HBO Max is bringing the iconic stars of the Harry Potter franchise back together for the first time. Daniel Radcliffe, Hermione Granger's Emma Watson, and Ron Weasley's Rupert Grint will be joining filmmaker Chris Columbus (director of the first two films) and many other cast members from all eight films to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
WarnerMedia announced the Harry Potter reunion event will be released on the HBO MAX streaming service on New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2022. Fans without HBO Max will be able to watch the special when it debuts on TBS and Cartoon Network in spring 2022, just in time for the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, while details on a global rollout for the reunion event will be announced at a later date.
According to HBO MAX, the celebration is titled Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts and it will feature plenty of behind-the-scenes footage, in-depth interviews, and cast conversations. The cast will include faces like Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), and Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell). HBO Max released an official teaser for the event, though it primarily consists of footage from the eight Harry Potter films.
Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, spoke about the exciting event. "It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical, to say the least," Ascheim said. "This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon — from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later."
The executive producer of Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, Casey Patterson, is excited to take fans on a very personal and special journey as they look back on the making of these successful films. “There’s magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home to the original sets of Hogwarts, where they began 20 years ago,” shared Patterson. Based on J.K. Rowling's extraordinary novels, the Harry Potter film franchise, other than being met with critical acclaim from critics and fans, would go on to gross over $7.7 billion at the worldwide box office, making it the third highest-grossing film series ever (without inflation adjustment).
Fans will get an early sneak peek of the anniversary special on November 28th during the TBS premiere of the bracket-style quiz competition Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses. The four-part competition event is hosted by award-winning actress Helen Mirren and involves die-hard fans of the franchise competing to take home the Tournament of Houses championship trophy. Harry Potter alumni Tom Felton, Simon Fisher-Becker, Shirley Henderson, and Luke Youngblood will make an appearance, as well as other major fans such as Pete Davidson and Jay Leno. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses will also be available to stream on January 1st, 2022.
All eight Harry Potter films are now available to stream on HBO Max.
Source: HBO MAX/YouTube, WarnerMedia