There are many factors to consider when scheduling a movie marathon of a series. There isn't necessarily a wrong time to binge-watch a favorite series, but there is arguably a best time for such an occasion. The Harry Potter series is best enjoyed at either Christmas or Halloween. Each season has compelling reasons in their favor; however, only one is actually the superior time of year to return to the Wizarding World. Let's break down the arguments and find out if Halloween or Christmas is a better time of year to binge-watch Harry Potter.

Harry Potter's Year-Round Spooks Match the Halloween Season

The Hogwarts Great Hall during Halloween

Halloween is the perfect time for a Harry Potter marathon for a couple of reasons. The most obvious reason is that witches, wizards, and magic are absolute classics of the Halloween season. So even throughout the series, which doesn't always take place on Halloween or involve anything spooky, there's still that element of Halloween themes through the appearance of magic and even magical creatures. Also, candy plays a significant role in both Halloween and the Harry Potter series. Harry makes his first friend, Ron Weasley, thanks in part to a huge mountain of candy. Plus, chocolate is given medicinal powers against dementors, further elevating the role of candy in the series.

But it's not just these surface-level details that make the series perfect for Halloween. There are also significant plot points that take place on the holiday. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Professor Quirrell leads a troll into the castle. Mrs. Norris becomes petrified on Halloween in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Sirius Black breaks into Gryffindor tower on Halloween in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. These are significant moments that play a crucial role in the overall Harry Potter franchise, which creates a compelling case that the films are prime for a Halloween season marathon.

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Christmas Has a Special Place in the Harry Potter Franchise

Ron, Harry and Hermione at Christmas, Harry Potter

Halloween isn't the only significant holiday in the Harry Potter series. In fact, Christmas is actually a pretty central holiday throughout the series as well. Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow on Christmas Eve in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where they lay flowers on James and Lily's grave and meet Bathilda Bagshot. This is a crucial point not only in the plot but in Harry's character arc. Also, Harry receives his invisibility cloak on Christmas during his first year at Hogwarts, and the Yule Ball takes place on Christmas during Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Not only that, but the Harry Potter series is often considered to be a comfort binge-watch, a return to an old favorite. That's a trait common among other Christmas traditions. Therefore, it makes sense that a marathon would take place during the holiday season. The familiar characters and stories are perfect for indulging while staying inside and avoiding any potentially seasonal bad weather. A movie marathon is best executed in the right mood and feeling that does align the Harry Potter series with the holidays.

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The Best Time to Binge-Watch Harry Potter Is at Halloween

Neville with a Blood-Flavoured Lollipop, Harry Potter

Though Christmas isn't the wrong time to have a Harry Potter marathon by any means, Halloween is actually the best time of the year to return to the iconic series. The Christmas elements of the series are more locked into a specific portion of the story, whereas the Halloween elements, like the imagery of witches, wizards, magic and candy, are present throughout the entirety of the series. The Halloween arguments just cover more of the totality of the series rather than just portions of the story.

Plus, the actual story points associated with Halloween are more deeply connected to the holiday than the plot points of the Christmas story beats. The drama that happens on Halloween, like the troll and the Sirius Black invasion, fits into the tropes of the Halloween season. Specifically monsters and home invasions. While Harry does get his invisibility cloak as a Christmas present, the Yule Ball isn't specifically about Christmas but rather the Triwizard Tournament. Also, Harry didn't intentionally visit Godric's Hollow on Christmas; it was pure coincidence. So, ultimately, Halloween is the best time of the year for a Harry Potter binge-watch.