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Photos: Inside biggest ‘Harry Potter’ store in the world + review

By  in November 8th 2021   No Comment »
Filed Under Harry Potter     Tags:      
  • The world’s largest “Harry Potter” store is in NYC, and I got an early look inside the shop.
  • The three-floor store is filled with unique merchandise, themed decor, and actual movie props.
  • There’s also a confectionery and Butterbeer Bar full of treats inspired by the fantasy series. 

The world’s largest “Harry Potter” store opens in New York City this week, and the magical emporium is so much more than a place to buy merchandise.

After being delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic, the three-floor store based on the fantasy series by controversial author J.K. Rowling officially opens on Thursday.

I had a chance to visit the shop before its grand opening, and it was like stepping into a combination of a store, a museum, and the Wizarding World itself. 

Read on to see what it’s like exploring the massive and magical store.

Right when I walked in, I was greeted by a familiar face

Fawkes is hanging right by the entrance.

Erin Ajello for Insider


I entered the store at the corner of 5th Avenue and 22nd Street, which opened straight into the New York-exclusive merch section.

The first thing I saw was Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore’s Phoenix, suspended over the central table full of shirts, mugs, and hats.

A store employee wearing a black mask with “Harry Potter New York” printed in gold immediately greeted me and gave a brief explanation of where to find the different sections of the store.

The mask, which all the employees were wearing, was also available for purchase as one of the store’s exclusive products.

After getting my bearings, I ventured farther into the shop. 

I made my way to the section dedicated to the four Hogwarts Houses

There’s decor around the merchandise displays.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The room next to the New York section was full of items sorted by the four Hogwarts Houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.

Each area featured framed images of students from their corresponding houses, such as Draco Malfoy in Slytherin and Newt Scamander in Hufflepuff. The sections also displayed items related to the houses, like Luna Lovegood’s lion headpiece in the Gryffindor area.

There are products for each Hogwarts House.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The entire ceiling was decorated with silhouettes of quidditch players, and the floor had a brilliant blue-and-gold design.

I’d only been there for three minutes and there was already so much to take in. 

I downloaded the store’s app so I could play an interactive game around the store

Shoppers can play an interactive game around the store.

Erin Ajello for Insider


As I made my way through the first few sections, I learned you could use the store’s app to find Enchanted Keys.

Display cases filled with actual movie props could be found throughout the store, and each one is marked with a symbol consisting of a key with wings. 

Shoppers can download the Harry Potter Fan Club app and scan those symbols around the store to unlock more information about the prop and reveal a secret letter.

There are real props from the movies in the store.

Erin Ajello for Insider


After collecting nine letters and discovering the secret word, you can go to a cashier to claim a mysterious prize.

I was impressed that the store set up an entire game for its shoppers, so I eagerly downloaded the app. 

Shoppers can scan the items for more information.

Erin Ajello for Insider


Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to scan enough props to reveal the code, but I enjoyed using the app to unlock information about each object.

When I scanned the props, “fact files” popped up with behind-the-scenes trivia, information about the item’s role in the series, and a poll.

For Harry’s golden snitch, the poll asked which quidditch position I would want to play, and the added information explained how its digital effects were created in the movies. 

It was amazing to explore around the store and find displays of real movie props like the golden egg from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and the Elder Wand.

Moving into the wand section felt like stepping right into Ollivanders

The store offers multiple varieties of wands.

Erin Ajello for Insider


Next, I wandered into the wand section, which was packed floor to ceiling with boxes of wands.

It felt like I’d been transported into Ollivanders on Diagon Alley.

The wands of all the main characters were available for purchase as well as 14 different limited-edition Hogwarts-themed wands.

I was disappointed that each Hogwarts House had three different themed wands except for Ravenclaw, which only had two. As someone who identifies as a Ravenclaw and already felt pretty underrepresented in the books, this was a bit of a blow.

The section also offered a New York-exclusive wand called the Golden Snitch and a $160 Dumbledore’s Army Wand Collection featuring Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna’s wands.

The wand section opened up into the interactive dueling experience where visitors can stand in front of an orb and duel with the wands of famous “Harry Potter” characters.

I happened to walk up while a staff member was explaining the area, and after watching two friends duel each other, I got to try it out.

