Who directed the first Harry Potter film?

The first Harry Potter film was directed by Chris Columbus.

Columbus directed Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, released in 2001. The film adapts J.K. Rowling’s 1997 debut novel and introduces Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. Its story follows Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, where he discovers his magical heritage and confronts the mystery surrounding the Philosopher’s Stone.

Warner Bros. selected Columbus after considering a large group of filmmakers. Rowling reportedly preferred Terry Gilliam, but the studio chose Columbus partly because of his experience directing family-oriented films such as Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire. Columbus also directed the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, released in 2002.

The later films changed directors: Alfonso Cuarón made Prisoner of Azkaban, Mike Newell directed Goblet of Fire, and David Yates directed the final four films. That sequence explains why those names are sometimes confused with the director of the first instalment.