Stephen King’s Pennywise the Clown is again making headlines in the UK. Streaming views are rising and rumours swirl about a new prequel series.
LONDON – 1 November 2025 – Pennywise continues to send shivers down spines across the UK. As Halloween approaches, searches for “Pennywise” and “Stephen King’s IT” have jumped. Moreover, streaming numbers for both IT and IT Chapter Two are climbing on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The return of Pennywise is also fuelled by talk of a series called Welcome to Derry. This new show promises a deeper look at the clown’s dark history.
Pennywise and the UK’s Enduring Fascination
Pennywise—the terrifying clown at the heart of Stephen King’s IT—first appeared in the 1986 novel. There, he preyed on children’s fears in the haunted town of Derry, Maine. British horror fans have been fascinated ever since. The character’s legacy grew stronger with the cult classic 1990 miniseries and recent blockbusters.
“Pennywie taps into the old fear of clowns most of us never quite shook off,” said one UK horror film reviewer. “He’s both bizarre and terrifying, and that mixture draws people back again and again.”
When IT released in 2017, and IT Chapter Two followed in 2019, Pennywis became a true horror icon for UK fans. Notably, Bill Skarsgård’s chilling performance still gets people talking. The films’ popularity endures, making the clown a lasting figure in British horror.
UK Fans Bring Pennywise Back to Life
It’s not just the films keeping Pennywie in the spotlight. UK fans are joining in with plenty of enthusiasm. At recent comic cons in London and Manchester, Pennywis costumes and interpretations were everywhere. Across the country, special cinema showings of IT Chapter Two drew crowds of horror lovers who wanted to experience the fright together.
In addition, British fans are active on social media. They share Pennywis artwork, recall their first scary encounters with the clown, and join in on meme trends. Since streaming platforms featured IT and its sequel in their Halloween collections, buzz has only grown.
Pennywise Timeline: Scaring Generations
- 1986: Stephen King’s IT is published, introducing Pennywise the Clown. Read more about the history of Pennywise on the official Stephen King website.
- 1990: Tim Curry’s Pennywise terrifies viewers in the TV miniseries, which became a hit on British screens.
- 2017: IT premieres in cinemas, breaking box office records in the UK and worldwide.
- 2019: IT Chapter Two arrives, keeping Pennywise at the heart of horror culture.
- 2025: New streaming surges and prequel series news make Pennywis trend again among UK fans.
What’s Next for Pennywise the Clown?
With Welcome to Derry in development, UK fans look forward to what the sinister clown brings next. The show should land on Sky Atlantic and NOW following its US debut on HBO Max. This will give British viewers a chance to explore Pennywise’s origins further.
At a special Halloween screening in London, one fan said: “Pennywise is a horror legend. Every time I see those red balloons, I know I’m in for a scare!” For now, many are happy to keep the chills going by rewatching IT and IT Chapter Two online.
