Bold headline: The It universe could keep expanding beyond season one of Welcome to Derry. And yes, a third It installment might actually become a reality.
Welcome to Derry co-creator Barbara Muschietti recently teased fans with the idea that It: Chapter Three could be on the horizon. The Stephen King-created world has already yielded hit adaptations, including the well-received It: Chapter One (2017) and It: Chapter Two (2019). Muschietti indicated there’s still room to grow, suggesting a third film could fit into the larger franchise.
Season 1 of It: Welcome to Derry may be wrapping up, but the door remains open for more exploration. Pennywise the clown (played by Bill Skarsgård) looms large in the story’s lore, hinting at possibilities beyond the events of Chapter Two. In a scene with Marge (Matilda Lawler), Pennywise drops a chilling line about Richie and his friends potentially becoming his downfall—and then adds a shadowy ambiguity about whether that downfall would be a death or a rebirth. That single line leaves ample space for future chapters.
In a conversation with ScreenRant’s Grant Hermanns, Muschietti explained that there are numerous gaps in the It universe still begging to be filled. A fresh cast of characters, new conflicts, and a broader universe could make It: Welcome to Derry the first piece of a larger trilogy or even more than three seasons. She views those gaps not as flaws but as opportunities—questions that invite new storytelling rather than dead ends.
Barbara and her brother Andy Muschietti have long cared about the source material. They’ve loved Stephen King’s novel since adolescence, and their understanding of the book has evolved as they’ve become parents themselves. They recognize that audiences change over time, which fuels their confidence that there will be more stories to tell within this universe. Barbara reassured fans that It: Welcome to Derry is unlikely to be the last project in the It world.
This isn’t a closed book. The It universe remains rich with intriguing characters and unanswered threads. King’s original work contains intentional and unintentional holes alike, which the Muschiettis describe as wonderful opportunities rather than mistakes. During the first season’s production, they uncovered several gaps, and their own experiences revisiting the book as adults provided fresh perspectives. The duo isn’t ready to declare an end just yet.
As of the article’s publication, It: Welcome to Derry and It: Chapter Three, along with potential future seasons, remained questions mark-free in terms of formal renewal from HBO. Yet, given the show’s strong performance and critical praise, a renewal for additional seasons seems highly plausible.
Key details about It: Welcome to Derry season 1
- Release date: October 26, 2025
- Network: HBO
- Directors: Andy Muschietti; Charlotte Hanlon; Jovan Adepo; Leroy Hanlon
- Writers: Jason Fuchs; Stephen King; Austin Guzman
- Franchise: IT (horror, mystery, drama)
- Creators: Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs
If you’re new to the series, It: Welcome to Derry is currently streaming on HBO Max, offering a doorway into a looping horror saga that could keep expanding as new installments and seasons are imagined. The question remains: will the next chapter truly arrive, and if so, what new corners of Derry will it explore? Is Pennywise’s arc destined to escalate or pivot in surprising directions? Share your thoughts on where the story should go next—and whether you think a third It film is the right move for the franchise.
