Sustainable viewership requires viewers return weekly for emotional investment alongside horror elements. Will Episode 2 viewership match or exceed the 5.7 million premiere number? Early indications suggest HBO Max secured a hit series that justifies continued investment in horror programming.
Sources
- TheWrap – Comprehensive premiere ratings analysis and breakdown
- Variety – Critical reception and viewership rankings
- Deadline – Industry reporting on HBO Max performance metrics
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.