The Harry Potter film series is based on the seven Harry Potter novels by British author J. K. Rowling. When complete, the series will consist of eight fantasy-adventure films, due to the final book being split into two feature-length parts.[6][7]
The franchise is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, produced by David Heyman, and starsDaniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as the three main characters, Harry Potter,Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger respectively. When not adjusted for inflation, the series is the highest grossing film series of all time, with over 6 billion dollars in worldwide receipts. Currently, the series consists of seven motion pictures all of which (unadjusted for inflation) are on the all time list of 30 highest-grossing films worldwide, with the first and seventh films among the top ten.[8]
The final instalment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is split into two feature-length parts. Part 1 was released in November 2010, while Part 2 is currently in post-production and is set to be released in July 2011.
Contents
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* 1 Origins
* 2 Production
o 2.1 Directors
o 2.2 Scripts
o 2.3 Cast and crew
o 2.4 Cinematography
o 2.5 Editing
o 2.6 Music
o 2.7 Visual effects
o 2.8 Final filming
* 3 Plot
o 3.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
o 3.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
o 3.3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
o 3.4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
o 3.5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
o 3.6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
o 3.7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
+ 3.7.1 Part 1 (2010)
+ 3.7.2 Part 2 (2011)
* 4 Release
o 4.1 Reception
+ 4.1.1 Review aggregate results
+ 4.1.2 Accolades
o 4.2 Box office
* 5 References
* 6 External links
Origins
Late in 1997, film producer David Heyman's London offices received a copy of the first book in what would become Rowling's series of seven Harry Potter novels. The book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was relegated to a low-priority bookshelf, where it was discovered by a secretary who read it and gave it to Heyman with a positive review. This fateful act influenced Heyman, who had originally disliked "the rubbish title", to read the book himself. Highly impressed by Rowling's work, he began the process that was to lead to one of the most successful franchises in movie history.[9]
Heyman's enthusiasm led to Rowling's 1999 sale of the film rights for the first four Harry Potterbooks to Warner Brothers for a reported £1 million (US$2,000,000).[10] A demand Rowling made was that the principal cast be kept strictly British, allowing nevertheless for the inclusion of many Irish actors such as the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and for casting of French and Eastern European actors in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire where characters from the book are specified as such.[11] Rowling was hesitant to sell the rights because she "didn't want to give them control over the rest of the story" by selling the rights to the characters, which would have enabled Warner Brothers to make non-author-written sequels.[12]
Although Steven Spielberg initially negotiated to direct the first film, he declined the offer.[13]Spielberg wanted the adaptation to be an animated film, with American actor Haley Joel Osment to provide Harry Potter's voice.[14] Spielberg contended that, in his opinion, there was every expectation of profit in making the film, and that making money would have been like "shooting ducks in a barrel. It's just a slam dunk. It's just like withdrawing a billion dollars and putting it into your personal bank accounts. There's no challenge".[15] In the Rubbish Bin section of her website, Rowling maintains that she has no role in choosing directors for the films, writing "Anyone who thinks I could (or would) have 'veto-ed' him [Spielberg] needs theirQuick-Quotes Quill serviced."[16] After Spielberg left, talks began with other directors, including:Chris Columbus, Terry Gilliam, Jonathan Demme, Mike Newell, Alan Parker, Wolfgang Petersen, Rob Reiner, Tim Robbins, Brad Silberling, and Peter Weir.[17] Petersen and Reiner then both pulled out of the running in March 2000.[18] It was then narrowed down to Silberling, Columbus, Parker and Gilliam.[19] Rowling's first choice was Terry Gilliam.[20] However on 28 March 2000 Columbus was appointed as director of the film, with Warner Bros. citing his work on other family films such as Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire as influences for their decision.[21]
“ Harry Potter is the kind of timeless literary achievement that comes around once in a lifetime. Since the books have generated such a passionate following across the world, it was important to us to find a director that has an affinity for both children and magic. I can't think of anyone more ideally suited for this job than Chris [Columbus]. ”
— Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Warner Bros.[21]
Steve Kloves was selected to write the screenplay for the first film. He described adapting the book as "tough", as it did not "lend itself to adaptation as well as the next two books." Kloves was sent a "raft" of synopses of books proposed as film adaptations, with Harry Potter being the only one that jumped out at him. He went out and bought the book, and became an instant fan. When speaking to Warner Bros. he stated that the film had to be British, and had to be true to the characters.[22] David Heyman was selected to produce the film.[21] Rowling received a large amount of creative control for the film, an arrangement that Columbus did not mind.[23]
