Where to stream the first 2 'Fantastic Beasts' movies before you see 'The Secrets of Dumbledore' in theaters
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Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
- "Fantastic Beasts" is a prequel series that expands on the magical world from "Harry Potter."
- The first two "Fantastic Beasts" films are available to stream on HBO Max and Peacock Premium.
- HBO Max starts at $10/month, while Peacock Premium starts at $5/month.
The world of "Harry Potter" continues to grow with more stories that build on the original books and films. The "Fantastic Beasts" series keeps the franchise going with prequel films set in the 1920s.
The first two entries of the spin-off series, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," are available to stream on HBO Max and Peacock. The third entry in the franchise will premiere in theaters on April 15.
"Fantastic Beasts" colors the world of magic in a way Harry Potter's adventures couldn't by taking us to a time well before "Sorcerer's Stone," far from the dorms of Hogwarts. We follow a different cast in the magical setting of New York City in 1926. When Newt Scamander, a ministry-employed wizard, accidentally frees a group of mythical creatures, he and his companions hustle to clean up the mess.
Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, alongside Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, and Ezra Miller. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" received a "74% Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" received a lackluster 36% rating.
Where to watch the 'Fantastic Beasts' movie series
The first two "Fantastic Beasts" movies are available to watch on HBO Max and Peacock Premium. Subscribers to both services can stream "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" right now.
The third film in the franchise, "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore," will hit theaters on April 15 and could premiere on HBO Max by the end of May.
The cheapest way to watch the first two "Fantastic Beasts" movies is with a Peacock Premium subscription. Though Peacock has a free plan, you need the Premium option to unlock both films. Peacock Premium with ads costs $5 a month. Ad-free streaming costs $10 a month.
You can also watch both "Fantastic Beasts" movies with HBO Max's ad-free ($15/month) or ad-supported ($10/month) plans. If you opt for the pricier ad-free plan, you also get download support and the ability to stream select titles in up to 4K quality. That said, the "Fantastic Beasts" moves are limited to high definition (HD) on HBO Max.
How to rent 'Fantastic Beasts' movies
If you'd rather skip the commitment of a streaming subscription, fret not: the "Fantastic Beasts" movies are also available for digital rental and purchase.
Major retailers like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, RedBox, Vudu, iTunes, and Google Play offer each film for about $4 to rent or $10 to buy. For more information on how digital rental works, check out our guide.
4K streaming options are also available on select platforms, like Vudu, iTunes, and Google Play. Buyers who prefer to own discs, can opt to purchase "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" on Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray.
What movies are included in the 'Fantastic Beasts' series?
The "Fantastic Beasts" series currently includes three movies:
- "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (2016)
- "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" (2018)
- "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" (2022)