This will not come as an enormous shock, however it seems that the “Harry Potter” motion pictures are remarkably well-liked. To make clear, even though the primary film primarily based on J.Okay. Rowling’s best-selling books got here out practically 25 years in the past, it stays a streaming juggernaut. To that finish, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” aka “The Thinker’s Stone” outdoors of the U.S., was probably the most well-liked streaming titles in 2024.
In response to numbers offered by Digital-i, (through Deadline), “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was seen over 40 million occasions on the Max streaming service final 12 months. Although not extensively thought to be one of the best “Harry Potter” film by any means, being first clear counts for lots. Digging deeper into the numbers, director Christopher Columbus’ movie reached practically 20% of Warner Bros. Discovery’s whole subscriber base, which is fairly exceptional.
These numbers, extra particularly, had been offered by Digital-i’s British streaming exports record for 2024. This record measures viewing from outdoors of the U.Okay. on Netflix, Disney, Prime Video, and Max within the U.S., in addition to Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Latin America, and Europe.
One might argue that is an instance of so-called “newstalgia,” the place one thing outdated turns into new once more due to streaming. In any occasion, the numbers assist to reaffirm that Rowling’s story a few magical boy names Harry stays remarkably well-liked all over the world. So many large motion pictures and TV exhibits that price hundreds of thousands upon hundreds of thousands to make commonly flame out on numerous streaming companies. But, this 2001 characteristic remains to be pulling in large numbers.
Controversy cannot preserve Harry Potter down, it appears
That is nearly definitely why Warner Bros. Discovery is transferring full-steam forward on the “Harry Potter” TV present for HBO and Max, which is anticipated to premiere someday in 2026. For a number of years now, the franchise has been dwelling within the shadow of J.Okay. Rowling, who has been controversial on account of her continued commentary concerning trans folks. The writer has made many transphobic statements, which has made her an unpopular particular person in some circles. It has been advised that “Harry Potter” wants to maneuver on with out Rowling because of these statements, however that is not going to occur, as Rowling does retain inventive management.
For the entire controversy, the franchise, even past these streaming numbers, is evidently well-liked. “Hogwarts Legacy” was the best-selling online game of 2023, producing effectively over $1 billion in income for Warner Bros. There was additionally the particular “Harry Potter twentieth Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” produced for Max in 2022. That is to say nothing of the Wizarding World theme park points of interest, merchandise, and different income generated lately. It is a monster.
The “Improbable Beasts” spin-offs flamed out after three movies, however even these had been fairly well-liked earlier than “The Secrets and techniques of Dumbledore” failed each critically and commercially. The purpose is, Warner Bros. has each purpose to consider that persevering with this franchise not directly, form, or kind is a good suggestion from a pure {dollars} and cents perspective. Within the period of uncertainty that Hollywood resides in proper now, that is too enticing to disregard.