Warner Bros. had initially planned to release the first film over the 4 July 2001 weekend, making for such a short production window that several of the originally proposed directors had pulled themselves out of the running. Eventually, due to time constraints the date was put back to 16 November 2001.[24]
Production
David Heyman has produced all the films in the franchise with his company Heyday Films, while David Barron joined the series as an executive producer on Chamber of Secrets andGoblet of Fire. He was later appointed producer on the last three instalments. Chris Columbus was an executive producer on the first two films alongside Mark Radcliffe and Michael Barnathan, but became a producer on the third film alongside Heyman and Radcliffe. Tanya Seghatchian was executive producer on the third and fourth films, with Lionel Wigram joining the team on the final three instalments. Author of the series, J. K. Rowling, was asked to become a producer on Goblet of Fire, but declined. However, she accepted the role on the two-part Deathly Hallows as producer David Heyman said that "things were coming to an end and she wanted to put her stamp on it."[25][26] Heyday Films and Columbus' company 1492 Picturescollaborated with Duncan Henderson Productions in 2001, Miracle Productions in 2002 and P of A Productions in 2004. Even though Prisoner of Azkaban was the final film produced by 1492 Pictures, Heyday Films continued with the franchise and collaborated with Patalex IV Productions in 2005. The sixth film in the series, Half-Blood Prince, was the most expensive film to produce. The seventh instalment, Deathly Hallows, was split into two feature-length parts by Warner Bros. as they thought it would "do justice to all the words and ideas in the amazing story." The two parts were filmed back-to-back from early 2009 until mid 2010. Heyman stated that Deathly Hallows was "shot as one film" during production, but is released in two feature-length parts.[27]
Directors
After Chris Columbus had finished working on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, he was hired to direct the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The production started within a week after the release of the first film. Columbus was set to direct all seven entries in the series,[28] however he did not want to return for the third film as he claimed he was "burned out".[29] He moved to the position of producer, while Alfonso Cuarón was approached for the role of director instead. He was initially nervous about directing the instalment as he had not read any of the books or seen the films. After reading the series, he changed his mind and signed on to direct as he had immediately connected to the story.[30] David Heyman found that "tonally and stylistically, [Cuarón] was the perfect fit."
Leavesden Film Studios, Hertfordshire, England.
Main base of Harry Potter filming.
Because production of the fourth instalment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, had to be initiated before the worldwide release of the third film, Mike Newell was selected to be the director. During production of this adaptation, director David Yates visitedLeavesden Film Studios to observe filming as he was set to helm the next entry in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In an interview with The Observer, Yates explained how he got the job of director, saying that "David Heyman, who produces the Harry Potter films, was a big fan of the TV work I'd done. There were certainly other directors in the frame, such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who directed Amélie. But as Order of the Phoenix is quite edgy and emotional, and it's got a political backstory, the studio saw a fit with me. I think they wanted to wake it up a bit, make it real."[31] Yates also directed Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathy Hallows. Heyman commented on the directing style of Yates, remarking that he is "a great director with a keen visual sense who fills each frame with humanity and compassion for his characters."[32]
Heyman also commented on the "generosity of the directors" by revealing that "Chris spent time with Alfonso, Alfonso spent time with Mike and Mike spent time with David, showing him an early cut of the film, talking through what it means to be a director and how they went about it and any sort of titbits that they can pass on. And it’s a really collegial and supportive environment between directors, but also I think within Leavesden itself."[33]
Actor Daniel Radcliffe explored the style of all the directors in the series, saying that "he [David Yates] took the charm of the films that Chris [Columbus] made and the visual flair of everything that Alfonso [Cuarón] did and the thoroughly British, bombastic nature of the film directed by Mike Newell and he's added his own sense of grit and realism to it that perhaps wasn’t there so much before."[34] With the exception of Columbus, each director has made a cameo appearance in their respective film: Alfonso Cuarón appears as a wizard holding a candle at The Three Broomsticks in Prisoner of Azkaban; Mike Newell is heard briefly as the radio presenter in Frank Bryce's house in Goblet of Fire; and David Yates features as a wizard within a magical moving portrait located in the Grand Staircase Tower in Order of the Phoenix. David Heyman also makes a cameo appearance as a wizard featured within a magical moving portrait on the DVD of the third film, Prisoner of Azkaban.
