12 Movies Like Harry Potter to Watch While Waiting for HBO’s Reboot

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

Based on J.K. Rowling’s history-making novels, the eight-part film series stars Daniel Radcliffe as 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 that Harry Potter itch and even introduce audiences to fresh takes on what magic can be.

As we all eagerly await HBO’s TV reboot of Harry Potter, here are 12 movies to watch if you love the Harry Potter films and are looking to get lost in the worlds of pirates, elves and beyond.

The Lord of the Rings

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003).

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A fantasy trilogy with a legacy that precedes itself, The Lord of the Rings is an obvious must-watch for any Harry Potter fan 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 Rings carries many of the same magical characters one can find in Harry Potter and delivers an action-packed spectacle akin (and sometimes even larger) than Harry’s own battle against Voldemort.

Based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic novel of the same name, The Lord of the Rings trilogy also features a star-studded ensemble including Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Sean Astin and Viggo Mortensen.

Pirates of the Caribbean

‘Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ (2011).

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Starring Johnny Depp in the iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow, the Pirates of the Caribbean series 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, the Pirates of the Caribbean weaves in real-life mythology and packs in its own lore to create a wild adventure. Like the many mythic creatures in Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean boasts its own set of monsters and ancient curses that any fan of the wizarding world would enjoy.

Depp is joined by an array of stars throughout the films including Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Stellan Skarsgård and Penélope Cruz.

Fantastic Beasts

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ (2022).

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Taking place in the same universe as Harry Potter, the Fantastic Beasts trilogy is a spinoff prequel to the original franchise set in the 1920s.

Following Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the wizarding world’s top expert in all things mythic beasts and monsters, the Fantastic Beasts series chronicles Scamander’s adventure as he takes down everything from creatures to evil wizards.

The trilogy is packed with Easter eggs and context behind much of the lore seen in Harry Potter. It even features a young Albus Dumbledore (played by Jude Law), and tells more of his backstory, which audiences only get a glimpse of in the original Harry Potter films.

The Chronicles of Narnia

‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ (2010).

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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.

As they navigate this alternate world, the siblings stumble upon a whole cast of magical creatures from talking beavers to a royal lion named Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson). But trouble is afoot in Narnia, with each installment of the series promising villains worthy of being Death Eaters — including an evil witch played by none other than Tilda Swinton.

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

The Princess Bride

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987).

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Adapted by William Goldman from his 1973 novel of the same name, The Princess Bride is a movie classic that’s gone on in the hall of fame for its memorable one-liners, hilarious hijinks and loveable cast of characters.

The film is a fairy tale that follows a young princess named Buttercup (Robin Wright) who suddenly gets betrothed to a vile prince despite already finding her one true love, Westley (Cary Elwes). But when Buttercup gets kidnapped by three bandits, it’s up to a certain character from her past to save the day.

Like Harry Potter, The Princess Bride invites 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 any Harry Potter fan can appreciate.

Into the Woods

‘Into The Woods’ (2014).

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Featuring a star-studded ensemble including Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and James Corden, Into the Woods reinvents Stephen Sondheim’s beloved Broadway musical into a fantasy film for the whole family.

The story mainly follows a childless couple who set out to end a curse that was placed on their family by a vengeful witch many years ago. But Into the Woods notably blends a whole bunch of popular fairy tales into its story, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood, to create a larger tale of the consequences of fate and magic.

Fans of Harry Potter will be delighted to find potions, mayhem, giants, magical ingredients and more in this fun flick, accompanied by one of musical theater’s most timeless soundtracks.

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

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023).

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Based on the widely popular tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis and Hugh Grant in 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 Thieves incorporates many of the same fantasy traits one can find in Harry Potter including magical creatures and ancient spells that can make or break its characters’ fates.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls

‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls’ (2018).

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Released in 2018, The House with a Clock in Its Walls stars Jack Black and Cate Blanchett in 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 like Harry Potter, The House with a Clock in Its Walls weaves 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).

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Directed by Tim Burton, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is based on Ransom Riggs’ popular 2011 novel of the same name and invites viewers into a school that feels a lot like Hogwarts.

After his grandfather passes, 16-year-old Jake (Asa Butterfield) is left with a mysterious clue that leads him to a magical school in an alternate timeline called Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. The school is run by headmistress Miss Alma Lefay Peregrine (Eva Green), and houses children with special powers. Jake soon finds that danger is afoot however, and it may be up to his own untapped abilities to save the day.

From magical powers to an old-timey aesthetic, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is reminiscent of a lot of what made Harry Potter great and satisfies that similar feeling of whimsy and woe. The film also stars Ella Purnell, Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson.

The Neverending Story

‘The NeverEnding Story III’ (1994).

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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 Story follows a young boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who one day sneaks into a bookstore to avoid bullies from his school.

While hiding out, he finds a book called The NeverEnding Story, which is about a mythical land called Fantasia that’s threatened by an evil darkness, The Nothing. As Bastian reads on, he finds an uncanny description of himself in the book and begins to wonder whether or not Fantasia is actually real and if he should find a way there to save it.

From dragons to princesses to a slew of anthropomorphic animals, The NeverEnding Story is a masterpiece in and of itself, and like Harry Potter, redefined the fantasy genre in 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

The Spiderwick Chronicles’ (2008).

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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 Chronicles is a 2008 film that stars Freddie Highmore as a young boy named Jared who stumbles upon a special book that guides him into a world where magical creatures run abound.

From fairies, to goblins, to ogres and beyond it’s up to Jared and his siblings, Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and Simon (also played by Highmore), to fence off wayward creatures with tricks up their sleeve and make sure that their special book doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

With Nick Nolte, Seth Rogen and Martin Short also starring in voice roles, The Spiderwick Chronicles may not have Harry 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).

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A guaranteed tear-jerker, Bridge to Terabithia follows 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 Terabithia bounces 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 stars Bailee Madison, Zooey Deschanel and Robert Patrick.

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Source: HIS Education