HBO releases Harry Potter trailer Dec 25

HBO released a new trailer on Wednesday for “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” giving viewers a longer look at its television remake of J.K. Rowling’s first wizarding novel. The network said the eight-episode first season will premiere on December 25, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max. NBC New York described the clip as a second teaser trailer released ahead of the Christmas debut, while other outlets said it offered the most extensive footage yet from the series. (nbcnewyork.com) (upi.com) The new footage centers on Harry’s arrival at Hogwarts and introduces the core trio of child leads. UPI said the trailer features Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, who play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. (nbcnewyork.com) Coverage from Polygon and local NBC affiliates said the trailer also revisits major first-book set pieces, including Hogwarts, Quidditch, the Invisibility Cloak and a mountain troll. ### Which version of Harry Potter is HBO adapting? “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is the title HBO is using for the first season of the series. Wizarding World, the franchise’s official site, said in March that the first season would carry that title and debut at Christmas 2026. (nbcnewyork.com) UPI said the show is a television adaptation of Rowling’s fantasy book series, which was previously adapted into eight films. The eight-episode format has been repeated across several reports published this week. WFAA and WGRZ, citing the new trailer release, both said the first season runs eight episodes and premieres on December 25 on HBO and HBO Max. (upi.com) ### Who appears in the new trailer? Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton are the three young actors most prominently introduced in the footage, according to UPI. The trailer also shows John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore, UPI reported. Variety’s March report on the first teaser said the series would send Harry, Ron and Hermione to Hogwarts to meet Dumbledore, Snape and Hagrid, and current coverage says the newer trailer expands that first look. (harrypotter.com) WHAS11 and other outlets said the trailer includes Professor Sprout’s herbology class, Quidditch sequences and additional magical set pieces from the first book. Polygon said fans would likely focus on visual changes and the show’s new interpretation of familiar scenes from the film era. (wfaa.com) ### Why did this trailer draw attention now? September 2 and September 3 coverage tied the release to a broader rollout as HBO pushes the series toward its holiday launch. NBC New York said the trailer arrived during back-to-school season and ahead of the Christmas premiere. USA Today said the network’s new footage provided the most extensive look yet at the cast and the show’s interpretation of Rowling’s world. (upi.com) The trailer also revived attention around a project that has been under discussion for months. Wizarding World said HBO Max released the first teaser in March and formally announced the season title and Christmas 2026 window at that time. (whas11.com) ### What comes next after the December launch? NBC New York reported that filming is already underway for a second season based on “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” That means HBO is promoting the first season while work continues on the next adaptation in the planned series. December 25, 2026, is the next confirmed milestone. (nbcnewyork.com) On that date, HBO and HBO Max are scheduled to debut the eight-episode first season of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” according to multiple reports published this week. (wfaa.com) (harrypotter.com)