The new Harry Potter series premieres on HBO Max on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026. To stream it in the US you will need an HBO Max subscription, which starts at $10.99 per month for the ad-supported plan.
Here is everything you need to know about when the series arrives, where to watch it, what it costs, and who is in the cast.
When does the Harry Potter series premiere?
HBO’s Harry Potter series debuts on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2026, a Friday. HBO confirmed the holiday launch in March 2026, moving the show up from an earlier 2027 target. The premiere streams on HBO Max and also airs on HBO, the linear cable channel, the same day. HBO has not yet confirmed a minute-exact start time or whether the remaining episodes will roll out weekly, so treat the release pattern beyond the premiere as unannounced for now.
Where to watch the Harry Potter series in the US
The series is an HBO Original, which means two US homes: it streams on HBO Max and airs on the HBO cable channel. Streaming on HBO Max is the simplest route for most viewers, and it is the only way to watch without a traditional cable or satellite package. The show is not coming to Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, or Prime Video.
How much does HBO Max cost?
HBO Max offers three US subscription tiers:
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Basic With Ads | $10.99 | $109.99 |
| Standard (ad-free) | $18.49 | $184.99 |
| Premium (ad-free, 4K) | $22.99 | $229.99 |
The annual plans work out cheaper than paying month to month. Students can also verify through UNiDAYS for the Basic With Ads plan at $5.49 per month. Any tier will let you stream the Harry Potter series; the step-ups mainly add ad-free playback, more simultaneous streams, offline downloads, and 4K.
What is the Harry Potter series?
This is a full, book-by-book television reboot of J.K. Rowling’s novels, separate from the eight films of the 2000s. The plan is one season per book across roughly a decade. Season 1 adapts the first novel and carries HBO’s official title, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone — the same book US readers know as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. HBO is keeping the original British title for the series worldwide. The first season runs eight episodes, giving the story far more room than the roughly two-and-a-half-hour 2001 film. Francesca Gardiner serves as showrunner, with Succession director Mark Mylod directing.
Who is in the cast?
The adult cast is anchored by familiar names, while the three leads are newcomers:
- John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore
- Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall
- Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape
- Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid
- Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter
- Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger
- Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley
Here is the official teaser:
Frequently asked
What day does the Harry Potter series come out?
Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2026, on HBO Max and HBO in the US.
Is the Harry Potter series on Netflix?
No. It is an HBO Original and streams only on HBO Max in the US.
How much do I need to pay to watch it?
An HBO Max subscription, starting at $10.99 per month for Basic With Ads.
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Eight, adapting the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (known in the US as Sorcerer’s Stone).
Will new episodes release weekly?
HBO has confirmed the December 25 premiere but has not announced the schedule for the rest of the season, so a weekly rollout is expected but not official.
Is this connected to the original movies?
No. It is a new adaptation with a new cast, not a continuation of the Daniel Radcliffe films.
