Fans of the Wizarding World have a limited window to revisit one of its most controversial chapters. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the third installment in the spin-off series, is set to depart from Peacock in December 2026. The film, which hit theaters in 2022, was a turning point for the franchise—not just for its story, but for the real-world drama that surrounded its production.
The most notable shake-up involved Johnny Depp, who was originally cast as the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. Depp had appeared briefly in the first film and played the role in the sequel, but after a week of shooting on Secrets of Dumbledore, he was asked to leave. The role was quickly recast with Mads Mikkelsen, who brought a different, more calculating energy to the character. Depp's exit came amid his highly publicized legal battles, which had made him a polarizing figure in Hollywood. He has since made a comeback, starring in the recent Ebenezer and set to appear in the action-thriller Day Drinker.
Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, Secrets of Dumbledore brought back familiar faces like Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore, with David Yates returning to direct. The story follows Newt and his allies as they attempt to thwart Grindelwald's rise to power, but the film struggled to capture the magic of its predecessors. It currently holds a 46% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting that while it improved on the second film, it still lacked the charm that made the original Harry Potter movies so beloved.
Financially, the movie was a disappointment. Produced on a reported budget of $200 million, it grossed around $407 million worldwide—the lowest of the entire Fantastic Beasts series. That underperformance led Warner Bros. to cancel the planned fourth and fifth films, effectively putting the spin-off franchise on indefinite hold. The studio has since shifted focus to the upcoming HBO reboot of the Harry Potter series, which is expected to premiere in late 2026.
For those who want to see Secrets of Dumbledore before it vanishes from Peacock, you have until December 1, 2026. After that, the film will likely find a new streaming home, but for now, Peacock is the only place to watch it in the U.S. If you're a completionist, you can also stream the entire Harry Potter saga on the same platform, though that too may change as the HBO reboot approaches.
While the Fantastic Beasts series may be on pause, the Wizarding World is far from dormant. The HBO reboot is generating buzz, and fans are curious to see how it will handle the iconic characters. In the meantime, if you're looking for other fantasy content to fill the void, check out our fantasy book recommendations or dive into the Jurassic Park rankings for a different kind of adventure.
As for Depp, his career is on the rebound. His recent reunion with Sam Claflin in Ebenezer has been well-received, and he's set to star in Day Drinker next year. It's a far cry from the days when he was considered box office poison, but Hollywood has a way of forgiving talent. Whether the Fantastic Beasts franchise will ever return remains to be seen, but for now, fans can enjoy the three films that exist—at least until December rolls around.
