‘Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them’: 3 Ways To Survive The Wait For The Movie

Potter fans, brace yourselves: 'Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them' is just about a year away from opening in theaters. And yes -- it does feel like it might as well be an eternity! But fear not, because here are some magical ways you can kill the time between now and then. Yes, Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them, the mythical spin-off series from the mind of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is becoming a film. Fans worldwide are truly excited -- but before you get to hear the tale of Newt Scamander and how he became of the author of one of Harry Potter's first year textbooks ... you have to wait. You have to wait a whole year, in fact. November 18, 2016 is the release date. While that may feel like cruciatus-level torture,  we have some ideas that might make it feel like you have a time-turner in hand to make the year fly by.

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Reading Time: 3 minutes
November 25, 2015 11:01AM EST
Image Credit: Universal Studios


1. Visit Wizard World Of Harry Potter

I’m sorry, you mean you’re a Potterhead and you haven’t made the trek down to Orlando to see the theme park? I’m not sure what exactly you’re waiting for, but before you do anything else, you need to get yourself to Universal Orlando Resort, a 2-park destination that includes The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley located at Universal Studios Florida theme park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade located at the Islands of Adventure theme park. Not only can you ride the Hogwarts Express between both parks, drink Butterbeer, and visit Ollivander to be fitted with a wand, but you can also visit the only place in the world to house some of the ‘fantastic beats’ Newt Scamander will be chasing around NYC in the film. Dropping into the Magical Menagerie shop in Diagon Alley will put you face-to-face with creatures like a Kneazle and a Crumple-Horned Snorkack.  This is the first time any of these mythical animals have been visualized out of J.K’s mind and since the whole park needs her stamp of approval, you can bet your last sickle these creatures will look the same in the Fantastic Beasts film. So, get down to Florida, buy yourself a Butterbeer ice cream (to die for!) and wander around this magical little store. Just remember to look up — most of the good stuff is up on the overhead shelves!

2. Read The Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them Book

Here’s the thing: yes, there is a book you can pick up called Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them and you should absolutely read it. It’s fun, it’s informative, and proceeds from the book go to the Comic Relief Charity.  But full disclosure — the book won’t give you much insight into what you can expect to see on screen in 2016. The book is a replica of Harry Potter’s first year text book, and within the pages are descriptions of the mythical creatures that can be found in the wizarding world. At this point, not every much is known about the author Newt, other than Eddie Redmayne looks damn good as a wizard!

3. Harry Potter Movie Marathon

Sure, you’ve left on a marathon when it popped up on ABC Family on more Saturdays than you care to admit, but when is the last time you watched Daniel Radcliffe literally grow before you eyes, from a wide-eyed 11-year-old to a dashing adult wizard? Sure, it’s a big commitment, but consider it research! There are so many mythical creatures in every single film that the famed Magizoologist Newt could have encountered in his travels, like Buckbeak the Hippogriff  in Prisoner of Azkaban or the Hungarian Horntail in Goblet of Fire. Plus, we know it’s been awhile since you watched the Half-Blood Prince. So grab some chocolate frogs, plant yourself on the couch, and get lost in the movies for a weekend … or two … or three.


So, Hollywoodlifers — how will you find ways to pass the time in the looooong one year wait?