The new HBO Harry Potter trailer is finally here, and the internet has wasted little time deciding whether it has recaptured the magic of the Wizarding World.
The series, which is set to release this Christmas
on HBO, brings a new cast to the much-loved story. While some fans are excited to see the books adapted in greater detail, others are already comparing everything from the casting and Hogwarts’ look to the overall mood with the original films.
And the reactions are all over the place.
For some viewers, the trailer was enough to change their minds about the reboot. One fan admitted that the idea initially felt like “another reboot that was unnecessary”, but added: “But wow. I am so in. And that we get, as it seems, each book told across a whole season of shows… wow again.”
Another fan was equally enthusiastic, writing, “I’ll be seated day one for this. Excited to see more stuff from the books for the whole series. Don’t care if it feels unnecessary. Production design looks incredible, as expected.”
But not everyone was impressed. One of the biggest points of discussion was the new visual style. A viewer complained that the new Hogwarts dining hall lighting felt very different from the warm, candlelit atmosphere of the films, writing: “If rewriting Snape as black wasn’t enough, the Hogwarts dining hall lighting went from warm flames to LED battery candles.”
Another viewer said the reboot had lost something essential from the original movies: “The magic is totally gone. The entire trailer feels dark and grim. It doesn’t have the same whimsy and delight that the first two movies specifically had with Chris Columbus directing and the iconic John Williams score. This feels like a generic HP themed HBO show. Like cosplay.”
The new cast is also facing scrutiny, with one particularly blunt reaction simply reading: “The biggest downgrade in the history of casting.” The troll featured in the trailer also became a point of comparison, with one fan writing: “25 years ago, that troll was way cooler than this one.”
Biggest downgrade in the history bro wtf is this 😭 pic.twitter.com/GUYqtiZTqX
— ???????????????????????? of North (@Itssan17) September 2, 2026
At the same time, some viewers acknowledged the strange feeling of seeing a new generation take over characters that have been closely associated with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint for years.
“I want to see it, but… they’re not our usual actors…. The funny thing is that there’ll be a generation of kids for whom ‘these’ will be their Harry Potter characters, just like with Spider-Man…” one viewer wrote.
There was also criticism of the reboot’s aesthetics, with one particularly harsh reaction calling it “AWFUL” and arguing that there was “no interesting aesthetic change or one that really makes a difference compared to the films.”
If rewriting Snape as black wasn’t enough, the Hogwarts dining hall lighting went from warm flames to LED battery candles. https://t.co/Qk6dkFySK5 pic.twitter.com/g7NrKd7x43
— Marlin (@nostalgiafkninc) September 2, 2026
The Harry Potter franchise’s wider controversies also surfaced in the comments. One viewer wrote: “just a reminder that supporting this series supports anti trans legislation and the marginalisation of trans people. trans lives are more important than harry potter 🏳️⚧️”
Another viewer objected to what they perceived as AI-generated food in the trailer, writing: “As soon as the AI generated food popped up on the table, I stopped watching the trailer.”
They went on to call it a “Useless reboot that will fail, taint the Harry Potter brand and push more agenda bullshit for enforced conformity.”
For now, the trailer appears to have done exactly what a major reboot needs to do: get people talking. Some fans are ready to return to Hogwarts, while others are struggling to see what the new series brings to a story they already know and love.