Scripts
Steve Kloves wrote the screenplays for all but the fifth film. He had direct assistance of Rowling, though she allowed Kloves what he described as "tremendous elbow room". Rowling once asked Kloves to keep being faithful to the books,[35] thus the plot and tone of each film and its corresponding book are virtually the same, albeit some changes and omissions for purposes of cinematic style, time and budget constraints. Michael Goldenberg penned the fifth instalment as Kloves was unavailable due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
In an interview with
FirstShowing.net, David Heyman briefly explained the book-to-film transition. He commented on Rowling's involvement in the series, stating that she understands that "books and films are different" and is "the best support" a producer could have. Rowling has overall approval on the scripts, which are discussed by the director and the producers. Heyman also said that Kloves is the "key voice" in the process as he "breaks down" the novels and, as of the third film, the filmmakers decided to focus on Harry's journey as a character, giving the film a structure which meant that certain things needed to be left out. However, he stated that "there is a reason why these things are left out" and some fans "don't necessarily understand the adaptation process". He went on to say that the filmmakers would love to "have everything" from the books in the films, but noted that it is not possible as they have "neither time or cinematic structure" to do so. He finished by saying that "there's always tough decisions on what we leave in and what we leave out" and that "it's a really considered process."[36]
Cast and crew
See also: List of Harry Potter cast members
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson
In 2000, after a seven month search, lead actor Daniel Radcliffe was discovered by producer David Heyman and writer Steve Kloves seated just behind them in a theater. In Heyman's own words, "There sitting behind me was this boy with these big blue eyes. It was Dan Radcliffe. I remember my first impressions: He was curious and funny and so energetic. There was real generosity too, and sweetness. But at the same time he was really voracious and with hunger for knowledge of whatever kind."
Radcliffe had already established himself as an actor in the 1999 BBCtelevision production of David Copperfield in which he played the title role's childhood years. Heyman convinced Radcliffe's parents to allow him to audition for the part of Harry Potter, which involved Radcliffe being filmed. (Heyman has stated in an L.A. Times interview that this historic screen test of Radcliffe will be released as bonus material on a subsequentHarry Potter DVD.[9]) Rowling was enthusiastic after viewing Radcliffe's filmed test, saying she didn't think there was a better choice for the part of Harry Potter.[9][37]
Also in 2000, the unknown British actors Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were selected from thousands of auditioning children to play the roles of Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, respectively. Prior to their being chosen, their only previous acting experience was in school plays. Grint was eleven years old and Watson ten at the time they were cast.[38]
L.A. Times writer Geoff Boucher, who conducted the above-mentioned interview with Heyman, added that the casting of the three major roles "is especially impressive in hindsight. The trio's selection was arguably one of the best show-business decisions over the past decade... they have shown admirable grace and steadiness in the face of teen superstardom."[9][37]
Aside from the three lead actors, other notable cast members include Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape,Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall, and Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. Richard Harris, who played the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore, passed away on 25 October 2002 causing the role to be re-cast for the third instalment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. David Heyman and director Alfonso Cuarón chose Michael Gambon to portray the character of Dumbledore, which he did for all succeeding films. Notable recurring cast members include Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, Brendan Gleesonas Alastor Moody, Richard Griffiths as Vernon Dursley, Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge, Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy, Gary Oldman asSirius Black, Fiona Shaw as Petunia Dursley, Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew, David Thewlis as Remus Lupin, Emma Thompson as Sybill Trelawney, Julie Walters as Molly Weasley, and Mark Williams as Arthur Weasley.
