Which film was the first adaptation of a J.K. Rowling Harry Potter novel?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the first film adaptation of a J.K. Rowling Harry Potter novel.

Directed by Chris Columbus, the film was released in 2001 and adapted Rowling’s 1997 debut novel. Daniel Radcliffe played Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. The three actors became the central on-screen trio for the film series.

The movie was titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the United States and some other markets. The change reflected an early American publishing decision, so both titles refer to the same first story rather than two separate films.

The adaptation introduced major locations, characters, and magical concepts that continued through the later movies. Its success established a film franchise consisting of eight movies, because the final novel was divided into two parts.