Harry Potter: 15 Scenes That Make Them The Perfect Christmas Movies

Whether it’s the holidays or not, the Harry Potter films are perfect to watch at any time of year. There’s something for everyone in the magical world of Hogwarts: mystery, crime, adventure, coming of age, romance, and war. Yet there’s something festive and joyful even amid the darkness of these films.

Perhaps it’s the presence of magic, but it’s also that almost every film includes a Christmas sequence, and most of them were released around November. Whether it’s a snow-laden Hogwarts, dinner with the Weasleys, or opening presents in the Gryffindor common room, each film has a touch of Christmas spirit.

Updated on December 21st, 2021 by Kevin Pantoja: While none of the Harry Potter movies is technically considered a Christmas film, there are so many loyal fans who throw them on whenever the holidays come around. There’s just something cozy about all of them, even when so many aspects of the story don’t center around Christmas or any specific holiday. It could have to do with the sense of family and friendship at the core of the films or simply seeing those few but consistent moments that do take place during winter. If you don’t have time to binge through all eight movies this year, you can at least get into the Christmas spirit with these scenes.

Wizards’ Chess – Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

Christmas is all about cozying up with friends and family, perhaps enjoying some board games. Best friends Harry and Ron sit in the Great Hall playing wizards’ chess, which Harry and Hermione discover to be quite “barbaric.”

Hermione’s leaving to spend the holidays with her parents, but she reminds the boys to look in the restricted section of the library for something on Nicolas Flamel. The Hall is decorated for the holidays and the atmosphere is relaxed. Not a heavily important scene but one that fits right in with the holiday tone.

Slughorn’s Christmas Party – Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

When Horace Slughorn returns to Hogwarts and reclaims his position as Potions Master, he’s quick to reintroduce his old traditions to the new students. One of these is his elite Slug Club and of course, he invites Harry to be an esteemed member. Having impressed him in class with her cleverness, Hermione is also offered a place.

In addition to the somewhat awkward dinners he hosts, Slughorn’s Christmas party is one of the most memorable scenes in the film, if only for Hermione’s desperate attempts to evade Cormac McLaggen. It’s not the most festive scene but it does take place during the holiday season.

Christmas At The Burrow – Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Harry joins the Weasleys for Christmas at the Burrow, where he grows closer with Ginny. First, they end up alone on the couch and she feeds him Christmas pies when Ron unceremoniously ruins the moment and sits between them.

Later, the two of them meet up on the stairs and they almost kiss when the Burrow is attacked by Death Eaters. That makes this a Christmas scene that quickly goes from heartwarming to harrowing. It proves that this franchise covers every genre within the holidays.

The Hogsmeade Trip – Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Donned in scarves, beanies, and winter coats, the golden trio continues exploring the magical world at Hogsmeade. Harry is unfortunately left out from the festivities, having no parent or guardian to sign his permission slip. Luckily, though, he finds another way to get there.

He slips into the village via an underground tunnel, and with his Invisibility Cloak, he roams the snow-laden streets. A snowball fight ensues when he meets up with Hermione and Ron, followed by a prank on Malfoy. This is one of those scenes that isn’t related to holiday festivities but it’s ideal when it comes to the winter season.

The Mirror Of Erised – Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts will always be the purest. It’s his first-ever real Christmas experience, surrounded by friends and presents. He feels loved and wanted for the first time in his life, but there’s still one wish left unfulfilled.

He discovers the Mirror of Erised during the Christmas break, and when he looks into it he sees his parents – the thing he desires most in the world. In this way, he gets his Christmas wish.

Kiss Under The Mistletoe – Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

If seeing the main character kiss his crush under the mistletoe doesn’t make Harry Potter a Christmas franchise, then nothing will. In this scene, Harry is bidding Dumbledore’s Army farewell for Christmas, when he spots Cho crying by the mirror.

She’s looking at a newspaper clipping about Cedric Diggory, her ex-boyfriend. After a brief but effective heart-to-heart, Harry makes his move and the pair share a beautifully awkward kiss under the mistletoe, which is a Christmas staple.

