While my love for MTG runs deeper than Urza’s Mine, it has been a little bit of an existential crisis — and still a little hard to process — the fact that I can show up to my local card shop in 2025 and get destroyed by a SpongeBob SquarePants Commander deck. While the Universes Beyond and Secret Lair sets have been pretty controversial, there’s no denying that they are extremely fun. Some sets, like Lord of the Rings and Warhammer, have been perfect fits, while others, like Sonic the Hedgehog and My Little Pony, are fun but canonically all over the place. So I’ve taken it upon myself to come up with 3 different IP universes that I think should partner with Wizards of the Coast in 2026.

Star Wars

Last weekend, the newest MTG set Edge of Eternities dropped, offering a unique backdrop for the game that somewhat divided the community at large but excited sci-fi-loving Planeswalkers.

“The story of the set is located in outer space and is top-down inspired by space opera,” as described by Wizards of the Coast. This set primes the pump for what could be an insane collaboration if Magic: The Gathering were to ever create a Star Wars set.

Fan-made Star Wars MTG cards have been floating around hobby groups and Reddit threads for YEARS, even before Universes Beyond started — and for good reason. The characters in Star Wars are powerful, diverse, and beautiful to illustrate. Imagine how smoothly droids could be imagined as artifact creatures, Sith characters would integrate into black and red, or how natural Wookiees and Ewoks would feel in green. Lightsaber equipment cards. Legendary ships. The possibilities are endless.

Honestly, I’m getting more and more frustrated just thinking about this potential set, because who knows if we’ll ever get it. But with Disney-owned properties like Deadpool and Spider-Man already making the jump to Magic: The Gathering, maybe it’s only a matter of time before we get a Mandalorian and Grogu partner Commander deck.

Harry Potter

Now, I’m not even a Potterhead, but it seems ludicrous that we haven’t seen an official Harry Potter Secret Lair or Universes Beyond set.

You could argue that Strixhaven already feels like a royalty-free imagining of Harry Potter within the MTG universe — and you wouldn’t be wrong — but that’s all the more reason to make it official in 2026. The different wizard houses fit perfectly into the MTG color wheel. Spells and incantations could be reimagined as instants and sorceries. Legendary beasts, illusions, and whatever the heck Dobby was could all come together in an epic set that would 100% bring in a new, enthusiastic player base.

Pokémon

Now remember: I warned you. If you don’t think MTG is the best TCG on the planet, you probably should’ve skipped this article. But for those still reading — hear me out…

Yes, Pokémon is an iconic trading card franchise that’s wildly successful and still thriving. People are still getting trampled in Walmart for a chance to collect rare cards. But that’s the problem — Pokémon is notoriously fun to collect… and painfully lame to actually play.

If the stars could align, imagine the sheer pandemonium and shock value of mixing humanity’s two largest trading card games into one mind-blowing collaboration. You’d combine the cultural power and nostalgia of Pokémon with the mechanical brilliance of Magic. Pokémon Trainers like Ash could be insane Planeswalkers. The famous type-based strengths and weaknesses from Pokémon could be mapped to MTG’s color system. Fantasy battles between Charizard and Nicol Bolas? Karn vs. Regirock? Fans of both games would lose their minds. And finally, we’d give Pokémon fans something better to do with their cardboard than just stuffing them into plastic binders.

There you have it — three franchises I’d love to see pop up in a Secret Lair or Universes Beyond release. Maybe if we all hold hands and believe, we’ll see one or two of these sets by San Diego Comic-Con 2026

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Harry Potter now has a son, Albus Potter, and he is struggling with parenthood and living up to the accomplishments of defeating Lord Voldemort, aka He Who Shall Not Be Named. Meanwhile, Albus befriends Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Harry’s former rival, Draco Malfoy. Now the two discover the power to change the past and future, and they are on an adventure to save the wizarding world.

The play is available all over the world including London, New York City and Germany. For those in the United States, it’s currently on a national tour with upcoming cities including Washington DC, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, and more. Right now, fans can watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.

Starring as Harry Potter in the national tour is John Skelley, with Emmet Smith as Albus Potter and Aidan Close as Sorpius Malfoy.

“Yeah, it’s a really weighty thing,” Smith tells Nerd Reactor. “It’s more than getting a part in a new play. It’s more than getting even a part in a known musical that has already existed. Because of the fanbase of Harry Potter, there is so much expectation and weight, I think, especially for the original golden trio: Harry, Ron and Hermione.”