Significant guest actors in the films include Julie Christie as Madam Rosmerta, John Cleese as Nearly Headless Nick, Christian Coulson as the teenage Lord Voldemort, Ian Hart as Quirinus Quirrell, John Hurt as Ollivander, Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood, Peter Mullan asYaxley, Bill Nighy as Rufus Scrimgeour, Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter, Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge, and David Tennant asBarty Crouch, Jr..
The series has seen many returning crew members from various departments, including: Stuart Craig, production designer; Nick Dudman, creature effects designer; Amanda Knight, make-up designer; Jany Temime, costume designer; Fiona Weir, casting director; Tim Burke, visual effects supervisor; Peter Doyle, digital film colourist; Greg Powell, stunt cooridnator; and David Holmes, stunt double.
Cinematography
There have been six different directors of photography in the franchise: John Seale worked on the first film; Roger Pratt on the second and fourth; Michael Seresin on the third; Slawomir Idziak on the fifth; Bruno Delbonnel on the sixth; and Eduardo Serra on both parts of the seventh. Delbonnel was considered to return for Deathly Hallows, however he declined and stated that he was "scared of repeating" himself.[39] Delbonnel's cinematography in Half-Blood Prince gained the series its only Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.
Editing
Along with continuous changes in cinematographers, there have been five film editors to work in post-production on the series: Richard Francis-Bruce edited the first instalment; Peter Honess did the second; Steven Weisberg did the third, Mick Audsley did the fourth; and Mark Day edited films five to seven.
Music
See also: Harry Potter music
John Williams.
The Harry Potter series has had four composers. John Williams was the first composer to enter the series and is known for creating the main melody in Hedwig's Theme, which is heard at the start of each instalment as well as throughout each film. Williams scored the first three Potter films: Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, andPrisoner of Azkaban. However, the second entry was adapted and conducted by William Ross due to Williams' conflicting commitments.
After Williams left the series, Patrick Doyle scored the fourth entry, Goblet of Fire. In 2006, Nicholas Hooper started work scoring Order of the Phoenix. Hooper also composed the soundtrack to Half-Blood Prince.
In January 2010, Alexandre Desplat was confirmed to produce the score for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.[40] The film's orchestration started in the summer with Conrad Pope, the orchestrator on the first three Potterfilms, collaborating with Desplat. Pope commented that the music is "exciting and vigorous" and "those who love melodies, harmonies and emotions in their film scores should be pleased. Reminds one of the old days."[41]
In late 2010, Warner Bros. Brazil announced John Williams would return to the series to score Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.[42] However, it was later said that the information was a 'mistake' and that a composer for Part 2 had not yet been selected.[43] In November 2010, the Warner Bros. website was updated to confirm that Part 1 composer, Alexandre Desplat, was set to return to score Part 2 of Deathly Hallows.[4][44] Director David Yates stated that he wanted Williams to return to the franchise, but their schedules did not align due to the urgent demand of a rough cut of the film sooner than was possible.[45]
Doyle, Hooper and Desplat introduced their own personal themes to their respective soundtracks, while keeping selections from John Williams' seminal melodies.
Visual effects
There have been many visual effects companies to work on the Harry Potter franchise. Some of these include Rising Sun Pictures, Double Negative, Cinesite, Framestore and Industrial Light & Magic. The latter three have worked on all the films in the series, while Double Negative and Rising Sun Pictures began their commitments with Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire respectively. Framestore contributed by developing many memorable creatures and sequences to the series.[46] Cinesite were involved in producing both miniature and digital effects for the films,[47] while other various companies evolved details, surroundings, locations, animation and computer generated characters.
