Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I am just going to have to watch Harry Potter aren't I?

191 replies

Highlighta · 09/01/2024 07:09

My closest friend is having her 50th this year. I am a few years older than her, so I am not sure if this contributes to my lack of knowledge on the subject.

She is quite Harry Potter mad. She watches the films over again every now and then also has themed objects, like Le Creuset dishes and the likes.

She is having a Harry Potter party, I am not too shocked about this. The thing is, I have never watched Harry Potter, it just isn't something that ever appealed to me.

She chats to me about her party plans and is bouncing things off of me, and tbh I do not have a clue about half the stuff. I suggested something food wise and so she said, well actually that doesn't fit in with the theme 😂

She is a great friend and I would love to help her. But that means I am going to have to watch the films now I think. I have to dress up too, so I could pop along to the costume hire place and ask them to suggest something, but then I think I would be being a bit of a fraud not knowing who I am.

So I need advice. Do I need to watch them all? If I just watch the first one will that sum it all up? Or should I rather just watch the last one, and try fill in gaps, so I am a bit caught up.

Please don't suggest the books either. I think that seems way more torturous.

OP posts:
Itsnamechange · 09/01/2024 08:25

Op the films are actually quite good. I've seen them multiple times due to DDs obsession.

Stick one on and try not to see it as a chore. Honestly you might get into it. I'd say watch them all because you won't understand Snape's story unless you watch at least Prisoner of azkabhan, half blood prince, and the 2 deathly hallows. His is one of the most important stories in the series.

BertieBotts · 09/01/2024 08:26

I adore Harry Potter but I wouldn't bother with the films, I thought they were crap compared with the books and I don't think I'd have got it if I only watched the films. And I wouldn't suggest that you read 7 books either. Seems a bit much.

Hmm I wonder what would be an interesting starting topic if you know nothing about it at all. Maybe just taking one of the house quizzes? Do you like personality quiz type things?

What are your interests? Maybe I can suggest some sort of HP-related segue!

Evanesy · 09/01/2024 08:29

I agree re watching Prisoner of Azkaban. The first two are aimed more at children / families whereas the third (PoA) is where it starts to become darker. So depends on your preference!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Films
KarenNotAKaren · 09/01/2024 08:29

Nah they’re shit. Just put a witches hat on and be done with it.

Sgtmajormummy · 09/01/2024 08:30

Supposedly Ian McKellen had/has never read The Lord of the Rings but he played a pretty convincing Gandalf. Just bluff your way through it.

And surely the theme of the party is an excuse for a get together and as long as you look vaguely witchy it’ll be fine.

BTW I’m 56 and my kids are 25 & 18.
I spent a decade living and breathing Harry Potter. It was everywhere!

Ionlylikedityesterday · 09/01/2024 08:31

Audiobooks would be great but also you probably need to watch a film. An early one would work. I would say Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire.
Google making Snitches from Ferrero Rocher. They would be great for the party.

Original poster
Highlighta · 09/01/2024 08:32

WhatTheFuk · 09/01/2024 08:17

I don't understand how anyone could be so clueless when they had children growing up during the book/film years.

Show quote history

I think we just had a different type of lifestyle as we were not in the UK and my dc just didn't really watch much tv. Sport and outdoor activities was more their thing. Yes they read, but obviously not in this genre.

I am quite sure they have watched it as older children, I just wasn't involved in watching it with them by that age. And it seems they never got hooked, as it is not something we have conversations about very much.

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 09/01/2024 08:33

WhatTheFuk · 09/01/2024 08:17

I don't understand how anyone could be so clueless when they had children growing up during the book/film years.

Show quote history

Not every child is into harry potter

cheerfulsunday · 09/01/2024 08:33

Just start at order of the phoenix. The earlier ones are a bit unbearable for adults I think.

If you have to watch one then the half blood prince reveals most of the plot for all books.

quisensoucie · 09/01/2024 08:34

There is something sad and strange about a 50-year old being obsessed with children's topics
And then having a party themed on such a topic
Ewww

mewkins · 09/01/2024 08:35

parrotonmyshoulder · 09/01/2024 07:27

Listen to Stephen Fry reading at least the first audio book. On your commute, or in bed or wherever.
Might hook you much more than the films.

This would be my suggestion too! The early films are a bit painful (before the kids had learnt to act) but the stories are great!

ManateeFair · 09/01/2024 08:36

You don’t have to watch them at all! You’re overthinking this. All you have to do is a) just Google something like ‘Harry potter fancy dress ideas’ and b) tell her when she’s ‘bouncing ideas’ off you that you don’t know enough about Harry Potter to make suggestions on the theme. You’re not obliged to share your friends’ interests.

I really love the Harry Potter books and films but the whole ‘fandom’ thing absolutely does my head in. Your friend really needs to understand that not everyone is going to be interested in/knowledgeable about something just because she is.