When I grabbed the wand nearest to me, Ron Weasley’s face appeared on the orb, along with information about his wand.

For the actual duel, two people grab onto wands and watch their spells fly across the orb.

I lost my duel, but I was comforted by the prospects of drinking some Butterbeer soon, so I moved on from the area. 

The center of the store featured a huge spiral staircase

The staircase looks kind of like the entrance to Dumbledore’s office in the films.

Erin Ajello for Insider


After I left the wand area, I got my first good view of the spiral staircase at the center of the store.

It featured a huge Griffin perched on a stone column, similar to the entrance to Dumbledore’s office in the films. 

The column itself had quotes inscribed into it, including Dumbledore’s line from “Goblet of Fire,” “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

At this point, I’d been in the store for around 20 minutes and only seen a few sections, so I ventured downstairs to the cellar, excited for what was to come.

I bee-lined for the book section, which was filled with ‘flying’ hardbacks 

The book section is highly decorated.

Erin Ajello for Insider


When I walked downstairs, the book section immediately caught my attention. 

The area had an archway made of books surrounded by brick walls, and it felt like a small London book shop.

An employee told me that the bricks were designed to match the ones in London’s King’s Cross Station, and as soon as he said that, I realized that’s why it reminded me of English city.

When I walked into the book area, I couldn’t decide what to look at first.

Copies of the “Harry Potter” books are attached to the ceiling.

Erin Ajello for Insider


There were “flying” copies of the “Harry Potter” books suspended overhead, actual artwork from the books on the brick walls, and quotes from the series scattered around the area. 

Tom Riddle’s diary is in the section.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The Tom Riddle’s diary prop with the basilisk fang sticking out of it was even on display in the book section.

It was like a dream library for fans of the books, and it made me want to start rereading them for the fourth time.

I somehow managed to pull myself away and check out the rest of the store — though I did return later to buy two books.

The next section was dedicated to the Dark Arts, complete with a hissing Nagini

The snake wraps around the whole area.

Erin Ajello for Insider


A massive version of Nagini hung above the next area, officially marking the Dark Arts section of the store.

An employee told me that Nagini can make hissing sounds and speak to guests in Parseltongue, but she didn’t make any noises while I was there.

The area still had plenty of things to look at without that, such as the two styles of Death Eater masks used in the films, Marvolo Gaunt’s ring, and mirrors with the Deathly Hallows symbol.

Visitors can get personalized merchandise that makes them feel like part of the Wizarding World

Shoppers can get some of their merchandise personalized.

Erin Ajello for Insider


Next to the Dark Arts section was the personalization area, appropriately labeled “Things That Must Be Named.”

The area featured wizard robes, quidditch jerseys, and Hogwarts trunks that can all be personalized with shoppers’ names.

Some of the wands can also be inscribed in this section. 

The store sells personalized Hogwarts letters.

Erin Ajello for Insider


Fans who are still waiting for their Hogwarts letter to arrive by owl can even buy personalized, handwritten ones in the store.

There are also massive trunk gift sets sold with candy, house-specific clothing, Hogwarts letters, and more inside.

You could spend a few galleons on the products in the jewelry section

The jewelry comes in a range of prices.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The next section was full of jewelry that ranged from single- to triple-digit prices.

The store has necklaces that look like Time-Turners.

Erin Ajello for Insider


There were necklaces and earrings featuring a golden snitch and the Deathly Hallows, as well as others that looked like Time-Turners.

There’s a line of Luna Lovegood-themed makeup.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The area also offered “Harry Potter” makeup, with items like the Deathly Hallows brush set and Luna Lovegood’s mirror and purse.

Later in the summer, shoppers will have the chance to ‘fly’ like the characters from the series

The experience opens in July.

Erin Ajello for Insider


Just past the jewelry counter was the “Wizards Take Flight” attraction, an interactive flight experience that’s set to open in mid-July.

I was slightly disappointed that I wasn’t able to try the attraction, but I still got to see Harry’s broom in front of it.

The last section in the cellar was dedicated to the films’ graphic designers

MinaLima refers to the movies’ graphic designers.

Erin Ajello for Insider


I saved what looked like the most interesting part of the cellar floor for last: the House of MinaLima.

