Despite the franchise ending back in 2011, the Harry Potter movies continue to be a popular part of the pop culture landscape. Folks regularly re-watch the Potter films (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription), and they are also celebrating the original movie's 25th anniversary. And AMC theaters are selling some magical popcorn buckets that I'm going to need to purchase for myself ASAP. Let's break it all down.

While folks are waiting for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, it's also time to celebrate just how long it's been since The Sorcerer's Stone hit theaters back in 2001. A glimpse at the anniversary popcorn buckets was available at San Diego Comic-Con (via Instagram), and you can check out their epic designs below:

I mean, how cool are these? Both of these new AMC buckets have magical designs, immortalizing some of the most iconic aspects of the Wizarding World as a whole. Given the property's ongoing popularity, I have to assume that they're both going to quickly sell out.

While the Dune popcorn bucket remains arguably the most iconic (and infamous), these two Harry Potter ones are pretty gorgeous. In the above video, we see that the first is based on the Hogwarts Express, which transports students from the school to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The other looks like the Nimbus 2000 broom, which comes apart and becomes a stand for your bucket. Per the clip, they'll both be coming to AMC theaters in late August.

While some theaters' popcorn bucket designs are more successful than others, I think that both of these Harry Potter ones look absolutely gorgeous. And while they might be a bit bulky, they both look actually practical in their ability to store popcorn. They both look awesome as well, which is why I have to assume they'll sell out upon arriving in theaters. After all, Wizarding World fans span multiple generations. While we wait, you can check out the teaser for the Harry Potter TV show below.

Harry Potter has been a popular IP for decades now, starting with J.K. Rowling's books, and expanding to movies, video games, theme parks, and stage plays. While the Fantastic Beasts franchise is officially dead, there is still a ton of ongoing love for stories centered around Harry's time at Hogwarts. Although I'm still wondering what would have gone down with the final two Fantastic movies if the studio hadn't pulled the plug.

Luckily for young fans, all eight Harry Potter films are going to come back to theaters to celebrate the first movie's 25th anniversary. There are some moviegoers who will be seeing them on the big screen for the first time after years of streaming, so why not elevate the experience with an epic popcorn bucket?

The Harry Potter movies are expected to return to theaters on August 27th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Tickets will go on sale July 31st, while the TV series will premiere December 25th on HBO.

There are major IPs, and then there's the Harry Potter movies. Generations have grown up with the Wizarding World, and the eight films (which are streaming with a HBO Max subscription) continue to be wildly popular. The Harry Potter cast continues to be synonymous with their roles, including Lavender Brown actress Jessie Cave who went viral for joining OnlyFans. And she recently spoke about how "funny" it is being a Potter alum on the website.

While Cave admits she gets unsolicited nudes while using OF, her content is actually focused on her hair. Namely styling her long hair in intricate ways, rather than actually going nude or putting out explicitly sexual content. In a video from The Observer's TikTok, the 39 year-old content creator spoke about her ongoing association with Potter. She said:

While some folks might argue that the actress isn't actually doing any thing sexual, her OnlyFans videos and photos are considered adult content. Jessie Cave has missed out on some opportunities as a result of her account, specifically convention appearances. Plenty of Harry Potter actors make money at these events, but some of them have excluded Cave thanks to her account.

Later in the same video, Cave spoke about she only discovered the concept of hair fetishes after putting out her content. In her words:

This is definitely a different perspective on OF than folks might be familiar with. Because not only is Jessie Cave not doing explicit acts on her page, she thinks that the outlet is about more than sexual content. Instead, she thinks that folks just want to feel connection to content creators... and are willing to spend money to have that moment.

Funny enough, Cave's comments do seem to echo a plot line that happened in Euphoria Season 3. During it Sydney Sweeney's Cassie joined the site, and had similar arguments about her subscribers wanting to be seen and have a moment online with her.

The Harry Potter movies are streaming now on HBO Max, and fans are gearing up for the upcoming Potter TV show, which will premiere on December 25th as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

We still have some time before Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone is available to stream with an HBO Max subscription. In the meantime, though rest assured that the team did all it could to ensure the series was ready for the 2026 TV schedule. Cinematographer Adriano Goldman talked about the tight deadlines for the series, in part because they had to adhere to specific guidelines with the child actors. And, honestly, I never imagined how "brutal" the process would be.

The producers of the upcoming Harry Potter series had a ton of children audition and, while Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton have the honor of playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione, respectively, it doesn't mean they get to cease their studies and abandon school entirely. That makes sense, though Goldman told Andre Pilli that working with kids added a layer of difficulty to the filming process:

I don't think Adriano Goldman is advocating that child actors shouldn't be learning and spend all of their free time on the set, but rather acknowledging that working with children presents a lot more problems than with an all-adult cast. This is more inside baseball and how the bread is made, presenting the technical part to filming people may not understand. This is an intriguing layer to production that I didn't really consider against the backdrop of such a massive production.

Of course, filming a show with kids is not new in the industry, and Goldman confirmed they have ways of making it work. He shared the secret, and I can certainly understand why this particular method would be helpful:

Adriano Goldman said that because of the time constraints with child actors, he and the crew of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone try to pre-shoot as much of the scene as possible, so that they can focus solely on the scenes with the children when they're available. He noted that it added to the difficulty because the filming of a scene is often done out of sequence, but I would imagine it's better than trying to do it the proper way with the allotted time they have with the young stars.

As for what that time is, Goldman explained that they'll usually have an hour and a half in the morning, and then the kids can return in the afternoon after school. While he spoke to it being though from a production standpoint, I can't help but feel for 12-year-old Dominic McLaughlin, who had to go straight from school to set on a daily basis!

It's a lot of work for everyone involved, but I hope the sight of that first look at the HP show makes it all worth it in the end for the cast and crew. Obviously, there are going to be a lot of critiques about Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone and, while veteran actors like Paapa Essiedu and Nick Frost are prepared for that, I hope the younger cast is as well.

The Philosopher's Stone is primed to provide a fresh take on the Wizarding World and, given the TV medium, there's more time to focus on events that happened in the books that the movies left out. I'm excited to see those added bits most of all, especially the scenes that feature the ghosts, who were largely left out of the movies when they were made. In the meantime, though, I'm hopeful that the cast and crew continue to work through that grueling filming schedule accordingly.

Harry Potter is set to arrive on HBO and HBO Max this Christmas. I'm going to be watching while unwrapping gifts and hope to hear that others are doing the same this holiday season.

One of the best additions to the Harry Potter film cast came in 2007's Order of the Phoenix, as the franchise introduced Luna Lovegood on the big screen. Played by Evanna Lynch, the Hufflepuff student was a side character who truly came through for Harry when he was dealing with personal trauma. Lynch's portrayal of Luna is still widely loved, and she apparently put a lot of work into it. As a matter of fact, I just found out the Irish actress made a cool BTS contribution to her character, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Luna Lovegood doesn't have a lot of screen time in the Potter movies. But we still got to know her zany nature not only through her knowledge of nargals and wrackspurts, but through her wardrobe. Whether she’s wearing a giant lion-topped hat or a pair of Spectrespecs, the Hogwarts student has got a rather unique style that she’s not ashamed of. I love her fashion, so I was delighted to learn that Lynch helped craft the outfits. Harry Potter costume designer Jany Temime recalled this during an episode of the franchise’s official podcast as shared on Instagram:

I love that! What especially impresses me is that Evanna Lynch made those kooky earrings, as they’re truly very fitting for the character’s lovably bizarre nature. I mean, it’s not every day you see a girl sport vegetable-like accessories. But, of course, now those accessories have become iconic. And, aside from the jewelry, Lynch -- appeared in the final four Harry Potter movies -- provided another quintessential piece for Luna. As Temime explained:

Hold the phone — Lynch created the lion mask?! My mind continues to be blown. Clearly, the young actress deserved a co-costume designer credit.

Lynch was truly born to play Luna. Before being cast, she was already a die-hard fan of the books, she even sent fan mail to Daniel Radcliffe. Lynch previously admitted, that after landed the role, she sought perfection during filming and tried to nail every line and movement. But, after seeing co-stars Helena Bonham Carter and Jason Isaacs goofing around in the midst of serious scenes, she knew she’d be fine.

It's amazing that even years after the Harry Potter movie series ended, there are still plenty of sweet behind-the-scenes facts to learn. These comments about Evanna Lynch also speak to the keen collaborations the cast and crew had as they brought the Wizarding World to laugh. Moving forward, when I watch Lynch's performance, I'll have an even greater appreciation for her work.

You can watch Luna Lovegood and the rest of your favorite Harry Potter characters by streaming the movies with a Peacock subscription or an HBO Max subscription.

Epic Universe is having an amazing summer. Just weeks after celebrating its first birthday, Universal Orlando started testing a new fireworks display. That finally broke big for crowds this week, and head honcho Michael Aiello sent a sweet message to theme park fans as the show garnered its first reactions online. Meanwhile, along with the new display, the theme park is finally figuring out late night events, which should both prove to be a cash cow for the parks and a fun change up for the fans.

Let’s break it all down.

The Sweet Message Michael Aiello Shared With Universal Orlando Fans

Senior Director Of Entertainment Creative Development Michael Aiello has long been a fixture at the Universal theme parks. He was there to comment on the grand opening of “Celestial Goodnight,” the combination light show, water show and fireworks show that is now running as the park closes each night. One thing I hadn’t really thought through about the big fireworks show was that it marks the first time the parks have had a nightly fireworks event in “decades.”

When I think about it, a lot of Universal’s other nighttime events are things like The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle, which is beautiful and fun, but is a show based around projections on the famous school for Witchcraft and Wizardry. CineSational is also popular, but uses drones instead of fireworks for its nighttime display.

Aiello also said on X (Twitter) it took a lot of work to bring this addition to Epic’s closing show.

Meanwhile, fans online could not stop posting video after video of the gorgeous display online, if you’ve been wanting a taste of what you can get if you shell out for an Epic Universe ticket.

It really does look like it caps the night off in the perfect way, doesn’t it?

Epic Universe Is Also Making Good On Later Hours

In an announcement this week, Universal Orlando also mentioned the parks will stay open later on select nights. This is good news and bad news. A lot of people really love staying in the parks as late as possible. While Epic Universe has listened to fan comments and pushed hours a bit later, the parks aren’t open late late in the same way CityWalk is.

The solution is an interesting one, so why is it both good and bad news for frequent parkgoers? On select nights, Epic Universe will be staying open later, from 9 p.m. to midnight. I know, you're still waiting on the catch, and here it is: It’s going to be a ticketed event in the way Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party at Disneyland is.

The event will be called Universal Nights and will run on October 3 and October 17. Tickets for just the event will go for $179, and it’s worth mentioning the cheapest entry ticket for a regular day at Epic Universe is only $139.99. For comparison’s sake, Halloween Horror Nights tickets start at $88.99 (though premium tickets are significantly more).

The other interesting wrinkle is if you have a nighttime pass for those select dates, you will not be able to access the parks until 7 p.m. The theme park is touting the extra two hours before the ticketed event begins as an added benefit, but if you want to go to the park during the day, you’ll need a separate ticket.

A few weeks back, Universal VPs told CinemaBlend and other outlets there was only “one rule” when it came to putting the theme park together: if it was going into the park, it had to fit the definition of Epic. Staying open late is definitely what the people have wanted as part of this, particularly in the Darkmoor and Celestial Park areas. It’s currently getting dark so late right now, fans don’t get a ton of time to see Burning Blade catch fire at night or to jump on the reopened Stardust Racers.

I’ll be interested to see if the crowds are thinner and stuff is easier to do during the special ticketed event too. If so, it may be well worth the entrance fee.

Tickets go on sale August 13th.

I love hearing personal stories about some of my favorite actors, especially when the experience shared reveals the strength of their character. There are some actors who are spoken of so fondly by their former cast-mates that their positive reputation seems undeniable. Such is the case for the late Alan Rickman, who's remembered by fans for his iconic roles, and by his colleages for the memorable experiences they had working with him. That includes his Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton, who played fellow Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, in all eight Harry Potter movies.

In an article run by The Guardian, which featured several tributes from his friends and colleagues ten years after Rickman's death, Tom Felton spoke of two things he learned from Rickman while getting to work with him, the first of which was the message Rickman conveyed through the simple act of lining up for his food on set. As Felton noted, Rickman could've had his food delivered to his trailer like some of the other stars, including Felton, but he apparently opted not to do that. Per Felton:

I love the way Felton describes this story, allowing us to picture a fully-costumed Severus Snape standing in line, holding his tray, waiting for his food like everyone else. As amusing as that sounds, I really like what Felton took away from Rickman's behavior. He was just a kid when he starred in the Harry Potter movies, and in the article, he notes that he recognized Rickman from one of his famous villainous performances (the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) . It's understandable why something as simple as lining up for food would make an impression on a young actor.

The same goes for the other thing Felton says he learned from Rickman. This one has to do with charity and what young fans expected or hoped for from the experience of meeting a star:

Felton went on to explain that Rickman would behave like Snape to these children, sneering at them and telling them to tuck in their shirts, because he knew the kids wanted to meet the character, not the actor.

Alan Rickman died at the age of 69 in 2016. I'm sure we can all agree that he left an incredible legacy from some truly memorable and wonderful performances. At the same time, I'm just as sure that I'm not alone in wishing he were still with us, as he really was one of a kind. While we can always revisit his films, I'm also glad for stories like Felton's, which allow us to get to know the man behind the sneer a little bit better.

Harry Potter fans will have a whole new adaptation to watch when Season 1 of HBO's new series arrives on the 2026 TV schedule this December. As excited as I am to see a new take on the beloved Wizarding World books, I'll never tire of learning new things about the original movies and the people involved in making them.

There are popular IPs and then there's the Wizarding World. Generations were brought up on this magical world, including J.K. Rowling's novels, theme parks, stage plays, and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. Fans are gearing up for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, which won't arrive until December. But that hasn't stopped fan backlash from happening, specifically related to Hogwarts' new crest.

