Pennywise the Dancing Clown is back – and he’s not staying in Derry. In a viral marketing blitz that’s left pedestrians frozen in terror, HBO unleashed the shape-shifting horror from Stephen King’s IT universe on unsuspecting cities worldwide this week. Red balloons emblazoned with the clown’s eerie grin popped up everywhere from Central Park to the Eiffel Tower, accompanied by actors in full Pennywise makeup lurking in the shadows.

Dubbed the “Red Balloon Takeover,” the stunt kicked off October 21 with mysterious balloons appearing on social media, quickly spilling into real life. By Wednesday, Pennywise – played once again by Bill Skarsgård – was spotted in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Madrid, Manila, Mexico City, São Paulo, Sydney, Dubai and more. In one jaw-dropping moment, a massive hot air balloon version of the clown hovered over Cappadocia, Turkey, grinning down at stunned tourists.

“We leaned into what makes IT iconic: Pennywise, the red balloon and fear,” HBO Max’s VP of global originals marketing Alex Diamond told outlets. The campaign transformed urban landmarks into Derry nightmares – balloons tied to sewer grates in NYC, clusters drifting through Paris streets, even Pennywise posing for selfies with freaked-out fans in Brooklyn.

Fans lost it online. X erupted with videos of the invasions: “Saw Pennywise in Times Square… ran like hell 😂 #WelcomeToDerry,” one user posted, racking up thousands of views. Another shared a clip of balloons floating over a Manila mall: “They’re here. We’re all gonna float. 🎈😱” The stunt tapped into the primal dread of King’s 1986 novel, where the balloons lure kids to their doom.

All this hype builds to IT: Welcome to Derry, the HBO prequel series that dropped its first episode October 26 – just in time for Halloween. Episode 2 hits early Friday at midnight PT to coincide with the holiday. Created by IT director Andy Muschietti and his sister Barbara, alongside Jason Fuchs, the eight-episode season dives into 1962 Derry, Maine. It follows a family – including Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige as parents Leroy and Charlotte Hanlon – who move to town amid child disappearances. Bill Skarsgård reprises his nightmare fuel as Pennywise, whose origins get unpacked in brutal detail.

“We wanted to explore Pennywise’s roots,” Muschietti said in interviews. “This is hardcore – fear as a weapon.” Early reviews praise the scares: 77% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, 82% audience score. Stephen King himself called the premiere “amazing” and “terrifying.”

The series expands King’s lore, blending novel flashbacks with fresh horrors. Expect Losers’ Club ties – it’s set right before the 2017 film’s events – plus anthology vibes spanning Derry’s cursed history every 27 years. Made-up controversies? None yet, but some gripe about “dated” Native American nods. Still, horror hounds are hooked.

Merch mania followed: NECA figures, Funko Pops, Loungefly bags, even Pennywise Crocs and Corn Flakes boxes promising “a delicious bowl of fear.” X buzzed with fan recreations – 3D-printed balloons, cosplay showdowns.

Skarsgård, who nearly passed on returning, dove deep: “This Pennywise is more human – and scarier for it.” Cast heavy-hitters like Chris Chalk, James Remar and Madeleine Stowe round out the ensemble.

Stream Sundays on HBO/Max through December 14 finale. Episode drops vary globally – JioHotstar in India, Sky in UK. Producers eye three seasons total.

NYC fan @HorrorFanatic23 summed it: “Balloons everywhere had me checking sewers. Show delivers – Pennywise owns Episode 1.”

HBO’s gamble paid off: Views spiked post-premiere, social chatter exploded. But beware – that stray balloon on your block? Might not be innocent.

Grab popcorn (not the floating kind), dim lights and float into Derry. You’ll laugh, scream… and sleep with lights on.