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San Diego Comic-Con is where I can be who I am - an adult who brings their toddler to the It: Welcome to Derry screening

He is screaming and begging to leave because he is having a good time at the It prequel series screening

Features by Grant DeArmitt, Staff Writer

Published on Sun Jul 27 2025

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There’s truly nothing like being in a huge crowd to watch horror, doubly so when that crowd is getting a sneak peak of a new and exciting project. Such were the sensations at the It: Welcome to Derry panel at this year’s San Diego Comic Con: the resonance of the Derry musical theme, the flits of clown-shaped shadows across the dark screen, and of course, the accompanying wail of my three-year-old.

Yes, we brought the whole happy family to watch scenes of Pennywise gutting some barely-older children, and the stadium grade speakers made sure we got the full audio experience too! I can’t always imagine what’s going on in little Grant Jr.’s brain (which the doctors say is “still alarmingly delicate”), but I like to think that he felt just as at home as I did. “Home” was, as a matter of fact, most of what the little guy was saying, mixed in with the occasional “please.”

I can’t help but wonder if this is how my own father felt at our own pre-screening of that symbol of familiar togetherness, Misery (another Stephen King!). Sure, the budgets weren’t quite as big back then - just think of how silly Paul Sheldon’s leg looks compared to what my son saw the other night - but what hasn’t changed is the purpose of any horror screening. That is, the simple joy of a fully grown adult bringing their preschool child into terrors beyond their reckoning.

And the best part? I (oh sorry, we!) get to share that joy with all of you. Thanks, San Diego!

In the immortal words of Danny Elfman, "Life's no fun without a good scare." Join Popverse's weekly explorations of the best opening moments of horror cinema in The Coldest Open, and then check out:

And much gore. Er, more. Much more.

About Comic-Con International: San Diego 2025

Comic-Con is the premier event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, television, gaming, interactive multimedia, and so much more! Enjoy cosplay galore and take part in unique programming, exclusive previews, and presentations, not to mention the expansive and diverse Exhibit Hall featuring merchandise and displays representing all fandoms.

Dates

Jul 23 - Jul 27

Location

San Diego
United States

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Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.