I wasn’t sure what the name of the section meant at first, but both a plaque and an employee explained that MinaLima refers to Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, the graphic-design duo who created many of the props for the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films.

They even have their own real-life House of MinaLima gallery in London. 

This section’s red walls and carnival-style lights were the brightest and most eye-catching exterior in the entire shop.

The entrance itself had illustrations covering every inch, including massive wanted posters for Harry Potter and Sirius Black.

Being surrounded by the creations of people who brought such a beloved series to life was amazing, and the sheer number of things to look at in the room overwhelmed me.

The floor is decorated like the Marauder’s Map.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The entire floor was covered with the Marauder’s Map, and the walls were covered in the Black family tree.

The walls are decorated like the Black family tree.

Erin Ajello for Insider


I really liked how the wallpaper looked and couldn’t resist walking around and reading names until I found some of the well-known relatives like Bellatrix Lestrange and Draco Malfoy.

The fireplace looks like the Dursleys’ from the first movie.

Erin Ajello for Insider


It’s hard to pick a favorite part of the room given how many incredible details were around me, but seeing the Dursleys’ fireplace overflowing with Hogwarts letters was very cool. 

If I came back when the shop was crowded, I’d plan on going to this section first because it was the most unique part of the entire store. It was almost like a museum full of “Harry Potter” art.

Shoppers can travel through the Floo Network in the store’s elevator

The store’s elevators mimics the Floo Network.

Erin Ajello for Insider


Before I headed back upstairs, an employee asked me if I’d seen the elevator yet, which had a fire design on its doors surrounded by the green Ministry of Magic tiles to mimic the Floo Network from the series

They encouraged me to use it on my way upstairs, and my curiosity was piqued enough for me to step inside.

The inside looks like the movies’ special effects.

Erin Ajello for Insider


I was stunned to see that the entire interior of the elevator was painted black with green lights and flames, imitating the look of the Floo Powder effect from the movies.

All of the details make it feel real.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The elevator door on the upper floor was decorated like another fireplace, so it really felt like I’d taken a trip through the Floo Network. 

The Forbidden Forest section was full of magical creatures

Hagrid guards the Forbidden Forest section.

Erin Ajello for Insider


When I got back upstairs, I headed to the Forbidden Forest area, which featured a Hagrid cut-out at the entrance. 

Shoppers can measure how tall they are against the friendly half-giant, and they can even compare shoe sizes. 

The area is full of magical creatures from the series.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The rest of the section was marked by several large trees and plenty of recognizable creatures from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” series.

There were even plush toys of Hedwig, Fawkes, and Aragog.

As I was looking around the area, I suddenly heard a loud engine sound, which an employee explained was the Weasley’s flying car that goes off every 15 minutes. 

Pickett the Bowtruckle is inside the tree.

Erin Ajello for Insider


I also peered into the glasses on the Whomping Willow to find Pickett the Bowtruckle from the “Fantastic Beasts” movies. 

There’s a decor section for anyone who wants to take a bit of the magic back home

There’s a whole wall of home decor.

Erin Ajello for Insider


Some of the bedding and vanity-table options in the store’s home-decor section looked cool, but I couldn’t see myself paying the steep prices for them.

I could, however, see this area being popular for fans decorating a dorm room or new bedroom.

After spinning the Time-Turner clock a few times without any magical results, I made my way to the next section. 

The confectionery looked just as sweet as Honeydukes

The confectionery is bright and colorful.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The sweets-filled confectionery was the most whimsical-looking section, with bright green-and-white walls and a classic checkered floor.

I was immediately drawn to the Butterbeer wall and was glad to see that fans could buy the drink in packs to bring home.

It sells Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The area also included sweets from the series, like Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and chocolate frogs.

There are also chocolate frogs for sale.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The chocolate-frog selection also featured a large frog overlooking the rows of sweets that apparently ribbits intermittently.

I ventured into the Butterbeer Bar for a sweet treat

The Butterbeer Bar is located inside the store.

Erin Ajello for Insider


After seeing so many sweets and rows of Butterbeer, I had to visit the Butterbeer Bar to satisfy my sudden craving for a sugary snack.

There are a few food and drink options on the menu.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The refreshments area was just as charming as the rest of the shop, with a full wall of Butterbeer bottles on display, “floating” menu boards, and pipes that appear to be pumping the drink throughout the room.

