Full Breakdown
ITV Streams Entire Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Franchise for Free on ITVX
7/8/2026, 12:20:38 PM
Free Streaming Deal Between ITV and Warner Bros. Discovery
ITV has secured a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery that places all eleven films from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series on its streaming platform ITVX at no charge to viewers. The deal also provides for linear broadcasts of the titles on ITV1 and ITV2. The films will be available for an undisclosed period, with the launch timed to coincide with the summer holiday season.
Background & Franchise Milestones
The Harry Potter franchise, authored by J.K. Rowling, reached its 25th anniversary in 2026. The cinematic universe comprises eight Harry Potter movies and three Fantastic Beasts installments, together generating more than $9.6 billion in worldwide box-office receipts. The series is described as iconic British films.
Key Players
- ITV – The UK broadcaster that operates the ITVX streaming service and the terrestrial channels ITV1 and ITV2.
- Warner Bros. Discovery – The rights holder for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film libraries.
- Darren Nartey – Head of ITV content acquisitions, responsible for negotiating and announcing the agreement.
Data & Statistics
- Total films made available: 11 (eight Harry Potter, three Fantastic Beasts).
- Cumulative box-office revenue of the franchise: $9.6 billion.
- ITVX monthly active users: 16.5 million, reflecting a ~60 percent increase over the previous four years.
- ITV’s 25th-anniversary celebration occurs in the same year the free-streaming period begins.
Strategic Impact and Industry Significance
Offering the complete franchise at no cost aligns with ITV’s stated aim to make the films available for both old and new fans during the summer holidays. The availability coincides with ITVX’s recent growth to 16.5 million monthly active users, indicating a large potential audience for the added titles. The free-streaming arrangement also underscores ITV’s role in distributing iconic British film content on both its streaming and linear channels to both old and new fans.
Official Statements & Responses
ITV conveyed pride in making the films accessible to both long-time fans and newcomers during the holiday period and beyond. The broadcaster noted that the films will be available on both ITVX and the linear channels ITV1 and ITV2.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The agreement does not disclose the exact length of time the eleven films will remain free on ITVX. Additionally, the source provides no details on financial terms, revenue-sharing arrangements, or any conditions for renewal.
Verbatim Quotes
> “We are extremely proud to make these iconic British films available for both old and new fans to stream, for free, during the summer holidays and beyond.” — Darren Nartey, Head of ITV Content Acquisitions
What’s Next
The films will appear on ITVX and be broadcast on ITV1 and ITV2 throughout the summer holidays, with the possibility of continued free availability pending the undisclosed end date of the licensing agreement, as part of the same licensing arrangement.