The Potter TV series is expected to be a more accurate book to screen adaptation, with each season covering one of the books. While fans are hyped for more of the source material to be included, there's been some backlash to changes made from the movie. Case in point: Hogwarts' new crest, which looks way different than the one we saw on uniforms and such throughout the movies. One tweet highlighted the design, which you can see below:

While we still have months before Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone debuts on Christmas, the fandom is already judging the TV show with every new glimpse we're given. One such fan took to Twitter to angrily admonish the change in design for Hogwarts' signature crest. That response reads:

Well, they certainly didn't mince their words. The Harry Potter show's teaser showed the characters' return to Hogwarts, albeit with a new set of faces. Expectations are going to be sky high, so the pressure is on for the show to deliver. There's already a ton of discourse about the new Hogwarts logo, with the mix of response including:

• Why is this still happening?
• im gonna get this as a tattoo
• Sad
• I already love it.
• Interesting
• They are abandoning the source material entirely—source material which took DECADES to put together, by the way—opting instead for something sloppily slapped together in a few months

Clearly the reception is already a mixed bag, and that's over just one small change to the Hogwarts that fans know and love. Smart money says that every episode is going to be dissected by the fandom, being compared to both the movies and the novels. So the stakes are very high for the newest installment in the Wizarding World.

With the premiere of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone coming in just a few months, smart money says that we'll be treated to more footage and information shortly. And if this crest discourse is any indication, there's going to be a ton of chatter from fans.

The Harry Potter TV show is expected to debut December 25th on HBO as part of the 2026 TV schedule, so it's going too be a very happy Christmas. For now fans can re-watch the movies over on HBO Max while we wait.

For the most part, working on the Harry Potter movies sounds like a dream. Can you imagine being one of those kids who grew up making those movies? It must have felt like they were actually going to Hogwarts. Plus, the cast of professors and such were played by prestigious and acclaimed actors that must have been a joy to work alongside. But, that doesn't mean everyone involved with the franchise treasures being asked about the experience.

In this instance, I’m talking about Emma Thompson, who played Professor Sybill Trelawney across three of the film adaptations. Here’s what the Oscar-winning actress said when recently asked about her role in the movies:

Thompson’s Harry Potter is often thought of one of the underrated characters in the movies, but since they are so beloved and rewatched, of course she gets prompted about the role all the time. Most recently, she was on the Smartless podcast and host Sean Hayes pointed out how he’s a Potterhead, and loved her in the quirky role of Hogwart’s professors of Divination.

As she pointed out, she doesn’t share the same enthusiasm fans have for those films because she really didn’t spend much time working on them. 30 days, she says. That wouldn't even be a full time gig on a single movie, much less spread across three of them.

And, this isn’t the first time she’s been honest about her feelings about the Harry Potter movies. Last year, she also made a comment about the fantasy films being “not really an important part” of her “creative endeavor” as an actress in her career. She’s also commented before on getting “bored” about signing merchandise connected to her role along with saying years ago that she hasn’t “enjoyed” being part of studio films like Harry Potter because they “could be described as formulaic for money”.

Emma Thompson may be very much beloved and recognized for her incredible depiction of the J.K. Rowling character, but she’d more likely be interested in talking about some of her other roles in the likes of Sense of Sensibility, Nanny McPhee or Saving Mr. Banks. As she she also summed up in a comment in the new interview, she's “fatigued” about the topic, and hey, that’s totally her right.

Sure, you'd expect a Harry Potter story to flow out of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson or Rupert Grint since they were on those sets throughout their upbringing, but Emma Thompson had a different experience. Hey you gotta love and respect the honesty here!

Daniel Radcliffe is a great actor who will forever be remembered for proudly playing Harry Potter in eight movies of the franchise. The actor put in a lot of work to play the Boy Who Lived, experiencing wand breaks and partaking in intense action sequences in the process. It's fair to wonder if any magical ingredient kept filming from being too stressful for him. Well, as it turns out, the Jewish star admitted that a non-Kosher delicacy got him through the final three movies.

During a segment for LADBible, Radcliffe was given the choice between the American Reuben sandwich and an English bacon sandwich. As Radcliffe hilariously refused to try the Reuben, he couldn’t help but continuously take bites of the crispy bacon sandwich in pure delight. And, despite the bacon sandwich not being so Kosher for Radcliffe, he got honest about how the British toastie got him through the final stretch of his Wizarding World stint:

Bacon sandwiches certainly are forbidden in Kosher food laws. Then again, so are Reuben sandwiches for traditionally mixing corned beef with Swiss cheese. However, I’m not going to judge, as Daniel Radcliffe wouldn’t be the only Jewish person to eat pork. I’ve got to admit that while I’m familiar with BLTs, I’ve never heard of the combo of bacon and ketchup. But, hey, if it helped the London native get through filming the last three Potter films, who are we to argue? Check out the full video down below:

I can understand why the Merrily We Row Along actor needed a guilty pleasure to get him through shooting the final Harry Potter movies. Radcliffe has spoken about “intense and so crazy” set days he experienced while shooting Half Blood Prince. At one point, he was underwater on a wire, only to come up for air being in the middle of a ring of fire. Talk about anxiety-inducing!

Those strenuous moments of production even predate the last three movies. In Goblet of Fire, Radcliffe also almost drowned filming the infamous Black Lake sequence, which includes his “craziest” stunt, where he free-fell 40 feet down off a roof. So, considering that Radcliffe gave so much to fans by fully committing himself to his role as Harry, I'd say the least we can do is not chastise him for enjoying some bacon now and then.

As a person of the Jewish faith myself, I'd definitely call Radcliffe something of a rebel though, in fairness, many of us have our guilty pleasures when it comes to food. When it comes to Radcliffe's love of bacon, though, I don't think I'll ever forget this funny little piece of Potter lore.

Fans can revisit the magic that Daniel Radcliffe brought to the Harry Potter franchise, as all eight films are streamable with a Peacock subscription or an HBO Max subscription.

Nick Frost is being honest about playing Hagrid ahead of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone arriving on the 2026 TV schedule, and admitting his performance may not be for everyone. The actor will tackle the immense role of being Hogwarts' groundskeeper and Harry's confidant, and confirmed he's going to be doing more than emulating the late Robbie Coltrane.

The actor spoke about what he's done with the character in a recent interview with The Times, and how his take on Hagrid had to be different than Coltrane. While he assured there will be some semblance of the iteration his predecessor helped make iconic, there simply needed to be more to the performance due to the length of the series:

Nick Frost added that elements of his Hagrid will be inspired by his uncle, as well as Michael Clarke Duncan's performance in The Green Mile, another great actor who left us too soon. Ultimately I like the comparison between Hagrid and John Coffey, as both could be characterized as "gentle giants" who have immense power but rarely use it.

The actor has no illusion about his take on the character, knowing that some audiences will want him to do a one-to-one performance of Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid. Fortunately, he's largely unbothered by that, as he shared his reaction below:

Not everyone who watches Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will like Nick Frost as Hagrid, though I'd be willing to bet many will. He's a self-confessed superfan of the franchise who made a habit of watching the movies yearly before this remake was ever a thing.

He also has the look down, even if Robbie Coltrane looked more in line with the original illustrations of Hagrid. He also has a solid library of roles to reference that suggest he'll do a fantastic job as the groundskeeper, who always has a penchant for sidestepping the rules a bit to help his friends or a magical creature.

Frost is confronting a reality that every actor in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will face, in that viewers will make comparisons to the former live-action cast. Hopefully, he can pass on his mindset to the younger actors stepping into the roles, and remind them that it's ok if people on the internet feel like the ones that came before them played the roles better. Based on the footage I've seen so far, I think it's possible we'll see many say the exact opposite, but I digress.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will air on HBO and HBO Max come Christmas time. I'm excited to return to Hogwarts this holiday season, and may need to rewatch the movies before it arrives so that I can get in the right frame of mind.

I'd argue that a lot of the magic that emanates from the Harry Potter movies is due to the stellar cast. British veteran actors brought J.K. Rowling’s characters to life in stunning fashion for the big screen, which made them all the more memorable to fans. As the years go on, franchise alums share insight into their work on the blockbuster series. Now, I’m laughing at Jason Isaacs’ story about how some of those actual Oscar winners sat around bored while Voldemort delivered those lengthy monologues.

To call the Harry Potter cast talented would be an understatement, as Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and more all either won or were nominated for Oscars before joining the fantasy franchise. So, you can imagine what a riot I had when hearing Isaacs speak at Liverpool Comic Con 2024 and share his recollection of seeing Fiennes as Voldemort performing his soliloquies. I would've found it compelling but, apparently, it was a different story, as Isaacs explained:

The idea of Jason Isaacs wondering how much longer Ralph Fiennes was going to go on with Voldemort’s famed speeches is hilarious. On that same token, I guess this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, as the Peter Pan actor previously spoke about the Harry Potter movies being “boring” to make due to how special effects-heavy they were. Still, I never considered how Voldemort’s monologues could contribute to the long hours on set.

Still, it's hard to deny that Voldemort knew how to make an entrance. With the Harry Potter antagonist being the ultimate evil of the series, of course, he was going to boast about “killing” The Boy Who Lived and try to gain new followers. Fiennes -- a Royal National Theatre alum and Tony winner -- also owned the role. Nevertheless, as Isaacs further stressed, Fiennes' Academy Award-winning co-stars were just tired after a while:

I'm suddenly getting mental images of people on set looking at their watches. Just think of the frustration of waiting for your cue, just so you can say your three lines and call it a day. I'd say one big thing to pick up from this story is that even Oscar winners and veteran actors can get impatient while on set. And, honestly, I love how relatable that is.

Make no mistake, though, as the stars didn't take issue with Ralph Fiennes' actual performance, which continues to receive praise to this day. It's because of the high standard set by Fiennes that the next actor to play Voldemort will have some big shoes to fill. And I wonder if his eventual co-stars will have the same level of patience that Jason Isaacs and co. had for Fiennes.

If you want to revisit Voldemort’s famed monologues, the Harry Potter movies are available for streaming with an HBO Max subscription or a Peacock subscription.

Following in the footsteps of Richard Harris and Michael Gambon, John Lithgow is set to play Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter TV series. Set to join the 2026 TV schedule in December, we’ll get to see the 3rd Rock From the Sun actor sporting the long beard and being a magical mentor to The Boy Who Lived. Speaking of magic and The Boy Who Lived (in the movies), Daniel Radcliffe actually ran into Lithgow at his show, and naturally, they talked about Harry Potter.

Last month, Daniel Radcliffe did wish to meet John Lithgow and speak about the anticipated Harry Potter series. Well, dreams came true at the Lithgow's Broadway show Giant. The Harry Potter alum told People what meeting the new Dumbledore actor was like, and, of course, his magical new HBO series was involved:

Aww, that already sounds like something Albus Dumbledore would do. It’s a breath of fresh air to know Lithgow is bonding well with the young stars and that filming is going well. Previously, the Dexter star spoke of what a “big decision” it was to take on playing the Hogwarts headmaster, knowing it would be at least an eight-year commitment.

As Lithgow assumed this could be the last big role he’d do in his career, he picked a great one, as he'll get to spread Dumbledore’s wisdom to a new generation. Plus, you’ve gotta admit he looks kind of like Richard Harris when he portrayed the magical role in the first two Harry Potter movies.

Back in 2019, Daniel Radcliffe said he knew a reboot series would be inevitable, but would be “intrigued” to see when that moment came. Now that we’ve got an HBO series coming to the streaming schedule in December, here’s the Tony winner’s reaction to John Lithgow’s positive praise of his new series:

With The Wizarding World coming back to life once again with a new generation of actors in the iconic roles, it’s good that everything is going swimmingly. As Daniel Radcliffe has taken on movies, TV shows, and Broadway since his Harry Potter run, he’s already said we shouldn't hold out hope for a cameo in the HBO series. I can’t say I blame him, as the upcoming TV show should be a project of its own.

However, the Miracle Workers actor did say he’s already looking forward to watching the fantasy revival series once it hits streaming. I already can’t wait for him to send out positive praise for the new series and John Lithgow’s performance.

If Daniel Radcliffe is going to meet the new Dumbledore backstage at his Broadway show, you know Harry Potter is a given conversation. But I’m sure Radcliffe loved hearing about how well the new show is going for everyone.

Make sure to add the upcoming Harry Potter series to your watchlist, as it will be available to stream with an HBO Max subscription on Christmas Day. You can also watch the original film series on the streamer or with a Peacock subscription.

Many celebrities choose to keep their professional lives separate from their personal lives, and specifically, their kids. Daniel Radcliffe wants to be one of those dads. The actor has high hopes that his son (who he keeps out of the public eye, including his name) won’t find out he’s the boy who lived for a long time. When asked about letting his kid in on this part of his life, Radcliffe credited a funny-but-tragic Matt Damon story that inspired him to keep his son from learning he’s Harry Potter famous.

Daniel Radcliffe has previously spoken about how kids don’t recognize him as Harry Potter anymore, which seems to be the reaction he hopes his own son has. The topic came up while he was out enjoying a date night at the Tony Awards with his partner, Erin Darke. The actor had an interesting point of view on it too when asked by ET about when he’ll be introducing his child to his work:

Well, that's kind of a bummer. However, it also makes total sense, and it seems like the Harry Potter star is perfectly fine with his kid potentially not taking interest in the movies that made him a household name.

In the years since those fantasy films, Radcliffe has pivoted from the world of Hogwarts to more obscure movies, television and Broadway, where he has made a new name for himself. He’s an amazing actor, and these plays have shown new audiences his range. However, it’s still nice for fans who grew up with Harry Potter to see him re-embrace the love for the franchise. Radcliffe used to get stressed out whenever he was recognized as Harry Potter, but now he’s putting the films into a "which is best" bracket.

It’s lovely to see him jumping back on board the train and enjoying it along with the fans, which sometimes includes other actors. When he met Mariska Hargitay, who took over his role in Every Brilliant Thing, she shared with him an emotional story about how she was the real Harry Potter. The actor has been reported as being curious and thoughtful whenever being told stories like this. Although, despite the love for the role, Radcliffe doubled down on keeping his kid out of this loop, saying:

Well, while he'll keep him away from the movies, I am curious to know if they'll watch the show. The actor is not part of the upcoming reboot, though he has shared his thoughts on who he thinks would be fun to play in the HBO series. His answer is not surprising, given his admiration for Gary Oldman and the love he has for the character of Sirius Black. It’s fun to think about what it’d be like if Radcliffe took on the mentor role for the new Harry, but it’s doubtful we’ll ever see him step back into the wizarding world.