The Butterbeer label featured on the barrels stacked along the wall and on the cup itself was also designed by MinaLima.

The Hedwig cupcake is covered in too much fondant.

Erin Ajello for Insider


I’d already visited the bar a few weeks ago, so I knew I loved the Butterbeer, but I was excited to try more of the treats. 

Unfortunately, the Butterbeer ice cream wasn’t available yet, so I paired my drink with a Hedwig cupcake instead.

The vanilla cake featured a fondant Hedwig holding a fondant Hogwarts letter. The decorations were cute, but they weren’t particularly appealing to eat. 

The cake itself was good, but it’s not something I’d order again.

The Butterbeer, however, was sweet and refreshing, and I know I’ll keep coming back for it. 

“Harry Potter” fans who want to try the delicious drink but don’t have time to go into the store can also order from the take-out Butterbeer Bar window outside.

I looked through a final section of merchandise before heading out

There’s a whole wall of Luna-themed merchandise.

Erin Ajello for Insider


After I finished my Butterbeer and cupcake, I realized there was another section of merchandise I hadn’t explored yet.

I couldn’t believe there was still more to look at, but I was glad I didn’t miss out on seeing Luna Lovegood’s section before I left.

Her Spectrespecs were featured on wristlets, shirts, and larger bags next to some recognizable Luna quotes.

Fans can also buy things decorated like the series’ famous map.

Erin Ajello for Insider


There was also a section full of Marauder’s Map-inspired merchandise. 

Choosing what to buy wasn’t easy, but I settled on a few of my favorite items

Even the store’s tissue paper is full of small details and symbols from the series.

Erin Ajello for Insider


I spent my last 20 minutes or so in the store trying to decide what to buy before landing on two books, the New York exclusive mask, and a few bottles of Butterbeer.

A cashier told me that only 20% of the store’s products are featured on the website, which is surprising given that the online store has over 900 items. But I guess the massive selection makes sense for the world’s largest “Harry Potter” store

There are different Daily Prophet articles on the bags.

Erin Ajello for Insider


The bag my purchases were placed in had a Daily Prophet article about Dumbledore printed on one side, and different-size bags featured different articles.

The other side of the bag displayed the store’s name and New York address.

I already can’t wait to go back to the store once it’s open to the public

I was able to check out every section currently open and take my time exploring, but there was still plenty more to see.

I know I’ll definitely be going back when the rest of the store is finished, especially since I already want to revisit the MinaLima area and buy more Butterbeer.

The store ended up having way more to experience than just shopping. It truly felt like part of the Wizarding World had been transported into New York City.

Get your wands ready: Popular ‘Harry Potter’ parody show is coming to Phoenix. Here’s when

By  in November 8th 2021   No Comment »
Filed Under Harry Potter     Tags:      

A long-running two-man parody that abbreviates the entire “Harry Potter” series into a 70-minute show is coming to Phoenix this month.

“Potted Potter,” a stage show that has toured the world over the last 15 years, will have a three-night run at the Madison Center for the Arts from Oct. 28-30.

The night will be an immersive experience into J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World: Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters, and the bar will serve a “butter brew” for the occasion. There will also be an interactive game of Quidditch.

Costume contest winners will earn 2022 season tickets to the Madison.

October live shows in Phoenix:J. Cole, Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5, Chris Stapleton

“Potted Potter” promises to be a fun time for all, regardless of whether you have reread the “Harry Potter” series innumerable times or have never watched a minute of any of the eight films. Muggles “ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed)” are welcome to enjoy the experience, according to the show’s website.

How to Stream and Watch Every ‘Harry Potter’ Movie

By  in November 7th 2021   No Comment »
Filed Under Harry Potter     Tags:      

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

  • All eight “Harry Potter” movies are now available on HBO Max.
  • It’s not clear how long the movies will stay on HBO Max since they rotate between services.
  • HBO Max costs $10 a month for the ad-supported plan and $15 a month for the ad-free plan.


HBO Max Monthly Plan (ad-free)

For fans of the “Harry Potter” movie franchise, subscription


streaming

 options are surprisingly hard to track down. 

The series tends to jump back and forth between two primary streaming services: HBO Max and Peacock. Right now, you can watch all eight movies on


HBO Max

, but it’s not clear how long they’ll stay on that service.

