Twenty-five years after French cinemagoers first met a young orphan destined for greatness, Harry Potter returns to Paris in spectacular fashion. Warner Bros. Discovery France has unveiled an ambitious programme of events and experiences throughout 2026 to celebrate the enduring phenomenon that began when the first film premiered on 5th December 2001.
The anniversary celebrations centre on an unprecedented gathering at the Gardens of Versailles on 29th August 2026, marking the traditional “Back to Hogwarts” date when students board the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9¾. For the first time, this annual fan gathering—celebrated worldwide each year—will take place in the historic gardens of the Palace of Versailles, offering devotees an extraordinary setting to share their passion for the wizarding world.
A ciné-concert at Le Grand Rex
The crown jewel of Paris’s celebrations arrives in November with a special ciné-concert at Le Grand Rex, one of Europe’s most spectacular cinema venues. From 5th to 8th November, more than 80 musicians from the Yellow Socks Orchestra will perform John Williams’s iconic score live, synchronised with a screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in its original version with French subtitles.
The event marks the perfect full-circle moment for French fans, many of whom first discovered the boy wizard at this very cinema a quarter-century ago. The Grand Rex has hosted an annual Harry Potter marathon since 2020, but this anniversary concert represents something altogether more special.
“At Le Grand Rex, the Harry Potter marathon has become a fixture that brings together an increasingly devoted community of fans each year,” said Alexandre Hellmann, deputy managing director of Le Grand Rex. “Celebrating the saga’s 25th anniversary through this marathon is a natural way to continue experiencing the magic collectively on the big screen.”
France’s pioneering role
France holds a unique place in Harry Potter history. In 1998, it became the first country in the world to translate and publish J.K. Rowling’s novels, with Christine Baker, then editorial director at Gallimard Jeunesse, recognising the potential of the unknown British author’s work. That early faith has been rewarded: more than 40 million Harry Potter books have been sold in France to date.
The cinematic journey proved equally successful. When the first film arrived in French cinemas, it attracted 9.6 million spectators and has remained a cultural touchstone for an entire generation. Each of the eight films ranked in the top three at the French box office during their release years, with the saga accumulating more than 59 million cinema admissions across France.
“Harry Potter is Warner Bros. Discovery’s greatest success,” said Olivier Snanoudj, who handled distribution of the saga in France and serves as president of the Franco-American Cinema Syndicate. “It’s both a commercial and qualitative triumph, with the production of all eight films meticulously crafted. Nobody expected this would become such an extensive cinematic adventure.”
New products and collaborations
The anniversary has inspired numerous exclusive products and partnerships. LEGO has created special 25th-anniversary collector’s sets, several featuring exclusive translucent blue Patronus figures to collect. Lyonnaise silk house Malfroy has designed an elegant silk square showcasing the most emblematic Patronuses from the series, whilst Gallimard Jeunesse has launched “Potter & Company,” a new collection of playful, colourful guides introducing younger readers to the wizarding world’s characters and creatures.
For the first time in French dining, the beloved Butterbeer will be celebrated when the Au Bureau restaurant chain dedicates May 2026 to the wizards’ favourite beverage, with all 214 of its French locations adopting special décor and offering original recipes inspired by the magical drink.
Educational magic
The phenomenon has even reached French classrooms. Since September 2025, the Collège de Saint-Clément in Gironde has operated a Harry Potter-themed sixth-form class, where students are sorted into the four Hogwarts houses and participate in activities promoting team cohesion throughout the year, including potions and herbology lessons adapted to the national curriculum. The year culminates in a school trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
“The real magic of the saga is that it continues to achieve immense success even fifteen years after the final film’s cinema release,” said Kelyan Blanc, the French voice of Harry Potter.
A transgenerational legacy
What distinguishes Harry Potter from other entertainment franchises is its remarkable transgenerational appeal. Parents who grew up with the films now introduce them to their own children, creating new layers of shared experience and memory.
“In 2001, I saw Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone at the cinema and immediately loved this universe,” said Barbara, a devoted fan. “When I became a mother, it was a pleasure to watch all the saga’s films again with my daughter. Now she loves the wizarding world as much as I do.”
This capacity for transmission, combined with the saga’s universal themes of friendship, courage and acceptance, has transformed Harry Potter from a successful film series into a genuine social phenomenon. The vocabulary of the wizarding world has entered everyday French usage—”Muggle” to describe a non-specialist, “Dementor” for someone who dampens the mood, “Azkaban” for a gloomy place—whilst the visual iconography of Hogwarts, wand duels and the lightning-bolt scar have become instantly recognisable cultural references.
Harry Potter 25th Anniversary Paris Highlights
29th August 2026: Back to Hogwarts celebration, Gardens of Versailles
5th-8th November 2026: Ciné-concert at Le Grand Rex with Yellow Socks Orchestra performing John Williams’s score
Throughout 2026: Exclusive product launches, restaurant collaborations, and special exhibitions
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