The long-anticipated Hogwarts Legacy video game is set to release during the 2022 holiday season, which will let Harry Potter fans join Hogwarts and live out their dreams of being a witch or wizard and engage in all the activities from the movies.
Still, Hogwarts isn't the only magical place out there. From Greek gods residing in modern-day to universal sea turtles with planets on their backs, there's a lot to enjoy for fans who love fantasy franchises. These series show that the fantasy genre is one of the most fascinating in media, and can be appealing to any age.
Percy Jackson And The Olympians
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the titanic Greek mythology franchise started by Rick Riordan. In it, Greek Gods have taken residence in New York City in modern times. Their children, demigods, struggle to survive an onslaught of mythical beasts who can smell their scent.
Percy is one such demigod, and the entire story starts after he is falsely accused of stealing Zeus' thunderbolt. Although the movie adaptations were not well-received by fans, many are excited about the upcoming Disney+ series. Much like Harry, Percy was also a mundane child who is suddenly thrust into a magical world that he falls in love with. There are also elements of "the reluctant chosen one," much like Harry Potter, and they are also a trio of friends.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender follows 12-year-old Aang, the long-lost Avatar and last survivor of his nation. After he is uncovered from the ice, he gathers friends to help him on his journey. Together, they go on a quest to put an end to the Fire Nation's battle against the rest of the world.
Avatar: The Last Airbender takes viewers on a fantastical journey through all four nations. Like Harry Potter, it deals with the concept of prophecies and chosen ones, and the struggle of the "chosen one" to fulfill their destiny. It's also a unique take on the fantasy genre, taking more from Eastern folklore than the usual Tolkien-inspired locales.
The Witcher
The Witcher opens with Geralt of Rivia, Crown Princess Ciri of Cintra, and the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg at distinct periods in time, exploring formative events that mold their identities throughout the course of the first season before merging into a single timeline.
The Witcher's menagerie of magical beasts is its closest connection to Harry Potter. It takes on a lot of folklore creatures from European history to tell its story. However, it's also much grittier and provides significantly more brutal action. Still, the in-depth breakdown of what makes monsters tick would make Hagrid excited, though he wouldn't be a fan of Geralt's murder of the beasts.
Discworld
Discworld, much like Tolkien, is far too vast to summarize. The movie is set on a flat planet balanced on the back of four elephants which are on the back of a giant sea turtle, and that's just the tip of the iceberg for the weirdness that follows.
Terry Pratchett lovingly satirizes all aspects of the fantasy genre, and the adaptations stay true to that spirit. Dwarves, vampires, elves, trolls, humans, and even Death itself are not safe from Pratchett's sharp tongue. The similarities to Harry Potter are mostly based on the themes of societal prejudice and how that works in a magical society. And both governments are hilariously bureaucratic, as well.
Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is set in Greendale, a fictional town. It's a dark comedy coming-of-age tale full set in a more magical version of Earth. Sabrina Spellman must reconcile her dual nature as a half-witch and half-mortal while battling the evil forces that endanger her, her family, and the human-dominated daylight world.
This series, much like its sister show, Riverdale, is a much darker and edgier take on a classic slice of Americana. Much like Harry Potter, magic is hidden from the eyes of mere mortals, though less for their safety and more out of prejudice. Sabrina struggles to fit in at school as well due to her heritage.
The Chronicles Of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia are set in the titular fantasy world of Narnia, a magical land with the stylings of a medieval kingdom. The story follows the Pevensie Siblings and covers their growth from naive children to experienced rulers of the land of Narnia.
Much like Harry Potter, the fate of the world hangs in the balance for children unfamiliar with the world. It also features many European folklore creatures, both friend and foe. J.K. Rowling herself has noted that Narnia was a source of inspiration for her while writing her books.
The Wheel Of Time
The Wheel of Time follows a trio of young men living in a tiny village peacefully. This all changes when a mysterious woman appears. The three were "ta'veren," according to the woman, and the Dark One himself was seeking them. One of them could be the Dragon Reborn, a reincarnation of a legendary hero who would lead the armies of good against evil's ascent. Unfortunately, the host might lose his mind.
It is difficult to summarize Wheel of Time because of how ambitious its premise is. The cyclical nature of time in the story causes events to go wild soon enough. Much like Harry Potter, the series follows three major protagonists against a dark lord, whose name cannot be spoken without bringing great misfortune. The White Tower, later on, is also similar to Hogwarts.
His Dark Materials
His Dark Materials is set in a multiverse, with characters wandering between multiple parallel worlds. The main character in these worlds is Lyra, a young girl who goes on a journey to save her kidnapped best friend. Along the way, she meets a boy named Will, and things scale to a war that threatens the entire multiverse.
His Dark Materials could be seen as a darker mirror of the Harry Potter franchise. Both are set in prestigious British boarding schools that hone children's gifts, and yet His Dark Materials is a lot more cynical. The story freely tackles themes of religious oppression and the dangers of authoritarian rule, which Harry Potter does delve into, minus the religious themes.
The Owl House
The Owl House follows Luz Noceda, a human teen who discovers a portal to another realm by mistake. She arrives in the Boiling Isles, an archipelago built from the Titan's remnants, and befriends a rebellious witch in her adventures. Despite her lack of magical powers, Luz follows her dream of becoming a witch by working as the witch's apprentice at the Owl House.
The Owl House holds a few similarities to Harry Potter. Both are about "normal" teens suddenly being brought to a magical world that they totally fall in love with. Much like Hogwarts, the school population is incredibly diverse, full of students from all walks of life. Although it should be noted, The Owl House has a more fleshed-out romance subplot.
Little Witch Academia
Little Witch Academia follows a hyperactive girl named Akko who dreams of becoming a witch. Her dreams were inspired by a witch named Shiny Chariot, but Akko struggles with her dreams due to her non-magical background. One day, when she discovers the Shiny Rod, a powerful magical relic left behind by Chariot, everything changes.
Little Witch Academia holds several similarities to Harry Potter in broad strokes. It focuses on a trio of characters, takes place in the modern-day, is about trying to control a legendary wand, and of course, there are broomsticks. The contrast lies in one aspect, and that is that magic is not hidden from the eyes of non-magical people. That unique dynamic makes Little Witch Academia stand out from many urban magic settings.