“Will you have this expectation put upon you?” Skelley asks. “And so in some ways, that part is freeing because you go, ‘Oh, I’m experiencing this, and Harry is experiencing this, and I can just live that truth of, yeah, there’s a lot of pressure. I think this is THE Harry Potter. This is how I am.’ And then those private moments, you get to explore those kind of deeper feelings. Those are, I think, hopefully universal feelings because I think all of us read the books and it’s impossible to not start to become one with those characters.”

Peeves is a ghost at the Hogwarts School who loves to cause mischief. When something weird happens during the show, the cast would call it the Peeves Show.

“So we do have shows where we call them Peeves shows,” Close tells Nerd Reactor. “So if you read the book, there’s a ghost called Peeves that is just looking to make mischief. This show is a living breathing thing and that’s what makes it beautiful is that you see like, ‘Ah!’ Something just happened. That reminds you that it’s real. But sometimes we have shows where there’s some sort of supernatural – poltergeist is trying to mess with our show, and honestly, sometimes that’s when it comes the most alive.

“Because I think it’s a common experiences as an actor like, ‘I flubbed a line,’ or ‘I feel like I miss something.’ Maybe it comes from ego, maybe it comes from some other source, but there’s this fire that’s lit in you and you’re like, ‘No, I will bring the resounding thunderbolt of truth onto this stage right now because I have to.’ Because of shame maybe. It shocks you awake.”

Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are now available at the Pantages Theatre Hollywood. For more info, visit https://tour.harrypottertheplay.com/

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Here are the participating brands and the official blurb for each:

Goldfish

For a limited time only starting this March, Goldfish Butterbeer Flavored Grahams will be hitting the shelves of US national retailers and available online — don’t miss your chance to try the wizarding world’s favorite drink, now in snack form!

HERSHEY’S

Cheers to the magic with HERSHEY’S Harry Potter Butterbeer KISSES! A limited-edition treat fit for any witch or wizard, complete with the cream soda and butterscotch flavors of Butterbeer. Perfect for candy dishes, fans can grab a bag to uncover limited-edition Harry Potter-themed foils. Available for a limited time at US retailers.

Keebler

The limited-time Harry Potter Butterbeer Fudges Stripes Cookies release is a celebratory take on the popular wizarding beverage, featuring a Butterbeer-flavored cookie topped with Butterbeer-flavored fudge that mimics the sweet and frothy combination of cream soda and butterscotch that witches and wizards everywhere know and love. The cookies come in four unique designs with shapes and imprints inspired by the Harry Potter films. You can shop Keebler’s Limited-Edition Harry Potter Butterbeer Fudge Stripes Cookies at US retailers nationwide.

Lionel

Expand your Harry Potter train collection with the new Butterbeer range featuring a Butterbeer-scented train smoke fluid, Butterbeer Reefer Car, Butterbeer Tank Car and Butterbeer Tank. Available in-store and online in the US and Canada.

Miniso

Exclusively in China this April, a series of all-new Butterbeer-themed home fragrances and stationery products featuring candles, perfume, cups, notebooks, stickers, keychains and more.

ORLY

Transform your nailcare routine with a range of products from ORLY infused with the iconic Butterbeer scent. Products include ORLY x Harry Potter Butterbeer Scented Iridescent Nail Polish Topper, ORLY x Harry Potter Scented Nourishing Cuticle Oil, ORLY x Harry Potter Scented Hydrating Cuticle Froth and ORLY x Harry Potter Scented Quick Dry Nail Spray. Available at orlybeauty.com and Ulta.com beginning March 1.

Glico China

Limited Edition Harry Potter Butterbeer Flavor Pocky is about sharing happiness and bringing people together. Available in China at official Gilco online and offline channels this March.

Piagui

Add a little Butterbeer “flavor” to your handbag with the W Capsule collection of bags and totes available at department stores in Mexico beginning in June.

Running Press

Raise a glass and get ready to toast your love for the most delicious season with Harry Potter Butterbeer Mini Mug Set. Complete with a collectible 3-1/2 inch Butterbeer glass mug inspired by the Butterbeer mug as seen in the films, a 48-page guide book on Butterbeer and a Harry Potter-themed coaster. Available to fans around the world online.

SkinnyPop

An all-new limited-edition snack perfect for a magical movie night! This sharing-size bag of Butterbeer Flavored Kettle Popcorn is enchantingly popped with a taste of butterscotch flavor and a hint of brown butter and caramel flavors. It has the same quality ingredients you expect from SkinnyPop, and enchanting flavors inspired by the world of Harry Potter. Plus, it’s free of gluten, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts, so it can be enjoyed by almost everybody. Don’t miss it before it’s gone!

