Which actor directed the first Harry Potter film adapted from J.K. Rowling’s novels?

Chris Columbus directed the first Harry Potter film adapted from J.K. Rowling’s novels.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released in 2001, with Columbus serving as director. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, with a large supporting cast including Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore.

Columbus also directed the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, released in 2002. He then remained involved as a producer on later entries, while different directors took over the series.

The directors are easy to confuse because the eight-film run used several filmmakers. Alfonso Cuarón directed the third film, Mike Newell directed the fourth, and David Yates directed the final four films. Columbus’s connection is specifically to the first two movies.