Harry Potter, Practical Magic and more: 7 iconic franchises coming back to screens
What’s returning to screens in 2026–2027 (collage: Styler)
Beloved stories from the past are increasingly getting a second life. Some return with new actors and completely reboot familiar plots, while others continue their stories decades later, and still others expand universes that viewers have long been reluctant to say goodbye to.
RBC-Ukraine has rounded up 7 major comebacks that have already happened or are coming to screens soon
Harry Potter
On September 2, HBO released a new trailer for the Harry Potter series. Fans were given one of the most detailed looks yet at the new Hogwarts. The trailer features new Harry, Ron, and Hermione, the Sorting Ceremony, Quidditch, and familiar teachers from the school of magic. The first season will premiere on Christmas Day – December 25, 2026.
This time, the creators are not continuing the famous film saga starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, but are re-adapting J.K. Rowling's books for the screen. The first season is titled "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," with Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, and Arabella Stanton in the lead roles.
The creators promise to bring back even moments from the books that were left out of the films. For example, the trailer has already shown Harry attending a regular Muggle school and being bullied by Dudley and his friends.
American Horror Story
One of the most famous horror series of modern times is returning after a long break. Season 13 of "American Horror Story" will premiere on FX and Hulu on September 24, with the creators turning the number 13 into a real celebration for longtime fans.
Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, and other anthology stars will return to the screen. What's more, some of the actors will reprise their iconic roles: Lange will once again play Constance Langdon, Paulson will return as Cordelia Goode, Roberts as Madison Montgomery, and Bassett as Marie Laveau.
The new season will effectively bring together the worlds of several previous installments. Ryan Murphy compared the concept to "The Avengers": familiar characters will come together to face a common evil. Characters from "Murder House," "Coven," "Freak Show," "Cult," and other seasons will return.
Practical Magic
Nearly three decades after the release of "Practical Magic," the Owens sisters will return to the big screen. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman have reprised their roles as Sally and Gillian in "Practical Magic 2." The film will be released internationally starting September 9, 2026.
This is not a remake but a sequel to the 1998 film. The sisters will once again have to confront dark family magic and a curse that threatens the Owens family.
Bullock and Kidman were also joined by actresses from the original film – Diane Wiest and Stockard Channing. The new generation of the family is played by Joey King and Maisie Williams. Susanne Bier directed the film, while the plot is partly based on Alice Hoffman's novel "The Book of Magic."
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
After "The Big Bang Theory" ended in 2019, its universe continued to expand. And in summer 2026, one of the original show's funniest supporting characters finally got his own series – comic book store owner Stuart Bloom.
"Stuart Fails to Save the Universe" premiered on HBO Max on July 23. In the series, Stuart accidentally breaks a device created by Sheldon and Leonard, triggering a genuine multiversal apocalypse. He has to save reality alongside Denise, Bert, and Barry Kripke.
The most pleasant bonus for fans of the original is the chance to meet alternate versions of familiar characters from "The Big Bang Theory." The creators are not trying to recreate the old sitcom, but instead use its universe for a much crazier sci-fi story.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Aang has also returned, but now as an adult. On July 25, 2026, the feature-length animated film "Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender" was released on Paramount+, continuing the story of the iconic animated series. This is not another retelling of young Aang's adventures: the events take place after the victory over the Fire Nation, when the heroes have already grown up.
In the story, Aang discovers an ancient power that could help save the culture of the Air Nomads from extinction. Along with his friends, he sets out to find it before the power falls into the wrong hands and destroys the peace the heroes fought so hard to achieve.
Aang is voiced by Eric Nam, while one of the most high-profile new additions to the cast is Dave Bautista.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Middle-earth is also preparing for another major return. On December 17, 2027, Warner Bros. will release "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum."
What makes the project especially exciting is that it brings together several people who created the famous film trilogy. Andy Serkis will not only reprise his role as Gollum but also direct the film. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are serving as producers, while Walsh and Boyens are also working on the screenplay.
So this will not be an attempt to start "The Lord of the Rings" from scratch, but rather a new story set within the familiar cinematic universe.
Focker-in-Law
It has been 26 years since Greg Focker first tried to win over the stern Jack Byrnes in Meet the Parents. Now Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro are returning to their iconic roles.
The new film is titled "Focker-in-Law" and will hit theaters on November 25, 2026. Stiller and De Niro will be joined by Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, and Teri Polo, while Ariana Grande is one of the franchise's major new faces.