Final filming
On 12 June 2010, filming of the last instalment was completed with actor Warwick Davis stating on his Twitter account, "The end of an Era - today is officially the last day of principal photography on 'Harry Potter' - ever. I feel honoured to be here as the director shouts cut for the very last time. Farewell Harry & Hogwarts, it's been magic!".[48] However, reshoots of the epilogue scene were confirmed to begin in the winter of 2010. The filming was completed on 21 December 2010, marking the official closure of filming the Harry Potter franchise.[49] Interestingly, exactly four years ago on that day, author J. K. Rowling's official website revealed the title of the final novel in the series - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.[50]
Plot
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
Known in the United States and India as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter is an orphaned boy brought up by his hostile aunt and uncle. At the age of eleven, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid informs him that he is actually a wizard. Harry finds out that his parents were murdered by the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Voldemort also attempted to kill one-year old Harry on the same night, but his killing curse mysteriously rebounded and reduced him to a weak and helpless form. Harry is an extremely famous wizard due to his uncanny survival and ventures into the Wizarding World where he begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and learns about magic, along with new friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. During the year, the trio become entangled in the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone which is being kept within the school.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to Hogwarts for their second year, which proves to be more challenging than the last. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, leaving students and ghosts petrified by an unleashed monster. Harry must face up to claims that he is the heir ofSalazar Slytherin (founder of the Chamber), learns that he can speak Parseltongue, and also discovers the properties of a mysterious diary only to find himself trapped within the Chamber of Secrets itself.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
Harry Potter's third year sees the boy wizard, along with his friends, attending Hogwarts School once again. Professor R. J. Lupin joins the staff as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, while convicted murderer Sirius Black escapes Azkaban Prison. The Ministry of Magicentrusts the Dementors of Azkaban to guard Hogwarts from Black. Harry learns more about his past and his connection with the escaped prisoner.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The Hall of Christ Church in Oxford, England, the inspiration for studio film set of the main hall ofHogwarts.[51]
Main article: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
During Harry's fourth year, the Dark Mark appears in the sky after a Death Eater attack at theQuidditch World Cup, Hogwarts plays host to a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament, there is a new DADA professor Alastor Moody and frequent nightmares bother Harry all year. Three European schools participate in the tournament, with three 'champions' representing each school in the deadly tasks. The Goblet of Fire chooses Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum andCedric Diggory to compete against each other. However, curiously, Harry's name is also produced from the Goblet making him a fourth champion, which results in a terrifying encounter with a re-born Lord Voldemort.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
Harry's fifth year begins with him being attacked by Dementors in Little Whinging. Later, he finds out that the Ministry of Magic is in denial of the fact that Lord Voldemort has returned. Harry is also beset by disturbing and realistic nightmares while Professor Umbridge, a representative of Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Therefore the rebellion involving the students of Hogwarts, secret organisationOrder of the Phoenix, the Ministry of Magic and the Death Eaters begins.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
In Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Lord Voldemort and hisDeath Eaters are increasing their terror upon the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. HeadmasterAlbus Dumbledore persuades his old friend and colleague Horace Slughorn to return to Hogwarts as a professor as there is a vacancy to fill - however, there is a more important reason for Slughorn's return. While in a Potions lesson, Harry Potter takes possession of a strangely annotated school textbook, inscribed 'This is the property of the Half-Blood Prince', which contains astonishing information. Meanwhile, Dumbledore and Harry secretly work together to discover the method on how to destroy Voldemort once and for all. And as romance and hormones lurk within the castle's walls all year, Draco Malfoy struggles to carry out a deed presented to him by the Dark Lord.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Main article: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (film)
Part 1 (2010)
After unexpected events at the end of the previous year, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are entrusted with a quest to find and destroy Lord Voldemort's secret to immortality - the Horcruxes. It is supposed to be their final year at Hogwarts, but the collapse of the Ministry of Magic and Voldemort's rise to power prevents them from attending. The trio undergo a long adventure with many obstacles in their path includingDeath Eaters, Snatchers, the mysterious Deathly Hallows and Harry's connection with the Dark Lord's mind becoming ever stronger.
