The wait for a real glimpse of HBO’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is over. Last night, the first exclusive scene from the series premiered at the Kids’ Choice Awards, taking us straight into the Great Hall for the start-of-term feast. It’s short, but it’s packed with details worth unpacking.
Inside the Great Hall
The clip picks up right after Dumbledore’s welcome speech. Although we don’t see it in the clip, the beginning suggests that we’ll hear Dumbledore say, “Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!”. The whole school breaks into an enthusiastic chant of his name, giving the moment a warm, playful energy. Amid the excitement, Harry turns to Ron to ask whether the headmaster is a bit mad.
Book fans will notice a small change here. In the novel, Harry puts that question to Percy, not Ron. Giving the line to Ron is a natural choice for the series, putting the focus on the friendship that will carry the story.
The first notes of Hans Zimmer’s music
Then the food appears on the tables, and with it comes the real highlight for many fans: the first-ever excerpt of Hans Zimmer’s score for the series. The music is light, playful and full of whimsy, a promising sign of the tone the show is aiming for. It’s only a few seconds long, but it already sets this adaptation apart while staying true to the wonder of Harry’s first night at Hogwarts. In a way, it reminds me of Hogwarts Legacy with some touch of John Williams. I really like it!
We can see several desserts mentioned in the books: treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs, trifle, strawberries, jam doughnuts, and even what look like peppermint humbugs!
A new moment between Dumbledore and McGonagall
The scene also includes an exchange that doesn’t appear in the books. At the staff table, McGonagall remarks to Dumbledore that Harry looks like his father. It’s exactly the kind of extra character moment the series has promised, giving the adults of Hogwarts more room than they had on the page.
The conversation hides two clever nods for attentive fans. Dumbledore teases McGonagall by asking whether she’s the cat that got the cream, a playful wink to her Animagus form, which is, of course, a cat.
Even better, when Dumbledore observes that looks can be deceiving, Professor Quirrell can be seen in the background. Anyone who knows how the first year ends will appreciate just how meaningful that line is.
When to watch
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone premieres on HBO Max on December 25, 2026. If this first scene is any indication, the series is blending faithfulness to the books with fresh touches of its own.
What did you think of the first clip and Hans Zimmer’s music?
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