Insider Reviews’ All-Time Best list

The popular fantasy films take place in the Harry Potter Universe, where wizards and people without magical abilities (muggles) coexist. Throughout the series, viewers follow the protagonist, Harry, and his two friends, Hermione and Ron, as they progress through their formative years at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along the way, Harry meets allies and enemies, hones his magic, and unlocks his destiny. 

If you’re an existing fan or just someone who wants to watch the movies for the first time, we’ve detailed all the “Harry Potter” streaming options below. 

How to watch every ‘Harry Potter’ movie

The “Harry Potter” movies are now available to watch on HBO Max. The films frequently transition between a few different streaming services, however, so they won’t remain on HBO Max indefinitely.

The HBO Max ad-supported tier costs $10 a month, and the ad-free tier costs $15 a month. All subscribers can watch the “Harry Potter” movies, but only members of HBO Max’s ad-free plan are eligible to stream current in-theater releases like “Reminiscence.”


HBO Max Monthly Plan (ad-free)


HBO Max (ad-supported)

Though HBO Max no longer offers a free trial directly through its website, Hulu members can get a one-week trial of the HBO Max add-on. The trial is only available to customers who have never signed up for HBO Max before.


HBO Max (Hulu add-on) Monthly Subscription

Are the ‘Harry Potter’ movies on Peacock?

The “Harry Potter” films have previously been available on Peacock, but the movies are not currently streaming on that platform. It’s likely they’ll return at a later date but no specific schedule has been announced.

Due to existing streaming deals, Vulture suggests the “Harry Potter” films may alternate between Peacock and HBO Max regularly through 2025

How to rent ‘Harry Potter’ movies

In addition to streaming on HBO Max, fans can also rent or buy every “Harry Potter” film on a per-movie-basis through digital rental services. Some of these services include Amazon, RedBox, Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes.

Pricing for the series varies by service, but most of the movies start at $4 to rent or $15 to buy.

For those unfamiliar with digital rental services, check out our guide on how to rent movies online. 

James Snyder, Diane Davis, More Will Return to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway

By  in November 6th 2021   No Comment »
Filed Under Harry Potter     Tags:      

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Broadway News  

James Snyder, Diane Davis, More Will Return to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway

A condensed version of the play resumes performances November 12 at the Lyric Theatre.


Diane Davis and James Snyder

Matthew Murphy


Casting is set for the return of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. James Snyder will continue playing Harry Potter alongside Diane Davis as Ginny Potter, Jenny Jules as Hermione Granger, and Nadia Brown as Rose Granger-Weasley. Joining them are David Abeles as Ron Weasley, James Romney as Albus Potter, Aaron Bartz as Draco Malfoy, and Brady Dalton Richards as Scorpius Malfoy.

Romney, Bartz, and Richards joined the production in 2020 but never took to the stage before the coronavirus shutdown. Abeles joins from the San Francisco production.


Nadia Brown and Jenny Jules

Matthew Murphy


As previously announced, the play will reopen as one show. Playwright Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany, who conceived the story with original series author J.K. Rowling, worked on the condensed version while theatres remained dark.

Rounding out the Broadway cast are Oge Agulué, Kevin Angulo, Chelsey Arce, Quinn Blades, Michela Cannon, Will Carlyon, Lauren Nicole Cipoletti, Judith Lightfoot Clarke, Ted Deasy, Kira Fath, Stephanie Gomérez, Steve Haggard, Ben Horner, Edward James Hyland, Jax Jackson, Jack Koenig, Spencer LaRue, Rachel Leslie, Sarita Amani Nash, Alexandra Peter, Dan Piering, Kevin Matthew Reyes, William Rhem, Antoinette Robinson, Stephen Spinella, Tom Stephens, Maya Thomas, and Karen Janes Woditsch.

The production features movement by Steven Hoggett, sets by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music and arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions and magic by Jamie Harrison, and music supervision and arrangements by Martin Lowe. U.S. casting is by Jim Carnahan. Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender, and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions serve as producers.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opened on Broadway April 22, 2018. The work was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning five, including Best Play.

