Harry Potter is More Popular Than It’s Been in Years. It’s Getting Harder to Cancel J.K. Rowling.

Oct 19, 2025

As the Harry Potter franchise experiences a massive resurgence in popularity with new merchandise deals and the upcoming HBO reboot series, efforts to cancel J.K. Rowling over her controversial views on transgender issues appear more ineffective than ever. Despite years of backlash from a vocal online minority, the wizarding world she created continues to thrive. Rowling’s stance, often labeled as transphobic by critics, hasn’t slowed the cultural or financial juggernaut.

Here’s the TL;DR...

Harry Potter’s popularity is booming in 2025, fueled by blockbuster video game sales, fresh merchandising partnerships, and anticipation for the HBO series reboot.
Attempts to boycott products tied to Rowling, like Hogwarts Legacy, backfired into “buycotts” that drove record success.
Major brands from food to toys keep licensing Harry Potter, padding Rowling’s already billion-dollar fortune.
While some collaborators faced cancellation for associating with her work, high-profile actors are signing on to the reboot and audiobooks undeterred.
Online extremism, including death wishes on platforms like Bluesky, highlights the intensity of opposition, but Rowling remains resilient amid threats and legal battles.
Original cast members from the Harry Potter films remain divided, with stars like Emma Watson recently addressing their complicated relationship amid ongoing criticism.
Ultimately, her empire proves cancellation-proof, even if her views divide fans.

Why Is Harry Potter More Popular Than Ever in 2025?

Harry Potter books have sold over 600 million copies worldwide since the series wrapped in 2007. That number keeps climbing with rereleases and digital formats. In 2025 alone, the franchise has seen a spike in interest thanks to nostalgia-driven trends.

New experiences like the Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Boston drew crowds before closing in April. Theme parks and official shops, including a new Chicago location opened in April, report steady foot traffic.

How Did Hogwarts Legacy Turn a Boycott Into a Buycott?

When Hogwarts Legacy launched in 2023, critics called for a boycott over Rowling’s views. Instead, it sparked a “buycott” where supporters bought copies in defiance.

The game sold over 34 million units, making it one of the top sellers ever. Reviewers praised its open-world magic, and the backlash only amplified sales.

Even in 2025, talks of a sequel show no sign of the controversy fading the franchise’s appeal.

Which Major Brands Are Still Partnering With Harry Potter in 2025?

Despite calls to cut ties, companies keep betting on Harry Potter’s draw. Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products oversees the vast licensing empire, partnering with dozens of brands across categories like toys, food, apparel, beauty, and home goods. These collaborations continue to expand, with new deals announced throughout 2025, funneling royalties straight to Rowling and proving the IP’s enduring market power.

Here’s a bulleted list of known major brands currently working on Harry Potter merchandise and experiences, along with what they produce:

Warner Bros. Discovery: Handles core films, games, theme parks, and official shops; offers wands, apparel, and collectibles through the Harry Potter Shop.
Krispy Kreme: Food products like themed doughnuts featuring Houses of Hogwarts designs and spellbinding flavors, launched in August 2025.
Nestlé (Coffee Mate): Limited-edition coffee creamers inspired by the series, adding magical twists to everyday beverages in 2025.
Lulu and Roo: Kids’ clothing lines with Harry Potter themes, including anniversary collections for back-to-school and casual wear.
Imagine Exhibitions: Touring experiences such as Harry Potter: The Exhibition, bringing interactive wizarding world displays to cities worldwide.
Mad Beauty: Beauty and gifting products under a long-term licensing deal, including cosmetics and accessories announced in May 2025.
Miniso: Expansive collections covering home goods, fashion, toys, and health/beauty items, with over 800 SKUs in global Harry Potter lines.
LEGO Group: Toy building sets recreating Hogwarts scenes, characters, and vehicles, with ongoing releases tied to “Back to Hogwarts” campaigns.
Haribo: Candy and confectionery products featuring Harry Potter branding, part of promotional partnerships in 2025.
Pottery Barn: Home decor items like Golden Egg Lamps and themed bedding, appealing to adult fans in 2025 collections.
American Girl: Doll bundles and accessories with Hogwarts themes, blending playtime with wizarding elements for younger audiences.
Homesick: Scented candles inspired by the series, bundled for gifting and home fragrance markets in 2025.
Vans: Footwear and apparel collaborations, including shoes with house crests and magical motifs.
PUMA: Apparel and accessories in Gryffindor/Slytherin-themed collections, released in March 2025 for activewear fans.
Pyramid International: Gift sets like Colourful Crests items, including posters, mugs, and stationery for collectors.
Snapchat (Bitmoji): Digital lenses and AR experiences with 3D Harry Potter themes, enhancing social media interactions in 2025.

These partnerships span global markets, with many timed to anniversaries or events like Brand Licensing Europe in October 2025. They highlight how brands view Harry Potter as a safe, profitable bet despite online controversies.

What Do J.K. Rowling’s Financials Look Like Today?

Rowling’s net worth hit $1 billion again in 2025, per Forbes estimates. She earns $50 million to $100 million annually from book sales, licensing, and Potter extensions.

Her philanthropy tops $200 million, including the new JK Rowling Women’s Fund launched in May for women’s rights causes. Book sales remain robust, with the series holding its spot as history’s best-seller.

Who Are the Actors Signing On for the Harry Potter HBO Reboot Despite Backlash?

The HBO series, set for 2027, has cast fresh faces for the iconic roles. Dominic McLaughlin stars as Harry Potter, with Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.

Veterans like John Lithgow, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Janet McTeer, and Paapa Essiedu join the ensemble. Essiedu, known for pro-trans views, stays on despite Rowling’s stance, as she confirmed she wouldn’t fire him over differences.

