How to Watch ‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts’ Online
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Harry Potter is officially entering the world of TV. Based on J.K. Rowling’s young adult fantasy book series, the whimsical franchise has confirmed that a live-action series is in the works for Max, the streaming service previously known as HBO Max. (The rebrand takes effect May 23.)
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In a presentation Wednesday morning, Max says, “The stories from each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books will become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for. The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much-loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years. Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally.”
Wizarding World fans were treated to a starry reunion last year following the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The 100-minute Return to Hogwarts special featured Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Helena Bonham Carter and more cast and crew members, and highlighted the most memorable scenes from the movies and weaves in interviews with the filmmakers and actors and behind-the-scenes footage.
The Harry Potter TV series’ budget will rival that of Max’s Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. “[It] will be that scale or higher. Whatever it takes to make a quality show,” says Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav adds, “We’re free to do anything we want” when it comes to expanding to other projects in the Harry Potter universe. “Some areas we need to do with J.K., other areas we have the full ability to go forward. This is a full deployment on Max of Harry Potter. We can still develop other properties.”
Below, find out everything you need to know about how to watch the reunion special and where else you can catch up on the world of Harry Potter.
How to Watch Return to Hogwarts Online
The only way to watch the Harry Potter reunion online is on Max (formerly HBO Max), which requires a monthly subscription. Plans start at $10 per month with ads or $16 per month for the ad-free package; you can also save money when you sign up for annual plans ($100 to $150 with or without ads, respectively). On May 23, the streamer will also add an “Ultimate” ad-free package with 4K UHD resolution, 100 offline downloads and Dolby Atmos sound for $20 per month ($200 per year).
Max subscribers get access to Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon, The Matrix Resurrections, the Sex and the City sequel series And Just Like That, Friends and many other TV shows and movies in HD. The ad-free plan also lets you download content to watch offline, watch Warner Bros. films on the same day as the theatrical release and see select films in 4K HD quality.
Max Subscription
Although Max doesn’t offer a free trial, AT&T subscribers can get access to the streaming platform for free with select phone, TV and wireless internet plans. Learn more here.
How to Watch All of the Harry Potter Movies
In addition to Max, all eight of the Harry Potter movies are also available to stream on Peacock, which is $5 per month for the ad-supported plan or $10 for the ad-free package. The Harry Potter universe includes the Fantastic Beasts prequel films, which are set 70 years before the events of the books.
Hulu subscribers can also add HBO Max to their plan to watch all of the films (including the three Fantastic Beasts series), but not the 20th-anniversary reunion special. The streamer’s base plan starts at $8 per month and you can get HBO Max free for your first week; after that, you can add it for $15 monthly.
If you prefer to own all of the Harry Potter movies, you can buy the digital versions on Amazon Prime Video or the eight-disc set on Blu-ray (including in 4K Ultra HD quality) or DVD. Below, read on to shop more Harry Potter merch.
Harry Potter Complete 8-Film Collection
Buy: Harry Potter: Complete 8-Film Collection $47.95
Harry Potter The Complete Series by J.K. Rowling
Buy: Harry Potter Paperback Box Set $38.97
Harry Potter Film Vault: The Complete Series Special Edition Boxed Set
Buy: Harry Potter Special Edition Boxed Set $79.57
Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
Buy: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them $13.84
LEGO Harry Potter Gryffindor House Banner Set
Buy: LEGO Harry Potter Gryffindor House Banner Set $34.96
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