Part 2 (2011)
After destroying one Horcrux and discovering the significance of the three Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron and Hermione continue to seek the other Horcruxes in an attempt to destroy Lord Voldemort. However, now that the Dark Lord has obtained the yet unbeatable Elder Wand, he aims to complete his final stage to ultimate power and launches an attack on Hogwarts School, where the trio return for one last stand against the dark forces that threaten to take over the Wizarding and Muggle worlds.
Release
The rights for the first four novels in the series were sold to Warner Bros. for £1,000,000 by J. K. Rowling. After the release of the fourth bookin July 2000, the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was released on 16 November 2001. The film grossed $90 million in theUnited States alone which set a record opening worldwide. The succeeding three motion picture adaptations followed suit in financial success, while garnering positive reviews from fans and critics. The fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released by Warner Bros. on 11 July 2007 in English-speaking countries, except for the UK and Ireland which released the movie on 12 July.[52] The sixth, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was released on 15 July 2009 to critical acclaim and finished its theatrical run ranked as the number two grossing film of 2009 on the worldwide charts. The final novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was split into two cinematic parts: Part 1 was released on 19 November 2010 and Part 2, the conclusion to both the final film and the series, is due out on 15 July 2011.[53] Part 1 was originally scheduled to be released in 3D and 2D,[54] but due to a delay in the 3D conversion process, Warner Bros.released the film only in 2D and IMAX cinemas. However, Part 2 will be released in 2D and 3D cinemas as originally planned.[55]
Reception
Main article: Critical response to the Harry Potter films
All the films have been a success financially and critically, making the franchise one of the major Hollywood tent-poles akin to James Bond,Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean. However, opinions of the films generally divide book fans, with some preferring the more faithful approach of the first two films, and others preferring the more stylised character-driven approach of the later films. Some also feel the series has a "disjointed" feel due to the changes in directors, as well as Michael Gambon's interpretation of Albus Dumbledore differing from that of Richard Harris'. Author J. K. Rowling has been constantly supportive of the films,[56][57][58] and evaluated Deathly Hallows as her favourite one in the series. She wrote on her website of the changes in the book-to-film transition, "It is simply impossible to incorporate every one of my storylines into a film that has to be kept under four hours long. Obviously films have restrictions - novels do not have constraints of time and budget; I can create dazzling effects relying on nothing but the interaction of my own and my readers' imaginations".[59]
Review aggregate results
Motion Picture Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic BFCA
Overall Top Critics
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 78% (184 reviews)[60] 75% (40 reviews)[61] 64 (35 reviews)[62] 90 (Critic's Choice)[63]
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 83% (200 reviews)[64] 69% (39 reviews)[65] 63 (35 reviews)[66] 84 [67]
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 90% (230 reviews)[68] 90% (42 reviews)[69] 82 (40 reviews)[70] 84 [71]
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 88% (217 reviews)[72] 89% (36 reviews)[73] 81 (38 reviews)[74] 87 (Critic's Choice)[75]
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 78% (234 reviews)[76] 68% (41 reviews)[77] 71 (37 reviews)[78] 82 [79]
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 83% (251 reviews)[80] 88% (41 reviews)[81] 78 (36 reviews)[82] 87 (Critic's Choice)[83]
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 79% (238 reviews)[84] 72% (39 reviews)[85] 65 (42 reviews)[86] 87 (Critic's Choice)[87]
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 TBA TBA TBA TBA
Average Ratings 83% 79% 72 89
Accolades
The film series as a whole has not won any Academy Awards, however five films in the franchise have been nominated.
Motion Picture Academy Award Academy Award nominee Academy Award ceremony
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Original Score Stuart Craig and Stephanie McMillan
Judianna Makovsky
John Williams 74th Academy Awards
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Best Original Score
Best Visual Effects John Williams
Roger Guyett, Tim Burke, John Richardson and Bill George 77th Academy Awards
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Best Art Direction Stuart Craig and Stephanie McMillan 78th Academy Awards
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Best Cinematography Bruno Delbonnel 82nd Academy Awards
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Part 1 Best Art Direction
Best Visual Effects Stuart Craig and Stephanie McMillan
Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi 83rd Academy Awards
Some critics, fans and general audiences have expressed disappointment of the fact that the franchise has not gained any Oscar awards for its efforts.[88][89] Despite this, the series has won many other awards including success at the Saturn Awards, Art Directors Guild Awards,Grammy Awards and the annual BAFTA Awards.
