7 TV Shows ‘Harry Potter’ Fans Have to Watch at Least Once

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More than ten years after the last Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, came out in 2011, HBO announced a new Harry Potter TV show. This immediately sparked discussions about who should play the characters and how the series could improve upon the films. Fans are hoping the show will include beloved scenes from J.K. Rowling’s books and live up to their expectations.

With the new Harry Potter series coming in 2027, fans have plenty of time to imagine what it will be like. But until then, revisiting the movies isn’t the only way to experience a magical world. From shows about the lives of witches to epic fantasy series that ended too soon, there are many great options that offer the mystery, rich storytelling, and compelling characters that Harry Potter fans will love.

‘The Magicians’


SyFy

Based on Lev Grossman’s novels, The Magicians was a SyFy series that ran from 2015 to 2020. Like Harry Potter, it features strong friendships and a richly imagined world. The show centers around Brakebills University, a school for magic, and will especially appeal to those who dreamed of getting their acceptance letter to Hogwarts and learning magic themselves.

Even though it doesn’t have a house system like Hogwarts, learning about the school in The Magicians is enjoyable, and the setting is fantastic. Like Harry Potter, it also features a close-knit group of friends. If you were captivated by Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione’s (Emma Watson) adventures, you’ll probably be hooked after just one episode of The Magicians. Julia Wicker (Stella Maeve) and Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph) share a strong bond, and, similar to Harry and his friends, they soon discover the dangers that come with magic.

‘The Wheel of Time’


Prime Video

Fans of fantasy are disappointed that Prime Video has ended The Wheel of Time after three seasons, but at least there are still 24 exciting episodes to enjoy. While the Harry Potter series has a lot of background detail, The Wheel of Time arguably has even more complex and extensive lore.

While comparisons to Voldemort are natural, The Wheel of Time on Prime Video centers around a strong team of heroes fighting against a powerful evil. The series isn’t a direct copy of Robert Jordan’s books, but like Harry Potter, you can still enjoy it even if you haven’t read them – though having some prior knowledge helps given the complex story. Rosamund Pike delivers a captivating performance as Moiraine Damodred that’s sure to draw viewers in quickly.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’

Netflix’s four-season series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, starring Kiernan Shipka as the young witch Sabrina Spellman, is similar in tone to Harry Potter. The show features a main character many viewers can connect with, as she embarks on a heartfelt quest to understand herself and her growing magical powers.

The new Sabrina is a bit more serious and spooky than the original 1990s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch with Melissa Joan Hart, which often had lighthearted plots – like Sabrina accidentally turning a baby into a grown man. However, it’s more unsettling than truly frightening. Fans of Harry Potter will likely enjoy it, as the show focuses on the fun of spellcasting, battling evil, and getting into mischief. The series also boasts memorable villains, such as Batibat from the first season, a demon who haunts Sabrina and her aunts in their sleep.

‘Wednesday’


Netflix

It’s hard not to compare Jenna Ortega’s hit Netflix series, Wednesday, to Harry Potter, especially when thinking about Harry’s time at Hogwarts. Wednesday Season 2, released on the streaming service between August and September 2025, continues the tradition of showcasing a fascinating world where humans, magical creatures, and people with supernatural abilities live together.

One of the appealing things about Harry Potter is that Harry and his friends live in a world where they don’t have to act like typical kids. While this idea is enjoyable, it’s been explored in many stories. Similarly, the characters in Wednesday are praised for being unique, which means their struggles mainly come from within their own group, not from the outside world. The second season isn’t perfect and doesn’t showcase enough of the Addams family, but the engaging setting of Nevermore Academy helps make up for those shortcomings.

‘The Witcher’


Netflix

No matter who you prefer as Geralt of Rivia – Henry Cavill or Liam Hemsworth – it’s clear that The Witcher is a huge hit for Netflix. Fans are eagerly awaiting Season 5, which is expected in fall 2026, and are hoping it will be a strong finish after some disappointment with Season 4.

While not every installment is perfect, The Witcher and Harry Potter both center around protagonists working to defeat evil, despite being set in drastically different worlds. Instead of a magical school like Hogwarts with its grand dining hall, The Witcher unfolds in a medieval Europe-inspired land called The Continent. This world is more complex and confusing than the one Harry Potter inhabits, but that complexity adds a unique excitement as you try to understand the different timelines.

‘A Discovery of Witches’


Sky One

If you enjoyed the magical school atmosphere of Harry Potter and are craving a sweeping romance, check out A Discovery of Witches. This series, based on the novels by Deborah Harkness, follows a witch and a vampire, played by Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode, as they fall in love.

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The romance between Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont unfolds at Oxford University, a captivating location, though perhaps not as magical as Hogwarts. The show stands out for its intelligent characters – Diana is a scholar and Matthew a biochemistry professor – and a refreshing focus on learning. If you found the romantic storylines in the Harry Potter films somewhat lacking, you’ll likely enjoy the nuanced portrayal of Diana and Matthew’s connection and the challenges they face in A Discovery of Witches.

‘Stranger Things’


Netflix

A truly great magical story needs compelling characters, not just special effects and big action sequences. That’s why Stranger Things is so popular – it’s a show that really draws you in. Whether you’re a fan of Harry Potter or just enjoy a good story, you’ve probably already heard of this Netflix series that blends horror and science fiction. But if you haven’t seen it, you definitely should – the fight against Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower) and the secrets surrounding Hawkins, Indiana, and the strange world known as the Upside Down are not to be missed.

Eleven and her crew have become as iconic as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, so the end of Stranger Things on December 31st will be tough for fans. Similar to the excitement surrounding the new Harry Potter series on HBO, Stranger Things fans are eager to see what happens next, especially with spin-offs like the animated Tales from ’85 on the way.

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2025-12-27 01:26