How to Stream the 'Harry Potter' Movies Right Now

All aboard the Hogwarts Express!

harry potter and the prison of azkaban
'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' | Warner Bros. Pictures
'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' | Warner Bros. Pictures

Harry Potter is an endlessly fascinating hit franchise. The ever-expanding wizarding world has inspired web hubs, theme parks, and, probably most importantly, movies, even as author J.K. Rowling has become an incredibly problematic figure. When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone got the big-screen treatment in 2001 with director Chris Columbus, writer Steve Kloves, and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, the story of the boy with the lightning-bolt scar got a second, more potent life by making all of the book's fantastical magic, hidden worlds, and incredible creatures "real." Sorcerer's Stone grossed almost $1 billion worldwide and created a hunger for more Potter experiences, justifying successful adaptations (including a two-part finale), spinoff prequels about fantastic beasts, and potentially an original TV series.

Maybe years ago, you bought coveted DVD collections, but those might be lost somewhere at your parents' house. In the age of streaming, you'd probably much rather watch the movies online somewhere when you need a fix. Here's where you can currently satisfy your Potter craving.

Stream them on HBO Max

The Hogwarts Express pulled into HBO Max on September 1, 2021, so you can stream all eight of the original movies on the platform right now. Every now and then the film series apparates onto HBO Max—since they are Warner Bros. properties and HBO Max is a product of WarnerMedia—so enjoy them on the service while they're available. (For whatever reason, they do always feel like essential viewing once fall rolls around!)

Stream them on Peacock

Even though the movies are currently streaming on HBO Max, from time to time you can also watch them on NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock. Because of a deal that dates back to 2016 (pre-HBO Max's existence), NBCUniversal has the TV and digital rights to the films until 2025. The movies aren't available on Peacock right now, but that explains why sometimes you'll be able to find them there before they're officially housed on the WarnerMedia service in a few years.

With that in mind, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin alike might agree that a Peacock account could be useful for serious Potter-Heads. The movies might obviously get removed from the platform every once in a while, but a subscription could be handy so you can magically watch them whenever they are available. A Peacock account is totally free, since it's an ad-supported platform, so you can sign up for what's called a basic subscription here now. (You actually might already be eligible for an account based on your cable provider since the platform has deals with Xfinity and Cox). Often only a handful of Harry Potter movies stream with the basic plan, though, so you may eventually need to opt into the Peacock Premium plan, which is $4.99 per month and still supported by ads. (If you really can't stand the ads, Peacock Premium Plus costs $9.99 per month.)

where to watch harry potter movies
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | Warner Bros.

Watch all the Harry Potter movies on TV

Since NBCUniversal owns the rights to air the series on TV, watching them on one of its channels is the next best place to find Hogwarts adventures. You can frequently find marathons airing on Bravo, SYFY, and USA. If you have a cable subscription that includes those channels, you can check out TV Guide's listings to see when the movies will be playing next.

Rent the Potter movies on Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, etc. 

If you're really opposed to signing up for another streaming service, you'll have to pony up for individual movies if you need a Hogwarts fix. You can "accio" them by renting any installment on all major VOD platforms, including Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube. 

How to watch the Harry Potter movies in order

We get it: There's a lot of movies and they don't have the number right there in the title for you, so it can get confusing! Unlike the Marvel, DCEU, or Star Wars movies which you could watch in both the order of their release or technical chronology (which we don't recommend, but that's besides the point), the Harry Potter movies are best enjoyed from the first original installment to the eighth final film. So in case you need a refresher, the order is as follows:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

Now it's full speed ahead to Hogwarts; enjoy your movie marathon.

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