J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter film series began in 2001.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released in 2001, with Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. Chris Columbus directed the first film, which adapted Rowling’s debut novel.
The movie was produced by Warner Bros. and became a major international success. Its release established the visual version of Hogwarts, its characters and its magical world for a global cinema audience. The films continued through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011.
The American release used the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, just as the American edition of the novel did. That title difference can make the first film’s name appear inconsistent, but the release year remains 2001 in both markets. The film series contains eight movies because the final novel was divided into two parts.