By Andrew Kramer, Guest Writer 

Twenty-five years ago, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” debuted in theaters and to celebrate, the eight-movie saga is returning to theaters for a limited time.   

The Harry Potter series was originally seven books, with the first being published in 1997. Since then, it has spawned countless media presences through movies, video games and even theme parks at the Universal Orlando Resort. The high availability and digestibility, along with additional social coverage from controversy, of Harry Potter makes reading or watching the series seem more of a cultural expectation than simply a phenomenon. 

Many students on campus grew up with this series as an important part of their childhood.   

“I am excited. A lot of kids who have never seen Harry Potter do not have an excuse to say they have not seen it in theaters, because Harry Potter is good,” freshman Joseph Nguyen said. 

Nguyen watched Harry Potter when he was eight or nine years old, forming lasting memories he still recalls with joy today.   

While most current Xavier students may not remember when “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” first hit theaters 25 years ago, some members of the faculty can still remember vivid details to this day. Leslie Whitford, a Xavier University librarian, has had a longstanding relationship with the series as a whole.   

“I read the first three books after they had been published and for books four through seven I was there for the midnight releases,” Whitford said. “I have also listened to the Jim Dale audiobooks. I saw all of the movies at their midnight releases.” 

Whitford regards Harry Potter as young adult literature; the series was and remains an invaluable starting point for many children’s journeys in reading. The popularity of the book series alone led to more kids being exposed to reading as they grew up. However, Harry Potter also set the stage for a popularity of similar styles of writing, most notably the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan and countless fandoms by new authors finding their footing in the writing world. 

For many fans, the return of the Harry Potter series to theaters also brings a reminder of the views held by Harry Potter’s author, J. K. Rowling. The creator of this billion-dollar franchise has become known for her outspoken socio-political viewpoints, sparking backlash from formerly loyal fans.   

“I am very disillusioned…It really changed my relationship with the Harry Potter,” Whitford said about the controversy. “It was a really long process of trying to figure out my relationship with the material and trans rights. I couldn’t separate the art from the artist.” 

Despite the controversial views of its creator, the Harry Potter series continues to bring joy into the lives of its readers and viewers, with the rerelease demonstrating the story and characters’ lasting timelessness. For countless fans around the globe, Harry Potter will remain an irreplaceable childhood memory, making the theatrical return that much greater for those who want to experience the magic one more time.