Harry, Snape, Ron and Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter: The Philosopher's Stone.'

Courtesy of HBO Max

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HBO Reveals First Look at 'Harry Potter' TV Series, Trailer Coming Wednesday

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The Potter reboot is a hugely important big bet for HBO, so even this first blush reaction from fans can matter. Leading up to the trailer, the fandom seemed split: Some were very excited by the idea of HBO doing a deeper dive into Rowling’s books that fleshed out the story in ways the Warner Bros. films could not. Others took a “I love the movies and don’t need this” stance. Still others were ready to slam the project for various reasons (such as Rowling’s trans views, or gripes about Snape being played by a Black actor).

Now that the trailer is out, fan reaction seems to be split along somewhat similar lines, with some notable new wrinkles.

The strongest reaction seems to be nostalgic joy, coupled with fans getting very excited by minor details in the trailer from Philosopher’s Stone that were not included in the first Warner Bros. film. Several accounts on X gushed that the trailer made them weep.

“I’ve already cried 3 times watching this Harry Potter trailer,” wrote one. “I cried like a child when I saw the trailer, seeing my childhood and adolescence reflected in every image,” wrote another. “I cried … the little kids from the golden trio give me so much tenderness. I hate JK Rowling and I’ll always recognize Daniel [Radcliffe] as the author of Harry Potter idfc. What a cute trailer, help.”

Some of the other positive reactions, culled from YouTube, X and Reddit:

— “I love how accurate this was with the 1991-1998 setting depicted, instead of the 2001-2008 setting in the films. I loved the shot of Harry watching Molly hug Ron goodbye, something he’s never known. 25 years on and the magic is still there.”

— “This is what i have always wanted. The books fleshed out in TV series. No movie can do justice to how much there is in the books.”

— “So many iconic moments from the first book just in the teaser! The knocking on the door! The haircut! The 90s vibe! Gahhh it looks go good!”

— “Harry being bullied by Dudley at school when he ends up on the roof. Like this is for the book fans.”

— “Obviously, the original Harry Potter can’t be beaten, but just from the trailer I have super high expectations for this series, and aesthetically speaking, for me it’s already a huge YES.”

Many others discussed a feeling of uncanny weirdness watching the trailer, given its “similar but different” vibe to the iconic films.

— “I think I’m overwhelmed. With cautious optimism, fear of this failing, excitement of returning to my childhood, worry for the kid actors’ immense pressure, disappointment of Snape’s casting and the producers saying it’ll be years between seasons today. All of it.”

Several commenters — including a top-voted comment on a Reddit post about the trailer — called out the lack of John Williams’ iconic score (particularly “Hedwig’s Theme”). Hans Zimmer is doing the music for the new series (though what’s in the teaser trailer sounds like it might be temporary).

— “I can deal with the reboot, the recasting and probably all the alternative interpretations. But I have a nagging feeling it will all still feel wrong without John Williams’ music.”

— “Dude the music in this trailer was so bad it was all I could focus on.”

Some found it looks too much like the movies…

— “It looks well made… but it also just looks like the movies. Uncannily so, with some imagery and sh

Harry Potter Fans React to HBO's Trailer: 'I've Cried Three Times'