Harry Potter is now back at Warner Bros., right on time for the launch of HBO Max. The streaming wars are still on and continue to heat up during the coronavirus pandemic, as viewers now have to get their dose of movies and TV shows through the many streaming services now available. Warner has officially joined the battle with HBO Max, which includes content not only from Warner’s catalogue but also HBO, Cartoon Network, and more.
Like most streaming services, HBO Max will have both licensed and original content, but for now, its biggest strength is its catalogue of movies and TV shows, which includes titles like all movies from the DCEU and Studio Ghibli, and fan-favorite series like Friends, Doctor Who, and Game of Thrones. However, not all movies from Warner will be available from day one for different reasons, such as the Harry Potter series – but the studio had a last minute surprise.
All Harry Potter movies are now available to stream on HBO Max, even though they weren’t included on the list of movies available at launch. So, what changed?
HBO Max: Why Warner’s Streaming Service Has The Harry Potter Movies
Harry Potter fans weren’t able to binge watch the movies as they weren’t available on any service, though they could be rented or bought. The movies weren’t expected to be added to HBO Max at launch because the streaming rights were owned by NBCUniversal until 2025, but Warner Bros. managed to buy them back right on time. It’s unknown how long negotiations lasted, but the Harry Potter movies were a priority for the people at Warner. In an interview with Business Insider, HBO Max content chief Kevin Reilly said there was no timetable for Harry Potter’s addition to the catalogue, but it was “high on their priority list”. Though details on the deal haven’t been revealed, it’s known that the movies can still air on NBCUniversal’s linear TV networks, but they won’t be included in the company’s streaming service, Peacock.
Although the Harry Potter movie series came to an end in 2011 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, it continues to be very popular, as fans often revisit it as well as the books – and, of course, there’s also the Fantastic Beasts movies, which have sparked new interest in the Wizarding World. In addition to that, and due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wizarding World launched "Harry Potter At Home", with various special guests taking turns to read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Warner Bros. and HBO Max won big by getting Harry Potter back, and fans will now be able to find all movies in one place.