Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is returning to theaters for one week with 12 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage that has never previously been shown in cinemas.
Warner Bros. will rerelease the first Harry Potter movie worldwide from Aug. 27 through Sept. 3 as part of the film’s 25th-anniversary celebration. Screening dates and formats will vary by location.
The anniversary event will also bring the other seven movies in the original series back to theaters. Only Sorcerer’s Stone, known outside the United States as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is expected to include the additional footage.
Tickets are scheduled to go on sale July 31, the fictional birthday of Harry Potter. Fans will need to check local listings to determine which movies and screening times are available at participating theaters.
The Bonus Presentation Has Expanded to 12 Minutes
View this post on Instagram
Entertainment Weekly reported that the anniversary edition will include 12 minutes of previously unseen behind-the-scenes material. The footage is a separate look at the production rather than deleted scenes being inserted into the film’s story.
An official January announcement initially listed 10 minutes of material. The newer 12-minute figure indicates that the final presentation has either been expanded or more precisely timed, although Warner Bros. has not released a complete description of what it contains.
The studio has also not announced whether the bonus material will be shown before or after the film. The additional footage is currently exclusive to the first installment’s anniversary presentation.
All Eight ‘Harry Potter’ Movies Are Returning
View this post on Instagram
During the Aug. 27-Sept. 3 window, participating theaters will also screen the complete eight-film series, ending with 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Some locations may offer individual screenings, while others are advertising multiday marathons.
The theatrical return is part of the annual Back to Hogwarts celebration, which marks Sept. 1, the date students travel back to the wizarding school in the books and films. Anniversary events are also planned in Paris, Venice, Madrid and Sydney, including special screenings and group wand lessons.
Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Osaka and Beijing are hosting limited-time anniversary activities. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is separately presenting props, sets and production details from the first film through Sept. 7.
The First Film Introduced Harry, Ron and Hermione
Directed by Chris Columbus, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone opened on Nov. 16, 2001. It introduced Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger.
The cast also included Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid and Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. The series earned approximately $7.7 billion at the worldwide box office before its 25th-anniversary theatrical return.