Where You’ll Miss Out on Watching 'Star Wars,' 'LOTR,' and 'James Bond' in 2025 – Shocking Details Inside!

In a streaming landscape teeming with options, finding fan-favorite films can often feel like an adventure. With rights shifting, contracts expiring, and corporate mergers reshuffling titles, the search for where to stream beloved franchises can become a maze for viewers. While Americans technically have access to millions of films, understanding who owns what—and where to watch it—can be quite convoluted.

To make things simpler, this guide outlines where you can find some of the biggest franchise universes in one place.

Franchise Streaming Guide

‘Star Wars’

Where to stream: Disney+

Who owns it: The Walt Disney Company

For “Star Wars” fans, the franchise is a breeze to access—all major films and Disney-produced series are available on Disney+. The Walt Disney Company secured the rights in 2012 after purchasing them from George Lucas. This makes “Star Wars” one of the most straightforward franchises to watch.

Available films on Disney+:

• Original trilogy:
  • “A New Hope”
  • “The Empire Strikes Back”
  • “Return of the Jedi”
• Prequel trilogy:
  • “The Phantom Menace”
  • “Attack of the Clones”
  • “Revenge of the Sith”
• Sequel trilogy:
  • “The Force Awakens”
  • “The Last Jedi”
• Standalone films:
  • “Rogue One”
  • “Solo”

Additionally, special series like “Andor,” “The Mandalorian,” “The Bad Batch,” and “Star Wars: Clone Wars” are also included in the Disney+ lineup.

‘Harry Potter’

Where to stream: HBO Max (primary), Peacock (rotating rights)

Who owns it: Warner Bros. Discovery; J.K. Rowling (literary rights)

If you're looking to experience the magic of Hogwarts, HBO Max serves as the primary home for the “Harry Potter” films. The rights are split—J.K. Rowling retains ownership of the literary elements while Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. holds the film and television rights. Occasionally, licensing deals allow the films to rotate onto Peacock.

Available films:

• “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
• “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
• “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”
• “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
• “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”
• “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1”
• “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”

‘Lord of the Rings’

Where to stream: HBO Max (films), Amazon Prime Video (series)

Who owns it: The Tolkien Estate, Embracer Group, Warner Bros., and Amazon

The ownership of “The Lord of the Rings” franchise is a bit complex. The Tolkien Estate owns the book rights, while the Embracer Group holds the film rights but licenses them to Warner Bros. for distribution. Meanwhile, Amazon is licensed to produce the series “The Rings of Power.” Thankfully, the films are easier to locate.

Available films on HBO Max:

• Film Trilogy:
  • “The Fellowship of the Ring”
  • “The Two Towers”
  • “The Return of the King”
• The Hobbit Trilogy:
  • “An Unexpected Journey”
  • “The Desolation of Smaug”
  • “The Battle of the Five Armies”

Available series on Amazon Prime Video:

• “The Rings of Power”

‘Star Trek’

Where to stream: Paramount+

Who owns it: Paramount Global

The “Star Trek” franchise is now entirely owned by Paramount Global, following a merger in 2005 that reunited rights previously split between CBS and Paramount. Fans can find a rich assortment of series here.

Available series on Paramount+:

• “The Original Series” (1966-1969)
• “Enterprise”
• “Discovery”
• “Strange New Worlds”

‘James Bond’

Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy), Pluto TV

Who owns it: Amazon MGM Studios

The “James Bond” franchise has seen its rights transition over the years. Currently, Amazon holds creative and distribution control, having acquired MGM Studios in 2025. While not all films are included with Prime subscriptions, all 25 official films are consistently available to rent or buy.

For fans looking for free options, all 25 Bond films can be streamed on Pluto TV's dedicated “007” channel.

Amazon Originals:

• “007: Road to a Million”
• “The Sound of 007 Documentary”

‘Mission: Impossible’

Where to stream: Paramount+

Who owns it: Paramount Pictures

Belonging to Paramount Pictures, the “Mission: Impossible” franchise encompasses both the classic TV series and the extensive film series. Most titles are available on Paramount+, with some temporarily licensed to The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video.

Available films:

• “Mission: Impossible”
• “Mission: Impossible 2”
• “Mission: Impossible III”
• “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol”
• “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation”
• “Mission: Impossible - Fallout”
• “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One”
• “Mission: Impossible - Final Reckoning”

As streaming continues to evolve, keeping track of where to find your favorite franchises is essential. Whether you're a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, or action, knowing the right platform can enhance your viewing experience.