Fans excited to see what the new series has in store can check it out when it premieres on the 2026 TV schedule on December 25 with an HBO Max subscription. You can also use that subscription to watch the movies; however, something tells me Daniel Radcliffe won't be doing that with his son anytime soon.

John Lithgow was asked about his favorite book from the Harry Potter franchise, and what felt like a fluff question actually became a significant update about Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The series is going to make its release date on the 2026 TV schedule, as filming just wrapped on the first season.

Lithgow was on the red carpet at the Tony Awards, and CBS Mornings caught up with the actor and asked him about his favorite Harry Potter book. That's not the bombshell. What really shook me up was that rather than answer the question, he casually just mentioned production has wrapped on Season 1, meaning we're on track to watch it with an HBO Max subscription this Christmas:

There's a lot of storytelling to get through, and as John Lithgow said above, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will get much more time to recap Book 1 than the original movie did. The teaser hasn't shown us much more than what we'd seen previously, but as someone who grew up with the books, I'm really hoping we finally get to see Peeves and the other ghosts.

John Lithgow continued his comments, further deflecting the original question, but adding great details about the series. As many guessed, the Harry Potter show will use its extra time to get into a lot of the smaller adventures of the books that the films ended up cutting for time:

While there are some key moments left out of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I'd like to think the changes between the show and movies will be more apparent in later books. Personally, I know I'm very excited to see Goblet of Fire revisited, and given the proper time to get into the various competitions, the different wizarding schools, and subplots in between.

I do wonder why John Lithgow dodged the question about his favorite Harry Potter book. He revealed in an interview with Smartless that he was halfway through Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets a while back, so it's possible he hasn't made his way through the entire series.

In the end, maybe it was better he gave a response tied to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone than admit he was still making his way through the books. Whatever his reason was for dodging the question, I'm thrilled to see him play Albus Dumbledore. While he faced some struggles on whether he should play the role or not after disagreeing with author J.K. Rowling's viewpoints on various topics, it'll be great to see his take on an iconic character we've seen many actors play in pop culture.

As mentioned, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is coming to HBO and HBO Max on Christmas. I'm curious to see how many people tune in to watch it in between the holiday festivities, and if it ends up breaking some records on the platform.

There are popular franchises, and then there's the Wizarding World. Generations have read the books, gone to theme parks, and of course watched the Harry Potter movies. For years, fans watched as the Harry Potter cast grew up before our eyes, and now they're old enough to be parents themselves. That includes Tom Felton, who recently had a hilariously on-brand response to his character Draco Malfoy's birthday.

Following his work as Draco in the Potter films (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription), Felton reprised his role on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Fans simply adore the 38-year-old actor, thanks to him continuing to be one of the Wizarding World's biggest fans. The official Harry Potter Instagram recently posted ahead of Draco's birthday in-universe, you can check it out below:

How cute is that? Despite Malfoy being an antagonist for most of Harry's time in Hogwarts, he's a character that fans carry deep affection for. So the news of his birthday got folks hyped, even more so when Tom Felton joined the chat in the comments section. He posted a short, but on-brand, response which reads:

At the time of writing this story, that quick comment has over 5 thousand likes, so it's safe to say that the fandom loved seeing Tom Felton quote his signature character. And since he's reprised his signature role on the Great White Way, he must feel even closer to everyone's favorite Slytherin.

Of course, Tom Felton is no longer the only actor who has played Draco from an early age. The upcoming Harry Potter TV show will see young actor Lox Pratt play the role of Malfoy, and he's got some big shoes to fill. We'll just have to see how his take on the character is different from the movie version.

The first teaser for the Harry Potter TV show showed a glimpse of Lox Pratt as Draco, and he certainly looks the part of Harry's rival. He's got the signature blonde locks as well as a slimy look on his face that screams Malfoy. And folks have been able to see his acting chops in the Lord of the Flies TV show, which is streaming with a Netflix subscription.

The Harry Potter movies are streaming on HBO Max, and the television book-to-screen adaptation will premiere on December 25th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. As for Tom Felton, he'll be in The Cursed Child on Broadway until November 1st.

I know when I read that Mariska Hargitay literally told Daniel Radcliffe she was the real Harry Potter, I couldn't fathom what exactly she meant. However, the actress dove into detail about why she felt the urge to tell the actor behind The Boy Who Lived this, and I have to say, this story packs a surprisingly emotional punch.

For context, Hargitay is taking over the role Daniel Radcliffe originated in the Broadway play Every Brilliant Thing. However, before she made her Broadway debut in the play, she got to get to know Radcliffe a bit. As they bonded, she had to tell him that she's, in fact, the real Harry Potter, as she recalled to People:

Instead of looking at her like she was crazy, Hargitay described the actor as having already embraced what she was going to say before she said it. It’s no secret that in the past, Radcliffe has been reluctant when the subject of Harry Potter came up. He’s often spoken about how it used to stress him out to be known as Harry Potter. However, in recent years, he has re-accepted the role with open arms.

It's no surprise that he would embrace what she had to say. Mariska Hargitay remembers the conversation vividly, especially Radcliffe's astonishment when he discovered that she was the girl who lived. She shared:

This emotional moment solidified something between them. The accident in which she lost her mother, Jayne, occurred when she was 3 years old, leaving her with a noticeable scar. You can learn more about her mother in My Mom Jayne, which is a heartbreaking documentary about her late parent. But just a heads up, the ending will make you cry. In this film you can stream with an HBO Max subscription that's directed by Hargitay herself, you delve into who her mother was as a person and an actress.

When sharing this story with Radcliffe, she showed him the perfect lightning shape across her forehead. The same that he wore for eight films. She explained that she was very excited about all this, saying:

Mariska Hargitay spoke fondly about the actor, describing him as lovely and gushing about how she thinks the world of him. She dished that the two even send each other videos.

This isn’t the first bonding moment Radcliffe has shared backstage. The actor has previously spoken about the one piece of advice he gave Tom Felton before his Harry Potter Broadway debut.

With Hargitay's time on stage, many have been concerned about how it could impact Law & Order: SVU. However, they can rest easy as SVU has been renewed and her role in this play will last for a limited time. Starting in July, Tracee Ellis Ross is expected to take over the role. Meanwhile, the iconic show will remain part of the 2026 TV schedule as it goes into its 28th season.

Until then, fans can enjoy watching Hargitay's time on Broadway, proving she's more than just Olivia Benson (and she is actually Harry Potter).

While I don't regularly daydream about returning to school, I'd make an exception if I were to receive a (very) belated letter from Hogwarts inviting me to join the next incoming class. It's with the Harry Potter wizarding school on the brain that I put together this week's movie quiz, which is all about Hogwarts.

Can you solve all of the clues in the crossword puzzle below?

Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure is arguably considered one of the best theme parks in the U.S. However, that doesn’t mean its visitors are immune to one common element that affects many parks: long lines. In recent years, both Disney and Universal have created options that allow guests to throw money at them in order to skip lines. Now, we’ve just learned one popular ride in the Orlando park will soon no longer allow this for guests and, suffice to say, people aren't exactly pleased.

Which Islands Of Adventure Ride Will No Longer Have An Express Pass Option?

On Tuesday, Universal Studios fans started to notice on the Universal App that Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure ride no longer has the Express Pass option. Universal Orlando confirmed the update in the tweet below:

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opened back in 2019 and went years without an Express Pass option until the feature was added to the ride a year ago. This meant that those willing to pay extra could get on Hagrid’s in less time. Another way for visitors to get an Express Pass is for them to stay at select Universal resorts.

Removing the Harry Potter-themed ride from the express list is definitely an interesting move, considering the ride's popularity. With that in mind, it was probably a given that there would be responses.

How Universal Studios Fans Are Reacting To The News

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is one of the most popular rides at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and CinemaBlend once called it the “best roller coaster in Florida.” So, what do Universal fans think of the change? A lot of people are not at all surprised because the ride’s queue changed so much since the change. Universal thinks the update will allow for an improvement in the “flow” of the line, but check out some other thoughts from Reddit:

• “What a bummer. I get that folks with APs and locals are happy about the change but as a tourist with limited time on a heavy budget this really hurts.” - @Tanazan1
• “More than a little frustrating because we're going in less than three weeks, and I booked two nights at Royal Pacific just for express pass.” - @prophecy0
• “It seems to be one that has been impacted very strongly with Express compared to other rides. So not surprised to see it taken off. It does suck for those that booked something for after July 1 that included express with the expectation of using it there.”- @vegetable-house5018
• “We went in April and stayed at Portofino specifically for the unlimited express pass. Hagrid’s is the only ride that we felt we needed it for. If it’s no longer included, spending that kind of money for a premier hotel will be really hard to justify the next time we go.” - @Pantsmithiest

It’s certainly a problem for those who’ve already booked a trip to Universal’s Islands of Adventure specifically with accommodations that will allow them to get the Express Pass. While Hagrid’s is definitely a fan favorite, there are still plenty of rides on Express Pass like Jurassic World VelociCoaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Jurassic Park River Adventure and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Of course, whether or any other rides are removed from the express program remains to be seen.

Outside of this recent change to Hagrid’s, Islands of Adventure just started its summertime celebration, which is big on Steven Spielberg favorites like new Jaws-inspired “interactive experiences,” photo ops, drinks, “bites” and exclusive merchandise. There’s also a new parade called the Universal Mega Movie Parade and a new version of CineSational. The festivities are going on until August 10.

When you’re a kid on the playground, the “my dad could beat up your dad” game is practically a rite of passage. When you grow up into a film nerd, that same energy just gets transferred to your favorite characters. So, naturally, we must ask: Who would win in a fight between two of the greatest beards in fantasy cinema, Dumbledore or Gandalf? In between his obligations related to the 2026 movie schedule, Ian McKellen shared his take and, honestly, I love it.

One fought a Balrog, died, and came back as a whole different shade of wizard. The other faced down the Dark Lord, making even the most dangerous wizards nervous. It’s anybody’s fight, really but, thankfully, Ian McKellen has now weighed in, and his answer is perfect. During a recent reader Q&A with The Guardian, the actor was asked who would win in a fight between Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings franchise and Dumbledore from the Harry Potter movies. McKellen’s response was short, funny and extremely on brand. He answered:

Honestly, that is the whole case right there. First, McKellen questions the entire premise, which feels correct. Gandalf and Dumbledore throwing hands in some magical parking lot does feel spiritually wrong. These are two old wizards with robes, wisdom and a very specific tolerance for troublesome young people. They should be sharing pipeweed, tea or whatever elder statesmen of fantasy drink when the chosen ones finally leave the room.

Look, I get it. Dumbledore is no slouch. He’s powerful, clever, terrifying when needed and capable of making even the most dangerous people in the wizarding world uncomfortable. The man has presence. Michael Gambon and Richard Harris both brought very different flavors to the character, and either version could probably end a duel before most people finished saying “Expelliarmus.” We’re also getting another take on everyone’s favorite headmaster of Hogwarts when HBO’s book-to-screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone hits the 2026 TV schedule later this year, with John Lithgow donning the beard and half-moon spectacles.

McKellen Makes A Strong Case For Gandalf

Still, Gandalf is Gandalf. He is not just a wizard with a wand and a really intense office. He is a being from the older bones of Middle-earth, a guide, a warrior and a resurrected force of cosmic irritation who looked at a Balrog and essentially said, “Not today, basement demon.”

That is why McKellen calling him “the original wizard” works so well. He isn’t literally saying Gandalf predates every wizard ever written, but in pop-culture terms, he is the big-bearded blueprint. The staff. The hat. The cryptic advice. The sudden flashes of power. If Tolkien hadn't given us Gandalf, it's hard to imagine a world with a Dumbledore.

Not to mention McKellen’s relationship with Gandalf has never really gone away. He first played the character across Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, then returned as Gandalf the Grey for The Hobbit movies. Now, he is expected to don the robes and whiskers again for the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which only makes his “Gandy, of course” answer hit harder. The man is not just defending a character he once played, but a wizard he has kept returning to for more than two decades.

That is the energy that makes his answer so enjoyable. McKellen knows the question is silly, but he also understands exactly what people want from him. A little dry confusion. A little Gandalf loyalty. A tiny spark of “fool of a Took” superiority.

Of course, the real answer is probably that neither wizard would want the fight. Dumbledore would try to reason through it, Gandalf would grumble about fools, and somehow a group of teenagers or hobbits would be the real problem.

One of the things about book-to-screen adaptations that fans will likely never fully agree on is whether the actors are exactly right for the characters they're portraying. The topic of Harry, Ron and Hermione's casting for the original Harry Potter movies is tricky, I think, because on one hand, none of the actors cast for the roles perfectly fit the description, and yet, it's hard to imagine anyone else playing them. But what did J.K. Rowling think about Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint when she first met them? Apparently, she thought they were all too good-looking, but there's more to it than that.

As of this writing, I have just over an hour left of the final Harry Potter full-cast edition audiobook to listen to, and then I'll be sad it's over all over again (possibly sadder than I was while listening to that one scene in Book 6). Listening to Audible's new full-cast editions of J.K. Rowling's beloved, magical series has made me a bit nostalgic about the movies, which is how I ended up poking around in the bonus features of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. It was there that I came across the interview Daniel Radcliffe and J.K. Rowling did with each other in the 2012 bonus feature, which includes the conversation they had about her first impressions of him, Grint and Watson when they were cast to play their characters. On that subject, she started with:

While there are definitely differences between Harry and Radcliffe (like their eye color), and Ron and Grint, the differences between Watson and Hermione might be brought up the most. Hermione is described as having big teeth and bushy hair in the book. While the movies did seem to try to add some volume to her hair in the first two, let's face it, Emma Watson has always been beautiful.

