A New ‘Harry Potter’ Theme Park Is Coming – And It’s Shattering Records
Potterheads are in for yet another magical experience, as plans have been announced for a new Harry Potter theme park in Shanghai. Once completed, this attraction will be the largest indoor Harry Potter experience to date, further cementing the franchise’s global presence in the theme park industry.
A Legacy of Magic and Theme Parks
The Harry Potter fandom is among the most passionate in the world. Since J.K. Rowling’s beloved series first hit bookshelves, it has captivated generations of readers and moviegoers. Despite ongoing controversies surrounding its creator, the franchise remains a cultural phenomenon, expanding its reach into theme parks, merchandise, and immersive attractions worldwide.
At the heart of this expansion is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which has become a cornerstone of Universal Studios’ theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, and Beijing. These lands offer visitors a chance to step into some of the most iconic locations from the films, including Hogwarts Castle, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, and Gringotts Bank, complete with a fire-breathing dragon atop its roof.
The expansion continues in May 2025, when Universal’s highly anticipated Epic Universe opens in Orlando. This new park will introduce an all-new Harry Potter land featuring the Ministry of Magic and the streets of Paris, inspired by the Fantastic Beasts spinoff films. Meanwhile, rumors persist that Universal’s proposed UK theme park may also include a Harry Potter-themed area.
Warner Bros. Expands Its Studio Tour Offerings
Beyond Universal’s attractions, Warner Bros. has also invested heavily in giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Harry Potter films. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter in Leavesden, England, allows visitors to walk through the very sets where Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint filmed their scenes.
A near-identical attraction later opened in Tokyo, Japan, covering 30,000 square meters and offering an immersive look into the film’s production.
Shanghai’s Upcoming Harry Potter Experience
Now, a third Warner Bros. Studio Tour is set to arrive in Shanghai, China. Warner Bros. has partnered with Jinjiang International to develop the attraction, which will reportedly be even larger than the Tokyo location, covering over 53,000 square meters. This makes it the biggest indoor Harry Potter experience to date.
Unlike Universal’s full-fledged theme parks, Warner Bros. classifies its studio tours as immersive film experiences rather than traditional amusement parks. The Shanghai location will offer an up-close look at the craftsmanship, sets, and props used to bring the Wizarding World to life on the big screen.
Shanghai’s Growing Theme Park Market
Shanghai has emerged as a major player in the global theme park industry. Shanghai Disneyland, Disney’s newest resort, opened in 2016 and has since drawn millions of visitors.
Universal, Disney’s biggest rival, entered the Chinese market with Universal Studios Beijing in 2021 and has already announced expansion plans. Speculation has grown that Universal Beijing may introduce Diagon Alley, currently exclusive to Universal Orlando, in the near future.
The new Harry Potter Studio Tour in Shanghai adds to this rapidly growing landscape, further fueling China’s theme park boom. Though the project is still subject to regulatory approval, it is expected to be part of a large-scale renovation of an existing Jinjiang-operated theme park. If all goes according to plan, the attraction is slated to open in 2027.
With another Harry Potter destination on the horizon, fans worldwide will soon have yet another way to immerse themselves in the Wizarding World. Whether through Universal’s theme parks or Warner Bros.’ studio tours, the magic of Harry Potter continues to cast its spell across the globe.
What’s your favorite Harry Potter attraction?
