Warner Bros. is planning a campaign to honour Harry Potter, as the character is set to mark 25 years since his first big-screen appearance.
Harry Potter is set to mark 25 years since his first big-screen appearance.
In honour of the boy wizard launching one of the most successful film franchises in history, more than two decades ago, Warner Bros. has announced a global year-long celebration to commemorate the anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – known to British audiences as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – which was released on 16 November 2001.
The studio confirmed the campaign will run throughout 2026, with a series of events and products designed to “honour the legacy” of the original film while introducing “the magic to a new generation”. The announcement was made by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, part of the company’s wider entertainment and retail division.
Daniel Radcliffe, now 36, starred as the bespectacled young wizard in the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s 1997 novel.
Alongside him were Emma Watson as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint playing Ron Weasley.
The trio were largely unknown when the film was first released but quickly became international stars.
In a statement released by the studio, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products said: “This anniversary not only celebrates the legacy of the original film but also introduces the magic to a new generation.”
The company confirmed Potter fans can expect a global theatrical re-release of the first film, a range of special edition products and extensive retail promotions.
A new 25th-anniversary logo, designed to resemble the shimmering glow of a Patronus charm, will feature across product lines and “immersive retail activations”.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was an immediate box office sensation upon its 2001 release, grossing more than $1 billion worldwide.
It set the stage for a sprawling cinematic universe that would eventually include seven sequels and three Fantastic Beasts prequels, as well as a successful stage production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and dedicated theme park attractions around the world.
Now, 25 years after the first film and nearly 15 years since the final chapter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Warner Bros. is preparing to return to Hogwarts once more.
The studio is also currently developing an HBO television series based on Rowling’s original books, with production expected to begin in the coming years and a release slated for 2027.
A spokesperson for the studio added further details of the anniversary plans – including participating retailers and event dates – will be unveiled in the coming months.
Harry Potter set to mark 25 years since his first big-screen appearance
