The phenomenal popularity of “Stranger Things” on Netflix has led to numerous other shows adopting its distinctive sci-fi style and atmosphere, while also sparking a quest for the next horror series centered around teenagers that will fill the void left by the finale. When it first premiered, “Stranger Things” struck a unique chord by blending horror, science fiction, action, mystery, humor, and nostalgia for past decades, with young teens at its core. Initially launching as a massive new success for Netflix in 2016, “Stranger Things” is now concluding its run with season 5, which is scheduled to premiere on the streaming platform around late 2025.
Since its debut, the formula of Stranger Things has been imitated more frequently and has proven effective in some recent horror and sci-fi adaptations that were initially inspired by the stories on which Netflix’s series is based. It’s widely acknowledged that Stephen King’s work, particularly his novels like Firestarter, Carrie, IT, and The Body, served as a significant inspiration for the dark experiences and relationships of the teen characters in Stranger Things. Interestingly, these influences are now reciprocating, as HBO’s upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s IT novel seems to be drawing from the playbook of Stranger Things.
IT: Welcome To Derry Feels Like A Much More Horror-Centric Stranger Things-Style Show
Stranger Things Is Already Partially Influenced By Stephen King’s Original IT Book
Following the unveiling of the trailer for “IT: Welcome to Derry”, there’s an unmistakable resemblance between the upcoming HBO horror series and the ambiance of Stranger Things. It’s worth noting that Stranger Things has previously been likened to Stephen King’s IT novel, raising a bit of a conundrum regarding the comparisons for Welcome to Derry’s series, which serves as a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 IT movies. However, the plot, characters, and atmosphere of IT: Welcome to Derry appear to be shaping up a fascinating new teen-focused horror series similar to Stranger Things.
Similar to the charm of ‘Stranger Things’, ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ delves into a nostalgic horror style, but with its first season being set in the 1960s instead of the 1980s. Instead of confronting Demogorgons, Mind Flayers, and Vecna, the teen characters in ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ will be facing Bill Skarsgård’s chilling villain, Pennywise the Clown. However, unlike Hawkins, Indiana which has seen its fair share of terrifying entities related to the Upside Down, the horrors and darkness that haunt Derry, Maine are in a league of their own.
In contrast to how Stranger Things season 4 amplified its horror elements compared to earlier seasons, IT: Welcome to Derry takes this fright factor even further. Unlike Stranger Things, which includes a blend of action, sci-fi, and comedy, IT: Welcome to Derry leans more towards the terrifying Henry Creel-inspired horror elements seen in season 4 of Stranger Things. Just like in season 4 of Stranger Things, we can expect some chilling disappearances and deaths of children in a small town, with a group of young investigators banding together to explore the mystery on their own bikes.
The IT Franchise Already Has A Big Stranger Things Connection
Finn Wolfhard Has Starred In Both
The similarities between Derry and Stranger Things go beyond shared aesthetic, plotlines, and Stephen King influences; they even share a common actor. Finn Wolfhard, known for playing Mike Wheeler in all five seasons of Stranger Things, also appeared in IT (2017) and IT: Chapter Two as Richie Tozier. Interestingly, IT marked Wolfhard’s first feature film role, having been released in theaters less than a month before Stranger Things season 2 premiered on Netflix.
| Title | Finn Wolfhard Character |
|---|---|
| Stranger Things | Mike Wheeler |
| It & It: Chapter Two | Richie Tozier |
The success of the IT films was undeniably boosted by the popularity of Stranger Things, and having a shared cast member only added to the appeal of the Stephen King movies. However, since Welcome to Derry season 1 takes place 27 years before the first IT movie, Finn Wolfhard’s Richie character won’t appear in the prequel series, along with the rest of the Losers Club members. Instead, the series is connected to Mike Hanlon, a member of the Loser’s Club, as it is based on the interludes he wrote during his investigation into Derry’s sinister past.
IT: Welcome To Derry’s 3-Season Plan Means It Should Continue Long After Stranger Things Ends
IT: Welcome To Derry Could Have A Long Life On HBO
It’s plausible that both “IT: Welcome to Derry” and “Stranger Things” Season 5 could come out in quick sequence, as neither series has announced a specific release date yet, with “IT: Welcome to Derry” set to premiere on HBO in fall 2025 and “Stranger Things” Season 5 teased for 2025 without a more precise schedule this year. Since “IT: Welcome to Derry” is scheduled for weekly releases instead of all at once, the timing could potentially align closely between the two series.
Despite the upcoming end of Stranger Things, it’s anticipated that “Welcome to Derry” will continue to be a lasting presence. In sharing their future plans for the show, creator Andy Muschietti mentioned that the series intends to span three seasons, delving into Derry’s history in reverse chronological order. With Pennywise’s attacks happening every 27 years, the first season will concentrate on the 1962 disaster, the second will unfold in 1935, and the third will be set in 1908.
Welcome to Derry” shares a similar atmosphere and storyline with the Duffer Brothers’ series.
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2025-05-23 15:38