Why So Many Turtles Appear In It: Welcome To Derry

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WARNING: This article includes SPOILERS for IT: Welcome to Derry episode 1!

The premiere of ‘Welcome to Derry’ includes several appearances by turtles, a detail that’s actually quite important to the overall story. The first episode of HBO Max’s ‘IT’ prequel is finally here, and fans will find it was worth the wait.

From its unsettling beginning to the shocking events at the cinema, “It: Welcome to Derry” promises to be just as frightening as the original films. Plus, a clever nod to previous “It” stories suggests the show will expand on the existing mythology, offering fans more than just scares.

Though turtles appear throughout the first episode of It: Welcome to Derry, seemingly as a nod to the film adaptations, they’re actually a reference to the original books and foreshadow events later in the series.

It: Welcome To Derry Episode 1 Features Multiple Turtles

The first time you see a turtle is near the school’s sign, which features “Bert the Turtle” telling people to duck and cover. This is a nod to a public service announcement from 1951 that used Bert the Turtle to teach safety procedures. Later, the turtle appears as the school’s mascot inside the building.

Turtle References So Far Movie/Show
Bill’s Lego turtle IT
Turtle on the wallpaper in Bill’s house IT
The turtle in the quarry IT
A turtle sticker on Beverly’s book IT
The turtle stuffed animal on Ben’s summer school desk IT: Chapter Two
The Turtle statue outside Ben’s house IT: Chapter Two
Bert The Turtle IT: Welcome to Derry
Lilly’s turtle charm on her bracelet IT: Welcome to Derry

Afterward, Lily and Matty opened their Cracker Jacks prizes. Lily received a rocket ship, and Matty got a turtle. They swapped, and Lily commented that turtles bring good luck. She wore the turtle on her bracelet every day. It’s not surprising that she was the only one to survive the attack by the strange baby bat at the theater – it seems like more than just chance.

Turtles Have A Deeper Meaning In Stephen King’s It – Maturin Explained

Throughout Andy Muschietti’s It films, you might notice turtles appearing—and that’s intentional. These turtles are a nod to Maturin, a significant character in Stephen King’s book It, though he hasn’t been featured in any of the movie adaptations yet. Maturin is an important figure in the larger universe Stephen King has created.

Maturin is a powerful entity in Stephen King’s work, playing a key role in the overarching story of The Dark Tower and linking it to books like IT. According to King’s mythology, Maturin even created our universe – the story goes he did so while experiencing a stomachache! In IT, Maturin acts as a protector of the children terrorized by the evil entity IT, and provides help to the group of friends known as the Losers Club.

Even though Maturin is a significant figure in the It story, he hasn’t been shown in any of the movie adaptations. There were plans to include him in It: Chapter Two, but the scene was ultimately removed. The new TV series, however, seems likely to finally introduce the character. This makes sense, as director Andy Muschietti has stated the show, It: Welcome to Derry, will tie into the larger Dark Tower universe.

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2025-10-27 22:29