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WBD is ramping up a slate of Harry Potter-themed shows, games, and experiences to turn the franchise into a constantly expanding moneymaker for generations to come.
The Big Picture: WBD’s market cap has been on a major downslide for years, thanks to a heavy debt load. So, the company needs hits… and fast. By squeezing every drop of opportunity out of the Potterverse and similar beloved IP, WBD could take a big step towards reversing its fortunes… if audiences show up.
Behind The Scenes: Prepare for a lot of Potter.
- The cooking show Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, hosted by James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), drops on Food Network and Max next week.
- Several AAA and mobile video games have recently dropped (or are in development), including a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy — the best-selling video game last year.
- A Ministry of Magic world will be a huge part of Universal Studios’ new Epic Universe theme-park expansion, which opens in May.
- The biggest bet is a new Harry Potter series created by Succession alum Francesca Gardiner for HBO that will premiere in 2026. Each season will cover one of the books.
Closing Credits: This isn’t the first time that Warner Bros. has tried to expand the Wizarding World. The J.K. Rowling-penned Fantastic Beasts series sort of fizzled out (the controversial Rowling is informed of new projects, but not really creatively involved anymore). Still, WBD knows there’s a lot of Potter love still out there and hopes that building the IP across its narrative and lifestyle channels will be a winning combination. Prepare for the marketing campaign for the new 2026 show to be the biggest in the company’s history.
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