At $7.8 billion, the Harry Potter series is the fifth-highest-grossing film franchise in history and the most-watched franchise in television broadcast history. As of 2023, two of the eight films still rank in the top 50, including Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) at No. 49 and Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) at No. 16. Sorcerer’s Stone, 2005’s Goblet of Fire, and Deathly Hallows – Part 2 were the highest-grossing films in the year of their release, while the remaining five were in the top three.
It took ten years, two screenwriters, four directors, four composers, 208 actors, and an army of crew members to complete the Harry Potter series. Together, the films have been nominated for 28 BAFTAs (winning three), 5 Grammys, and 12 Academy Awards. As a whole, they have been recognized by the American Film Institute with a special award, by the Art Directors Guild for Contribution to Cinematic Imagery, and by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. In spite of all this, the series never won an Academy Award.
Filming for the series began in September 2000 and ended on December 21, 2010.
All eight films were produced by David Heyman.
Stuart Craig and Stephenie McMillan designed the sets for all eight films.
There are thirteen actors that have appeared in all eight films: Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint, Joshua Herdman, Matthew Lewis, Devon Murray, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Rickman, Geraldine Somerville, Emma Watson, and Bonnie Wright.
J.K. Rowling insisted that the principal cast be kept British and the films filmed in the UK. She was given a great deal of creative control.
There are a number of characters in the books who were left out of the movies, including Ludo Bagman, Professor Cuthbert Binns, Mr. Borgin, Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore, Marietta Edgecombe, Marvolo Gaunt, Merope Gaunt, Morfin Gaunt, the Muggle Prime Minister, Karkus, Augusta Longbottom, Peeves, twenty-something-year-old Tom Riddle, Hepzibah Smith, Ted Tonks, and Winky.
Together, the films are 19 hours, 39 minutes long.
Out of the films have emerged a group of young actors and actresses J.K. Rowling has deemed "The Big Seven": Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson.
Richard Harris - Albus Dumbledore (SS/CoS) (1930–2002)
Social:
MuggleNet Archive
Important Dates
December 2025
Tue,Dec23
Alison Sudol's birthday
Recurs yearly
Queenie Goldstein
Nick Moran's birthday
Recurs yearly
Scabior
Wed,Dec24
Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow
Recurs yearly
1997
Thu,Dec25
Harry discovers the Mirror of Erised
Recurs yearly
1991
Harry receives Firebolt
Recurs yearly
Harry receives his father's Invisibility Cloak
Recurs yearly
1991
Trio takes Polyjuice Potion
Recurs yearly
1992
Yule Ball
Recurs yearly
1994
Fri,Dec26
Harry follows the silver doe and finds the sword of Gryffindor; the locket is destroyed
Recurs yearly
1997
Sun,Dec28
Dame Maggie Smith's birthday
Recurs yearly
Minerva McGonagall
Trio visits Xenophilius and learns about the Deathly Hallows
Recurs yearly
1997
Mon,Dec29
Jude Law's birthday
Recurs yearly
Albus Dumbledore (FB)
MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.
Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.