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Welcome to Derry is upping the ante
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(Image credit: HBO)
IT: Welcome to Derry aired its most terrifying episode yet with episode 5 – but there's one hidden, eerie detail that's been getting steadily creepier involving the opening credits, and you probably haven't even noticed.
The opening credits are already suitably scary, set to the song "A Smile and a Ribbon" by Patience & Prudence. What looks like suburban bliss is slowly revealed to have a darker edge: we see a lobotomy in Juniper Hill Asylum, a smiling teacher showing a nuclear blast to a room full of cowering kids, and glowing yellow eyes from inside the house on Neibolt Street.
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It: Welcome to Derry showrunner breaks down the Stephen King spin-off's scariest episode yet: "This is the beginning of a descent into the depths of darkness, terror, and madness"
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It: Welcome to Derry director says they had full support from HBO for the show's terrifying opening scene, despite it being a NSFW bloodbath: "I thought, 'They're not gonna let us air this'"
Ever since episode 3, the #WelcomeToDerry intro song has become increasingly eerie and filled with sinister ambient background noise and I love when tv shows do that. pic.twitter.com/BBOKRkMvZnNovember 24, 2025
"That's all Andy," confirmed Welcome to Derry's editor, Matthew V. Colonna, on Twitter, referring to series creator Andy Muschietti.
The change has been audible from episode 3, too, as another fan noticed earlier in the show's run:
Anyone else notice episode three’s opening credits in It: Welcome to Derry sounds way more sinister than episode two? First clip’s ep 2, second’s ep 3. Listen to the background. 😳#ITWelcomeToDerry @ITMovieOfficial #WelcomeToDerry pic.twitter.com/AtDu9Dg1RoNovember 11, 2025
IT: Welcome to Derry episode 5 saw the highly anticipated return of Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise, who terrorized the kiddos in the sewers – but was stopped from snacking on Lily by the dropped dagger...
It certainly looks like the kids might have a chance at stopping the clown from getting them, then, but one fan theory around Marge suggests Rich might be done for.
Sign up for the Total Film NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You can keep up to date with the show with our guide to the IT: Welcome to Derry release schedule, or fill out your watchlist with the best shows on HBO Max and all the upcoming Stephen King movies and TV shows.
TOPICS HBO Max
Molly EdwardsSocial Links NavigationDeputy Entertainment EditorI'm the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.
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It: Welcome to Derry Easter eggs and cameos: All the Stephen King and wider franchise references you might have missed
It: Welcome to Derry showrunner breaks down the Stephen King spin-off's scariest episode yet: "This is the beginning of a descent into the depths of darkness, terror, and madness"
It: Welcome to Derry director says they had full support from HBO for the show's terrifying opening scene, despite it being a NSFW bloodbath: "I thought, 'They're not gonna let us air this'"
New look at Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise in IT: Welcome to Derry proves the reveal was worth the wait
Stephen King teases It: Welcome to Derry's "terrifying" first episode, as he gives the horror spin-off his public seal of approval
New Welcome to Derry trailer introduces a Stephen King cinematic universe featuring The Shining, Shawshank Redemption, and an appearance from a young Pennywise
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It: Welcome to Derry showrunner promises "unexpected" things from Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise in the rest of the horror spin-off: "[He] has opportunities with this character that the films did not present"
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Stranger Things creators The Duffer Brothers used the Game of Thrones snowball effect in their storytelling
It: Welcome to Derry showrunner says one of the cruelest moments in episode 5 was originally supposed to be in It: Chapter Two: "It felt like an interesting idea that was wrong"
New look at Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise in IT: Welcome to Derry proves the reveal was worth the wait
New It: Welcome to Derry detail has fans convinced Marge is one of the original Losers' Club's mother, which could spell doom for one of the new characters
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