Other additions include Johnny Flynn, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, and recurring players like Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse. Casting continues amid online noise, but production rolls on.

Which Narrators Are Involved in Harry Potter Audiobooks Amid Controversy?

The new full-cast Harry Potter audiobooks on Audible feature big names facing scrutiny. Michelle Gomez, who plays a role, addressed backlash directly, standing by her decision.

Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen, Riz Ahmed, and Keira Knightley as Professor Umbridge also signed on. Knightley spoke out against the criticism, emphasizing the project’s appeal.

Classic narrators like Stephen Fry, who called Rowling a “lost cause” on trans issues, distanced themselves personally but the series persists.

How Extreme Has the Online Backlash Against Rowling Become on Bluesky?

Bluesky has become a hotbed for intense anti-Rowling sentiment. Users there have placed her on informal “hate lists,” with some escalating to wishing death on her and even on perceived allies or critics like Emma Watson who have complicated ties to the franchise.

Posts describe demands for total submission to certain views, labeling dissenters as targets. This mirrors broader extremism, where disagreement spirals into threats.

What Threats and Lawsuits Has J.K. Rowling Faced in 2025?

Rowling has endured death threats for years, prompting police involvement. In 2025, she threatened legal action against Good Law Project founder Jo Maugham over claims.

She won an apology from children’s site The Day after they misrepresented her views in 2020, but the pattern continues. Rowling also sued a fan for false family claims online.

Her comments on a UK Supreme Court ruling in April, supporting sex-based rights, drew more ire but no professional fallout.

How Have Original Harry Potter Cast Members Responded to J.K. Rowling’s Views?

The original Harry Potter film cast remains sharply divided over Rowling’s views on transgender issues, with public statements spanning from staunch support to pointed criticism since the controversy erupted in 2020.

This rift has only deepened in 2025, highlighted by recent exchanges like Emma Watson‘s comments on their relationship. In a September interview with podcaster Jay Shetty, Watson reflected on her time working with Rowling, saying, “I can love her. I can know she loved me. I can be grateful to her. I can know the things she said are true and hurtful. I can never cancel her.”

Rowling fired back on X, calling Watson “ignorant of how ignorant she is” and accusing her of lacking real-life experience. This exchange reignited debates, with fans interpreting Watson’s words as a balanced but critical stance that some saw as throwing Rowling under the bus by acknowledging the harm of her rhetoric while refusing to fully sever ties.

Many cast members have weighed in over the years, often aligning with broader cultural discussions on trans rights. Here’s a breakdown of key original actors who have publicly supported Rowling:

Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort): Defended Rowling’s right to express her opinions, stating in 2022 that the backlash was “disturbing” and emphasizing free speech.
Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange): In a 2022 interview, she called the backlash a “load of bollocks” and urged empathy, saying Rowling was “hounded” for her views.
Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy): Supported Rowling’s freedom of expression in 2021, tweeting that while he disagrees, “she has her opinions and I have mine.”
Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid): Before his 2022 death, he backed Rowling, saying people should “let her have her opinions” and dismissing critics as “waiting to be offended.”
Jim Broadbent (Horace Slughorn): Expressed support in interviews, noting the importance of debate without cancellation.
Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood): Offered nuanced defense in 2020, saying she admires Rowling but encourages listening to trans voices, later clarifying her support for trans rights while maintaining respect for the author.

On the other side, several stars have been vocal critics, often issuing statements in support of the trans community:

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter): In 2020, he wrote an essay for The Trevor Project affirming “transgender women are women” and apologizing to fans hurt by Rowling’s words. He reiterated his stance in 2025 interviews.
Emma Watson (Hermione Granger): Has consistently supported trans rights, tweeting in 2020, “Trans people are who they say they are,” and expanding on the personal impact in her recent 2025 comments.
Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley): Stated in 2020 that he stands with the trans community, adding in later interviews that love and respect should guide the conversation.
Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley): Tweeted support for trans people in 2020, emphasizing inclusivity amid Rowling’s posts.
Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom): Publicly backed Radcliffe’s statement and criticized attempts to silence trans voices.
Katie Leung (Cho Chang): Shared resources for trans support in 2020, implicitly distancing from Rowling.
Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts): Disagreed with Rowling in 2020, calling her comments “absolutely wrong” while working on the films.

Others, like Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), have stayed largely neutral, focusing on fan unity without direct commentary. This division underscores how Rowling’s views have fractured the once-tight-knit cast, yet the franchise’s momentum persists.

Who Has Been Canceled for Working With Rowling or Harry Potter?

Some collaborators paid a price. Troy Leavitt, a Hogwarts Legacy developer, left Avalanche Software in 2021 after backlash over his past YouTube videos criticizing social justice movements.

Kara Lynne, community manager at Limited Run Games, was fired in 2023 after activists targeted her for following anti-trans accounts and liking Harry Potter content. She claimed it was cancellation by trans activists.

Czech Games Edition faced boycott calls in 2025 for publishing a Harry Potter board game, with critics arguing the IP shouldn’t be promoted today. The release went ahead, but the debate raged on forums.

Can You Really Cancel Someone Like J.K. Rowling?

Rowling’s story highlights the limits of cancel culture. Despite years of online outrage, calls for boycotts, and social media campaigns, she continues to sell books, license new projects, and shape one of the most recognizable entertainment brands in the world. Her wealth, independence, and the sheer reach of the Harry Potter franchise make her difficult to silence. Many fans have chosen to separate the art from the artist, continuing to enjoy the stories even if they disagree with her views.

The more people have tried to cancel J.K. Rowling, the more visible she has become. Every controversy renews attention to her work and fuels ongoing debate about free expression, fandom, and accountability.

Like her or not, Rowling remains a powerful cultural figure whose influence has proven nearly impossible to erase.

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Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on October 18, 2025 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED