I'm 26 years old and have never read or seen anything Harry Potter related. My guess is that people who love these movies or books started at a young age, and continue to watch them out of nostalgia.
But for someone like me, would it be worth my while?
You are right, nostalgia plays a huge factor in my enjoyment of the series, and is pretty much the only reason why I still watch the first two movies. I for one could never get into The Lord of the Rings universe, just not a fan of fantasy in general, but for some reason Harry Potter clicked with me. It's a cool series, watch the first one, and if you like it, watch 2 and 3. If by the third movie you still find yourself contemplating whether or not you should continue, then maybe it's just not for you, since many think it's the best one in the series and it changes a lot in tone compared to the first two. I also really like the direction the story takes from the 6th movie onwards.
shareI think age plays a huge part in whether we can get into something or not. How old were you when you first saw LOTR? I personally am a huge fan of those, but that's because I saw them just when they came out, when I was around 11-13. If I saw LOTR for the first time today, I would probably not even finish the first one.
shareI believe I watched the first one sometime between 2009~2010 which would make me around 13~14 years old. I tried watching it again last year, but turned it off halfway through. So yes, a good while after the trilogy was completed. I think there is a good chance I would have enjoyed it if I had watched it not long after the movies had come out, even if I didn't exactly love it.
sharePlenty of adults like Harry Potter. They are pretty dark for "childrens" stories.
The book essentially starts out with a boy who is abused and neglected by his guardians after a double murder of his parents. JKR has a wonderful sense of humor and charm that balances it out.
There are mysteries aplenty, characters so nuanced that you will care about just as much as your own family. I think everyone should read these books at least once in their lives.
I think I first read the entire book series just about 5 years back. I had seen up to that point all the films but for the Deathly Hallows duo, and 2 or 3 of the films several times several times just because I enjoy them.
As fine as the films are in terms of adaptations, in ways I almost prefer the books despite the fact that it took me about 7 months to get through the whole business once. Hell, I even read it twice just to make sure I didn't miss anything.
The book series for my nickel is one built for thinkers of all ages - the issues universal it seems.
JK Rowling is a bare 2 weeks older than I am, although I do try at least not to qualify as an adult more than 3 days a week if I can get away with it.
I saw one or 2 of the movies, then read the books about a year ago, and then went on to watch the all the films. It's worth reading and/or viewing in my opinion. Now I'm not a huge fan and, to be honest, didn't particluarly like Harry or many of the other characters. As an adult, you really have to set aside your disbelief much of the time. I frequently found myself questioning how children could be treated as they were, placed in such dangerous situations by supposedly responsible adulst, etc. If you can get past that and the unlikeable characters, it's an interesting story worth knowing. It's no Lord of the Rings, but it's entertaining.
shareI started reading these books in my 30s, at the insistence of my niece. I enjoyed breaking down the characters and plot points with her through the later books as they were release, and watched the movies with her. Even if you don't have someone to enjoy them with, they are quite interesting, though the later books get darker and more complex. And the corresponding films are EXCELLENT!! Hope this helps!
shareLots of adults enjoy the harry Potter books as well. For instance, ai remember reading that the actor Alec Guiness was enjoying one of the Harry Potter books just before he died,
shareI watched the series before reading the books, but my enjoyment grew after I read them. I would suggest reading the books as well.
shareI was 27 when the first HP-film arrived in theatres, and like you I have never read any of the books.
I saw it then, and LOVED it!
I continued to see them theatrically as they were released, and was 37 as 'Deathly Hallows pt 2' came out.
The best thing about them is that they grow along with its main three cast members, and presumably along with its intended target audience, which in the very first movie is quite obviously children (not that it isn't enjoyable for adults aswell, rather the opposite).
The second film is a bit darker, the third darker still.
By the time you get to the three last movies, they are no longer meant to be seen by children, and they are also very, VERY good!
I've seen the entire series probably four or five times so far, and I never lose interest in it, in the cast or in the story.
Up to you. I am in my 60's and I enjoy the HPS books for the great characters Rowling created. Fantasy, Magic Realism in Postmodern novels etc are a great genre, IMO. The plots and themes are formulated in HP, but that is ok. Good still beats evil and that is fine by me.
But if you are still at an age where you feel have to ask other people to validate your choices, maybe they aren't the books for you.
Nostalgia has very little to do with it.