It's funny to think that a fantasy series all to do with a mad wizard and his cronies hunting down and killing people for not joining his cause has become associated with the festive season.
Yet 20 years on from the first film's theatrical release and here we are about to indulge in a movie marathon of all eight of the films over this Christmas season. More excitedly, however, we're chomping at the bit ahead of the 'Harry Potter' 20th anniversary special that hits screens on New Year's Day.
HBO Max's 'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts' will see pretty much all of the actors who featured prominently in the series doing just that - returning to Hogwarts.
As we can see in the newly-released picture below, the main acting trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are back for the reunion special, and they've taken solace in a familiar location - the Gryffindor common room.
Here's the first picture of the 'Harry Potter' trio in all their finery. It's only an image, but there's something quite comforting in seeing them all back together again.
Since exiting the franchise 10 years ago after the release of 'Deathly Hallows Pt. 2', all three actors have continued their acting careers in impressive ways.
Daniel Radcliffe has starred in many blockbuster and indie movies, and is a series regular on comedy show 'Miracle Workers' opposite Steve Buscemi; Emma Watson, who is currently taking an acting break, has taken on main roles in 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Little Women'; Rupert Grint, meanwhile, stars in Apple TV+'s thriller series 'Servant', season three of which airs in January.
Earlier this week, a teaser trailer for the 'Harry Potter' 20th anniversary special was released, teasing the return of actors Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis and Mark Williams. Also included in the line-up are Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, James and Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Alfred Enoch and many more.
Author of the franchise, J.K. Rowling, will not be part of the special.
'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts' will air on New Year’s Day exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW in Ireland and the UK.
Sky Cinema and NOW Cinema have all ten of the films from the franchise available to view this December. The 'Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses' quiz show, hosted by Helen Mirren, can be streamed from December 29.