North America will put on the condensed staging at the Curran in San Francisco with performances set to begin January 11, 2022, as will the Canadian premiere taking up the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto in May. Other areas of the world will continue to host the original, two-part version. Performances are currently underway in Melbourne, Australia; the West End production is slated to reopen October 14; and a German-language production will resume previews in Hamburg December 1.

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Kick Starting Epic 20th Anniversary Celebrations of Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone Film… Tom Felton to Join ‘Back to Hogwarts’ Global Fan Event

By  in November 6th 2021   No Comment »
Filed Under Harry Potter     Tags:      

“Back to Hogwarts Global Fan Celebration | 20 Years of Harry Potter Movie Magic” is presented by the Harry Potter Fan Club and will be hosted by celebrity DJ and self-proclaimed superfan Yinka Bokinni, with a special guest appearance from Tom Felton. Yinka will guide fans through an interactive celebration of 20 years of fandom and share breaking news and features that Harry Potter fans will not want to miss.

Early birds can tune in to Wizarding World YouTube from 5:30am EST on September 1st  to watch live or, for fans wishing to watch a little later the livestream will be available on demand. Don’t forget to follow the excitement on social media with #20YearsofMovieMagic.

Fans will also be able to discover how it might feel to start their own journeys to Hogwarts by trying out the new Platform Nine and Three-Quarters Instagram filter, available on Wizarding World’s Instagram channel from September 1st. In the words of Molly Weasley, “Best do it with a bit of a run if you’re nervous!”

Providing fans of all ages with a host of ways to engage with the celebrations, new exclusive content  focused on 20 Magical Moments from the first film will be released every Wizarding Wednesday including games, quizzes and secrets from the crew who brought it to life. Today, the first moment in the series goes live as Mina Lima, the graphic design duo behind Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, present a behind-the-scenes video offering fascinating insights into how the iconic Hogwarts Letter was created, go to the 20th Anniversary Hub on WizardingWorld.com and check it out.

The Wizarding World offers something for every fan to enjoy, from getting lost in J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter novels, reliving the timeless film magic, through to exploring immersive retail experiences and discovering unique live entertainment which brings the magic to life.

There is so much in store, including a chance to find out which famous faces share your Hogwarts house and more details to come on the hotly anticipated ‘Harry Potter‘ Quiz Show which will air later this year in the US on HBO Max, Cartoon Network and TBS. In the meantime, fans can relive the magic at home as from September 1st the film will be available to stream on HBO Max as well as showing as part of the full film series on Syfy and USA Networks. 

Fans are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for more announcements and join the official Harry Potter Fan Club to be the first to get the latest news.

Notes to editors:

Press contacts:

Wizarding World Press Office at BCW
[email protected]
+44(0)7500918476

About Wizarding World:

In the years since Harry Potter was whisked from King’s Cross Station onto Platform nine and three quarters, his incredible adventures have left a unique and lasting mark on popular culture. Eight Blockbuster Harry Potter films based on the original stories by J.K. Rowling have brought the magical stories to life and today, the Wizarding World is recognised as one of the world’s best-loved brands.

Representing a vast interconnected universe, it also includes two epic Fantastic Beasts films, (the third releasing in 2022), Harry Potter The Cursed Child – the multi-award-winning stage-play, state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games, innovative consumer products, thrilling live entertainment (including four theme park lands) and insightful exhibitions.

This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. owned Wizarding World experiences also includes Harry Potter New York – a brand new flagship store, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, and the Platform 9 3⁄4 retail shops.

The Wizarding World continues to evolve to provide Harry Potter fans with fresh and exciting ways to engage. For the worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, it welcomes everyone in to explore and discover the magic for themselves.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1601679/20_Years_of_Harry_Potter_Movie_Magic.jpg  
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1601680/Harry_Potter_and_the_Philosophers_Stone.jpg

SOURCE Wizarding World

Harry Potter 20th anniversary trolley tour: Where you can see it

By  in November 5th 2021   No Comment »
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Harry Potter fans are divided over whether a TV series is a good idea or not

By  in November 4th 2021   No Comment »
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Rumours emerged yesterday that a Harry Potter TV series was in early development at HBO Max – but not all fans are happy about the prospect of seeing the wizarding world on the small screen.

In a RadioTimes.com Twitter poll to determine whether fans would watch a live-action series, the vote was split almost exactly evenly, with 50 per cent voting yes and 50 per cent voting no.