Horses In The Snow – Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

Some of the best Christmas scenes in the entire Harry Potter series are small and often quite missable moments, much like this absolutely stunning sequence in Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets.

As Harry and his friends prepare to spend their second Christmas at Hogwarts, the film cuts to a beautiful shot of the castle as a fleet of horse-drawn carriages carry students across the snow. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, this shot is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the entire franchise.

Snow In The Great Hall – Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

Hogwart’s Great Hall hosts some of the series’ most beautiful visuals, but this shot, in particular, is one of the most gorgeous of the eight films. It’s cozy, warming, and familiar.

Before Harry, Ron, and Hermione use Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves, the film gives viewers an amazing look at the Great Hall decked out for Christmas. With snow falling gracefully from the ceiling and decorations filling the entire room, this is easily one of the most Christmassy moments the franchise has to offer.

Hagrid’s Christmas Duties – Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

Nothing about Harry Potter says Christmas more than Hogwarts in the snow. Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s first Christmas at the school is perhaps the most joyful of them all.

In this scene, viewers get their first look at Hogwarts in the snow, which is an unforgettable moment. Hagrid drags a huge Christmas tree across the grounds, ready to prop up in the Great Hall. He’s the only creature on campus big enough to lug a tree of such a size, which makes it fun.

Drunk In The Snow – Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

In their sixth year at Hogwarts, the golden trio get their equivalent experience of stumbling home from the pub drunk. They’ve just indulged in a few glasses of Butterbeer too many – well, Hermione has, anyway.

With all the death and darkness surrounding them, it’s sometimes hard to remember that Harry, Hermione, and Ron are just teenage best friends. That’s why this sequence, which shows the trio huddled together and laughing as they walk through the freezing snow, is one of the most memorable, heartwarming, and simply enjoyable Christmas scenes in the entire Harry Potter series.

Godric’s Hollow – Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1

The first Deathly Hallows film is quite bleak, and the Christmas scene in this one perfectly suits the mood. Ron has left Hermione and Harry on their own before they decide to visit Godric’s Hollow in the hope of finding clues about the Horcruxes.

What makes this so memorable is that things are so rough for Harry and Hermione that they don’t even realize it’s Christmas Eve until they hear carol singers. They wind up at the cemetery, where Harry looks for his parents’ graves. It’s a moment made even more haunting by the eerie appearance of Bathilda Bagshot.

A Weasley Christmas – Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

Christmas is all about family, which Harry doesn’t really have. The kindhearted Weasleys take him in early on, and it becomes an annual tradition to spend the holiday with them. Hermione even comes along with them in The Order Of The Phoenix.

Shortly after Arthur Weasley’s horrific attack, Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to 12 Grimmauld Place to enjoy Christmas with the Weasleys and Sirius Black. This sequence stands out as one of the most memorable Christmas scenes because it shows that even in the darkest times, there are always small moments of happiness and even joy.

Hedwig In The Snow – Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Hedwig, a snowy owl, flying through real snow is a truly majestic moment in the series. The beautiful whiteness of the snow coating the castle’s spires and towers is just as magical as anything else in Harry Potter.

It might not be a full sequence or even a significant scene in Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, but the beautiful shot of Hedwig flying over the Hogwarts clock tower adds a palpable Christmas touch.

The Yule Ball – Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

Taking a short break from fighting dragons in the Triwizard Tournament, Harry and his friends find dates for Hogwarts’ biggest Christmas celebration yet, the Yule Ball.

With the Great Hall decorated to look more extravagant than ever, snow falling from the enchanted ceiling, the Yule Ball is one of the series’ most beautiful Christmas sequences. Plus, those giant Christmas trees are remarkable to see

Harry & Ron Open Presents – Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

When it comes to memorable Christmas scenes in the Harry Potter series, there are none more impactful, charming, or poignant than Harry and Ron’s first Christmas at Hogwarts.

Waking to find Ron already tearing into his presents, Harry is dumbfounded to learn that he has also received a number of Christmas gifts, something he never experienced living with the Dursleys. The pure joy of being included in something like this is wholesome.

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