According to an interview with Total Film, Harry Potter director David Yates has confirmed that the Fantastic Beasts series is currently on hold. Despite initial plans for a trilogy, J.K. Rowling revealed there were actually five films planned. However, the recent underperformance of the latest film, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, which grossed only $407.2 million worldwide from a $200 million budget, has brought the future of the franchise into doubt.

Aside from financial issues, the filming process for the sequel was challenging due to the pandemic, with the production team needing to implement detailed protocols to ensure safety. Despite these measures, the film received poor reviews, with IGN giving it a meager score of 4/10, criticizing its inconsequential subplots and lack of creativity. As a result, Warner Bros. has decided to shelve the Fantastic Beasts series for the time being.

Previous entries in the series, such as 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, were commercially successful, grossing over $800 million worldwide. However, each subsequent film has seen a decline in box office numbers. The decision to pause the franchise seems hinged not only on the latest film's underperformance but also on the less-than-stellar critical response.