Rowling brought up meeting Watson for the first time, and she prefaced this by saying it was lucky she'd met her over the phone beforehand, because it sounds like Watson exuded Hermione energy during that conversation, but didn't quite look how the writer envisioned her character. Here's how Rowling described both interactions, starting with the phone conversation:

If you're a fan of the books, you know that Hermione's appearance at the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a total glow-up. She had her teeth shrunken down a bit (following a mean spell cast on her by Malfoy that elongated them), and went to extra lengths to tame her hair for the big dance. Radcliffe brought this scene up with Rowling during their conversation, specifically questioning if they shot themselves in the foot for this scene in the movie, since she was already beautiful, to which Rowling agreed with a laugh:

Of course, Hermione was never described as ugly in the books, and Rowling made that clear by adding:

I think it's interesting what she said about the character having the choice to "become a little more groomed and glamorous." From how she put it, this was intentional for the character in the book, but I think we can all agree that it gets lost in the movie.

Hermione being a geeky girl who's brave, smart and vital to the success of so much that happens in the story is what makes her such a great character, and that's more than enough. If I recall correctly, she was actually a bit put off by how much work it took to get her hair fixed up, which seems very on brand for the character. She can make herself look glamorous if she wants to, but it's not going to be her top priority. Still, as Rowling said, "it's a film." She'll continue to see the character as she does in her imagination, the same way we can when we read the books if we want.

As much as I would've loved to see Hermione get a true glow-up in the movies, it's not a major game-changer for the plot that the film's Hermione is beautiful from the start. However, I do appreciate Rowling's sentiment here, particularly as she sounds more than satisfied with how Emma Watson played the role.

Fans already have takes about the casting for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show. And there will undoubtedly be more opinions once the series premieres this holiday season. In the meantime, I strongly encourage you to give the new Audible full-cast audiobooks a shot if you're a fan of the books and/or love audiobooks. I've had so much fun listening to them. It's almost like getting to experience the story all over again.

The Wizarding World is one of the biggest IPs in the world, with entire generations growing up with the books, video games, theme parks and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. Those eight films (which are streaming with a HBO Max subscription) are regularly re-watched by fans, who are eagerly anticipated the TV adaptation. The new Harry Potter cast has some big shoes to fill, and Mad-Eye Moody actor Brendan Gleeson recently offered six words for whoever take on that role next.

What we know about the Harry Potter TV show is fairy limited, but each season is expected to cover one of the novels. While speaking to People at the premiere of Spider-Noir (which will be available with a Prime Video subscription), Gleeson was asked if he had any advice for whoever ends up taking his role in the upcoming book to screen adaptation. While he originally said "absolutely not", he eventually relented and offered:

Honestly, that seems like some sound advice. While the actors in the Harry Potter TV show will no doubt be compared to their movie counterparts, they shouldn't necessarily try to do impressions. Brendan Gleeson hopes the new Mad-Eye will do his own thing, which is a lesson that many of the new cast might want to consider. We'll just have to wait and see who ends up cast in that role when the character (presumably) shows up in Season 4 aka The Goblet of Fire.

Mad-Eye Moody is a fan favorite character with a unique origin in the novel. Because while he's a scene-stealer throughout The Goblet of Fire, it's revealed at the end that it was actually Barty Crouch Jr. in disguise. The real Mad-Eye would end up having a role through the rest of the franchise, bringing his signature gruff attitude to the table in the process.

Gleeson is a wildly successful actor, with his tenure in Harry Potter only part of his decades-spanning career in TV and film. Still, Potter fans think of him as the definitive Mad-Eye Moody, so it should be interesting to see how the new actor is received, and how he distinguishes himself from the movie version.

As previously mentioned, Brendan Gleeson has a thrilling new project coming out, as he's playing Silvermane in the new Amazon series Spider-Noir. That show will drop on May 27th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. As for the Harry Potter show, we can expect that to premiere on December 25th on HBO.

As we inch closer to the Christmas premiere of HBO’s Harry Potter show, there has continued to be interest in how the movies’ ensemble feels about the new cast. Most recently, Daniel Radcliffe spoke about one of the actors set to play a major role in the series, while also admitting that he’s excited to ask him about this new book-to-screen adaptation of Harry Potter.

The actor in question is John Lithgow, who is playing Dumbledore in the HBO show. This all came up because Radcliffe and Lithgow are both nominated for Tony’s this year. So, while discussing their work on stage with ET, the original Harry Potter actor also chatted about how he’s “so excited to meet” Lithgow and “grill him about the upcoming Harry Potter TV series,” as the caption noted.

During the interview, Radcliffe was asked about being nominated alongside Lithgow, and he said:

Right after that, the interviewer said, “I was gonna say…” while footage of Lithgow as Dumbledore played over the clip. In response to that, Radcliffe said:

I can’t say I blame him. I would too! Radcliffe grew up on the Harry Potter movies (which you can stream with an HBO Max subscription), and to this day, it’s what he’s best known for. Also, John Lithgow is an absolute legend, so it tracks that the Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins actor wants to chat with him about what’s to come on the 2026 TV schedule.

Overall, it’s clear that Daniel Radcliffe admires Lithgow a lot. As I mentioned, this all came up because both men are nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tonys. While the Harry Potter actor is being recognized for the play Every Brilliant Thing, the new Dumbledore actor was nominated for Giant, which Radcliffe couldn’t help but gush about:

Well, talk about high praise! And the fact that he’s also playing Dumbledore in this new show must make matters even more exciting.

Considering how close Harry is with the headmaster in Harry Potter, the legends who played him in the movies (the late Michael Gambon and Richard Harris) and the icon that’s taking over the part, it’s no wonder Radcliffe has “so many questions” for Lithgow.

I’m sure he’ll get to ask them too. I mean, the two actors should both be at the Tonys. Plus, we know Radcliffe sent the show’s Harry, Dominic McLaughlin, a letter when he was cast. So, I’d assume that if the opportunity arises, he’d also take a moment to ask the new Dumbledore about the project, too.

HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series is set to arrive later this year and, as fans wait for its arrival amid the 2026 TV schedule, many have been discussing the new cast members. Among that fresh ensemble is Lox Pratt, who's taking on the role of Draco Malfoy in the new adaptation of The Philosopher's Stone. In an exciting turn of events, Pratt was actually able to meet up with a Wizarding World icon in Jason Isaacs, who originated the role of Lucius Malfoy. And, luckily for us, there's a sweet photo of the magical meet-up.

The two Malfoy actors took a picture while attending the BAFTA TV Awards, and the photo is just as delightful as someone might assume. Take a look:

It was kind of Isaacs to make time for the young actor. What's more is that the veteran actor pays Pratt such a compliment him by saying he and former co-star Tom Felton will enjoy seeing him carry on the "family" name of Malfoy when the Potter show debuts for HBO Max subscription holders this Christmas.

I can only imagine what seeing Jason Isaacs kind words meant to Lox Pratt, and this meeting comes as Draco star Tom Felton reprises that role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Considering the scrutiny these newer actors are going to face when the show premieres, it would be lovely for the younger stars to have the support from franchise veterans who understand the pressure that comes along with being a part of such a big franchise.

I've been especially impressed with Lox Pratt's professionalism and the thoughtful responses he's given about the Harry Potter series thus far. He seems like an actor who isn't taking a second of this opportunity for granted and is eager to put his own stamp on one of the Wizarding World's most complicated characters.

Pratt won't just have to navigate being the rival to Harry Potter, he'll also have to work on creating a great dynamic with his fictional father, played by Johnny Flynn. Then again, as Jason Isaacs previously noted when discussing the Malfoy patriarch, Lucius' job in the story was to explain why Draco was such an awful person. His general coldness and indifference to his son, rather than a loving relationship, was the key to it all.

All this to say, I think fans are eager to see how all these characters are portrayed and how they differ from the film adaptations. I'm admittedly still wrestling with the notion of seeing someone else besides Daniel Radcliffe draw buzz for playing Harry Potter. Still, I'm confident in this young cast, and I'm hopeful that even more franchise alums will take a page out of Jason Isaacs' book and show some love for the reboot's actors.

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone hits HBO and HBO Max on Christmas Day, December 25th. I wonder how many people will pause from their holiday activities to watch and if this series will end up being as big as everyone assumes it will be.

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t yet entered the tournament and watched Mortal Kombat II, so be warned!

2026 has already been a pretty solid year for video game adaptations, with several promising options still set to release in 2026. Will any hold a candle to the massive flames brought forth by Ludi Lin’s Liu Kang? Only time will tell, but I can almost guarantee that none of them will feature an equal number of pop culture nods to DC heroes, Harry Potter characters and more. For all that this high-stakes sequel is about fantastical and brutal fights between characters from multiple realms, it’s surprisingly referential to real-world projects.

Mortal Kombat II is currently crushing it at the box office, even if it didn’t heart-rip its way to #1. (The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly is the ultimate Final Boss.) Which presumably means lots of other fans like myself are also celebrating the bizarro comic and fantasy jokes, quotes and visual references. Wait, no, there weren’t any actual Bizarro references, but…

Those DC Comics Nods Were Great

When Mortal Kombat fans first meet Karl Uban’s live-action Johnny Cage, he’s sitting alone behind a merch-filled table at a comic convention where nobody seems to give a crap about the B-movie actor. (Which is ridiculous, because that kind of actor would absolutely be mobbed at such an event.) But it’s not even Johnny himself that had me cheering the hardest. Rather, the references to DC Comics fare had me hyped.

First up, we have the booth directly to the right of Johnny Cage, which is promoting the Birds of Prey character Evelyn Crawford. Then we have multiple displays for The Question, the mask-wearing investigator that inspired Rorschach and absolutely deserves his own placement in James Gunn’s upcoming DCU lineup. (Particularly the Jeff Lemire miniseries.) In other shots, you can see a booth dedicated to Black Orchid, Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean’s superhero fantasy miniseries, as well as one for the almighty Swamp Thing.

Do these references break this universe, given the existence of 2008 video game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe? Probably not, since none of the above were playable characters.

Johnny Cage's Lord Of The Rings Comment Is Fourth Wall-Breaking Fun

At the point in Mortal Kombat II when Johnny Cage is tasked with destroying the amulet keeping Shao Kahn immortal, Kano goofily tells him to check the back of the ring for guidance. Which sparks Cage to bring up a memorable Lord of the Rings quote. As he put it:

An amusing line in context of the scene, all things considered, but also amazing given the fact that Karl Urban himself co-starred in the second two films of Peter Jackson's LOTR trilogy as the Riders of Rohan's leader Éomer. I would love to see Johnny watching those sequels to see his face when Éomer shows up.

Kano Is Apparently A Harry Potter Fan

Josh Lawson's Kano was killed off in the first movie, but was brought back to life for the sequel because he's so hilarious. Every line out of his mouth is a banger in this movie, so a Standing O for everyone involved with that decision. In any case, some of Kano's best lines come at the expense of Damon Herriman's Quan Chi.

The best jab against the goth-leaning Quan Chi is almost definitely when he compares the villain to "Voldemort's nutsack." Funny how death didn't affect Kano's ability to make super-quick quips about Warner Bros. villains.

Nods To A Kurt Russell Classic And A Netflix Original

There are two other one-liner references that I was also quite fond of. Johnny Cage gets to show off more of his fandom power when he asks Tadanobu Asano's Lord Raiden if he's cosplaying as someone from Big Trouble in Little China. Presumably one of the Storms, given the similar hat sizes.

Earlier, when Johnny Cage is being told the rules of the fighting tournament, he verbally backs away from it, saying it sounds like a real-life Squid Game scenario. Just in case anyone thought that ALL of the references made here would be from Warner Bros. projects.

Find Mortal Kombat II in theaters now, and rewatch the first movie via HBO Max subscription.

It’s hard to believe it's been nearly 25 years since The Sorcerer’s Stone jump-started the Harry Potter movies. Unsurprisingly, it looks like some Wizarding World festivities have already been initiated to commemorate that major milestone. With that, some of the actors who portrayed members of the wonderful Weasley family recently reunited to surprise the fans. And, lucky for us, that reveal was captured in a truly delightful video that's gone viral.

One of the coolest Potter fan experiences is the Platform 9 ¾ expansion of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Being there sounds cool enough on its own, but I can't even imagine being there and getting greeted by Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasly), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) and Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley). That's exactly what happened for some lucky muggles when they recently attended the tour. Check out the video, which is on the official Potter Instagram account:

All four Wizarding World alums sure seemed to delight the Harry Potter fans gathered at the 25th Anniversary event. The quartet of Weasley Family actors were quick to make fans' days by taking photos and chat with them. One excited attendee remarked that seeing the British stars brought her back to The Sorcerer’s Stone (or Philosopher's Stone in Great Britain). Overall, I’d say their magical presence was truly the wholesome moment we all needed.

The presence of the Potter veterans only added to the already-nostalgic nature of the attraction. As part of it, fans can visit the set of the King’s Cross station and board the Hogwarts Express as intrepid students would. I honestly can't think of a better place to celebrate he 25th anniversary of the fantasy franchise's first movie.

Aside from that, I love that every once in a while, we're treated to a Weasley Family reunion, and those run-ins can happen in a myriad of ways. For instance, We Bonnie Wright and the Phelps twins even reunited at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley in 2014, marking the occasion with a selfie.

Also, in 2024, Wright guest-starred on the Phelps’ Food Network show, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, serving as a guest judge and sharing all kinds of details from her time working on the movies. On top of that, the on-screen siblings reunited in October at a Muggle restaurant in Baltimore, where they enjoyed a “family dinner.” Needless to say, the enduring bond amongst these actors is just so sweet.

I'd like to think that thanks to Wright, the Phelps and Mark Williams reuniting this latest time, some fans now have an experience they'll never forget. If anything, this excitement is a testament to the fact that the Harry Potter film franchise continues to dazzle and entertain even 25 years on. With that, check out the films -- complete with fans' favorite red-headed family -- by streaming them with an HBO Max subscription or a Peacock subscription.

There are major franchises, and then there's the Wizarding World. The property has entertained audiences for decades thanks to the novels, theme parks, stage plays, video games, and, of course, the Harry Potter movies (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription). Soon, we'll return to Hogwarts with an upcoming TV series, with fans curious about who will play various beloved characters. And actor Paul Bettany had an A+ response when asked about rumors he might be the new Voldemort.

