J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone film was released in 2001. It was the first feature-film adaptation of Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.
Directed by Chris Columbus, the film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. It introduces the film versions of Hogwarts, the wizarding world and the central characters who continue through the later adaptations.
The film was produced by Warner Bros. and based on Rowling’s first novel, which had been published in 1997. Rowling was involved in the production and retained creative influence over important elements of the Wizarding World.
In the United States, the film was released under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The different subtitle refers to the same first film and comes from the US retitling of the novel. That regional title difference can make the release history seem like two separate films, but it was one 2001 production.