There’s no denying that Harry Potter is a phenomenon the world over! When the first book hit the shelves way back in 1997 (yes, it was that long ago!) it, along with the books and movies which followed, took the world by storm. If you, like so many, simply can’t get enough of the Harry Potter magic, then this post is for you! Whether you’re a Ravenclaw or Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, a die-hard fan or absolute newbie, you’ll love these Harry Potter-themed podcasts! From rereadings and discussions to heated debates and in-depth analysis, there is something for everyone with this great mix of shows. So get your ticket for the Hogwarts Express ready as we venture through our top 9 most bewitching Harry Potter-themed podcasts.
1. Harry Potter At Home
We’ll start our list with possibly the coolest new entry into the audio entertainment space, Harry Potter at Home, brought to us by Wizarding World, the official home of all things Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Harry Potter at Home is a true treat for the ears as famous voices and some of the most beloved members of all facets of the franchise take turns reading a chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or the Sorcerer’s Stone, for those in the US!) each week. Chapter 1 is read by none other than on-screen Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe! The chapters read by Eddie Redmayne (who plays Newt Scamander in the on-screen adaptation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) and Stephen Fry are particularly delightful, but the readers of the available chapters all do a splendid job of bringing the story to life once again. Launched specifically to banish boredom during this time of quarantine, it’s an audio gem. While it’s not an official podcast, it is available on Spotify (no subscription fee required) but you can also listen to each episode on the website, where you’ll find a whole host of fun activities and bonus features. You could even try the virtual Sorting Hat on for size by taking the online test to see which House you belong in! If you’re looking for a nostalgic Harry Potter experience, this podcast will give it to you by the galleon.
2. The Real Weird Sisters
If you’re looking for some fun, yet in-depth analysis of everything Harry Potter and more, then Alice Aleson and Martha Krebill of The Real Weird Sisters are your go-to gals! They’re real-life sisters so their chemistry as hosts is phenomenal, and, most importantly, considering our topic today, they are both hardcore fans of Harry Potter. Together, you can relive every chapter of every book in intricate detail, as well as discussions of the films, the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and anything else pertaining to the franchise. But that is certainly not al! They have some super creative “sorting hat” episodes which are especially fun if you love cross-overs! In these special episodes, they’re often joined by guests – many of which host their own podcasts – who help The Real Weird Sisters sort characters from other well-known franchises into Hogwarts houses. The guests often come from podcasts who host podcasts related to the franchise of discussion, which adds expert insights to the sorting! They’ve covered everything from Twilight to Friends, and even the contestant’s from the Netflix hit, The Circle! Alice and Marthan have now also started doing detailed character studies, which is perfect for those who love detailed book-club-esk discussions.
3. PotterCast
PotterCast’s full title is PotterCast: The Harry Potter podcast since 2005, and they pride themselves on being a trusted source of all things Harry Potter for the last 15 years. Over the course of more than 300 episodes and counting, PotterCast, brought to us by Mischief Media, has given us detailed discussions, joyous celebrations, and eye-opening interviews with creators and actors from the Harry Potter Universe. There’s a great mix of random Harry Potter-related stories, interesting viewpoints, and deep dives into the books as well as more complex matters. It’s great for all members of the Harry Potter fandom and has buckets of charisma and heart. The fact that they have a collection of stellar interviews with some of the films cast and crew cements this podcast as a firm favorite amongst even the most Sirius of Potterheads.
4. Mischief Managed Podcast
The hosts and guests of Mischief Managed Podcast: Your recommended dose of Harry Potter nonsense can solemnly swear that they are up to no good! This is not a chapter-by-chapter discussion style podcast, but rather, they have mastered the (dark) art of talking about all things Harry Potter in a way that is interesting, funny, and relevant. It’s branded as a definitely-adult podcast due to language and occasional adult content, but the goofiness and often full-out nerdiness brings an endearing balance. The hosts’ love for the franchise rings true throughout, but they are always ready to throw a little mischief in the mix with one wild theory or another and beware, there are plenty of spoilers! It’s a show full of banter, laughs, and interesting viewpoints, and it will make you feel like you’re chatting with firm friends. Mischief Managed is the perfect podcast for those who grew up loving the books, and now find themselves navigating the twists and turns of adulthood.