The upcoming Harry Potter TV show already has a ton of hype around it, with fans hoping it'll be a more accurate book-to-screen adaptation. There are plenty of names being tossed around online to replace Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort, and in a clip from ScreenRant's Twitter, Bettany was asked about the possibility of playing He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. After saying "it's just a rumor", the Da Vinci Code actor offered:

Honestly, can you blame him? Having to wear facial prosthetics is a big-time commitment for major TV and film projects, one that can be both uncomfortable and even cumbersome when performing. He's already done a number of roles that required him to sit in the makeup chair, and it sounds like he'd rather not have to do that in order to portray Voldemort in the forthcoming Harry Potter TV series.

Folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order likely know what roles Paul Bettany is referencing in these comments. Namely, his ongoing role as Vision in the MCU, which will continue with the upcoming series VisionQuest. Additionally, he wore facial prosthetics as the villainous Dryden Vos in Solo: A Star Wars Story. So who can blame him for not wanting to sign up for years of playing Voldemort?

Of course, Ralph Fiennes' Harry Potter look wasn't pulled off simply by makeup; CGI was used to give him Voldemort's snake-like nose. But not only has Paul Bettany shut down the rumors of him playing the iconic villain, but it sounds like the makeup involved is reason enough for him not to put his spin on The Dark Lord.

Whoever ends up being the Harry Potter show's Voldemort is going to have some very big shoes to fill, given how acclaimed and iconic Ralph Fiennes' performance was. And while Bettany isn't interested, other actors like Andy Serkis have expressed interest. We'll just have to wait and see who ultimately lands the gig.

The Harry Potter TV series will premiere on December 25th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. For now, the movies can be re-watched on HBO Max.

It's already been a month since the trailer was released for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and many seem amped for the series arrival on the 2026 TV schedule come Christmas. The cast seems to approve of it as well, as the new actor for Draco Malfoy shared he's "glad" it didn't show too much.

Lox Pratt, who plays Harry Potter's Slytherin rival Draco Malfoy in the series, recently talked to Variety about his blossoming career in Hollywood. The actor, whose Lord of the Flies series is also currently available with a Netflix subscription, shared his appreciation for the trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and its restraint:

I'm interested to see how Lox Pratt's Draco will be different, as I thought Tom Felton's Draco Malfoy was a solid representation of the character. That said, I'm all open to seeing another interpretation, rather than someone who tries to mirror the performance of the first to do it.

I guess I never thought about it at the time, but Pratt is right that we don't see a ton of the series in that trailer. We barely see any scenes of the children spending time in the classroom, and most of what is shown is from the start of the book. The first thirty seconds of the trailer take place exclusively at his aunt and uncle's home on Privet Drive, so it's fair to say there's a lot we haven't seen!

For example, we didn't get to see Gringotts Wizarding Bank yet, or any of the magical creatures that appear in the movie. I can imagine the series' length will allow us to see even some things that the movies never allotted the time for, though I don't think that'll really show until we get to the latter books in the series. Hopefully by then they will find a more entertaining way to cover the Tri-Wizard Tournament.

One thing I'm really crossing my fingers for is that the series will work in the ghost Peeves, whom director Chris Columbus admitted he was upset he didn't include. Honestly, there's a litany of more minor storylines involving the ghosts of Hogwarts that the movies largely ignored. With more time to highlight those arcs, I'll be curious to see if we'll be seeing Peeves when I tune in with my HBO Max subscription.

As mentioned, readers can watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when it makes its big debut on Christmas Day on HBO and HBO Max. Gear up to go to Hogwarts once again this holiday season, and be prepared for a fresh look at The Boy Who Lived.

We’re only a little over seven months away from HBO’s much-anticipated Harry Potter reboot hitting the 2026 TV schedule. The cast for the first book’s page-to-screen adaptation is already set, but one major question is still hanging over the whole thing: who’s going to play Voldemort? Well, a certain Lord of the Rings actor has now officially thrown his nose into the ring. That's right, Andy Serkis.

During a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on Happy Sad Confused, Serkis, yes, Gollum himself, was asked point-blank whether he had ever considered playing "He Who Must Not Be Named." He seemed a little surprised by the question, but his answer was pretty emphatic:

Of course, taking on a role that massive would come with a few sacrifices. There’s the potential commitment to several more seasons if HBO adapts all seven books (which rise in scale), and then there’s the other obvious Voldemort-related sacrifice: the nose. That is assuming the new version follows a similar design path to the OG films, where Ralph Fiennes’ Tom Riddle became one of fantasy’s most famously nasal-challenged villains.

Serkis, however, does not sound particularly worried about that part. When Horowitz joked about the nose situation, the actor gave the exact answer you’d want from someone who has already spent decades disappearing into unforgettable characters:

Honestly, that is the kind of commitment you want from a potential Voldemort. The Planet of the Apes mainstay has built a career out of vanishing into characters, whether through motion capture, voice work or full-body performance. Between Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, Caesar in the Planet of the Apes movies and Snoke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the man knows his way around haunted creatures.

Serkis has plenty going on outside of hypothetical Wizarding World villainy, too. His animated adaptation of Animal Farm already hit the 2026 movie schedule, though critics have not exactly greeted this trip to Orwell’s barnyard with open arms. Reviews are largely negative, knocking the movie for softening the book’s political bite and aiming the material at younger viewers in ways that apparently do not always land.

Still, the mo-cap revolutionary is not staying away from major fantasy worlds for long. He is also heading back to Middle-earth, and not just in front of the camera. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is expected to begin production soon and is aiming for a 2027 release. Serkis is set to direct the film and return as Gollum, with the story reportedly following Aragorn’s quest to capture him in the years between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Lee Pace and Jamie Dornan are also listed among the stars, with Philippa Boyens, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou attached as writers.

Andy Serkis may already be booked for another trip through fantasy’s nastiest caves but, if HBO really is still hunting for its Voldemort, there are worse ideas than calling the guy who has made an art form out of turning monstrous characters into something strange and impossible to look away from. Seriously, Warner Bros., pick up your phone and give this man a call.

I’ve lamented in the past about the challenge I regularly face as a fan of both books and LEGO sets when it comes to shelf space. A lack of places to display either might be the only thing keeping me from spending all of my money on all the books and LEGO sets. It’s for that reason that I’m especially fond of the LEGO Book Nook sets, as they not only bring two of my favorite hobbies together, but they’re also a bit more flexible with how they can be displayed.

If you haven't heard, LEGO has been coming out with Book Nook sets inspired by some very popular book series and designed to fit among your books on a shelf. Following the release of the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Book Nook set, Barnes & Noble has a new LEGO Harry Potter Book Nook available for pre-order. It's Dumbledore's Office, and I think I need it.

The cool thing about the LEGO book nook sets is that they can be displayed open (see photo above), or folded closed and set between your books. The folded-closed option takes up less space on a bookshelf, plus, it still allows the set to be on display from the front. Check out the closed version from the box below:

I've been eying the Hogwarts Express Harry Potter Book Nook set for a while, but until very recently, my main focus was on saving up for the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds set (I got mine at Barnes & Noble, however Target currently has it listed for a lower price). I'm in the middle of assembling my Hogwarts set, after which I need to make some shelf decisions, but that's a later problem. As is my decision on which Harry Potter Book Nook set I need, apparently.

I think I like this new set even more than the Hogwarts Express Book Nook set. It's entirely possible that I'm just dazzled by the newness of the Dumbledore's Office set, or I’m still in my feelings over my recent listen of the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince full cast audiobook, but Merlin's beard, this new book nook is adorable!

The details of Dumbledore’s office are just so great, with things like a Pensieve, the Sorting Hat and portraits on the walls featuring former Hogwarts headmasters on display. Plus, there's Dumbledore's Phoenix bestie, Fawkes, among the minifigures! The set also includes minifigs of Harry and Dumbledore, as well as Dumbledore's phoenix patronus.

I love everything about this set, including the option to fold it together so it doesn't take up quite so much space on my shelf.

The LEGO Harry Potter Book Nook - Dumbledore's Office set is a Barnes & Noble exclusive, and it's set for release on June 1, 2026. The price is $129.99.

In addition to the two mentioned LEGO Harry Potter Book Nook sets, there are a couple of other Book Nook LEGO sets available. For Sherlock Holmes fans, there’s this quaint glimpse of Baker Street, and for Lord of the Rings fans, there’s the Balrog Book Nook. As excited as I am to see a new Harry Potter Book Nook, I really hope there are more in development for other popular book series (ACOTAR? Red Rising? Fourth Wing? Perhaps some stand-alone books like Project Hail Mary?) A girl can dream. In the meantime, I have a Hogwarts castle to finish building, and I’m counting down the days until the Harry Potter TV show arrives this Christmas!

Harry Potter ultimately proved to be the role of a lifetime for the then 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe. After producer David Heyman convinced the young actor’s initially hesitant parents to allow a meeting to cast their son as The Boy Who Lived, the rest was history. Radcliffe, now an adult with a child, is still renowned for his performance in the Potter movies. As much as the actor embodied the role in various ways, many might still notice that he doesn't have green eyes in the film like his counterpart in the book. Well, Heyman revealed the story behind that change.

One compliment that Harry always gets throughout the books is that he has his mother’s green eyes. That sentiment about the character's eyes remains in the films, but it's Daniel Radcliffe natural blue eyes that are shown throughout the movies. In a video shared to the official Potter Instagram account, David Heyman explained that the original plan was for Harry to have green eyes, but a health concern changed all that:

Honestly, I can imagine what an uncomfortable experience that could've been for Radcliffe. This is a particularly interesting Sorcerer’s Stone BTS fact and, as I just found out, during an interview Radcliffe did with the BBC years ago, he discussed how “excruciatingly painful” it was for him that he expressed never wanting to wear contacts again. I can’t say I blame him, as it was hard watching the David Copperfield actor in the Instagram video squinting his eyes as contacts were put in.

If you can believe it, the first scene shot in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was the final scene on the Hogwarts Express. As David Heyman continued to talk more about why he wasn’t willing to put Daniel Radcliffe through contacts again during his run of the franchise and, after hearing this tidbit of information, you won’t watch that film's ending the same way again:

What a trooper! On the other side of that, though, I thought Radcliffe’s eyes were reddening due him acting out that goodbye scene with Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid. So, now, I know the green contacts were actually to blame for that. However, I'd still say that in an ironic way, the puffiness around Radcliffe's eyes worked in the production's favor. Heyman previously recalled how “special” it was filming that early scene with Radcliffe and Coltrane, remarking how moving it was shooting it as it had been when he first read it in J.K. Rowling's 1997 novel.

So, whether it was the emotion of saying goodbye to a good friend or the irritation from those contacts, the final result still captured the necessary emotion needed for the scene. Watch the Instagram video in full down below, which includes behind-the-scenes footage:

Ultimately, it was a good call by David Heyman to rid Daniel Radcliffe of the green contacts due to that allergy. This stylistic choice also seems to have carried into the reboot, as first teaser for HBO's Harry Potter TV series shows lead actor Dominic McLaughlin with blue eyes while playing the boy wizard. I'm not sure if any of that will be changed in post-production but, regardless, when it comes to Potter's eye color, I'm more for safety than book accuracy.

Feel free to revisit all of the Harry Potter movies with an HBO Max subscription or a Peacock subscription. Also, be sure to catch the upcoming TV series, which premieres on HBO on Christmas Day.

As excited as I am that the final Harry Potter full-cast audiobook is set to drop this month, I'm also a little bit sad. I've been really enjoying revisiting the series with these new versions, and waiting for the next one each month has undoubtedly been a part of that. I've lost count of the times I've read this series since it was first released, which is why I thought I was prepared for one of the series' saddest scenes. What Audible Studios and Pottermore Publishing's edition did with Dumbledore's funeral at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince wrecked me, and I need to talk about it.

The Harry Potter Full Cast Audiobooks Add Music And Sound Effects

In addition to featuring a huge cast of actors voicing the roles of J.K. Rowling's beloved characters (some with truly fantastic performances), Audible's full cast audiobook editions also include sound effects and music at certain parts of the story to enhance the scene. For example, during the scene in the hospital wing, when Harry and the other characters are discussing Dumbledore's death, they pause to listen to Fawkes' song in the distance. At that point, sad but soothing music plays behind the narration. Six books into these new full-cast editions, I should've expected something particularly moving for Dumbledore's funeral, and yet...

I Wasn't Prepared For Dumbledore's Funeral

The last chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is called "The White Tomb." This final segment of the story includes Hogwarts staff and students (along with countless visitors from other parts of the wizarding world) gathering for Dumbledore's funeral. It's another devastating scene from the book that wasn't included in the movie (in the film, we see McGonagall and other characters raise their wands in tribute to Dumbledore not long after his death, but there's no funeral).

As the funeral scene starts in the new audiobook, the sound effects are mostly limited to audible feet shuffling as the guests arrive, and a bell ringing in the distance. It isn't until the merpeople show up that the scene really comes to life, as we can hear them singing together from the nearby lake. Their song grows louder as Hagrid begins to walk in carrying Dumbledore's body, and this is about the time that the tears come for me. Not only is the merpeople's song really beautiful, but we can hear Hagrid's muffled cries as he continues to take Dumbledore to the front, which just pushes the emotional impact over the edge.

I Didn't Think I Could Experience This Scene Like It Was Brand New Again

Given the number of times I've read these books, the pain of Dumbledore's death isn't nearly as jarring as it was when I first read Half-Blood Prince. Of course, I still get emotional when rereading, but by the time Dumbledore's funeral comes up, I'm usually past the worst of the sadness over his death, and more focused on what Harry's planning to do next. The story is wrapping up, and I can just feel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows coming.

Listening to these new audiobooks has been very different from listening to one of the original audiobooks -- as I'm in the U.S., I'm much more familiar with Jim Dale's narration than Stephen Fry's. Comparing the original U.S. audiobooks to these new editions is like comparing hippogriffs to thestrals as far as I'm concerned. Both are awesome in their own right, and I'm glad to have both in my Audible library. I knew going into this revisit of the series that we were getting the opportunity to enjoy the Harry Potter books in a new way, but I didn't expect to be able to have such a fresh sense of grief over Dumbledore's death, considering how familiar I am with the story. It really is a credit to Audible's production that this new version is that effective.

