This article contains spoilers for IT: Welcome to Derry's episode 1.

2025's first Stephen King show seems to have a lot to learn from HBO's IT: Welcome to Derry .

IT: Welcome to Derry has only premiered with one episode so far. Despite this, the show has already set a high bar for not just Stephen King adaptations but horror shows in general. Interestingly, though, it is not the only Stephen King TV show of the year. Before it landed on HBO, MGM+ delivered an adaptation of Stephen King's The Institute .

While IT: Welcome to Derry has earned mostly favorable reviews from critics, The Institute 's reception was relatively more mixed. Still, 2025's first Stephen King TV show managed to perform well enough to earn a renewal. Before it returns to TV with season 2, though

See Full Page