The HBO Max special celebrates the 20-year anniversary of the big-screen Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first movie adaptation in the wizarding franchise, and will see actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint join others to discuss the making of the film.
And now the special documentary is finally available to watch.
Now available to watch on Sky and NOW in the UK from New Year’s Day (the same day it will be released on HBO Max in the US), a whole host of familiar faces will be taking a trip down memory lane.
Joining the iconic trio will be Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, and Evanna Lynch, and many more.
Tom Ascheim, who is the president of Warner Bros’ Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics section, said in a statement: “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.”
Executive producer Casey Patterson added: “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.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the Harry Potter reunion special below.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts UK release date
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will be released on HBO Max on New Year’s Day 2022.
In exciting news, the reunion special will be available to watch in the UK on the same day, with Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts becoming available to watch on Sky Max and streaming service NOW from 1st January 2022.
It comes in the wake of the reunion special for the Friends cast, which was also released on HBO Max earlier this year.
For more information, see here on how to watch Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts.
Sky and NOW will also air Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses on 29th December 2021, which will see Wizarding World fans have their Harry Potter knowledge put to the test as they fight to be named House Cup Champion.
In addition to its release on 1st January 2021, the reunion special will also air in the US on TBS and Cartoon Network in spring 2022 in the run-up to the theatrical release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
A press release confirming the special revealed that it will “tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time”.
Alongside actors, Radcliffe, Watson and Grint, the director of the first two films, Chris Columbus, will also join the TV special to “honour the magic behind the making of the films and the beautiful family created at Warner Bros Studios London two decades ago”.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts trailer
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts has unveiled its full trailer which shows all of the cast members appearing.
We can see cast members interact in the special and there are also interviews with some of our favourites.
The clip can be found below and features some emotional reunions for some of our favourite cast members.
Sky adds: “Old memories shared. New memories made. Come celebrate the magic when Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: #ReturnToHogwarts arrives on New Year’s Day, on Sky Max.”
The feature will “tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new, in-depth interviews and cast conversations”, according to HBO Max.
Meanwhile, an additional teaser trailer for the event was also released and can be found below.
The teaser confirms all of the names of the people taking part in the event and pushes that the special will arrive as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day in the US and from 8am in the UK.
The official release for the trailer adds: “Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson join other esteemed cast members across all eight Harry Potter films as they travel back to Hogwarts for the first time to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise’s first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which premiered 20 years ago this year.”
It adds: “The retrospective special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.
“The highly-anticipated retrospective will be a capstone event of the holiday season, dropping as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, on HBO Max.”
We can hardly wait!
Which cast members are returning for the Harry Potter reunion?
Long-time Harry Potter fans will be thrilled to hear that stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) will join director Chris Columbus and other famous faces for the event.
Watson recently spoke out about the upcoming reunion, writing on Instagram: “Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favourite fictional character of all time. I think a journalist once said it was irritating how many times during an interview I mentioned how lucky I was and started counting… BUT I DAMN WELL KNEW!!! And still know.
“Thank you to the fans that have continued to show their support well after the last chapter closed. The magic of the world wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for fighting to make it such an inclusive and loving place.”
Other cast members due to return include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Bonnie Wright, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and more.
Tom Felton recently posted a photo Twitter of himself wearing a Slytherin jumper and a scarf with the house colours, alongside the caption: “Back to school.”
Felton’s post sent fans wild, with one responding “All the feels”, while another added: “Don’t get put in detention!” Who can blame them: after all, the reunion wouldn’t be complete without Slytherin’s poster boy himself, Draco Malfoy, would it?
Will JK Rowling be part of the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts?
Author and Harry Potter creator JK Rowling does not appear during the cast reunion special but does appear in the show’s archive clips.
The author’s controversial comments about transgender issues have faced a great deal of debate in recent months.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is available now on Sky Max and NOW in the UK, while it is available on HBO Max in the US.