Buying The New Harry Potter Audiobooks On Audible

The first six Harry Potter full-cast audiobooks are now available on Audible. The price for each of them ranges from $31-$48 depending on the book. As an Audible Premium Plus member, I purchased them for one Audible credit a piece, which is a great deal when factoring in the monthly cost ($14.95/month for Premium Plus, which includes one audiobook credit each month, in addition to other perks). There's a cheaper plan that includes one credit per month for $8.99, but it looks like you don't get to keep the audiobooks you purchase if you cancel your membership. Definitely something to keep in mind if you're like me and love to reread your favorites.

The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows full cast audio edition arrives May 12, 2026. And that's not the only thing Potter fans have to look forward to this year, as HBO's Harry Potter TV show arrives in a matter of months. The book-to-screen adaptation debuts Christmas 2026.

The Wizarding World is a global sensation, thanks to J.K. Rowling's books, stage plays, theme parks, and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. The cast of the Potter movies grew up before our eyes, including Ginny herself Bonnie Wright. Although some fans are hoping to see her reprise her role in a Cursed Child movie, the 35 year-old actress recently made an A+ suggestion for a spinoff. And I'd honestly love to see it happen.

While the fandom is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, there are plenty of folks who regularly re-watch the movies with their HBO Max subscription. During a recent appearance at the Calgary Expo (via Collider), Wright shared a killer idea she has for a movie spinoff. In her words:

Sign me TF up. While it'll be fun to see Harry's story adapted for the small screen, the idea of getting a new story set before James and Lily Potter die sounds thrilling. Fans have heard about the adventures of the Order of the Phoenix and the Aurors, but we haven't been able to see them play out before our eyes. And I have to assume that many Potter fans would lose their minds seeing this prequel on the big screen.

While there's no indication that Warner Bros. has any plans to make this type of project a reality, it might be good timing. After all, the Fantastic Beasts franchise was scrapped after the first two sequels failed to perform at the box office... despite it originally being planned as a five-film narrative. Perhaps the Wizarding World's fans would respond more strongly to a different type of prequel, one with a deeper connection the main Harry Potter series.

The Harry Potter franchise is streaming over on HBO Max, and the upcoming TV adaptation will premiere its first season on December 25th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. We'll just have to wait and see if/when the Wizarding World returns to theaters.

The Wizarding World continues to be a wildly popular global IP, but arguably the most iconic aspect are the Harry Potter movies. That franchise (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) made household names out the Potter cast, who grew up before our eyes. Chief among them was Daniel Radcliffe himself, who used to be stressed when fans saw him as The Boy Who Lived. Although now it looks like his perspective has changed.

Daniel Radcliffe recently did a Harry Potter movie bracket, so he's obviously more comfortable with his tenure at Hogwarts when when he had just finished the franchise. In an interview with Rolling Stone, to which the actor said:

Points were made. The Harry Potter films are constantly re-watched to this day, so there are entire generations who were brought up on Daniel Radcliffe performance as the title character. And the Tony-winning actor seems to think this is actually a good thing, as it will encourage them to try out some of his other credits from the screen and stage.

Radcliffe has heard every Harry Potter joke imaginable, and has also likely been accosted by countless fans over the years. Later in the same interview, he went on to explain how he was originally insecure about his ties to his signature character. As he put it:

Of course, Radcliffe has proven himself as an accomplished stage actor, recently winning the Tony for his work on Merrily We Roll Along (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription). But in the beginning of his time on the stage he was seemingly worried about the perception he was only hired due to his work on Potter. Luckily that's not the case anymore.

Soon enough there will be new Boy Who Lived, thanks to the upcoming Harry Potter TV show. We'll just have to see if this makes Daniel Radcliffe any less synonymous with his time in the Wizarding World. Personally, I'm not holding my breath.

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear Universal Studios is doing something after dark is usually how scary it’s going to be—and that’s not surprising. Halloween Horror Nights has built that reputation with intense scares, haunted houses, and scare zones designed to keep you on edge. But you don’t have to love HHN to enjoy Universal after dark.

For those of us who still want to explore the park, go through immersive walkthroughs, see characters, and take in the atmosphere without constantly worrying what might be lurking around the corner, Universal’s Fan Fest Nights – now in its second year – offers a different kind of experience. That's because it's focused more on fun, fandom, and immersion than fear.

There is no shortage of ways fans can delve into some of their favorite stories throughout the evening. This year alone, fans can stick their tongues out with multi-colored Yoshis, join Scooby-Doo and the gang as they take on Universal’s classic monsters in unravelling a mystery on the backlot, and enter the world of One Piece with Luffy and the crew as they set sail on high-energy adventures (while doing many backflips along the way).

So when CinemaBlend was invited to the opening night festivities, we had to make sure that this was going to be a night filled with fun, not fright.

That feeling is immediately apparent the moment you step into the park. The lighting is warm and inviting, Sailor Moon is hosting meet-and-greets, the food is playful and whimsical, and—most importantly—no one is coming at you with a chainless chainsaw.

However, if you are in the mood for some light-hearted scares, you can still find them with Scooby and the gang in the aforementioned backlot mystery. This immersive walkthrough in “Little Europe” has you helping Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. crew solve a whodunit as Universal’s classic monsters are on the loose, with Wolfman, Frankenstein (no '90s pop song number this time) and his Bride, or Dracula, potentially lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce. It’s less about being terrified and more about playful surprise—though, admittedly, a few of them still got me.

Those monsters are about as scary as it gets during Fan Fest Nights. The only other moment that gave me pause was entering the Forbidden Forest with a Hogwarts professor (no name or real backstory) to help a Hippogriff in need. It also didn’t help that it was the first experience I did, and I was still shaking off some lingering HHN-style instincts from walking through Universal at night in the dark. That feeling faded quickly, though, once we ran into a group of pesky pixies causing chaos in the woods.

Overall, there is a lot to love about Universal Fan Fest Nights, and it is all very doable within one evening. One small word of warning: the Forbidden Forest walkthrough had the longest wait of the night, hovering around 70 minutes most of the evening. If you’re short on time, this is probably the one experience I’d consider skipping first.

Fan Fest Nights is an after-hours, separately ticketed event, and all experiences are included with admission. It runs for a limited time on select nights—April 25, May 1–3, 7–9, and 14–16—before wrapping up, hopefully to return next year.

I would have never expected this, but Bobby Moynihan, yes, of Saturday Night Live fame, was a part of a significant Harry Potter moment for Daniel Radcliffe. However, the comedian hilariously could contribute nothing to it. Radcliffe was hosting an episode of the comedy show, and realized a Potter-based sketch may have been his final performance as the titular character. Now, the former SNL star has shared the story behind what happened, and why he felt the way he did in the moment.

Moynihan is currently working alongside Radcliffe in The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins (which you can stream with a Peacock subscription), so the fact a Potter story might come up is not that unusual, and he talked about his co-star during an appearance on the Daily Beast's Obsessed podcast. He and Radcliffe were working on a sketch where Harry Potter returned to Hogwarts, trying to relive his glory days, and the moment got a little heavy:

If Daniel Radcliffe were looking for someone who understood the gravitas of what it meant to play Harry Potter for the last time, Bobby Moynihan was not the person. Of course, he undoubtedly knew of the franchise and how beloved the movies were, but as he went on to say in the podcast, a true fan might've died to be in that same position.

I know the quote may make it seem like Daniel Radcliffe might've had second thoughts about Saturday Night Live being his final Harry Potter portrayal, but the actor has famously rejected the idea of returning to the role. Now, with a new HBO series on the way, the odds of him reprising the role feel slim to none, though he's joked about playing other characters in the show.

Context is always important, however, and I need to point out that this Saturday Night Live sketch aired in January of 2012. It was close to six months after the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, which makes it feel much more impactful. It also explains the potential pressure Bobby Moynihan felt, and why he felt obligated to bring up that he never saw the movies. I'm curious if he'll be tuning in with others to watch the series when it is available with an HBO Max subscription.

As mentioned, readers can catch up on The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins on Peacock (which is also where you can see old episodes of SNL). It's one of my favorites on the 2026 TV schedule, and worth a watch for anyone who still hasn't checked it out!

Harry Potter has its fair share of plot twists and absolutely devastating deaths, and sometimes, those two things collide with one gut-punching moment. To this day, kids (and adults who are experiencing the Wizarding World for the first time) have to face these moments and the emotions that come with them. It turns out, J.K. Rowling’s own son also went through that experience, as she revealed which book’s ending left him very upset.

While you can stream all the Harry Potter movies with an HBO Max subscription and experience the world that way, there’s nothing more magical than reading the books for the first time. However, it’s also an emotional experience, especially for a sixth grader, as @clharrington024 pointed out on X:

“Magical and moving and heartbreaking” does feel like the best way to describe the experience of reading that book and Dumbledore's death, specifically, for the first time. The parent went on to thank J.K. Rowling for these books, and they urged parents to read the Harry Potter series with their kids. This message is what led to the author sharing her own story about her kid’s experience with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

It turns out, even when your mom wrote the book, you can’t avoid the tragedy of Dumbledore’s death, as Rowling posted:

That's such a fair question, and it's one I asked my mom too. That's because I was like the kids in this story. I was in fifth grade when I read the Harry Potter books, and Half-Blood Prince’s movie had just been released. Up to that point, I, for some reason, had assumed Dumbledore was immortal and could not die. So, you can imagine how distraught 10-year-old me was when I learned about what happened to him.

Now, a whole new generation will get to experience the ups and downs of this series with the new Harry Potter show. This book-to-screen adaptation will premiere its first season, which will follow Socerer’s Stone, on the 2026 TV schedule. So, it will be quite some time before we see John Lithgow’s Dumbledore meet his tragic end. However, there’s no doubt in my mind that it will hurt just as much as it did the first time I read the book and the first time I watched the movie. And I bet these kids would agree.

That’s a compliment, though. Dumbledore's death is harrowing in the best way, it sets the stage for the final battle and makes it clear that no one is safe in this series. So, while the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has broken many fans’ hearts (including J.K. Rowling’s son’s), it’s also one of the reasons why Harry Potter is so great.

As a long-time fan of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I knew the new cast of actors for the upcoming HBO TV adaptation would face many hurdles. It's no easy task taking over such beloved characters in a high-profile series. However, what I didn’t expect were all the awkward problems John Lithgow had to face as Dumbledore, and it mostly came down to sporting one of the most recognizable wizard’s beards in pop culture.

John Lithgow recently chatted with Today opened up about how tough it was to rock the chin curtain. With his usual laid-back vibe, he talked about how the beard got snagged on just about everything. He shared:

Yikes. I guess manscaping as a powerful wizard carries just as many annoyances as it does for us bearded folk in the Muggle world. I wouldn’t have even considered the challenges a beard of that length might introduce, especially when it's time to hit the restroom. But with his signature smile and charm, the 3rd Rock from the Sun star seems barely bothered by the extra work the floor-length face-fungus presented him during his time on the new book-to-screen adaptation.

What I found particularly interesting was the way in which Lithgow described his time on the set of Hogwarts. When asked about the magic he must have felt stepping into the world created for the show, he recalled:

That explanation really piqued my interest. From the start, fans have known that HBO wants to keep the new show separate from the Harry Potter film series, establishing its own identity. What’s cool is that they seem to be using some leftover sets from the “movie days,” as the Blow Out star put it. It’s pretty common for productions to recycle sets and props from other shows, but I thought this little detail from the interview was a fun tidbit to note.

I never considered how much thought went into making sure Lithgow chose the right way to portray Dumbledore before filming his first scene. He mentioned that his initial scene for the series was the opening one at Privet Drive:

Nearly the entire cast of the upcoming Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are the first people to step into these roles since they were made famous by their film counterparts. Interestingly, John Lithgow is the fourth actor after Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, and Jude Law, so one wonders if he’s feeling a bit less pressure putting on the moon-shaped glasses and, yes, that oh so famous beard.

But, by the sounds of things, that isn’t the case. It's clear John Lithgow is taking this part very seriously and has put a lot of thought into his performance. The Conclave star's attitude toward the project has me incredibly excited to see him when the series hits the 2026 TV schedule later this year.

The first season of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, debuts on HBO on Christmas Day 2026, and will then stream for all with an HBO Max subscription soon after.

There are major franchises, and then there's the Wizarding World. Generations grew up with these stories, which spanned novels, theme parks, video games, stage plays and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. Cinephiles watched as the Potter cast grew up before our eyes, especially Daniel Radcliffe himself. And now that the Stranger Things series finale has aired for those with a Netflix subscription, he's got some A+ advice for the young cast. And yes, an F-Bomb is involved.

Stranger Things fans watched the young cast grow up throughout the show, and they've got some thriving careers. And now that their time in Hawkins has reached its end, Radcliffe knows exactly what they should do next. During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Tony-winning actor spoke about some interactions he had with the Stranger Things kids. In his words:

Mic drop. Daniel Radcliffe is uniquely qualified to speak about what to do post-franchise, especially when previously synonymous with one specific role. He thinks the Stranger Things cast should use their platform to take on projects that really excite them, which is exactly what he did post-Potter.

Radcliffe has proven himself as a versatile character actor in the years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 hit theaters. That includes starring in a whopping six Broadway shows, and taking a variety of film and TV projects. And his time in Hogwarts allowed him the fame and financial stability to take those bold swings.

The Harry Potter movies (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription) were a global sensation that are still regularly re-watched to this day. But Radcliffe has carved out a thriving career apart from the Wizarding World, largely thanks to the wide range of projects that he's taken on. Later in the same podcast, the 36-year-old actor spoke about what Gaten Matarazzo has been up to post-Stranger Things, saying:

Of course, he's not the only one who has been keeping super busy. For instance, Millie Bobby Brown has led a number of movies, many of which are on Netflix. Finn Wolfhard has worked as both an actor and director, and Sadie Sink will appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in addition to a number of theater credits. But if they want to follow Daniel Radcliffe's advice, they should make sure they do whatever projects they want... regardless of how big they might be.