I have a friend who is absolutely obsessed with Doctor Who - goes to conventions, collects stuff, encyclopaedic knowledge etc - but if she had a Doctor Who themed birthday party (which, frankly, I can absolutely imagine that she might!) she would never in a million years expect her non-Whovian friends to research Doctor Who for it! And she doesn’t constantly chuck in Who references in conversation or anything because she’s fully aware that it means nothing to the rest of us.

MrsMitford3 · 09/01/2024 08:36

The audio books are loooooong!! Have listened to them all over and over (and they are fantastic) on car journeys with DC etc but if you just want a sample to feel part of the party I think it has to be the films.

We are def a HP family-read all the books/listened to audio books and watched films endlessly-think my DC-now all in 20's were the right age as the books came out and we love them!

But the first audio book is over 8 hours long-you could have watched about 4 films for that length of time and although the films miss some things out you are just trying to get a feel for the party so I'd do the films.

Ophy83 · 09/01/2024 08:39

With reddish hair you should go as Mrs Weasley. A mumsy look, perhaps with a floral apron alongside witches robes and hat. But she kills the main female baddie Bellatrix at the end so she's not to be underestimated

Sandytoxic · 09/01/2024 08:39

For costume ideas, your colouring would suggest Lily Potter, Harry's mother. Some sort of blue dress, and just go "oh sweetheart" to anyone dressed as Harry.

HellsToilet · 09/01/2024 08:40

You are a good friend but you don't have to put yourself through that. You could combine it with a drinking game if you feel you have to watch them. Ever time Ron say, 'Bloody hell' or similar, you take a shot.

peakygold · 09/01/2024 08:43

Harry Potter is for children, which is why I have never read one of the books or watched one of the films. Neither DC were interested either. I find it so strange that an adult would be so wrapped up in the whole thing. It's like saying "I absolutely love Enid Blyton books, and have all of the merch and am having a themed party so do come dressed as a teddy..."

peakygold · 09/01/2024 08:44

Ophy83 · 09/01/2024 08:39

With reddish hair you should go as Mrs Weasley. A mumsy look, perhaps with a floral apron alongside witches robes and hat. But she kills the main female baddie Bellatrix at the end so she's not to be underestimated

*spoiler

demonheed · 09/01/2024 08:46

"Listen to Stephen Fry reading at least the first audio book. On your commute, or in bed or wherever."

Yep! You might get hooked too OP

bellinisurge · 09/01/2024 08:46

Audio books are great. Prisoner of Azkaban definitely the best. The films got better. Rupert Grint is an ok actor but the other two were and are so wooden. To quote my Dad "you can tell they are acting". The supporting cast of British greats from Maggie Smith to Kenneth Branagh and the utterly awesome Helena Bonham Carter are a good distraction from those tedious kids.

JKRs insistence that they had as much mechanical special effects and not CGI is brilliant, especially in the earlier films. Also compensates for the woodenness of Radcliffe and Watson.

Barleysugar86 · 09/01/2024 08:51

I think you should watch or read the first one and give it a go. My partner was invited to a squid game party and had to watch the series so he could understand the games- he'd had no interest in it before having considered it some kind of gratuitous killing show, but found he was interested in the story in the end so didn't regret watching it.

I've been dragged to the cinema to see an odd marvel movie I have ended up enjoying, although I wouldn't seek them out at home! I think its worth understanding the first story at least because anyway you look at it harry Potter has become part of the national consciousness and you are going to get random references to muggles or dementors or houses on talk shows etc. and its nice to not be clueless sometimes.

Love the idea of dressing as Aunt Petunia. This is actually way cooler than going as another wizard, which everyone will be and is quite boring!

StuntNun · 09/01/2024 08:55

I watched all eight for the first time over the past couple of months as my DS is a massive fan. They're enjoyable and exciting enough if you want to give them a go. Otherwise just watch the first one or two so you know who most of the characters are. Once you have a little bit of knowledge then you can ask relevant questions of your friend. E.g. what house is she, as the colour scheme could be her house colours? Which is her favourite sweet from the Hogwarts Express trolley? Which muggle foods are mentioned in the books or shown in the films?

MariaVT65 · 09/01/2024 08:57

quisensoucie · 09/01/2024 08:34

There is something sad and strange about a 50-year old being obsessed with children's topics
And then having a party themed on such a topic
Ewww

Christ. People are allowed to enjoy books and films and have fun. I won’t suddenly stop liking HP in 15 years just because of my age.

Fulshaw · 09/01/2024 09:02

Forget the films, the early ones are terrible and you won’t know what’s going on in the later ones which will make them harder to get through.

Just read or listen to the first book. It’s aimed at 11 year olds so it won’t be too onerous and it’s not very long.

WeeJimmycranky · 09/01/2024 09:02

I tried to join in for the sake of others but I fell asleep in the films. I don't mind it , but it's a slog when it really isn't your thing.

Swipe left for the next trending thread