It’s not clear what shape the potential series would take – and whether it would follow characters from JK Rowling’s original books or go for the approach taken by the Fantastic Beasts spin-off films and focus on a different location and time period.

But with opinion so evenly divided, it appears that enthusiasm for the franchise may not be as high as it once was.

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There are a number of reasons why this could be the case: for one, despite performing well at the box office, the aforementioned Fantastic Beasts films have failed to capture the imagination of fans in the same way as the previous films, and there’s a feeling among some fans that the franchise should now be left alone.

Of course, many fans will also have been put off the idea of another sequel due to the controversy surrounding Rowling, whose comments last year sparked accusations of transphobia and saw several stars of the Potter films criticise her views.

It’s unclear when a possible series might arrive, but with talks still said to be at an early stage it likely won’t be a while before any concrete announcements are made.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, executives at HBO Max and Warner Bros are engaged in meetings to find a writer, but no one is yet attached to the project in an official capacity.

However, a spokesperson for HBO Max and Warner Bros. told the publication: “There are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform.”

Rowling herself would have to be on board for any series to be given the go-ahead, with the writer contractually having a say in anything that is done with the franchise.

Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide. 

The Murder Show

By  in November 4th 2021   No Comment »
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Amanda and Jenn discuss thrillers and historical mysteries, moving with kids, read-alouds about socks in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

Questions

1. My husband and I have recently decided to move our family out of Texas. We are at a stage of life when moving can be complicated, as we have children (147) who are settled into a routine in our suburban neighborhood. But the pandemic and our state’s failed response to it finally pushed us to make the leap. We are excited and hopeful for the opportunity to explore a new way of life. However, our family and friends don’t quite understand why we want to make this change at this point in our lives and the lack of support can be hard to bear. Can you recommend books about people choosing to make dramatic changes in their lives that seem crazy to everyone else, specifically a change that involves moving/travel, or midlife career change, and that preferably involve families with children? I would prefer nonfiction or memoir, but feel free to surprise me. A little sentimentality is ok, but please nothing too sappy or woo-woo. I’d like something that acknowledges the practical challenges of change while maintaining a hopeful and positive perspective.

Thanks,

-Lydia

2. I am looking for a gift for my wife who is a huge mystery / thriller reader. She has read all of the usual suspects, and is starting to find the genre stale since so many follow the police procedural or “girl goes missing” trope. 

One of her favorites has been the Heartsick trilogy by Chelsea Cain due to the novelty of a female serial killer and the cat-and-mouse interactions she has with the detective in the story. She loves a good twisted psychological character and loved that the killer was female. Preferably no domestic thrillers (although a stellar one is okay) and something fresh outside the “kidnapped child” or “missing female” trope. 

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo is on my radar, but please suggest any outside-the-box picks that you have in your back pocket. Her birthday is November 15 so I’d love to have some before then. Thank you! 

(Enclosed list of what authors and books she has read and enjoyed)

Entire canon – Jane Harper
Sometimes I Lie – Alice Feeney
The Wife – Alafair Burke 
All of Chevy Stevens, particularly Those Girls
Widows – Lynda LaPlante 
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn 
All of Lisa Unger 
Riley Sager 
The Wife Between Us

-Sarah

3. Part 1. Janet Evanovich but for my middle aged dad? I think we would benefit from reading a book together and when I mentioned it, it wasn’t shot down so now I’m looking for something with action and humor and absolutely no sexy times. He made me read The Camel Club by David Baldacci once and I’m still not over it. The only series we have both read at separate times and have enjoyed are Harry Potter and The Dresden Files.

Part 2. American Pop by Snowden Wright. Is this book terrible and problematic or is it okay and problematic? I know it’s definitely problematic. Goodreads reviews don’t like it but I kind of did? I haven’t heard anyone else talk about it and it’s been a few years since it was published and I just need someone’s opinion that I trust.

Thank you for all of the hard work you all do, I really appreciate it and it adds value to my life and career as a librarian.

