Chris Columbus directed the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, adapted from J.K. Rowling’s first novel.
Released in 2001, the film was the first screen adaptation of Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Daniel Radcliffe played Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. The production introduced the central trio and Hogwarts to a worldwide film audience.
The movie’s British title follows the novel’s original title, while it was released in the United States as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This title difference can make the film appear to be a separate entry, but the two versions refer to the same first Harry Potter movie.
Columbus also directed the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates directed later installments, so they are associated with the series but not with the first film.