Two Harry Potter prequel films are scheduled to exit HBO Max’s streaming catalog next month. These films, set in the early 1900s, explore the complex relationship between Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald.
Fantastic Beasts 2 & 3 are leaving HBO Max soon
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore will be removed from HBO Max on Monday, June 1, 2026.
Directed by David Yates, both films are based on scripts by J.K. Rowling, who also served as a co-producer for the Fantastic Beasts trilogy.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) follows Gellert Grindelwald as he escapes custody and seeks to establish pure-blood dominance. The film features Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Johnny Depp and others. Despite a 36% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.5/10 rating on IMDb, it grossed $655.7 million worldwide.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) received slightly better reviews, with a 46% Tomatometer score and 6.2/10 on IMDb. Mads Mikkelsen replaced Johnny Depp as Grindelwald in this installment, which earned $407.1 million globally.
Implications for HBO Max subscribers
The removal of these films marks a shift in HBO Max’s streaming library, as the platform continues to adjust its content offerings. Fans of the Harry Potter universe may need to seek alternative platforms or purchase digital copies to access the prequels.
While the eight main Harry Potter films remain on HBO Max, the departure of the Fantastic Beasts trilogy underscores the transient nature of streaming catalogs. Subscribers are advised to check the platform’s official announcements for updates on future additions.
Conclusion
The exit of the Fantastic Beasts films from HBO Max highlights the evolving landscape of streaming services. As content libraries shift, viewers must stay informed about changes that affect their access to beloved franchises. For now, fans have until June 1, 2026, to enjoy these prequels before they disappear from the platform.