The eight Harry Potter films will be returning to theaters for a week this summer, and it’s nothing short of magical.
Wands at the ready, Harry Potter fans. The original eight films are returning to theaters this summer in honor of the 20th anniversary of the book series. For one week, you can experience the magic of the film franchise all over again.
The event, deemed “Wizarding World XD Week,” will take place from August 31 to September 6 at Cinemark theaters across the country. It will comprise the original saga, plus Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. Tickets are only $5 and are currently available on Cinemark’s website, though we totally recommend grabbing the $25 “festival pass” so you can watch all the films.
And even though we all know the books are better, there are some great moments that have come out of the movie adaptations. Here are 11, in particular, that we can’t wait to see brought to life all over again. Accio movie tickets!
1. The chess game from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
So, if we’re honest, the entire ending of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is going to be amazing to see in theaters again. From the moment the trio heads down the trap door, things start to get interesting. But as much as we love Harry’s showdown with Professor Quirrell, there’s one scene we love more: the chess game.
Seriously, what’s cooler than getting to see giant chess pieces fight one another? And Ron’s moment of bravery at the end is only made more perfect because he’s played by the adorable Rupert Grint.
2. The Basilisk fight from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Tom Riddle’s shocking reveal at the end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was captured perfectly in the films. And though the earlier films tend to be a bit slower when it comes to the action, that isn’t true of Harry’s battle with the Basilisk. Not only was that moment adapted almost identically from the books, but it kept viewers on the edge of their seats. And we feel it still will this time around.
3. The time turner sequence from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
If seeing Harry Potter in theaters isn’t enough to make you feel like you’ve gone back in time, the time turner sequence from the third film will do the trick. Not only do we get to see Harry and Hermione mess around with time, but we also get to see them take on a werewolf and dementors.
Plus, you know the whole theater’s going to cheer when they save Buckbeak all over again.
4. The Quidditch World Cup from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Watching any Quidditch game in theaters is going to make us gush, but we decided to go with the most epic of all the wizarding sporting events: the Quidditch World Cup. After all, who doesn’t want to watch Ireland take on Bulgaria while surrounded by other Harry Potter fanatics? It’s almost like being at the game itself…
5. The battle at the Department of Mysteries from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Is anyone else pumped to watch Sirius Black punch Lucius Malfoy in the face again? And though none of us want to experience Sirius’ death all over again, it’s almost worth it for the Voldemort and Dumbledore fight that comes afterward. Almost.
6. The cave scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The infamous cave scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is never easy to watch. But despite how gruesome it is seeing Dumbledore so vulnerable, it’s also a powerful moment — in both the films and the books. And of course, things really get intense when the Inferi arrive.
7. The Gringotts break-in from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I
We’re here for anything involving dragons, and the Gringotts break-in scene totally fits the bill on that count. Watching the trio hop on a dragon’s back to escape an enchanted vault (and some very angry goblins) can only be rivaled by one other part of this scene — watching Hermione pretend to be Bellatrix.
8. Dobby’s sacrifice from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I
This will be another hard one to watch, especially in a theater full of people. Thankfully, most fans will have tissues on hand, so you won’t need to feel too embarrassed.
Dobby became a fan favorite over the course of the books (and films), and our adoration for him only increased when he saved the trio from Malfoy Manor. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it out of that scene unscathed. But at least he died a free elf.
9. The Battle of Hogwarts from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II
What do you mean this isn’t a scene, it’s the entire movie? Well, we’re excited to see it all on the big screen once more. Though there were definitely some important points of the battle left out, the filmmakers actually did a decent job of capturing some of the most emotional moments from the Battle of Hogwarts.
Some of the highlights we’re really looking forward to: Professor McGonagall kicking some Death Eater butt. Seamus Finnegan lighting all the things on fire. And of course, Molly Weasley taking down Bellatrix Lestrange.
10. Snape’s memories from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II
You can love Snape, or you can hate him (and many choose to hate him). Either way, you can’t deny how nice it’ll be to see Alan Rickman’s acting on the big screen one last time. Rickman portrayed Snape’s character perfectly, and he broke our hearts with his character’s final scenes.
And despite the actor’s passing in 2016, he’ll remain an iconic part of the franchise. Always…
11. The King’s Cross conversation from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II
Harry’s final conversation with Albus Dumbledore is an iconic part of the Harry Potter series, and the film did a great job bringing it to life. Their discussion is taken from the books, almost word for word, and Dumbledore drops plenty of wisdom in just a few minutes.
So yes, the films may have gotten Voldemort’s final moments wrong. But at least they nailed Dumbledore’s.
What Harry Potter film are you most excited to see in theaters this summer?