Netflix subscribers across the UK are facing a magical deficit as the platform prepares to remove the entire Harry Potter film series. The streaming service confirmed that all eight main saga movies and the Fantastic Beasts prequels will disappear at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.
Last Chance to Stream the Wizarding World
Viewers who logged in on 30 December were met with the stark 'leaving soon' label on every title. This marks the end of a two-year run on Netflix, where the collection has been available since 2023. The removal includes Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone through to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2, alongside the three Fantastic Beasts films.
The news has sparked a wave of disappointment and anger from loyal fans on social media. Many have taken to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration, with some even threatening to cancel their Netflix subscriptions entirely. One user lamented the loss, writing, "Goodbye BBT, harry potter, friends?.. well, goodbye #netflix then," referencing the recent removal of other popular shows.
A Billion-Dollar Franchise Finds a New Home
The Harry Potter film series is no small loss for any streaming service. It stands as one of the highest-grossing franchises in cinema history, having raked in a staggering $7.7 billion worldwide. The final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, alone generated $1.3 billion at the global box office.
However, the magic is not gone for good. The wizarding world is being rebooted for a new generation on HBO Max. Warner Brothers is producing a major TV series with a fresh cast, including Dominic McLaughlin as Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermione, and Alistair Stout as Ron. The show will also feature a star-studded supporting cast with names like Paapa Essiedu and Katherine Parkinson. Notably, Warwick Davis will be the sole actor reprising his role from the original films, returning as Professor Flitwick.
Netflix's Content Exodus Continues
The departure of Harry Potter is part of a wider content shift for Netflix. The iconic sitcom Friends was also removed on 30 December, and the horror franchise The Conjuring is scheduled to leave on 25 January 2025. These high-profile losses highlight the increasingly competitive and transient nature of streaming rights, where major studios frequently rotate their prized assets between platforms.
For British fans hoping for a festive marathon, the message is clear: you have just hours left to enjoy the journey from Privet Drive to the final battle at Hogwarts on Netflix. After that, the search for the Boy Who Lived will require a different streaming spell.
