HARRY POTTER

HARRY POTTER

The Harry Potter film series is based on the Harry Potter novels by the British author J. K. Rowling. Distributed by Warner Bros., the series consists of eight fantasy films beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and culminating with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011).

The film franchise is produced by David Heyman and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as the three leading characters, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Four directors have worked on the series: Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell and David Yates. When not adjusted for inflation, the series is the highest grossing film series of all time, with over 6 billion dollars in worldwide receipts. Currently, the series consists of seven motion pictures all of which (unadjusted for inflation) are on the all time list of 30 highest-grossing films worldwide.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final novel in the series, is split into two feature-length parts. Part 1 was released in November 2010 and Part 2 will be released on 15 July 2011

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
Known in the United States and India as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Directed by Chris Columbus. Harry Potter is an orphaned boy brought up by his hostile aunt and uncle. At the age of eleven, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid informs him that he is actually a wizard. Harry finds out that his parents were murdered by the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Voldemort also attempted to kill one-year old Harry on the same night, but his killing curse mysteriously rebounded and reduced him to a weak and helpless form. Harry is an extremely famous wizard due to his uncanny survival and ventures into the Wizarding World where he begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and learns about magic, along with new friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. During the year, the trio become entangled in the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone which is being kept within the school.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)

Directed by Chris Columbus. Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to Hogwarts for their second year, which proves to be more challenging than the last. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, leaving students and ghosts petrified by an unleashed monster. Harry must face up to claims that he is the heir of Salazar Slytherin (founder of the Chamber), learns that he can speak Parseltongue, and also discovers the properties of a mysterious diary only to find himself trapped within the Chamber of Secrets itself.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Harry Potter's third year sees the boy wizard, along with his friends, attending Hogwarts School once again. Professor R. J. Lupin joins the staff as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, while convicted murderer Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban Prison. The Ministry of Magic entrusts the Dementors of Azkaban to guard Hogwarts from Black. Harry learns more about his past and his connection with the escaped prisoner.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)

Directed by Mike Newell. During Harry's fourth year, the Dark Mark appears in the sky after a Death Eater attack at the Quidditch World Cup, Hogwarts plays host to a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament, there is a new DADA professor Alastor Moody and frequent nightmares bother Harry all year. Three European schools participate in the tournament, with three 'champions' representing each school in the deadly tasks. The Goblet of Fire chooses Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum and Cedric Diggory to compete against each other. However, curiously, Harry's name is also produced from the Goblet making him a fourth champion, which results in a terrifying encounter with a re-born Lord Voldemort.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
Directed by David Yates. Harry's fifth year begins with him being attacked by Dementors in Little Whinging. Later, he finds out that the Ministry of Magic is in denial of Lord Voldemort's return. Harry is also beset by disturbing and realistic nightmares while Professor Umbridge, a representative of Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, is the new DADA teacher. Therefore the rebellion involving the students of Hogwarts, secret organisation Order of the Phoenix, the Ministry of Magic and the Death Eaters begins.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)

Directed by David Yates. In Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters are increasing their terror upon the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Albus Dumbledore persuades his old friend and colleague Horace Slughorn to return to Hogwarts as a professor as there is a vacancy to fill. However, there is a more important reason for Slughorn's return. While in a Potions lesson, Harry takes possession of a strangely annotated school textbook, inscribed 'This is the property of the Half-Blood Prince', which contains astonishing information. Meanwhile, Dumbledore and Harry secretly work together to discover the method on how to destroy Voldemort once and for all. As romance and hormones lurk within the castle's walls all year, Draco Malfoy struggles to carry out a deed presented to him by the Dark Lord.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

Directed by David Yates. After unexpected events at the end of the previous year, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are entrusted with a quest to find and destroy Lord Voldemort's secret to immortality - the Horcruxes. It is supposed to be their final year at Hogwarts, but the collapse of the Ministry of Magic and Voldemort's rise to power prevents them from attending. The trio undergo a long adventure with many obstacles in their path including Death Eaters, Snatchers, the mysterious Deathly Hallows and Harry's connection with the Dark Lord's mind becoming ever stronger.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
Main article: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

Directed by David Yates. After destroying one Horcrux and discovering the significance of the three Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron and Hermione continue to seek the other Horcruxes in an attempt to destroy Lord Voldemort. However, now that the Dark Lord has obtained the yet unbeatable Elder Wand, he aims to complete his final stage to ultimate power and launches an attack on Hogwarts School, where the trio return for one last stand against the dark forces that threaten to take over the Wizarding and Muggle worlds.