After all this time, fans will always return to Harry Potter

On the first day of 2022, millions will begin the year by looking back in time as they sit down to watch the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.

For some it will be childhood nostalgia, for others a chance to peel back the curtain on a $25bn franchise and for those of a different vintage, the answer to the question: can you have a Harry Potter love-in without JK Rowling?

Whatever the reason, on the first day of 2022, lovers of the fantasy juggernaut will mark their new year by looking back in time as they sit down to watch the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.

In the highly anticipated one-off special cast members and filmmakers including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson will join Britain’s treasured stage and screen figures to reunite on perfectly preserved film sets as they celebrate two decades since the premiere of the first film, Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.

Among the spells, potions, broomsticks and dragons that fill the Harry Potter world, the series’ greatest magic is its ability to bridge generations and foster a sense of belonging among fans. The same youths who grew up reading and watching Harry Potter, now share the books with their children. At one point during the reunion, Radcliffe himself acknowledges the series’ power.

“I don’t think I fully appreciated the reach these films had when I was in them. The amount of people who have said, ‘these are the only films my dad and I watch together’. We can’t talk about anything else. But we watch Harry Potter together. That is our thing,” said Radcliffe.

Fans like 22-year-old Kaitlin Hansen from Sydney are eagerly awaiting the reunion special. She plans on watching Return to Hogwarts with her best friend and family.

“I grew up watching and reading Harry Potter, it means so much to me and my family. My mum, brother and I all read it together and it’s what we shared.”

Running at almost two hours long, Return to Hogwarts is expected to rely on its ability to tug at heartstrings.

The way the look at each other. My heart is gonna explode. #ReturnToHogwarts#EmmaWatson#TomFeltonpic.twitter.com/snRhNilti0

— 𝘈𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯 🕊 (@dearadolin) December 27, 2021

“It’s going to be really special to see everyone again. I think it is going to be one of those books that last forever. When I have kids, I will be sure to make them read and watch them with me,” said Hansen.

Twenty years on, the franchise that began with JK Rowling’s novel remains a cultural phenomenon, spanning nations and generations. Worth $25 billion the franchise now includes eight movie adaptations, two film spin-offs, a stage production, and several theme park attractions. As of 2018, an estimated 500 million copies of the books have been sold worldwide, translated into 80 languages, firmly establishing the novels as the best selling book-series in history.

The one thing missing from the reunion is the creator herself. With appearances from a strong line up of supporting talents including Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), and filmmakers David Heyman, Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell and David Yate, Rowling is noticeably absent.

The matriarch of the wizarding universe is featured only in archived footage, fuelling speculation the author was cut from the reunion due to her controversial statements about transgender people. In June 2020 Radcliffe penned an open letter condemning Rowling's statements, and apologising to the trans community. Co-stars Watson and Grint have made similar statements.

The highly anticipated one-off special will stream on Binge at 7:01pm AEDT on Saturday 1 January 2022