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Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

“Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” turns the village of Hogsmeade into a winter wonderland complete with themed decor, lights, garlands, and wreaths. Guests will get to experience holiday a capella performances from the Frog Choir, visit village shops, drink Hot Butterbeer, or enjoy the festivities at Three Broomsticks. Instead of lighting up the Christmas Tree, Hogwarts Castle will light up via “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” including imagery and music from the Harry Potter film series.

Grinchmas

Grinchmas has a themed show, “Grinchmas Who-bilation,” with new daytime performances featuring the Who-ville’s musical sensation, Who-Bee Doo-Wop group. There’s the 65-foot-tall “Grinchmas” tree with ornaments and LED lights in Universal Plaza with nightly tree lighting ceremony and snowfall. As for photo opportunities, there’s Grinch and Max, a story time with Cindy-Lou Who, and the Who-ville post office. Guests can make paper ornaments at the themed craft area.

Drinks will be available such as the Winter Martini, Apple Cheer Martini, and Hot Apple Cider, available in both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions for guests aged 21 and older. Treats include Who-ville Spiral Croissant, Dumpit to Crumpit Treat, Who-bilicious Cinnamon Roll, 2 Sizes Too Small Cupcake, Heart Grew 3 Sizes Sugar Cookie and the Grinch Heart Lemonade.

Merchandise

With Christmas just right around the corner, Universal Studios Hollywood has gift-giving merchandise available from their popular rides, attractions and lands including Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World – The Ride, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash.

Check out the top gifts list from Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Super Nintendo World merchandise includes the six different collectible Power-Up Bands (Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and more), character plush toys, apparel, headbands, and Reversable Super Star and ? pillow.
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Collector Edition Wand, adult and youth Christmas-themed sweatshirts, interactive snowy owl plush toy, crew neck fleece sweatshirts from the four different Houses, commemorative holiday ornaments and decor, decorative pins, mugs, scarves, scented candles, themed frames, cozy sleepwear and Honeydukes’ sweets.
• Grinchmas has Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas merchandise including spirit jerseys, totes, Grinchy ornaments, green faux-fur keychains and adorned hats, gloves and scarves, colorful tumblers and pajamas.
• Jurassic World – The Ride merchandise includes T. Rex Cutie Plush, assorted masks, bubble wand and canteen.
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – Minion and Fluffy the unicorn plush toys, backpacks and Minion googles.
• The Secret Life of Pet: Off the Leash – plush toys, pajamas and “Adopt a Pup” collection featuring Max, Snowball, Duke, Gidget, Buddy, Daisy, Mel, Princess and Pickles.
• The Simsons Ride merchandise includes Pink donut pillow, character plush toys and apparel.

For more information, you can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

Featured image courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood

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The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy: Exploring the Unwritten Wizarding World is written by Jodi Revenson & Michael Owen and contains 252 pages with dimensions of 9.25 x 12.75 inches. The hardcover book has a retail price of $50.

Readers will learn about the many facets of the game including a behind-the-scenes look at the settings, characters, costumes, and creatures. These are accompanied by conceptual artwork including sketches, illustrations and renders along with descriptions, giving fans more insight into the wizarding world. The concept art featured is never-before-seen pieces including locations such as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Gringotts, and more. In addition to the art and descriptions, there are also exclusive interviews with the development team.

The book goes into different design-making processes including crafting the setting and developing the gameplay.

Check out some samples of the pages below.

Table of Contents

The table of contents above is very simplistic in design with the Sorting Hat on the left side.

Title Page

The title page showcases The Three Broomsticks concept art featuring quirky architecture with its many peaked roof lines.

Hogsmeade Venues

This page covers The Three Broomsticks and The Hog’s Head Inn. The former is the go-to tavern in Hogsmeade where people come to enjoy each other’s company, the food, and Butterbeer.

The Hog’s Head Inn features some background on owner Jasper Trout, who has a lot of information on what’s happening in the wizarding world.

Restful Rooms

There are plenty of Restful Rooms in Hogwarts, and many look very extravagant, making going to the toilet a pleasant and delightful experience. The page showcases the art of the different Restful Rooms with its different styles inspired by historical European architecture.

The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy: Exploring the Unwritten Wizarding World is now available including on Amazon.

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