In a massive shake-up of Hollywood, Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros, including its film and television studios and the HBO catalogue, in a deal worth roughly $82.7 billion. This acquisition, expected to close in 2026, will bring under Netflix’s umbrella iconic franchises and premium content once controlled by Warner and HBO.
This potential merger isn’t just big business — it could have real implications for cross-media collaborations in gaming, notably in horror titles like Dead by Daylight.
Dead by Daylight and Netflix: A Strong Partnership
Dead by Daylight (DBD), Behaviour Interactive’s asymmetrical horror multiplayer game, has been no stranger to high-profile crossovers with major IPs:
In 2023, the Stranger Things chapter returned to Dead by Daylight after being removed in 2021 due to licensing issues — a clear sign of strong collaboration between Netflix and the game’s developers.
Building on this, Stranger Things Chapter 2 is confirmed for January 2026, featuring characters like Vecna, Eleven, and Dustin, alongside legendary outfits for Eddie and Robin.
This ongoing relationship shows Netflix has both influence and willingness to license its properties into DBD — a partnership strengthened by shared interests in horror and fantasy content.
What It: Welcome to Derry Is — And Why It Matters
One of the standout pieces of HBO’s recent content is It: Welcome to Derry, a supernatural horror series based on Stephen King’s It universe.
The show is a prequel to the It films (It and It: Chapter Two). It explores the haunted history of Derry, Maine, decades before the events of the 2017 and 2019 movies.
It premiered on HBO in late 2025 and is planned to extend through multiple seasons, diving deeper into the sinister forces at work in the town.
At the heart of the story is Pennywise, the monstrous antagonist from Stephen King’s novel. But Pennywise isn’t just a sinister clown — he is a trans-dimensional, malevolent entity that preys upon the fears (and lives) of Derry’s children and adults alike, appearing roughly every 27 years. This terrifying figure has been portrayed memorably on screen by Bill Skarsgård, who reprises the role in Welcome to Derry.
Why Pennywise Could Be Dead by Daylight’s Next Big Licensed Killer
Here’s why the Warner Bros acquisition matters for DBD:
Hollywood IP Under One Roof
If Netflix absorbs Warner and HBO’s content, franchises like IT — including Welcome to Derry — will sit alongside Netflix originals like Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, and others already featured or speculated in Dead by Daylight.A Proven Collaboration Track Record
Netflix’s successful licensing of Stranger Things to DBD — even after contract complications — suggests Netflix values integrating its IP into the game if fans want it.Shared Horror DNA
Pennywise is one of horror’s most iconic figures: his inclusion would be a huge draw for DBD’s community and fits naturally with the game’s theme. Under a unified Netflix-Warner catalogue, negotiating rights or making Pennywise licensed content officially part of the game could become significantly simpler compared to dealing with separate studios or rights holders.Future Seasons and Expanded Lore
With Welcome to Derry expected to run across multiple seasons and deepen Pennywise’s story, there’s more source material to draw upon for a DBD chapter — something that might excite both players and narrative designers.
A Possible Win-Win for Fans and Netflix
Bringing Pennywise into Dead by Daylight wouldn’t just be a corporate deal — it would signal Netflix’s willingness to actively integrate acquired Warner properties into interactive media. Pennywise is already part of the modern horror lexicon, and with Welcome to Derry keeping the character relevant on screens, his presence in the Fog of Dead by Daylight feels like a natural next step in cross-platform horror storytelling.
If Netflix fully integrates Warner Bros and HBO, that unified library could unlock a wave of new licensed characters in Dead by Daylight — with Pennywise potentially leading the charge.
P.S.: FOLLOW LEAKSBYDAYLIGHT ON FACEBOOK, TIKTOK, TWITTER/X, INSTAGRAM, DISCORD, BLUESKY:
Stranger Things Chapter 2 Info New Contents! Read More…
Pennywise is Coming to Dead by Daylight? Read More…
Renjiro Yamaoka as March Survivor in DbD? Read More…