Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: A Box Office Sensation

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, later released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in some countries, was a massive success upon its release in 2001. The film became the highest-grossing film of that year, with a worldwide box office total of $974 million during its initial run. When re-releases are included, the total gross exceeds $1 billion.

The film premiered on November 16, 2001, in the United States, Canada, Taiwan, and officially in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Before its wide release, there were two days of previews in the UK and Ireland on November 10-11, 2001.

Filming took place at Leavesden Film Studios and various historic locations across the UK from September 2000 to March 2001. J.K. Rowling was adamant that the entire cast be British and Irish, with the three main leads chosen in August 2000 after open casting calls. Chris Columbus was selected to direct the film from a shortlist of potential directors, which included Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner.

Warner Bros. Pictures acquired the rights to the book in 1999 for £1 million ($1.65 million). The story follows Harry Potter's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers his true identity as a famous wizard and begins his formal magical education.

The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. It is the inaugural installment in the beloved Harry Potter film series, based on J.K. Rowling's 1997 novel of the same name.

Sorcerer's stone