The Harry Potter franchise has activated a portkey and is set to leave one of its current streaming services.
The eight films are currently streaming on HBO Max, but that is set to change thanks to a previous contract agreement made before Warner Bros launched its streaming service.
This isn't the first time the Harry Potter movies have left a streaming service. In fact, they have moved every few months since HBO Max's launch in 2020. That's in contrast to other films in the so-called "Wizarding World" franchise, which stays in one place while its older sister keeps moving around.
Where to Watch the Harry Potter Movies?
All eight Harry Potter movies (that is, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and Parts 1 and 2 of Deathly Hallows) will leave HBO Max at the end of August.
Currently, the films are streaming on both HBO Max and Peacock. When they leave the former, they will stay on the latter – though that too is likely to change in the next few months.
Why Do the Harry Potter Films Keep Moving?
The main reason seems to be because of deals made before either HBO Max or Universal had streaming services.
In 2016, the TV rights for the films were set to expire after being held by ABC for many years. At that time, the rights were divided, with NBCUniversal getting cable rights to show the films on SyFy and USA, while HBO bought the streaming rights to have the films on its HBO Go / HBO Now platforms.
Crucially, though, the NBC deal also allowed the films to appear on the SyFy and USA digital platforms. This essentially means that each service has a claim to the digital rights to the films, explaining why they keep moving around.
This is something that looks likely to continue. The NBC deal doesn't expire until 2025, meaning that things are not likely to change for a few years.
What About the Fantastic Beasts Films?
The rights for those are more simple. Warner Bros retained the streaming rights, meaning that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Crimes of Grindelwald and Secrets of Dumbledore are all staying put on HBO Max.
HBO Max is also the home of all the other Harry Potter content. At the start of 2022, it released the Harry Potter 20th anniversary special, which brought back together much of the cast (but not JK Rowling). The streamer also hosted the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses game show hosted by Helen Mirren.
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