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What to watch before the Harry Potter HBO series
On HBO and HBO Max from December 25, 2026
HBO's Harry Potter is a new adaptation of the books, starting again from Philosopher's Stone with a new cast. It doesn't continue the films, so you don't need to see anything first. If you'd like a refresher or want to compare, here's where to start.
2 titles, about 5 hours
Nothing required
The series retells the story from the very beginning.
To compare with the films
Season 1 adapts the first book, so start with the first film.
Optional
The prequel films, set decades before Harry.
Then
Questions
When does the Harry Potter HBO series come out?
Season 1 starts on December 25, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.
Is the HBO series a remake of the movies?
It's a new adaptation of the books, not a remake of the films, with a new cast and more time for each book.
Do I need to watch the Harry Potter movies before the series?
No. The series starts from the beginning of the story, with Harry's first year at Hogwarts.
Who plays Harry, Ron and Hermione?
Dominic McLaughlin plays Harry, Alastor Stout plays Ron and Arabella Stanton plays Hermione.