Midnight Premieres: Harry Potter VS. The Hunger Games

You've watched every trailer/interview/exclusive clip available and now it's finally time to don your wand/bow & arrow and head to the theater! #TeamKatPotter #DistrictGryffindor

1. Time - Harry Potter:

Midnight premieres started at MIDNIGHT! Only true fans could push off sleepy eyes, ignore bedtimes and have the privilege of staggering half-awake and fully satisfied to their cars in the wee hours of the morning.

1. Time - The Hunger Games:

Last year, the "midnight" premiere was at 10pm - which was just acceptable, since it got out past midnight. This year, the premiere for Catching Fire is at 8:30! Eight FREAKING Thirty! I'm sorry Katniss, does Effie have you on a curfew?

2. Seats - Harry Potter:

Back in the day (aka 2011), getting the best seats in the house was a right given only to those who had camped out all day in order to be first in line. I still have flashbacks of literally running up the carpeted ramp and scanning the rows of chairs in order to secure the best view (hint: go middle).

2. Seats - The Hunger Games:

AVX = assigned seating. "What's that? You have to work all day/pick up your kids/take a nap? No worries, seats are assigned. I'll see you at 8:25."

Note: assigned seating means you'll also have to deal with the asshats who steal seats and pretend they have no clue what you're talking about when you ask them to move.

3. Lines - Harry Potter:

Half the fun of HP premieres was standing in line (for hours) with your fan-filled brethren. Everyone cheered as you moved from one roped line to another (especially if the next roped line was indoors) and you could brag about how many people you were in front of. No stronger bond existed than the one between you and the dude who held your spot while you bee-lined to the bathroom. #NoButting

3. Lines - The Hunger Games:

See the seating issue above. Sure, theater staff may corral you into a roped off area and something resembling a line may form, but everyone knows it's just a formality.

4. Costumes - Harry Potter:

From the over-prepared (the truest Hagrid I ever saw was worn by a 5 foot Asian girl who, hand to God, could have been twins with Robbie Coltraine) to the last-minute (eye-liner lightning bolt scars and this twig I found as my wand), the Wizarding World is chalk-full of easily recognizable characters. If you couldn't pull together a costume (hint: your Catholic school uniform, some tape on those glasses & a bed-sheet as a cape will work), you had no business attending a premiere.

4. Costumes - The Hunger Games:

"What do you mean I don't look like Katniss? I'm wearing the khaki pants I wear every day and a faux-leather jacket I found in my closet! Look, I even put my hair in a braid!" Because it's that, or spending fortunes on authentic Capitol Couture (aka Lady Gaga hand-me-downs).

5. Memorabilia - Harry Potter:

My theater went bat-shit crazy when staff began selling/giving away all sorts of HP-approved merchandise. I'm talking wands, glasses, (plastic) snitches...

5. Memorabilia - The Hunger Games:

There's the Mockingjay pin. And then they're kind of out of options. "Who wants a bow and arrow? How about this loaf of burnt bread?"

6. Fandoms - Harry Potter:

"I always knew I was a Hufflepuff. Cedric Diggory is my god. I did every fake quiz online until Jo finally released Pottermore, which only confirmed what I already knew. Everything I own is yellow. This authentic Hufflepuff scarf is from the Wizarding World in Florida and I've been on the studio tour in London like 3 times!" 7 books and 8 movies of pure fandom gold.

6. Fandoms - The Hunger Games:

"I like to swim. Does that mean I'm from District 4? But wait, I don't want to die..."

7. Future Premieres - Harry Potter:

We had 8 wonderful midnight premieres, more than any other series in existence (according to my memory, not an actual fact). Unfortunately, there aren't any more in production (though rumours of a spin-off movie are working through the mill). But we can probably bank on anniversary marathon screenings and an eventual reboot where we'll tell our kids just how much better the originals were.

7. Future Premieres - The Hunger Games:

After this week's premiere, HG fans have two more "midnight" movies to look forward to. Unfortunately, the third book is the worst (a fact verified by my impeccable taste) and dragging out Peeta's "illness" may actually kill Peetniss-shippers. But still, three movies of JLaw kicking butt is better than none!

WINNER: Harry Potter!

Like it was ever really a competition. Potter premieres win, hands down. That's not to say you shouldn't be excited about tonight’s late afternoon premiere of Catching Fire #TeamEarlyBird

Reppin' #TeamEarlyBird