That’s It LA was recently invited to a preview of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for the 25th anniversary of the film at the Cosm in Los Angeles, CA.
Fans with nostalgia for growing up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione as played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint will enjoy a magical presentation of the cinematic story directed by Chris Columbus. For so many, the movie versions represent the very best parts of the Harry Potter story and what it meant to a generation of fans as they grew up to model the friendship and empathy its original stars embodied as the trio of heroes they played. Seeing them as kids again was so emotional and took us back to what the Wizarding World meant to so many.
The experience at the Cosm expands the presentation; the food was absolutely delicious and exceeded our expectations. The main dish served was a hearty shepherd’s pie, which was brought out during the memorable Great Hall scene, adding an immersive touch as the setting itself expanded beyond the screen, making you feel like you were at your Hogwarts house table. Before that, guests were given a warm pretzel stick, which was served near the wand pairing scene; we definitely ate it before making it to the spellcasting classes. It’s important to note that the themed food is not included in the price of the ticket. Both the food and drinks are considered add-ons, so you’ll need to purchase them separately if you want to enjoy the full culinary experience. The curated menu is a set price, and you can also add on a themed house drink inspired by Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff.
The venue itself is incredibly impressive, reminiscent of the now-defunct Cinerama Dome but with a more modern and elevated feel similar to the Sphere in Las Vegas but more intimate. The space is designed to transport you into the world of the films they play, not just through their food, but how breathtakingly the visual techniques envelop you. Take, for instance, feeling like you’re on the field during Quidditch or seeing Hedwig soar above you or even scary moments in the Forbidden Forest—it’s such a treat.
After the presentation creatives behind Cosm were on hand to talk about the venue and its expansion across the nation; currently LA and Dallas are open with Atlanta coming soon. COO Kirk Johnson said of their initiative for fans and newcomers to cinema, “One of the things to keep in mind for us in all of these is the film is the hero, and we really want to make sure we’re respectful to the original content. So when we’re building these environments and having these moments, we’re trying to essentially create a moment and not override what the film is trying to accomplish, and that’s hugely important for us is for people coming in and seeing the film for the first time,” he said of paying homage to Chris Columbus’ singular adaptation. “So we want to make sure that they get the intent of the film. And what we’re doing is we’re trying to put you guys in that moment so you can feel it a little bit more and experience it a little bit more.”
The Harry Potter 25th Anniversary presentation is part of a series that also features screenings of other iconic Warner Bros. movies, such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and The Matrix. When asked about future films, Cosm representatives shared, “We really do look at different genres of movies. I mean, that’s one of the most incredible things that we get to do at Cosm. Really being able to be a media and technology company that’s reinvigorating the way people see content. Two of the most popular pieces of content in the world that people watch are sports and movies. And so to get that opportunity to really recreate or reinvigorate that is huge. So we do look at the genre opportunities. Matrix could not have been a more perfect selection. Really bridging the physical and the digital and questioning what’s real. It was a great way to kick off experiential cinema. And then we really took a 54-year-old film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, in shared reality, and it was like finding your inner child again. With Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in shared reality, it is that nostalgia. We really want to celebrate these amazing films. And it’s a really great compliment, you know, to the industry that we’re celebrating these classic films and bringing people back together again. So we keep looking at that opportunity, like what have we not done next? So, you know, stay tuned.”
This lineup offers a fantastic opportunity for fans to experience their favorite films in a new and exciting way with curated menus of their own to enhance the immersive nature of Cosm. For more info, visit www.cosm.com.
