'Harry Potter' fans' midnight madness

Sandy Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 03:53 PM EST

My boyfriend and I gathered 32 friends and friends-of-friends together and we waited about 4 hours in line to see the rerelease of Star Wars: A New Hope. We had a blast. We ordered a couple of pizzas from a nearby place, shared drinks and played Stars Wars trivia and quotes games. The best part is that it didn't feel like four hours.

Carli Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 11:14 AM EST

I went to the midnight showing (my first) and had to get there two hours before the movie started. They let us in the theater immediately, so we weren't standing in line all night. It was pretty interesting. Random Harry Potter lookalikes would come in with their brooms and run all over the place, yelling HP quotes. Someone brought a huge beach ball and everyone was hitting it around. I was ducking for cover. I didn't go because I needed to see the movie right then, but I thought it would be fun and I had nothing better to do. It was completely worth it; I thoroughly enjoyed myself. You should try it sometime.

Sarah Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 10:45 AM EST

I did the midnight showing thing, but it was at a small theater, so no lines. But, on opening day at the bigger theater nearby, I had to wait in line over two hours for the showing. I listening to the OotP soundtrack and read the only HP book I still have to reread, Half Blood Prince.

The movie was fantastic in every way, and quite worth the wait every time.

Jenny Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 10:25 AM EST

We did midnight showings before we got old and had a baby. I have to say, I enjoyed the movie just as much the next day (when there was STILL a freaking line and we got terrible seats) as I did when we would go opening night. It helps that I too was at the Alamo this time and settled in for the best darn grilled cheese and a pint of beer. Yum.

Marisa Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 10:16 AM EST

Well my best friend prefunked the Harry Potter midnight screening so she was just excited the whole hour and a half we were there. The rest of us were amused by her antics and basically just talked about how excited we were for the book coming out and speculated what would happen.

jeremy Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 09:25 AM EST

since my local megaplex switched to reserved seating (you pick your seats online when buying your tickets), there's no need to sit in a long line to get a good spot, so I haven't done it since "revenge of the sith", where I waited for 8 hours with other rabid Star Wars nerds and it was honestly, the most fun I've ever had going to the movies. I actually kind of miss the line-waiting, the comraderie and so forth - but then I actually go to the movies, and am able to sit in a comfortable restraunt with a pina coloda up until five minutes before show-time, and my seat is already waiting for me, and I know I'd never go back to sitting for five hours on the ground playing canasta and being shuffled around velvet rope queues like a very complacent piece of cattle. Still - I *kind* of miss it.

Anneke Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 08:53 AM EST

The longest I've ever waited for a midnight showing was 7 hours for GOF (This time it was three and a half). And it was completely worth it because we were first in line for an IMAX show. I was fully decked out as Ginny (even dyed my hair), and my friends and I knitted, read, took lots of silly pictures, and let our excitement build to fever pitch. And we always have discussions about HP, which eventually leads us to bemoaning the nonexistence of a Harry Potter version of Trivial Pursuit (Although for OotP I brought the EW pop quiz). The best part is that everyone truly wants to be there, so eveyone has great enthusiasm and respect, and it definitely heightens the experience for me.

Vance Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 08:44 AM EST

So fun! Granted, we showed up an 1h 40 min before and still only got half decent seats as there were so many people ahead of us already that the entire centre top section was filled already. I guess I should have known since it was Imax 3D (and TOTALLY WORTH IT!). I have to see it again but nothing is as fun as that first midnight screening (though work the next day was painful).

HP Fan Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 08:18 AM EST

I too went to the midnight screening of HP:TOOTP and it was fantastic! We got tickets early and waited for about an hour for the movie to start. I waited at least 3 hours for "LOTR: The Return of the King". Waiting that long for a movie makes the whole thing an experience, something special that you remember for a long time, especially if you are with friends and fans. For a person who sees so many movies, to add that little something extra to a much anticipated release is always fun.

Andrea Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 07:00 AM EST

I've waited in looooong lines for some movies (LOTR: Return of the King, the Matrix Reloaded, Star Wars Ep 3) and it is fun. I find that people are really friendly and I usually just pass the time chatting and speculating on what's going to happen in the film.