Radcliffe can currently be seen on Broadway in Every Brilliant Thing, and also stars in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, airing as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

There’s no question in my mind Emma Watson is well dressed. In fact, she could never act again and as long as she keeps up her chic fashion sense, I’d be happy to continue following her. This week, she busted out another winner in the realm of celebrity fashion for an interview, but it was even more weirdly satisfying to see her pull off her $1000+ shoes and use them to crush ice.

Listen, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. In her new cocktail-making video, Emma Watson pulled off a pair of Prada shoes and used them to whack at some ice for a cocktail-making venture. It’s unclear which pair it is, though they have the block heel of the Nappa Leather platform shoes, which retail for a whopping $1,420. There’s nothing like a $1,400 rolling pin! Take a look.

I honestly thought I’d be horrified by this video for British Vogue, but I’m not. In fact, seeing Watson smack down on that ice is super compelling, and the thing is, it worked! As she noted:

I feel like you’d need a special type of heel in order to get such a satisfying whack out of some ice. Tennis shoes are too soft. Boots might be hard to grip and use for any sort of smacking. But a nice chunky heel? It’s basically pickaxe adjacent. You’d need to be really specific, though. The trendy heels right now are long and spindly. Pumps like these look great on your feet, for sure, but aren’t what we are looking for.

This Steve Madden Beki heel is fashionable and getting a little closer, but I think would still be a little too thin for maximum impact.

If you’re looking for a dupe that maybe won’t break the bank as much as Emma Watson’s shoes have, options like these Stuart Weitzman chunky sandals may be just what you’re looking for.

Emma Watson is generally a fun interview, whether she’s talking about dating Brits or U.S. guys or the story behind her Harry Potter casting. She’s fun here, too, joking about how Hermione wasn’t much of a drinker, but maybe got into cocktails later when things got hard on the home and work front. (Love me a good Cursed Child reference.)

I'm still not over the fact she used Prada to chunk up some ice. It's such great content, and I've watched it like 10 times already. Now, excuse me while I give it a go, again.

There are a few debates that never really die online, and ranking the Harry Potter movies is definitely one of them. Everyone has a favorite, everyone has a least favorite, and somehow no two lists ever look exactly the same. It’s part of the fun, especially now that enough time has passed for people to revisit the series with fresh eyes. What I didn’t expect was franchise star Daniel Radcliffe jumping into that conversation himself and just going for it, but hey, he’s 100% right about the best across all the movies in the Wizarding World franchise.

During a recent live taping of the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz, Radcliffe took some time from his busy 2026 movie schedule to rank the beloved series of movies on the spot. The moment was shared via the show’s Instagram account (see below), and it is as hilarious as it is correct.

Radcliffe’s top choice? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. And honestly, it’s hard to argue with that. It’s the payoff movie. The one where everything that had been building across eight films finally comes together. The Battle of Hogwarts, the emotional resolutions, the sense that this entire story is actually reaching its end. It delivers on a scale that the earlier movies were setting up for years.

It also happens to be the point where Radcliffe seems most at ease in the role. He’s talked before about how his relationship with his own performances has shifted over time, with the earlier films feeling “sweet” in hindsight, even if he used to cringe at them. That perspective alone probably shapes how he looks at the series now.

Of course, the real debate starts once you look beyond his top pick. Radcliffe also ranked Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire near the top, which will make a lot of fans happy, even if I would’ve personally bumped The Prisoner of Azkaban higher. Where he and I do line up again is at the bottom of the list, with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. He’s said that choice comes down to how he feels about his own performance, but for me, it’s more about the film itself. It’s just never been one I fully connected with. That said, it does lay the groundwork for one of late Alan Rickman’s most powerful Snape moments: the “always” reveal, which ultimately pays off in Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

That’s what makes the Swiss Army Man star's whole response feel so refreshing. It’s not a curated answer or trying to line up with popular opinion. It’s just how he feels about the movies he spent a decade making.

If you needed proof that there’s no single “correct” ranking, Tom Felton recently threw a wrench into things. Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, has said his favorite is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which is not exactly the pick most fans expect. But from his perspective, it makes sense. That’s the movie where the characters start to settle in and where Draco really gets to make an impression.

Felton has also pointed to Half-Blood Prince as one of his most meaningful experiences as an actor, which makes it even more interesting that Radcliffe put that one at the bottom of his list. And honestly, that’s the takeaway here. For the actors, these rankings aren’t just about the finished films, they’re tied to what those experiences meant while making them.

Even the people who lived inside these movies don’t agree on how they stack up. Everyone’s bringing their own memories, their own perspective, their own version of what worked best.

Still, if you’re going to pick a number one, Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is a tough one to argue against. And if you want to revisit the whole debate yourself, all eight films are currently streaming with an HBO Max subscription.

I realize that the Harry Potter movies are known to be fairly family-friendly, but it's still a bit surprising to me today to consider that four of the eight book-to-screen film adaptations of J.K. Rowling's series received PG ratings. It seems far more common these days that PG movies are animated. Of course, there are exceptions to that -- Wicked and its sequel were rated PG, for example. There are dark moments in each Harry Potter movie, but apparently not always so dark (by 2000s standards, anyway) to earn a PG-13 rating. The film's rating was understandably a concern for director Chris Columbus when he was making the first movie.

There was one scene, in particular, that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone director Chris Columbus thought might be too much for young audiences. I was watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on iTunes recently, and had the "Magical Movie Mode" turned on. Throughout the film, Columbus pops in to share the occasional tidbit about the making of the movie. That included his concerns about the sight of Lord Voldemort's face coming out of the back of Quirrell's head at the end of the movie being too scary for kids. He thought that might be spooky enough to warrant a PG-13 rating for the film, saying:

However, from what Columbus went on to say, kids weren't as scared about is as he feared.

It's understandable that they'd be aiming for the more family-friendly PG rating for this movie, especially considering how popular the series was among young readers. As creepy as Voldemort's face looks coming out of the back of Quirrell's head, if we're focusing on that specific scene, I was always more freaked out by what happened to Quirrell, including the sight of Harry grabbing his Defense Against The Dark Arts professor's face and hearing it sizzle as the protective charm on Harry turned Quirrell's cursed body to ash.

I was an adult when I first saw the movie, and -- full disclosure -- some part of me is likely never going to be over some of the more horrifying imagery from the Indiana Jones movies, which I did see as a kid, and I think are on the same level as seeing a professor's hand start to crumble to ash in front of his face.

Perhaps the Voldemort thing was scarier for 2001's kids, but it was still not scary enough for a PG-13 rating (back then, anyway). As Columbus suggested, maybe the context of the scene, including the appearance of Harry's parents in the mirror, added to the kids' emotional investment, making it easier for the younger members of the audience to process.

The MPAA bestowed a PG rating on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and the same would apply for the next two Harry Potter movies (Half-Blood Prince would be the only other film of the original Harry Potter series to get a PG rating). It wasn't until Goblet of Fire that the Harry Potter series earned its first PG-13. I'm guessing that had to do with the sight of a Hogwarts student being killed on screen. We'll have to wait and see what kind of TV rating the new Harry Potter TV series gets when it starts airing this December.

At this point, more than two decades after the first Harry Potter movie hit theaters, it's hard to imagine the movies being anything but the memorable films we know and love today. Still, each of the book-to-screen adaptations that were made to bring J.K. Rowling's magical story to life was the result of countless decisions. It's with that in mind that I’m trying to wrap my head around the idea of a Harry Potter movie that – instead of adapting one book – combines the plots of two or three of the books for one big movie.

Apparently that was an idea being tossed around before director Chris Columbus was brought on board. I was revisiting the bonus features on the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone DVD set (the one released in 2002), and one of them features Chris Columbus talking about the adaptation, including a story he heard when he was first in talks to helm the Philosopher's Stone adaptation:

I'm trying to imagine a movie that combines the events of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and maybe even Prisoner of Azkaban, and it kind of makes me want to cry. The movies already had to trim down or omit elements that couldn't fit into a reasonable runtime for a film. (Book readers remember you, Peeves!). Imagine three years of Harry's life condensed into a series of memorable moments that's somehow trying to form into the shape of something resembling the plot Rowling had mapped out.

Considering The Timeline

So why would this even be a plan tossed around at all? Well, I've been thinking about that, and when we factor in certain things, it's not impossible to understand why anyone might consider a mashed together Harry Potter story as a good option. Let's grab a time-turner for a moment and consider:

• Chris Columbus recalls hearing this story when he was being interviewed. He was brought on board to direct Sorcerer's Stone around March 2000 (per Screen Daily).
• The first three Harry Potter books had been released prior to 2000. Goblet of Fire hit shelves in July 2000.
• The books were already a hit in the UK and were really starting to build what would become full-on mega-popularity globally.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone arrived in theaters in 2001.

I'm mentioning those things because, while Harry Potter was already a pretty big deal by the time the first movie was in development, it was still the dawn of the Potter phenomenon. Only three books had been released at that point, so the series wasn't even halfway completed. From a story perspective, it had only just begun to scratch the surface of what it would become.

The Story Was Just Beginning To Take Flight

From my own perspective, I remember reading Prisoner of Azkaban and realizing that this story was becoming so much more than the adventures of a boy wizard attending magic school; that Rowling was building out a much bigger, more complex history and path forward, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. This is one of those great book series that wouldn't just get better with each book, but it would also manage to deliver a fantastic conclusion -- but that was years off.

One Other Point To Consider

There's one other thing I think is fair to consider, which is to appreciate the foresight involved in going big with the Harry Potter adaptations rather than condensing the books. After all, what precedent was there to suggest that a modern-day children's book series could lead to the kind of massive franchise success that Harry Potter had and has continued to have (eight movies and a spinoff trilogy, numerous editions of the books released, theme park attractions, a West End and Broadway production, the upcoming TV show, etc)? Even the most popular books and properties have their limits. Well, most of them do — Harry Potter just seems to be one of the ones that hasn't met its.

As much as it pains me to consider it, I can envision something like what Columbus described actually being made if it was the easier route for a director, and/or if the goal was to capitalize on the rise in popularity that the books were having at the time. I also agree it would've destroyed the series.

I can't see how they'd be able to set up the events that were to come. I imagine this proposed version of the adaptation as one of those event films a lot of us would've gone to see but then didn't think about much (or flat-out tried to forget) soon after. I'm obviously grateful things worked out as they did.

The Wizarding World is one of the most popular franchises in the world, thanks to J.K. Rowling's novels, as well as theme parks, video games, stage plays and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. The property will expand shortly with the forthcoming Harry Potter TV show, which debuts its first season in December. The BTS documentary about Season 1 showed off some amazing animatronics, one of which might mean a beloved scene from the first book is heading to the screen.

Anticipation is building for the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone series, which is expected to be a more accurate book-to-screen adaptation than the film. In the documentary Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription), Creature Effects Design Supervisor John Nolan debuted realistic owls, as well as an animatronic for Ron's rat Scabbers. We even got to see one where the rodent is rigged to bite a finger. Check it out below:

Scabbers looks incredibly real, which is exciting enough. But the news of a biting animatronic piqued the interest of Potter fans who know and love the first novel. Namely because Ron's pet rat bites Goyle on the Hogwarts Express after Draco's sidekick tried to steal Harry's candy. An excerpt from The Philosopher's Stone reads:

Given the fact that John Nolan and his team made a second Scabbers animatronic that's able to bite, plenty of Potterheads out there think that this scene from the book will indeed make it into Season 1 of the TV series. And this is just one example of content from the novels that will finally get their moment when Harry Potter is adapted into a TV series. Plenty of plot lines and entire characters were scrapped for the movies, in order to prevent them from being too long.

The first teaser for Harry Potter Season 1 was recently dropped, thrilling hardcore fans who are ready to return to Hogwarts with a new cast of actors. The pressure is on for the show to deliver, but fans who love the novels are thrilled at the concept of it being more accurate to the source material than the beloved eight-movie franchise. Each book is expected to get its own season of TV, allowing for a much more expanded story.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is set to debut on Christmas as part of the 2026 TV schedule. The documentary Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic is super popular on HBO Max, and is helping to buoy fan excitement about what's to come. That includes the look and feel of Scabbers.

Michael Gambon may have been known for playing sage Headmaster Professor Dumbledore but, in real life, the late actor was quite a character in his own right. Based on the loving tributes the Harry Potter cast shared about Gambon, the Irish actor was incredibly fun and quite the “trickster.” Co-star Tom Felton could vouch for that, as he spoke about the time Gambon hilariously messed with him while filming Dumbledore’s memorable death scene.

It's since been revealed that Tom Felton’s favorite Harry Potter movie is Half-Blood Prince, which puts his character, Draco Malfoy, in a tough spot. In it, Draco is threatened into killing Dumbledore on behalf of Voldemort. Draco’s attempts at using magic to off the Hogwarts headmaster, failed several times. And, as Felton explained on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he was having a hard time himself behind the scenes:

I can imagine how frustrating that must have been for Felton. Not only did he have to deliver that bit of dialogue, but he also had to deliver it before a revered actor, Gambon. As Felton went on to explain, he missed the line a few more times, and then it was his co-star who made a request:

Aw, I can really relate to that, and not so much specifically from an acting standpoint. There's a firm chance many of us can probably relate to being in the position of wanting to please someone, especially when we're a kid trying to please an adult.

Had I been in Tom Felton's shoes, I likely would've been aiming to apologize to my co-stars for holding up the shoot. Ultimately, though, Michael Gambon had a humorously genius way of changing his young co-star's perspective:

Okay, that made me crack up! Those comments firmly illustrate exactly the kind of humor that Michael Gambon possessed, and I love it. I can only imagine actually being on set whenever he dropped a gem like that one. If anything, Gambon -- an alumni of the Royal National Theatre with 60 years worth of fine performances under his belt -- didn't take himself too seriously. And it seems the three-time Olivier Award recipient taught Felton a serious lesson:

It’s no secret that Michael Gambon was a class clown on the Harry Potter set. Daniel Radcliffe spoke about how Gambon messed around on set "all the time” and came up with hilarious acronyms during the boat scene in Half-Blood Prince. There was even a time when Gambon pranked Radcliffe with a farting machine during Prisoner of Azkaban. I love that even one of the most esteemed actors of stage and screen could be so silly.

