Buzz
After two decades, Harry Potter along with the Wizarding World remains one of the most popular film franchises of all time.
Not only boasting massive revenues, Harry Potter also wields significant influence on popular culture, maintaining a strong and vast fan community over many years.
The film series has been re-screened in cinemas worldwide numerous times, yet still receives fervent support from fans, rivaling the hype of newer blockbusters in the global film industry.
Below are the factors that keep Harry Potter 'timeless':
Introducing a vivid world beyond the boundaries of 'for kids only'
The film series revolves around the orphaned boy Harry Potter, living with his aunt and uncle who despise wizards. Throughout his childhood, Harry endures torment and mistreatment from the Dursley family. Upon turning 11, Harry receives an invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is then that the timid, reserved boy discovers his true identity as a wizard. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Despite enduring abuse and hardship, the story of young Harry, possessing extraordinary abilities, and becoming a legend in the Wizarding World has inspired countless children and fans worldwide. Yet, it's not just about Harry himself; J.K. Rowling and her story turned Harry Potter from a rejected manuscript into one of the most successful children's novels and film franchises to date.
While initially intended for children, the audience of Harry Potter is not limited to just youngsters. Many fans of the series are adults. Harry Potter is more than just a fantasy film about teenage witches and wizards; it creates a mysterious, grand world filled with secrets, blending elements of epic saga and mythology.
A school of magic remains a dream for many, and the story of a group of friends overcoming dangers and challenges makes the characters much warmer and relatable. Harry Potter offers audiences an experience of creative freedom, unleashing their imagination in a unique fantasy world, captivating viewers and readers of all ages.
Establishing a profound fandom culture influencing the present
With a vast fanbase, Harry Potter has successfully created a 'fandom culture,' where fans of the series have their own community. They don't just admire individually; instead, they form groups, sharing their love for the franchise and embodying their favorite characters together.
The Hogwarts houses - Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin - have become 'small communities' within the larger Potterheads community, where young fans use the qualities of these houses to define themselves.
With the development of the Internet, creative fan expressions revolving around Harry Potter continue to evolve. Alongside cosplay events, fans continuously produce fanfiction, fanmade movies, ensuring that Harry Potter remains vibrant within the community even after its conclusion. Additionally, spin-off brands, notably the Fantastic Beasts series, also contribute to keeping the Harry Potter brand alive and well.
Memorable quotes that linger in viewers' minds
Harry Potter took audiences on a magical adventure with the trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, facing challenges and dangers throughout the wizarding world, including those at Hogwarts. Along this perilous journey, numerous emotional moments and impactful lines were born, etching themselves into the hearts of fans who still remember them vividly.
For instance, the line: 'I wish you were here, Hermione. We need you, now more than ever.'
Throughout the Harry Potter series, Hermione has repeatedly saved Harry and Ron with her intelligence. In The Chamber of Secrets, after facing the Basilisk, Hermione couldn't help her friends. When Harry and Ron visit Hermione in the hospital, the two boys confide in her about this. It's a deeply meaningful moment when both boys open up to their friend, marking a new milestone in their friendship.
Or perhaps the phrase: 'What proves our identity is not our abilities, but our choices.'
In the final part of the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, after Harry defeats the Basilisk but still worries about similarities to Tom Riddle, Professor Dumbledore speaks these words to Harry. Indeed, while Harry Potter and Tom Riddle share similar abilities, what sets Harry apart are his choices.
In the summer of 2022, the first three parts of the Harry Potter film series will return to Vietnamese cinemas in digital quality, giving audiences another chance to experience the magical world with even greater visual and emotional depth.
