The first season of It: Welcome to Derry is hitting its halfway mark. The latest Stephen King adaptation to hit television takes audiences back to the fictional town of Derry, Maine, where many of the author’s stories are set. The series expands the story of It by delving into the past. The year is 1962, and Derry is enduring another era of violence caused by the extra-dimensional entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. 

The horror series is co-created by Andy Muschietti and his wife, Barbara — the duo behind 2017’s It and the sequel that followed two years later — and Jason Fuchs. Actor Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise.

Also starring in the series are Jovan Adepo, Clara Stack, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Rudy Mancuso, Jack Molloy Legault, Mikkal Karim Fidler, Stephen Rider and Madeleine Stowe.

Read on for more information about how to watch It: Welcome to Derry and how a VPN might assist you.

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It: Welcome to Derry streaming release schedule

The fourth episode of It: Welcome to Derry will premiere on Sunday, Nov. 16, on HBO Max. The new episode will hit HBO on the same day at 6 p.m. ET/ 9 p.m. PT. There are eight episodes in the season, and the finale is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 14.

Here’s the complete episodic release schedule:

• Episode 1: The Pilot — Sunday, Oct. 26
• Episode 2: The Thing in the Dark — Sunday, Nov. 2
• Episode 3: Now You See It — Sunday, Nov. 9
• Episode 4: The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet’s Function — Sunday, Nov.16
• Episode 5: Sunday, Nov. 23
• Episode 6: Sunday, Nov. 30
• Episode 7: Sunday, Dec. 7
• Episode 8: Sunday, Dec. 14

You’ll need a monthly or annual subscription to HBO Max if you want to watch It: Welcome to Derry. The ad-based plan is now $11 a month, and its ad-free subscriptions are $18.50 (Standard) and $23 (Premium). If you’re looking for extra value, I suggest checking out the Max, Hulu and Disney Plus megabundle, but the price has increased for both bundle offerings as well.

How to watch It: Welcome to Derry with a VPN

If you’re traveling abroad and want to keep up with your favorite shows while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins.

VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.

If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions, ensuring you’re connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN use is crucial.

ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN; the service is compatible with a variety of devices. It’s typically $13 a month but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100, you’ll get four months free and save 70%. 

Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.