6 movies and shows like Harry Potter streaming on Netflix

Though Netflix has a wide variety of movies and shows for all ages to watch, the sad reality for Potterheads is that there will likely not be a day in our foreseeable future when the Harry Potter movies will live there. That's because the beloved movie franchise was produced by Warner Bros., who have their own streaming service: Max. NBCUniversal also has the broadcast rights for the films, which means Peacock shares the streaming rights with Max. All of this is to say that if you've been wondering why the Harry Potter movies are never on Netflix, that's because they don't have the coveted rights.

If you aren't subscribed to Peacock (or Max, where the Harry Potter films will be moving on Sept. 1), then you're probably looking for age-appropriate, similar titles for the whole family to enjoy. If that's the case, then you're in luck! We've gathered six awesome alternatives if you're looking for some magic in your life.

Wednesday

• Release Year: 2022
• Age Rating: TV-14 for "fear, language, violence"

Where can you go wrong with Wednesday? The new spin on the Addams Family story follows daughter Wednesday as she's shipped off to boarding school at Nevermore Academy. Jenna Ortega plays the titular character and is amazing in the starring role. As Wednesday meets her new classmates, she begins to uncover dark secrets about her new town and the people in it. Like Harry Potter, Wednesday features mythical creatures and a school setting in which the main characters take it upon themselves to solve a mystery. I'd love to see Wednesday interact with the Golden Trio!

Wednesday has been renewed for a second season on Netflix, which is expected to premiere sometime in 2025.

The School for Good and Evil

• Release Year: 2022
• Age Rating: PG-13 for "violence, action, and some frightening images"

Fantasy film The School for Good and Evil is a great option for the family, taking place in another school setting. It stars Sophia Anne Caruso as Sophie and Sofia Wylie as Agatha, best friends who are sent to two different schools: The School for Good and the School for Evil. Believing they don't belong at their respective schools, the girls try to make a switch but must prove themselves to do so. Like Harry Potter, there's a lot of magic in The School for Good and Evil and a similar friendship dynamic along with school-age drama.

The movie also stars Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Cate Blanchett, Michelle Yeoh, and other talented stars.

Stranger Things

• Release Year: 2016
• Age Rating: TV-14 for "disturbing images, fear, gore, language, smoking"

Stranger Things is one of Netflix's most successful shows, and for good reason. It appeals to every age group with its gripping action, heartfelt relationships, and fresh humor. The sci-fi show follows a group of friends who, after encountering a mysterious girl, must work together to save the world. Millie Bobby Brown is fantastic in the leading role of Eleven, a former test subject with magical powers. Similar to Harry Potter, Stranger Things tells a great story of friendship, found family, and otherworldly forces.

Four seasons down, Stranger Things has cemented itself as one of the best and biggest shows in Netflix history. It will return for its fifth and final season sometime in 2025.

Enola Holmes

• Release Year: 2020
• Age Rating: PG-13 for "some violence"

The only entry on this list that doesn't include any kind of fantasy elements is Enola Holmes, but there are other similarities it shares with the Harry Potter franchise. The film stars Millie Bobby Brown as the titular character, the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes who wants to solve mysteries of her own. After her mother goes missing, Enola takes it upon herself to figure out what's happened. Along the way, she meets a boy of her age and they team up on their respective adventures. Like the young characters of Harry Potter, Enola is incredibly determined and ambitious. She goes to great lengths to solve a mystery and her fearless nature is incredibly sweet.

Enola Holmes spawned a sequel, 2022's Enola Holmes 2, which is also streaming on Netflix.

Matilda

• Release Year: 1996
• Age Rating: PG for "elements of exaggerated meanness and ridicule, and for some mild language"

If some of the titles on this list are too mature for your little ones, we'd recommend giving Matilda a try! The beloved children's movie is rated PG and tells a timeless story of an intelligent, kindhearted young girl who's been dealt a bad hand in life. Her parents don't want her and they poke fun at her for wanting to pursue hobbies like reading and learning. Matilda is incredibly smart for her age and, as she learns how to take care of herself, she discovers she even has powers other people don't. Like Harry Potter, Matilda must find her own family.

Fortunately, once Matilda starts going to school, her kindhearted teacher takes her under her wing and they form a life-changing bond. The movie stars Mara Wilson in the titular role, with Danny DeVito playing her father and Rhea Perlman as her mother. DeVito also directed the movie.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

• Release Year: 2017
• Age Rating: TV-PG for "smoking, substances"

Another option on the list for younger audiences is Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Starring Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf, the show follows three children who, after their parents die, are moved around from one foster home to another. Count Olaf, who claims to be a relative but really just wants their inheritance money, takes the kids into his care. Fans of the A Series of Unfortunate Events books will definitely love this show, which went on for three seasons. Though the show might not be your typical fantasy story, it takes place in a strange universe different from ours.

A Series of Unfortunate Events is similar to Harry Potter in that it follows a group of kids left to fend for themselves against threats with ulterior motives. As they grow up and learn about life, they also have to figure out who they can trust and how they can get to the truth.

What will you be watching with the family on Netflix this week?