Warner Bros. is embarking on a ambitious quest to revive and expand the beloved Harry Potter franchise. The studio’s blueprint includes a new HBO series, a slew of video games, and an array of high-end merchandise and live experiences.
The campaign kicks off with “Wizards of Baking,” a competition show on Food Network and Max that challenges contestants to create elaborate, Hogwarts-inspired cakes. Hosted by James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins in the films, the show is an intriguing first step in Warner’s plan to bring fresh magic to the Potterverse.
Beyond the baking show, the studio is counting on several key initiatives to cast a spell on a new generation of fans:
Video Games: The runaway success of “Hogwarts Legacy” in 2023 has Warner Bros. Games doubling down, with a sequel in the works and a pipeline of mobile titles.
Theme Parks: The upcoming Epic Universe at Universal Orlando will feature a massive Harry Potter-themed land, immersing guests in the Wizarding World.
Merchandise: From baby clothes to $499 Mirrors of Erised, the consumer products team is conjuring up an ever-expanding array of premium Potter merchandise.
And at the heart of it all is the high-stakes HBO series, slated for 2026, which aims to keep the Harry Potter legacy alive and evolving for decades to come.
“We have known for some time that fans are looking for more things in this world,” says Warner Bros. executive David Haddad. “Our insights tell us that there are not huge distinctions between a younger version of a fan and an older version of a fan. They’re just deep ‘Harry Potter’ fans, and we try to build authentic experiences to delight them.”
While the Fantastic Beasts films struggled, Warner is betting big that a new generation of Potterheads will emerge, eager to explore the Wizarding World in fresh ways. As one producer puts it, “How many different Batmans are there?” The studio hopes fans will soon be asking, “What Harry are you?”
