12 Movies LikeHarry Potterto Watch While Waiting for HBO’s Reboot

Mar. 15, 2025

‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001).Photo:Peter Mountain/ Warner Bros.

Peter Mountain/ Warner Bros.

Harry Potteris arguably one of the most beloved fantasy franchises of all time.

Based onJ.K. Rowling’s history-making novels, the eight-part film series starsDaniel Radcliffeas a young wizard named Harry who finds himself on an all-encompassing quest as he tries to defeat the evil sorcerer who killed his parents, Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).

With the help of his best friends Ron Weasely (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), Harry’s heroic journey is filled with magic, curious creatures and a heartfelt tale that’s continued to grip audiences since the series’ first film release in 2001.

While the franchise merits several rewatches, everyone needs to get lost in a new fantasy world every now and then. Luckily, there are a slew of fantasy films that satisfy thatHarry Potteritch and even introduce audiences to fresh takes on what magic can be.

The Lord of the Rings

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003).New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

New Line/Kobal/Shutterstock

A fantasy trilogy with a legacy that precedes itself,The Lord of the Ringsis an obvious must-watch for anyHarry Potterfan looking to get lost in an adventure that’s equal parts action and magic.

When a young Hobbit named Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) finds himself in possession of an all-powerful ring that can make or break the land of Middle Earth, he’s tasked with going on a quest to destroy the ring once and for all.

From ancient demons to evil sorcerers, Frodo’s journey isn’t easy but luckily he has the help of his friends who just so happen to be fantastical entities themselves. Wizards, elves, hobbits and beyond,The Lord of the Ringscarries many of the same magical characters one can find inHarry Potterand delivers an action-packed spectacle akin (and sometimes even larger) than Harry’s own battle againstVoldemort.

Based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic novel of the same name,The Lord of the Ringstrilogy also features a star-studded ensemble includingOrlando Bloom, Ian McKellen,Cate Blanchett,Sean AstinandViggo Mortensen.

Pirates of the Caribbean

‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ (2011).Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

StarringJohnny Deppin the iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow, thePirates of the Caribbeanseries swirls through the mayhem and mischief of a band of pirates as they beat foes, both supernatural and human.

From taking on mythic beasts like the Kraken to escaping Davy Jones’ Locker, thePirates of the Caribbeanweaves in real-life mythology and packs in its own lore to create a wild adventure. Like the many mythic creatures inHarry Potter,Pirates of the Caribbeanboasts its own set of monsters and ancient curses that any fan of the wizarding world would enjoy.

Fantastic Beasts

Taking place in the same universe asHarry Potter, theFantastic Beaststrilogy is a spinoff prequel to the original franchise set in the 1920s.

The Chronicles of Narnia

‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ (2010).20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

When four siblings, Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley), stumble upon a curious wardrobe in their new home, they suddenly find themselves transported to a mythical world called Narnia.

Based on C.S. Lewis’ book series of the same name,The Chronicles of Narniaboasts many ofHarry Potter’s adored traits from castles to spells and everything in between. Greta Gerwig is also slated todirect a reboot of the seriesfor Netflix.

The Princess Bride

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987).20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

LikeHarry Potter,The Princess Brideinvites audiences into a mystical land where eerie creatures, evil pirates and friendly giants run amok. While the film may swap out wands for sword-fighting, it still bolsters the nostalgic fantasy anyHarry Potterfan can appreciate.

Into the Woods

‘Into The Woods’ (2014).Peter Mountain/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Peter Mountain/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Featuring a star-studded ensemble includingMeryl Streep,Emily BluntandJames Corden,Into the Woodsreinvents Stephen Sondheim’sbeloved Broadway musicalinto a fantasy film for the whole family.

Chris Pine,Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski and Depp also star.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Based on the widely popular tabletop role-playing game,Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thievesstars Chris Pine,Michelle Rodriguez,Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis andHugh Grantin a larger-than-life tale that’s packed with hilarious hijinks and a rollercoaster adventure.

The film follows a thief named Edgin Darvis (Pine) who teams up with a cackling ensemble of adventurers to embark on a journey to retrieve a long lost relic. But their quest is not without obstacles as assassins, dragons and vengeful wizards come in their way.

Released in 2023,Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thievesincorporates many of the same fantasy traits one can find inHarry Potterincluding magical creatures and ancient spells that can make or break its characters’ fates.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Released in 2018,The House with a Clock in Its WallsstarsJack BlackandCate Blanchettin a fantasy epic filled with witches, warlocks and evil curses.

When 10-year-old Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) gets sent to live with his uncle Jonathan (Black), he soon finds that his unassuming new home is actually a gate into a world of magic. It turns out that Lewis’ uncle and new neighbor Florence (Blanchett), are a warlock and a witch ready to introduce him to the ways of magic. But when Lewis accidentally awakens the dead, the sinister side of the world of magic soon unravels and it’s up to the trio to put an end to it.

Much likeHarry Potter,The House with a Clock in Its Wallsweaves in a kaleidoscope of magic to satisfy that Hogwarts itch and tell a wild tale of spells and the mayhem that follows them.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ (2016).20th Century Studios/YouTube

20th Century Studios/YouTube

From magical powers to an old-timey aesthetic,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Childrenis reminiscent of a lot of what madeHarry Pottergreat and satisfies that similar feeling of whimsy and woe. The film also starsElla Purnell,Judi DenchandSamuel L. Jackson.

The Neverending Story

‘The NeverEnding Story III’ (1994).Cine Vox/Kobal/Shutterstock

Cine Vox/Kobal/Shutterstock

This ’80s classic combines heart with fantasy to tell a story that’s stood the test of time.

Based on Michel Ende’s novel of the same name,The NeverEnding Storyfollows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who one day sneaks into a bookstore to avoid bullies from his school.

From dragons to princesses to a slew of anthropomorphic animals,The NeverEnding Storyis a masterpiece in and of itself, and likeHarry Potter,redefined the fantasy genrein many ways. While the film remains an important piece of cinema, it also achieves the simpler task of telling a great fantasy epic that’s a whole lot of fun to get lost in.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

When the Grace family move into an abandoned estate called Spiderwick, they soon find that they may not only be the only people living there.

Based on Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black’s book series of the same name,The Spiderwick Chroniclesis a 2008 film that starsFreddie Highmoreas a young boy named Jared who stumbles upon a special book that guides him into a world where magical creatures run amok.

With Nick Nolte,Seth RogenandMartin Shortalso starring in voice roles,The Spiderwick Chroniclesmay not haveHarry Potter’s spells, but it certainly has its magic with its curious critters guaranteed to have viewers transported into a fantasy world.

Bridge to Terabithia

‘Bridge To Terabithia’ (2007).Kristy Griffen/Walt Disney/Walden Media/Kobal/Shutterstock

Kristy Griffen/Walt Disney/Walden Media/Kobal/Shutterstock

A guaranteed tear-jerker,Bridge to Terabithiafollows Jesse (Josh Hutcherson) and Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb), two unlikely friends who come up with an imaginary world called Terabithia to deal with the hardships they’re facing in their own lives.

Based on Katherine Paterson’s 1977 novel of the same name, Jesse and Leslie rule over Terabithia and its many creatures including giants (that may or may not resemble a bully at school), and go on a heartfelt journey of new-found confidence, loss and finding the means to overcome life’s challenges.

Bridge to Terabithiabounces and flourishes on childhood imagination and oozes with the fantasy any kid would have wanted to escape to growing up — much like those still eagerly waiting for their Hogwarts letter.

The film also starsBailee Madison,Zooey Deschaneland Robert Patrick.

source: people.com