HBO is adding a little bit of magic to our 2026 holidays with the Harry Potter TV reboot dropping on December 25, 2026.
We celebrated our second day back at Hogwarts with a new trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on September 2, 2026. Between the sorting ceremony, meeting all our favorite characters again, and the magical danger lurking in the shadows, even skeptical fans can find something they love in this reboot.
I was one of those skeptical fans for many, many months. But with the new casting announcements and Audible's full-cast editions of the books, I'm coming around to the idea of a reboot. With the new term just starting, I'm in a magical mood, and the newest trailer fully convinced me that the streamer is doing something right. With both Tom Felton (Draco) and Rupert Grint (Ron) reprising their roles in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Broadway show, it feels right for more people to enjoy where they started. After all, there's enough room for all of us at Hogwarts.
Reboots, revivals, and remakes can be hit or miss, especially when the original fandom is always growing. Harry Potter continues to find new magic around the world since its release in 1997. When HBO greenlit the reboot in April 2023, they probably faced some pushback. I know when I got wind of the news in March 2025, I was on the fence. As time has passed and the cast has proven to be incredible, I can't ignore my growing excitement.
Despite my worries, HBO's latest trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is phenomenal. It introduces us to the Golden Trio, our professors, a few other students, and danger that looms too close. With the flick of a wand and a brilliant spell, there's nothing our witches and wizards can't conquer.
Before they find evil, Harry wants to make friends, learn magic, and experience the world he was ripped away from by the Dark Lord. He may be the Chosen One, but deep down, he's a lonely boy from Privet Drive with terrible relatives and a hope to find better.
The Sorting Ceremony
The famous Sorting Ceremony is more magical than I ever imagined. I loved how the trailer showcased clips from other parts of the story for Ron (Alastair Stout) and Hermione (Arabella Stanton) while showing Harry's sorting moment.
Unlike his friends, Harry (Dominic McLaughlin) doubts his magical background. His friends are adjusted to the magical elements, as he's learning everything for the first time. Even so, he knows one house isn't for him. Luckily, the hat listens, and everyone cheers for Harry. I also love how brave he looks after the hat sorts him into his house. He's not just relieved but excited for what his time at Hogwarts holds. After meeting our Golden Trio, Lavender Brown's (Sienna Moosah) reminds the other first-years that your house decides your future.
During the Sorting Ceremony, we meet Professor McGonagall, who guides the first-years through the process and introduces us to our new Golden Trio. It is bittersweet to see someone else fill Maggie Smith's shoes, but Janet McTeer fills them well. She's bold, stern, and light on her feet as she glides across the Great Hall.
Welcome to Hogwarts
John Lithgow as Dumbledore introduces the Hogwarts students to a new school year. I feel just as much a part of the opening banquet as I did when I read the book and watched the movie. Despite all the scary parts of Hogwarts, the first scenes in the castle are fun and exciting. It is the calm before the storm in a way. He snaps his fingers, and the feast appears across every house's table. Harry's eyes are wide as he takes in the scene, making me giddy all over again for this magical story.
Seamus Finnigan (Leo Earley) makes sure everyone is ready for the first day of classes as one boy tries to catch a few more Z's. In true Harry Potter fashion, it looks like a frog has gotten loose in the dormitories. We don't see his face, but I'm hoping the boy with the frog on his pillow is Neville Longbotttom (Rory Wilmot). Either way, the boys are back together and ready for anything (I hope).
Harry doubts his greatness
Although Harry is excited for his first term, the expectations start to weigh on him. Professor McGonagall expects great things from him but also wants him to find his interests and make friends. Through this advice, we see glimpses of Harry's budding friendships with Ron, Hermione, and his fellow first-years. He may be the famous Harry Potter, but he's also just a kid looking to fit into the Wizarding World. I love that they show his playful side through the mandrake lesson and the pillow fight in the dormitories. Each side of Harry makes him a lovable character and a talented wizard, even if he doesn't know it yet.
On the flip side, Snape is as terrifying as ever as he gets on to Harry in class. Snape can't believe the great Harry Potter could be so terrible at learning magic. As if Harry isn't doubting himself enough, Snape throws his lack of greatness in Harry's face, hoping he can at least show some talent in the Quidditch game. Some may have disliked this casting, but from the brief scene, Paapa Essiedu scares me just like Alan Rickman did for eight films. Essiedu nails the looming figure's appearance as he scolds Harry in the trailer, which is perfect to me.
You'll find your place, Harry
As Hagrid (Nick Frost) encourages Harry that he'll find his place, Ron and Hermione congratulate him after his Quidditch game. With the brief Quidditch clips and a glimpse of Herwig, Harry seems to be coming around to his greatness. In turn, if it proves Snape wrong, even better. At least he's following McGonagall's advice to find an interest he loves and create solid friendships. Snape may be a tad hard on Harry, but at least he has Hagrid, McGonagall, and his friends on his side.
He finds his place a little too much as he lands himself in danger. The mysteries of the castle are too interesting for the newly formed friend group to ignore. As McGonagall always said, wherever trouble is, these three will be close by, or something like that. My point is, when trouble comes knocking, the Golden Trio answers. If there's a spell to cast or a book to read, our Hermione knows what to do. Along with scolding Harry and Ron for not cracking open a book.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres Christmas 2026 on HBO.
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