Mind you, I think the longest I've ever waited is maybe 2 hours, I just don't have the patience to do wait any longer than that.

Alan Hatton Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 05:32 AM EST

It's a communal thing. It's not like Potter fans have games to go to like soccer fans, or concerts to go to like music fans. It's the one time when all of us can come together as a collective and experience the book or the film with people who love it just as much as you do.

I went to see OotP last night (here in Ireland) and it was a truely magical experience, getting to see it with hundreds of other die hard fans, the laughs were funnier, louder and the thrills where more awe-inspiring because we all got them, the intricate details that regular people wouldn't get.

The queueing is a part of that to. It's the one time we all get to caucus and mingle with other fans. I'm going to Piccadilly in London to queue for DH and I know it will be just as special, just as once-in-a-lifetime as it was when I queued for the last three books.

It's a chance to share the magic of the books.

Kurt Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 02:49 AM EST

I love midnight screenings, and the new Harry Potter was without a doubt the best. I was in Kansas City, KS, at the biggest theater in the area (a 30 screen) and 26 SCREENS had been opened for the film. We arrived 45 minutes early and had to fight for a space (that we found in a nearby Target lot), I waited 35 minutes in line for a drink, but it was totally worth it.

The thing about midnight shows is that it's so much more exciting than regular shows, because everyone's there for the same reason. Everyone's pumped. The parking lot was more packed than I've ever seen it, the and the lobby was busier. Even if I hadn't seen the movie, if I'd just walked around the halls of the theater, I'd probably still be raving about the atmosphere. Midnight shows are the best because there's a camaraderie there that's missing from normal film-going experiences. These are the die-hards, and whether the movie disappoints or not (this one, incidentally, didn't) the experience is often enough.

Storm Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 01:52 AM EST

Let me just say, this movie was AAWWEESSOOMMEE!! I've loved Harry Potter since the beginning and I will always love it. Order of the Phoenix is a MUST see!

Ashley Fri, Jul 13, 2007 at 12:11 AM EST

Yeah, no cell phones was a plus. However, I could have robbed a bank more easily than I could have sneaked into a showing of OoP. I had to show my ticket to a total of 5 people and if you opened the door to the theater (which was still showing a different movie) before they allowed you in OR if your cell went off during the film, you were to be kicked out without refund! It was insane, but in a slightly cool way

Zoe Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 11:59 PM EST

I saw OOTP at midnight, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. There's nothing like seeing a movie at midnight, no matter how wonderful or how dreadful it is, because you will never find a more excited group of people. I drove an hour to find a theater showing HP5 at midnight, and then I waited in line for five hours so that I could get seats for the 30 people I brought with me. We all dressed up, with Gryffindor scarves, wizard hats and robes, and light-up wands, and so did others in the audience. The packed house cheers and boos, and you know you're watching the movie with a group of people that takes HP seriously. It's so much better than seeing it at 4 pm on a Thursday, because it's an EVENT, not just a movie.

(Plus, there aren't any babies at midnight showings, and there aren't any cell phones going off. An ideal situation, if you ask me.)

Erin Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 11:53 PM EST

i went to the midnight showing and showed up at 6:30 and there were already about 100 people ahead of us. a lot of people bring books to read or their laptops so they can watch movies. personally my friends and i just talked. the line is actually not bad, plus is gets you all pumped up cause everyone there is super excited and hardcore about the movie. i love midnight showings and will show up at any time i need too to get good seats.

jahaymay Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 10:50 PM EST

I went to the midnight showing, and it was a lot of fun, and the people were really cool. For me, the best part of the whole experience was the wait, because I was actually a bit underwhelmed by the movie. The audience was awesome...clapping, cheering, laughing at the wtf parts.

However, I was so tired. The intense lighting and special effects during the fight scenes really hurt my eyes. I had to squint throughout the entire department of mystery battle.

jen Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 10:28 PM EST

I didn't go to the midnight showing. However, since the last book will be coming out this next week (I will be at Barnes and Noble in the middle of the night to pick up my copy and start reading STAT!) I definitely plan to do the midnight showing for the last 2 movies. They will be the only thing left to help me get passed my Potter depression. I am so sad that this is the end, the movies are fantastic, but there is nothing like reading 600+ pages of my favorite character in my lifetime. He will be dearly missed.

