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Harry Potter (HBO series) – Season 1: what to watch first
The short answer, the optional extras, and every episode date as soon as HBO announces it.
You don’t need the movies before the series
The HBO series is a new adaptation of the books with a new lead cast. Season 1 adapts the first book, so no prior viewing of the films is required. If you would like to compare, the first film is an optional warm-up.
Your warm-up list
ESSENTIAL: 0 · RECOMMENDED: 1 · OPTIONAL: 7
Essential
Combined runtime: 0h 0m
No titles in this group.
Recommended
Combined runtime: 2h 32m
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone2h 32m
Same story as the first season — fun to compare, not required.
Optional
Combined runtime: 17h 7m
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets2h 41m
Later books. The series is expected to reach them in future seasons.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban2h 22m
Later books. The series is expected to reach them in future seasons.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire2h 37m
Later books. The series is expected to reach them in future seasons.
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix2h 18m
Later books. The series is expected to reach them in future seasons.
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince2h 33m
Later books. The series is expected to reach them in future seasons.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12h 26m
Later books. The series is expected to reach them in future seasons.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 22h 10m
Later books. The series is expected to reach them in future seasons.
Not needed
Combined runtime: 6h 49m
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them2h 13m
Outside this warm-up list; no need to watch it first.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald2h 14m
Outside this warm-up list; no need to watch it first.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore2h 22m
Outside this warm-up list; no need to watch it first.
Series vs. films, spoiler-free
| TOPIC | Films | New title |
|---|---|---|
| Story | Eight films (2001–2011) covering all seven books. | Season 1 adapts the first book. HBO plans to cover the books over a decade-long series. |
| Cast | The original film cast. | A new lead cast, with Warwick Davis returning as Professor Flitwick. |
| Length | 19h 39m for all eight films. | 8 episodes in Season 1; episode runtimes not yet announced. |
| Where (US) | Streaming on HBO Max; rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home. | Premieres on HBO and streams on HBO Max. |