Considering how intense Dumbledore’s death scene is, it’s wild to imagine some level of hilarity ensuing behind the scenes. I’m definitely going to watch that scene a lot differently now, but what will remain the same is my sheer love of Michael Gambon's work. You can see Tom Felton and Gambon bring their A-game in Half-Blood Prince by streaming the film with an HBO Max subscription or a Peacock subscription.

There are major IPs and then there's the Wizarding World. Generations grew up with the Harry Potter movies, as well as the books, video games, stage plays, and theme parks. Fans regularly re-watch the Potter movies (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription), but the same can't be said for its cast. Draco Malfoy actor admitted he hasn't seen them in years, but also revealed the sweet reason why he might be down to take that stroll down memory lane.

The Harry Potter cast grew up before our eyes, including Felton, who recently reprised his role as Draco in The Cursed Child on Broadway. During an Instagram clip from the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he revealed he's only seen most of the movies once at the premieres. But he might revisit them in the future, saying:

How cute is that? It's been heartening seeing Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe becoming parents, and it sounds like that might be exactly what it takes for Felton to re-watch the Harry Potter movies in order. For now, he's busy reprising the role of Draco on Broadway. And with eight performances a week, can you blame him?

While appearing on Happy Sad Confused, Tom Felton also offered his controversial choice for the best Harry Potter movie: The Chamber of Secrets. But if he actually re-watches the movies, maybe that'll change. He joked about his limited experience actually watching the eight-movie franchise. In his words:

Well, that's not really the reaction that I assume Felton wanted from his family. Then again, his family falling asleep at the movie premieres might have kept him humble as a young star. Either way, he's seen the Wizarding World movies far less than fans.

Of course, fans are curious if Felton and the Harry Potter cast might reunite one day for a Cursed Child movie. There's been no indication that Warner Bros. has any plans to make this happen, but the fact that he's reprising his role as an adult Draco Malfoy is definitely encouraging.

All eight Harry Potter movies are streaming now on HBO Max, and Tom Felton will play Draco on Broadway in The Cursed Child until May 10th. Then there's the Harry Potter TV show, which is set to debut its first season in Christmas as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

Actor Daniel Radcliffe is perhaps best known for starring in the Harry Potter movies, a role that he's still famous for today. After starring in those eight titles (which are streaming with an HBO Max subscription), the 36-year-old actor has established himself as a versatile star of stage and screen. The Harry Potter star has been real about his unhappiness and alcohol use as a young person, and he recently opened up about what's changed in recent years.

Years ago Radcliffe admitted he turned to alcohol to deal with the Potter fame, after having intense anxiety about being watched in public. He's been away from that for some time now, and in a recent conversation with Project Healthy Minds CEO Phil Schermer moderated by PEOPLE, he reflected on the happiness he feels now. The actor said:

While Daniel Radcliffe drank to quell the panic of fame in his youth, it sounds like the Tony-winning actor has been able to find peace. He became a father in 2023, and has kept super busy with film projects and on Broadway, recently returning to The Great White Way in Every Brilliant Thing. And that sense of fulfillment would seemingly have felt impossible back at the height of his Harry Potter fame.

For his longtime fans, seeing the Lost City actor thriving creatively and personally is definitely heartwarming. Radcliffe's comments about parenting are relatable, but so is his transparency about struggling mentally. Later in that same conversation, he spoke about hope and change, saying:

That's certainly a heartening message, one that many people out there might need to hear. The Harry Potter icon has been able to find true happiness in his 30s after having some major mental health struggles. And if he can do it, so can others who might think that the future is looking bleak.

Considering the level of global fame Radcliffe dealt with at a young age, it's certainly understandable that it became an untenable situation. He's got a perspective on what it feels like to be in a low place, as well as what it's like to reach the other side. And now he's living his best life with a family and a thriving career.

Daniel Radcliffe currently stars in Every Brilliant Thing on Broadway, as well as NBC's The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, which airs new episodes Mondays as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

The Wizarding World is a global phenomenon, one that spans books, video games, theme parks, stage plays, and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. Fans are gearing up to return to Hogwarts with the Potter TV show, which will be available on HBO and for those with a HBO Max subscription. Fans are gearing up for the book to screen adaptation, and the network's boss Casey Bloys recently responded to folks who think it's coming too soon after the movies.

The trailer for Harry Potter Season 1 was recently released, along with the reveal that it's actually going to arrive on Christmas of this year. While some folks are hyped to see a more faithful adaptation of the novels, there are plenty of naysayers out there. While speaking with Variety about the network, Bloys addressed criticism that the show is coming too soon after the films. He offered:

Some points were made. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone hit theaters back in 2001, so it's been over two decades since we got another adaptation of J.K. Rowling's first novel. That franchise ended with Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011, so it's been over ten years since Harry's story occupied the big screen. So maybe it's not too early after all?

As Bloys pointed out, there would be backlash no matter how long they waited to turn the Harry Potter franchise into a live-action television show. So it should be interesting to see how well the TV adaptation ends up doing on HBO. Later in the same interview he spoke more about why now is a good time to be producing this project, saying:

Touche. Those of us who were raised on Rowling's books and watching the Harry Potter cast grow up with us are now in our adulthood. And OG fans are now able to share the Wizarding World with their kids. So it might be the perfect time to adapt the story for TV, and presumably be more accurate to the source material in the process.

All will be revealed when Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on December 25th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. We'll just have to wit and see if the naysayers or fans end up being right about the TV version of the beloved series.

The Wizarding World is one of the biggest franchises in the world, spanning J.K. Rowling's novels, theme parks, stage plays, and (of course) the Harry Potter movies. Those eight titles are regularly re-watched by fans, especially those with a HBO Max subscription. For years moviegoers watched the Potter cast grow up before our eyes, including Draco Malfoy himself, Tom Felton. He recently had a hot take about his favorite of the eight movies, and I relate because mine is also a bit of a wild card.

Felton recently returned to the role of Draco, appearing as an adult version of the character in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. He's remained a major cheerleader for the entire franchise, although his answer for his favorite film in the series might take fans by surprise. Let's break it all down.

What Felton Said About His Favorite Potter Film(s)

Felton's Broadway debut has been big news, especially for fans hoping to see a Cursed Child movie with the original cast. The actor has been super busy lately, as he's also celebrating the release of the new horror movie They Will Kill You. While appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he was asked which Harry Potter movie was the best. Rather than picking a fan favorite choice like The Goblet of Fire or The Prisoner of Azkaban, he came up with another title. In his words:

Honestly, I don't think anyone was expecting that answer. The first Harry Potter sequel might have helped expand the franchise's scope, but it usually isn't at the top of fans' lists. Alas, Tom Felton has a different perspective as someone who was there on set when filming the 2002 book to screen adaptation.

Hearing Felton's thoughts is fascinating, especially as the forthcoming Harry Potter TV show is on its way. The Chamber of Secrets will be the second season of that, and it should be interesting to see if the cast drops in the way the movie's seemingly did. Later in the same appearance, the 38 year-old actor spoke about which of the Potter movies was the most significant to him as a performer, offering:

This definitely tracks for those who watched the Harry Potter movies in order. The Half-Blood Prince was a big one for Draco, who was tasked with killing Dumbledore by Voldemort. We watched him struggle with that throughout the movie, before Snape ultimately stepped in and made it happen due to the Unbreakable Vow he'd made with Malfoy's mother. So it tracks that this was a particularly significant experience for the young actor.

My Favorite Harry Potter Film Is Also A Hot Take

Tom Felton's favorite Harry Potter movie can definitely be considered a hot take, and I relate to him in this way. Because my personal favorite is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, which was the only movie that doesn't even feature Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling's final novel was split into two parts, with the first one largely being focused on Harry, Ron, and Hermione being on the lamb and trying to track down Voldemort's Horocruxes.

I love the seventh movie because of how much it stands apart from the rest of the franchise. It feels like its own film, rather than simply an entry in a larger fantasy franchise. Instead of having to rush through an entire book in just a few hours, there was time for stillness and quiet, as our three heroes grew up and struggled to handle the responsibility of saving the Wizarding World.

Deathly Hallows: Part 1 looks and feels unique to the franchise. There are some bold visual choices involved, including Harry and Hermione's dance to "O Children" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I think it's one of the most touching moments of the entire franchise, and shows how they're still kids, despite the stakes of their circumstance.

Another standout moment is the animated sequence, where the origin of the Deathly Hallows themselves. It's a beautiful segment of the film, and once again shows how director David Yates was taking bolds swings. Add in the fascinating love triangle storyline and the death of Dobby, and the movie has so much going for it. But I think I'm one of the only people who ranks it as their favorite.

The Harry Potter franchise is streaming on HBO Max, and the forthcoming TV show will debut its first season on Christmas as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this may be the best time to make your way down to Broadway. That's because both Tom Felton and Daniel Radcliffe are currently in shows at the Big Apple’s theater center. Felton reprised his role as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to riotous applause back in November, while Radcliffe’s show, Every Brilliant Thing, opened earlier this month. With that, Felton welcomed Radcliffe back to the stage with a great gift that called back to their Wizarding World days.

Felton, who is still buddies with Radcliffe, has previously cited his Harry Potter co-star as one inspiration for him to head to Broadway in the first place. Here’s what the Draco performer revealed about the cheeky way he honored his friend and colleague:

Felton shared the story on the Happy Sad Confused podcast which dropped this week, but it must have been recorded weeks ago since the actor said he had just seen Radcliffe in Every Brilliant Thing on opening night the evening before. While Felton’s co-star on Cursed Child thought gifting Radcliffe Harry Potter’s wand would be just the right thing to do, Felton (who’s known him for the past 25 years) liked the idea for trolling-related reasons. As he added:

Oh, that’s good. As Felton shared, “taking the piss” (i.e: mock, tease, ridicule) out of a friend is kind of a classic way for Brits to show love for each other So I'd hope Radcliffe really felt the love while doing his new show for an audience. The pair of Harry Potter actors took these reunion photos a few days before Every Brilliant Thing officially opened:

Cursed Child and Every Brilliant Thing are playing six nights a week just a block away from each other. I can't help but wonder how often the pair might grab lunch together now that they’re in the same place until the end of May. This almost feels like a situation in which someone is working down the street from one of their high school friends – though, in this case, it's not high school but blockbuster franchise instead.

At the same time, both actors have a lot to be excited about career-wise. Daniel Radcliffe is in one of the newest NBC series, The Fall And Rise of Reggie Dinkins, while Tom Felton is in a newly released horror comedy, They Will Kill You, which is getting good reviews from critics. It’s been so long since the HP film series ended that there’s a TV adaptation of Potter coming out amid the 2026 TV schedule later this year. Despite that passage of time, it's great to see Felton and Radcliffe still connected through the Wizarding World and are both thriving on stage.

When the upcoming Harry Potter TV series debuts, it’s all but guaranteed that a ton of people will tune in to watch it on HBO Max. Serious Harry Potter fans who still love the franchise will certainly tune in, as will a lot of people who are simply curious about the reboot of the franchise. What’s clear is that opinions on the new show are quite strong months before we actually see it, and now, J.K. Rowling has shared her feelings about it following the release of the first trailer.

What J.K. Rowling Says About The New Harry Potter Series

One voice that is obviously going to be heard among all those talking about the new Harry Potter series is J.K. Rowling. The creator of Harry Potter responded to a fan praising the recent look at the new series, making it clear that she is fully on board with what is being created. She posted to Twitter...

Rowling is credited as an executive producer on the new series, which isn’t always a title with a great deal of power, but she is known to exert significant influence over the use of Harry Potter outside her books. It’s difficult to imagine that anything done in the show was done without her explicit approval. Certainly, if she for any reason had come out against it, that would likely be a big problem for the show’s success.

Feelings among Harry Potter fans, however, is still quite mixed.

Fans Still Aren’t All Convinced The Harry Potter Series Is Necessary

While J.K. Rowling has provided a ringing endorsement, fans' response to the show, as it has been from the beginning, is much more mixed. Fans replied to an Instagram post of Harry Potter's new teaser with a variety of very strong opinions. Many, to be sure, as excited for the project as Rowling herself, comments include…

• I’M SO READY 🙌❤️ -richardsaleofficial
• I’M READY!! My heart has already returned to Hogwarts… now all that’s left is for December to arrive. ⚡️🎄 🏰 -marloshuck
• It gets on my nerves how many grown ups complain about the TV show. I'm so excited for this. They can make a thousand versions of Harry Potter and I'll watch everyone of them. -keymberly
• Can’t wait for this -nickshirley
• I'm SO happy for them... Hogwarts still exists ❤️ -la.vica_

However, there are equally strong feelings on the opposite side. From the beginning, there have been fans and some involved in the original movies who have been asking why Harry Potter needed to be rebooted in the first place. That's considering the original films aren’t that old, and are seen as near-perfect by many. This new look at the show hasn’t changed those people's minds. Comments on that side look like this…

• Not everything need a remake. for me harry potter wasn’t only about the story but my experience and memories as a child. Reading the whole book for 3 days, locking myself in my room untill i finished it. HP made my childhood magical and exciting. But these children are so cute and lovely, I will give it a chance and probably love it too, maybe not as much as the harry potter i grew up with -syifaacn
• This was soo disappointing to watch -oyealianjum
• Why do they keep making remakes? The first saga was already perfect -ttoadstl_
• You could just continue with the story, because those original actors, and I mean all of the cast, could never be replaced. I feel very sad about this somehow, and I am not eager at all to watch it. 🥴 -neckaarch_92
• Give me one reason why you need a remake of one of the most perfect franchise ever made? -man.of.steel.99

Whether or not a new Harry Potter series needs to exist, it certainly will. And it's clear that while fans are divided, Rowling herself approves of it.

The first episode of Harry Potter set to debut on the 2026 TV schedule on Christmas Day. You'll be able to stream it with an HBO Max subscription.