Philosopher's Stone achieved seven BAFTA Award nominations including Best British Film and Best Supporting Actor for Robbie Coltrane.[90]The film was also nominated for eight Saturn Awards and won for its costumes design.[91] It was also nominated at the Art Directors Guild Awards for its production design[92] and received the Broadcast Film Critics Award for Best Live Action Family Film along with gaining two other nominations.[93] Chamber of Secrets won the award for Best Live Action Family Film in the Phoenix Film Critics Society. It was nominated for seven Saturn Awards including Best Director and Best Fantasy Film. The film was nominated for four BAFTA Awards and a Grammy Award for John Williams' score. Prisoner of Azkaban won an Audience Award at the BAFTA Awards, as well as Best Feature Film. The film also won a BMI Film Music award along with being nominated at the Grammy Awards, Visual Effect Society Awards and the Amanda Awards. Goblet of Fire won a BAFTA award for Best Production Design as well as being nominated at the Saturn Awards, Critic's Choice Awards and the Visual Effects Society Awards. Order of the Phoenix picked up three awards at the inaugural ITV National Movie Awards.[94] At the Empire Awards, the film won Best Film and David Yates won Best Director.[95] Composer Nicholas Hooper received a nomination for a World Soundtrack Discovery Award for his score to the film.[96] The film was nominated at the BAFTA Awards, but did not win for Best Production Design or Best Special Visual Effects.[97] Half-Blood Prince was nominated for BAFTA Awards in Production Design and Visual Effects,[90] and was in the longlists for five other categories, including Best Supporting Actor for Alan Rickman.[98] Amongst other nominations and wins, the film also achieved Best Family Movie at the National Movie Awards as well as Best Live Action Family Film at the Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards, along with being nominated for Best Motion Picture at the Satellite Awards.
Box office
As of 2010, the Harry Potter film franchise is the highest grossing film franchise of all time, with the six films released prior to November 2010 grossing $5.4 billion worldwide. Without adjusting for inflation, this is higher than the 22 James Bond films and the six films in the Star Warsfranchise.[99]
List indicator(s)
* (A) indicates the adjusted totals based on current ticket prices (calculated by Box Office Mojo).
Motion Picture Release date Revenue Rank Budget Reference
Worldwide United Kingdom North America (appx. ticket sales) Outside North America All time worldwide All time United Kingdom All time North America (adjusted)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 16 November 2001 $974,733,550 £66,096,060 $317,575,550
(55,913,000)
$657,158,000 #8 #5 #26
(#67) $125,000,000 [100][101][101][102]
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 14 November 2002 $878,643,482 £54,780,731 $261,988,482
(45,093,000)
$616,655,000 #20 #10 #51
(#116) $100,000,000 [102][103][104]
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 31 May 2004 $795,634,069 £45,615,949 $249,541,069
(40,184,000)
$546,093,000 #29 #22 #63
(#149) $130,000,000 [102][105]
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 18 November 2005 $895,921,036 £48,328,854 $290,013,036
(45,244,000)
$605,908,000 #17 #19 #44
(#113) $150,000,000 [102][106][107]
Harry Potter and the Order ofthe Phoenix 11 July 2007 $938,212,738 £49,136,969 $292,004,738
(42,443,000)
$646,208,000 #10 #17 #41
(#132) $150,000,000 [102][108][109]
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 15 July 2009 $933,959,197 £50,713,404 $301,959,197
(40,261,000)
$632,000,000 #12 #15 #35
(#147) $250,000,000 [102][110][111]
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 19 November 2010 $945,823,492 £51,970,278 $292,223,492
(36,758,000)
$653,600,000 #10 #12 #41
(#184) Less than $250 million(official) [102][112][113]
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 15 July 2011 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Total $6,362,927,564 £357,242,407 $2,005,305,564 $4,357,622,000
$1,155,000,000
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