5. Swish And Flick
Another stellar Potter podcast to check out is Swish and Flick. It’s a reread style show where the hosts pool together their love and knowledge of the series, but also incorporate hotly-debated fan theories, their own ideas and theories, as well as J.K. Rowling’s other Pottermore writings to bring you the most complete and in-depth discussion possible. Hosts Tiffany, Megan, Katie, and Sarah have created a sweet and cheerful platform for Potterheads of all ages to come together and share their love of the series. This show would be a great accompaniment for anyone rereading the books during quarantine. The cheery dispositions of the hosts are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and will put a Banishing Charm on any lockdown blues!
6. The Quibbler: A Harry Potter Book Club
While The Quibbler is a wizarding tabloid in the Harry Potter universe, in our universe, it is the name of a Harry Potter book club podcast for grown-ups. In each episode of The Quibbler: A Harry Potter Book Club, hosts, Heather Price-Wright and Alex Dalenberg read through each book chapter by chapter, and they’ll take you along on some deep dives into the beloved wizarding world which defined the childhood of so many. This is the perfect podcast for the grown-up Potter fan as there are socially-aware, thought-provoking points raised, insightful questions asked, and criticism critically discussed, but with heart and laughs to boot. If you’re looking for some engaging conversation over your shared love of all things Potter, then give this podcast a listen!
7. Owl Post: A Harry Potter Podcast
Another book club-style podcast, Owl Post: A Harry Potter Podcast walks through all seven books of the Harry Potter saga one chapter at a time. Hosts Andrea Coffman and Matthew Rushing guide us through character dissections, fascinating plot points discussions, and exciting plot and subplot explorations. They really get to the heart of the magic that encompasses this series – the metaphoric, not literal kind – and it’s a journey through the whole adventure, whether it’s your third (or fifth!) reread, or the first time you’ve diving in. You’ll always get really insightful commentary and you’ll very quickly feel like you’re chatting with old friends. It’s a wonderful blend of analytic discourse and nostalgia, with a whole lot of heart. The gold nuggets of insight they share are so good they belong in Gringotts, and Andrea and Matthew’s chemistry takes this show to the next level. 10 points to Owl Post!
8. Potterless
Potterless, a fitting play on Pottermore, is hosted by Mike Schubert, a grown man reading through the Harry Potter series for the first time. As he started out his podcast, Mike had infamously only seen four and half of the Harry Potter movies and had read none of the books. Having received a fair bit of criticism and judgment from his die-hard fan friends, he decided to record his process of (finally!) making his way through the books. Free from the loyalty that often prevents critical analysis, Mike pokes fun at plot holes, points out flaws, and makes hilarious predictions, often to the horror of his Potterhead guests. He is full of snark, and hilarious interjections, which makes this podcast unique amongst the offerings of Harry Potter-themed podcasts. It’s refreshing to hear his, perhaps often unpopular, opinions, and the debates which these spark are a whole lot of fun and hilariously entertaining, making this a great addition to your podcast library.
BONUS: Mike will be hosting a live Potterless event at PodUK Goes Digital, a free-to-attend virtual conference happening this weekend, May 30th. You won’t want to miss it!
9. MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Podcast
Last on our list is MuggleCast, hailed as your weekly ride into the Wizarding World. If you want up-to-date news or thought-provoking discussions on the fantastical universe created by J.K. Rowling, this podcast should be your go-to. Not only will you get your fill of meaty book and film discussion, but they cover all the latest news and developments better than The Daily Prophet! It’s great for Potterheads of all ages, it’s fun, full of interesting criticism, and the quality is first class. Publishing since 2005, there are over 400 episodes for you to enjoy. For insight into the books, movies, video games as well as theme parks, there is nowhere else to turn, other than MuggleCast. It’s funny, smart, and a little nerdy – in short, it’s everything you’d want from a Harry Potter-themed podcast.
Closing Thoughts
Harry Potter is arguably the most well-known and well-loved book series. Not only were the movie adaptations consequently massive hits, but the world-wide love of the franchise sparked stage productions, spin-off series, as well as theme parks where us Muggles can experience the magic of Hogwarts for ourselves. And while we can’t currently take a tour through Diagon Alley or sip Butter Beer at The Three Broomsticks due to the corona crisis, all is not lost. Thanks to these podcasts, we can certainly still get our Harry Potter fix and put our own Banishing Charm on boredom during this lockdown period. With so many wonderfully magical Harry Potter podcasts out there in the world, there is plenty of entertainment to keep our Muggle hearts happy.
