Near-Perfect Fantasy Series To Watch While Waiting for HBO's 'Harry Potter'

With HBO set to release Harry Potter Season 1 on Dec. 25, 2026, one entertainment writer is looking to bridge the wait with other fantasy series that capture pieces of the Wizarding World experience. The piece notes that although no show can replicate Hogwarts, eight recommendations are meant to satisfy similar cravings—whether it’s big-magic worlds, character-driven storytelling, or mystery-heavy plots tied to supernatural settings. The article also frames the writer’s credibility based on nearly four years at MovieWeb covering film and television, with a focus on fantasy and adaptations. It includes an “Honorable Mentions” section, beginning with Netflix’s Lockwood & Co. (2023) and ABC’s Once Upon a Time (2011-2018), while the main list continues beyond the excerpt provided.