The trio together again
Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson's reunion in the Great Hall is the emotional anchor — awkward, warm, and genuinely moving.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is the 2022 reunion special that brought the film cast back to Leavesden Studios to mark two decades since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson sit down together for the first time in years, while directors, producers, and dozens of co-stars revisit the sets, share behind-the-scenes stories, and reflect on a franchise that defined a generation.
At a Glance
Full titleHarry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
Also known asHarry Potter Reunion Special
CountryUnited States / United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
ProductionWarner Bros. Unscripted Television
Filming locationWarner Bros. Studio Tour, Leavesden
Original networkHBO Max
Release dateJanuary 1, 2022
Anniversary20 years since Philosopher's Stone (2001)
Why Return to Hogwarts still matters
Reunion specials are easy to dismiss as nostalgia bait. Return to Hogwarts earns its emotion — because the people on screen clearly mean every word.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts arrived in a crowded era of reunion specials, but it landed differently because the chemistry was real. Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson had not appeared together publicly in years, and their easy warmth on the Gryffindor common room set reminds viewers why the trio worked on screen in the first place.
The special works because it balances fan service with genuine reflection. Tom Felton and Rupert Grint's friendship, Matthew Lewis's transformation from Neville to leading man, and Evanna Lynch's stories about Luna give depth beyond the headline trio. Directors explain creative choices. Producers explain casting gambles that paid off.
What elevates it is the grief. Alan Rickman's absence hangs over every Snape clip. Richard Harris's Dumbledore appears in footage that feels like another era. Robbie Coltrane's segments — among his last on-screen appearances before his death in 2022 — are tender and funny in equal measure. Return to Hogwarts is not essential viewing for newcomers, but for anyone who grew up with the films, it is the closest thing to a proper goodbye.
It is not a clip show with famous faces — it is a group of adults trying to explain what it meant to grow up inside the most famous fantasy franchise on earth.
All four directors
Hearing Columbus, Cuarón, Newell, and Yates reflect on their films in one place is a treat for fans who debate which entry is best.
Tributes that land
The special honours Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, and others without feeling exploitative — the cast's grief reads as real.
A New Year's event
Premiering on January 1, 2022, the special became a global watch party — one of HBO Max's most streamed titles at launch.
Story
Back to Leavesden — twenty years after the journey began
01
The trio returns
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson reunite on the sets where they grew up — sharing memories of first days on set, the pressure of global fame, and the friendship that held them together through eight films.
02
Four directors, one world
Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates each brought a different vision to Hogwarts. The special lets them reflect on their chapters — from the wonder of the first film to the darkness of the finale.
03
Remembering those we lost
Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Helen McCrory, and others are remembered through archival footage and heartfelt tributes from the cast who worked alongside them — turning the reunion into both a celebration and a farewell.
Cast
Main characters and performers
Behind the Scenes
Premiered on HBO Max on January 1, 2022, marking twenty years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone opened in cinemas.
Filmed at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London — The Making of Harry Potter at Leavesden.
Alan Rickman, who died in 2016, is honoured through archival footage and tributes from co-stars.
Robbie Coltrane appears in the special; he died later in 2022, making his segments among his final screen appearances.
J.K. Rowling does not appear in new interview footage in the special as broadcast.
The reunion became one of HBO Max's most-watched titles in its first days of release.
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FAQ
Is Return to Hogwarts a new Harry Potter movie?
No. It is a reunion documentary special, not a narrative film. The cast reflects on making the original eight films rather than telling a new story.
Where can I watch Return to Hogwarts?
It premiered on HBO Max (now Max). Availability varies by region — check MovieLinks for current streaming options.
How long is the reunion special?
Approximately 102 minutes.
Does Alan Rickman appear in Return to Hogwarts?
Alan Rickman does not appear in new footage — he died in 2016. The special honours him through archival clips and tributes from co-stars including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
Who from the cast appears in the reunion?
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane, and many more — alongside all four film directors.
When was Return to Hogwarts released?
It premiered on January 1, 2022, on HBO Max, coinciding with the twentieth anniversary of the first Harry Potter film.
Do I need to watch all eight films before the reunion?
Not strictly — but the special assumes familiarity with the films. Spoilers and references to major plot points from across the series appear throughout.
