Spooky season is beginning to creep closer, and this year the Wizarding World is making sure fans have plenty of reasons to return to Hogwarts.
And apparently, plenty of reasons to buy popcorn.
As “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, theaters are rolling out an impressively large collection of themed popcorn buckets, cups, plushes and other collectibles inspired by the beloved franchise.
AMC first gave fans a look at several pieces during San Diego Comic-Con, including a massive Hogwarts Express Popcorn Bucket, an AMC-exclusive Nimbus Broom Popcorn Bucket, a Hogsmeade-inspired bucket and a Gryffindor drink cup.
The Nimbus may be the most wonderfully excessive of the bunch.
Rather than simply placing a broomstick handle onto a popcorn container and calling it a day, the collectible is an oversized recreation of the famous flying broom, with the bottom section of the bristles unscrewing to reveal the actual popcorn bucket.
Because naturally, the only logical way to celebrate 25 years of Harry Potter is by walking into a movie theater carrying an enormous Nimbus.
Early pricing has now started appearing through theaters offering pieces from the wider anniversary collection, giving collectors an idea of just how deep into Gringotts they may have to reach.
Among the items currently listed are the Hogwarts Express Popcorn Bucket for around $59.99, the massive Nimbus Broom Popcorn Bucket for around $79.99, a Briefcase Trunk Popcorn Tin for $34.99 and a Popcorn Tin with Wand for $39.99.
Fans can also represent their Hogwarts house with Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin cups and square popcorn buckets, each currently listed around $29.99.
And because popcorn apparently cannot have all the fun, the collection stretches even further with Hedwig and Anglia molded-lid tumblers, a Hedwig Shoulder Pal, Sorting Hat and Hedwig plush set and even themed blankets.
In other words, this is rapidly becoming less of a concession stand and more of a miniature Wizarding World gift shop.
The timing could not be better.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is returning to theaters from August 27 through September 3 as part of its 25th-anniversary celebration. The rerelease will also include 12 minutes of behind-the-scenes material that has not previously been shown theatrically.
Even better for fans looking to fully disappear into Hogwarts before spooky season properly arrives, all eight “Harry Potter” movies are expected to return to theaters during the anniversary window.
It also arrives during what is shaping up to be an especially busy period for the Wizarding World.
Between anniversary screenings, new collectibles, themed holiday experiences and the continued expansion of Harry Potter across entertainment, merchandise and attractions, the franchise is making sure its 25th anniversary feels much larger than simply putting the first movie back on the screen.
There is something particularly fitting about Harry Potter taking over theaters again as summer begins giving way to fall.
The candles. The castles. The owls. The magic. The slightly questionable amount of pumpkin-themed everything.
Spooky season and Hogwarts have always gone rather well together.
Now fans can celebrate it with a giant broomstick filled with popcorn.
Magic really does come in many forms.