“Harry Potter” Films May Soon Appear in Saudi Arabian Cinemas for the First Time

Though it’s hard for most of us to imagine the last 17 years without eight (or more…) midnight screenings of Harry Potter films, viewers in Saudi Arabia might be seeing the boy wizard on the big screen for the first time in the coming months. A kingdom-wide ban on cinemas in place for 35 years was lifted in December 2017, setting the stage for screenings to begin as soon as theaters have been built to accommodate them.

As one of the most popular franchises in the world, it’s natural that Harry Potter would arise early in the conversation about which movies will be shown in Saudi Arabian cinemas, but the country’s ban on magic, sorcery, and witchcraft – violations of which can include severe punishments – might have caused some to wonder if Harry would be making the trip after all.

When asked specifically about Potter, a member of Saudi Arabia’s new Board of Entertainment, Majid al-Qasabi, shared that he saw no reason why the films wouldn’t be shown.

I don’t see any problem. Once we set it in the right perspective, it would be accepted, if it was meant as entertainment.

Let’s hope that means Harry & Co. will be making an appearance on Saudi Arabian screens very soon!

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