Devon Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 10:24 PM EST

The reason I go is because of the audience, everyone is obviously a fan so they WANT to be there. You talk to people before the movie, see all the cool costumes, and read. During the movie it's great because everyone is respectful and no one talks. It's like theatre sometimes because people clap gasp and laugh all the same time. It's fantastic. Usually most new movies I see at midnight, highly recommended for those who can stay up late.

Anon Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 10:17 PM EST

I love midnight showings, but just showing up early has been tradition for us since the first LotR movie came out. Longest I have ever been there before a movie? 5 hours. For us it is fun, to see everyone who dresses up (we don't really) sometimes we bring cards, mostly talk about all the great fandoms we are into. But the awesome thing too is (more with Lord of the Rings than others though) is when you have such a diverse group of people. It would be me, our best friends, our fathers, then a group of sci-fi convention-ers, then some really older people, then another group of teenagers, and its just awesome. I just recommend finding a good movie for it, although Harry Potter is a fun one, you do risk having really loud people there and disrespectful first-night-ers. One of the best to see was the second spiderman movie, it was the most respectful (laugh at the right times and not too long, not a million people talking, 2 full out spidey suits) movie I've ever been to. Go for it :D

Rob Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 10:15 PM EST

I didn't go to the midnight show, but I went to the 10 AM on Wednesday. I got there at about 9 AM and there was already a line of at least 40 people in the middle of the mall, which didn't even have all its lights on yet cause the stores don't open till 10 on weekdays. And a lot of these people were dressed in costume, which I was not expecting for a morning show. By the time the show started, there were at least 200 of us there.

donner Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 10:12 PM EST

I didn't get to this midnight showing, but I've been to past HP midnighters...we take our computer, since Alamo Drafthouse has wi-fi...you can surf the web, chat, play games, watch movies, your computer is your god...till the movie starts...

Jonathan Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 09:33 PM EST

i just saw it tonight in IMAX, went an hour early. about 50+ people ahead of us in line. still got some pretty damn good seats.

Lori K. Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 09:10 PM EST

It was my first time to a midnight release for a Potter movie, and for any movie for that matter. I got there almost 2 hours early and there were about 30 people ahead of me; knitting gryffindor scarves, playing cards, reading books, etc. While the atmosphere seemed fun during the movie it wasnt. 4 women behind me clapped,laughed,commented during the whole frickin movie. I went to a midnight release for the HP6 book and that was way more enjoyable.

erin Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 08:57 PM EST

I went to see it at midnight in IMAX. I got there at 930 and there were already a ton of people. You make friends, talk Harry Potter and by the time midnight rolls around, it's better then ever.

Ashley Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 08:12 PM EST

I got to my theater at 6:45 PM for the midnight showing of OoP and I was the only person there until 9:30. The movie is so much better, in the respect that you are in a full theater of people who love the movies and books as much as you do. The one downfall: if there is a funny like, you can't hear the next three due to all the laughter.

esbeerod Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 07:50 PM EST

The theater where I saw the HP&OotP was pretty cool in that they let the people who bought advanced tickets get in early while people who bought tix the day of had to wait in line. Worked out nicely for my crew :) But for previous HP openings the max I've waited in line to get into the theater was about an hour and that's about my limit.

Bridget Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 07:39 PM EST

I went to a midnight showing, well actually have been to many. The anticipation is what makes it fun. I like Harry Potter, no love the series, but some people take it too far. It's fun to see what people will dress up as to show their devotion to a franchise. I could have however dealth without the movie people policing the theater with their walki talkies, and the people who clap at when the movie starts, during good dialogue deliveries, and when the movies over with. I mean come on people, they can't hear you! Otherwise, opening nights are fun and deff. an experience one should try.

lizdur Thu, Jul 12, 2007 at 06:29 PM EST

I'm still a devoted fan, but I absolutely love taking advantage of my local theater's reserved seating. Midnight showings aren't even bad when you only have to show up ten minutes before. Would I wait four hours in line for a HP movie? NO. For a HP book? YES.