-Tori

4. Any suggestions for my dad who loves thrillers,  mysteries, and historical fiction? He reads mostly white men—Ken Follett, Michael Crichton, John Grisham, etc. His favorite books this year were City of Thieves by David Benioff and Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christi Lefteri. He loves to learn but sometimes struggles with nonfiction, e.g. I gifted him Killers of the Flower Moon last year and he couldn’t get into it. Trying to broaden his usual fare outside of white dudes and would love any recs. Adult only and no graphic novels please. He’s also mentioned he doesn’t like a ton of violence, but then again his favorite book ever is Pillars of the Earth, so *shrug.*

-Deanna

​​5. Hi Jenn and Amanda, I struggle with audiobook fiction, but I love audiobook nonfiction. I’ve been struggling to find my next audiobook pick now that I’m commuting again. I think my wheelhouse is investigative journalists tackling corruption. My favorite is Dark Money by Jane Mayer, and I also loved Bad Blood by John Carreyrou and Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe. Thank you so much for your time!

-Cassie

6. I’m a kindergarten teacher at an arts-integrated school, and my students are In.Love.With. Chapter books for read-aloud time. So far this year, we’ve read The Magnificent Makers and The Magical Ms. Plum, and they absolutely ate them up. I mentioned that I was going to go to the library to pick new books up, and they pretty much exploded with requests. Books suitable for 5-7year olds with any or all of the following would be amazing (these are all direct quotes from my students):

– “A long, good chapter book of lots of things”
– Magical
– Kitties
– Dragons
– A group of clams
– Komodo dragons
– A unicorn
– Dogs and horses
– Snakes
– Socks
– “Classrooms and working hard on exploring”

I’m planning on getting a few Magic Schoolbus books for our shelves, and we decided as a group that if we can’t find one book that fits all of these needs, we’re totally going to make our own. 🙂 But any recommendations would be very, very much appreciated!

-Jenn

7. Although I didn’t have much interest in Russian literature before, my love of George Saunders convinced me to read A Swim in the Pond in the Rain. I enjoyed his teacherly quality of guiding you through these short stories and ability to help me learn and appreciate them in a way I wouldn’t have been able to without support. His deep love for these stories was evident and made the reading experience extremely enjoyable. I am currently planning on reading Tolstoy Together: 85 Days of War and Peace with Yiyun Li and participating in a War and Peace read in September. 

Are there any books similar to these that can help me approach a new book/genre more deeply? It doesn’t have to be Russian literature. That was just a coincidence. 

-Malory

Books Discussed

How to Be a Family by Dan Kois

The Telling Room by Michael Paterniti

The Guest List by Lucy Foley (tw: sexual assault, extreme bullying)

My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh (cw: alcoholism, child abuse, rape, disordered eating)

A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (rec’d by Cassie)

Dangerous Women by Hope Adams

Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March (cw: references to suicide, mention of rape and harm to children)

She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey

The Golden Thread by Ravi Somaiya

Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead

Books Islands in Ojibwe Country by Louise Erdrich

‘Harry Potter: Wizards Unite’ is shutting down on January 31st, 2022

By  in November 4th 2021   No Comment »
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Niantic is ending support for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. The studio announced today it will shutter the AR game on January 31st, 2022. Ahead of the sunset, it plans to delist the title from the App Store, Google Play and Galaxy Store on December 6th. That same day, it will also remove all in-app purchases from the experience.

Niantic first launched Wizards Unite back in 2019. And in many ways, it never replicated the runaway success of Pokémon Go. “Not all games are meant to last forever,” the company said of the decision to stop working on the title. “Our goal with Harry Potter: Wizards Unite was to bring the magic of the wizarding world to life for millions of players as they stepped outside and explored their neighborhoods. We accomplished that together, delivering a two-year narrative story arc that will soon complete.”

For Niantic, this is the second game it has decided to shut down in less than two months. In September, it announced it was discontinuing development on Catan: World Explorers before the game was even widely available outside of a few select markets. Then, as now, Niantic says it will take what it learned from the experience and apply it to future projects.

Presumably that includes Pikmin Bloom, which recently launched in Singapore and Australia, as well as the upcoming Transformers: Heavy Metal. In total, the studio says it’s working on nine games and apps, some of which will soft-launch next year.

Portal From Facebook Stands for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Curtain Call

By  in November 3rd 2021   No Comment »
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Portal From Facebook users can now board the Hogwarts Express on track 9 3/4.

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