Harry Potter (film series)

Harry Potter is a film series based on the novels of the same names by author J.K. Rowling. The series was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. There are eight films based on Rowling's seven books.

In 1997, film producer David Heyman received a copy of the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (also referred to as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States). A secretary urged Heyman to read the book. Heyman fell in love with the story, and three years later, in the summer of 2000, J.K. Rowling's books became a sensation, and Heyman began his search for the lead actor to play the books' namesake, Harry Potter.

Heyman discovered Daniel Radcliffe in a theater. Heyman said that the child's blue eyes, energy, kindness, and humor were what drew him in. Heyman coaxed Radcliffe's parents into an audition. Shortly thereafter, Rupert Grint and Emma Watston were cast as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively.

In March of 2000, director Chris Columbus was selected to direct the first film, while Steve Kloves wrote the screenplay and Heyman produced it. Production for the film began in September of the same year and continued through to the filming of the final movie in December of 2010. Each film was made primarily at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, England, now a tourist destination.

Throughout the duration of the series' history, there were four directors: Columbus directed the first and second films, Alfonso Cuarón directed the third, Mike Newell directed the fourth, and David Yates directed the remaining four films.

Kloves and Michael Goldenberg, with assistance from Rowling, were the two screenwriters for the films. Rowling asked the writers to stay true to the books, and albeit for a few minor changes, the plot and tone of each film matched that of its book.

Stuart Craig was the production designer for every film, assisted by Stephenie McMillan. Hogwarts was originally a miniature, which was expanded and developed into a digital model. When production ended, many of the sets were rebuilt and transported for display at Leavesden.

There were a total of six directors of photography; however, Bruno Delbonnel was the only Academy Award nomination the series received.

John Williams was the first composer to work on the films and is known for being the creative behind the iconic Hedwig's Theme, recognized as the series' theme song. When Williams left the series, Patrick Doyle created the soundtrack for the fourth film, Nicholas Hooper made the soundtrack for the fifth film, and Alexandre Desplat created the final two.

Harry Potter is an orphaned boy brought up by his maternal muggle (non-magic) aunt and uncle. At nearly eleven years old, he is visited by a half-giant named Rubeus Hagrid, who informs him that he is a wizard and is enrolled at Hogwarts, a school of witchcraft and wizardry. Throughout the movie, Potter discovers the truth about himself, his family, and the evil that haunts the magical world in which he belongs.

In the second installment of the Harry Potter film series, the movie begins with Potter back at home with the Dursleys (his aunt, uncle, and cousin). Potter and his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, return to Hogwarts. The school's Chamber of Secrets has been opened, Potter discovers and reveals that he is the heir of Salazar Slytherin (founder of the Chamber) and he can speak Parseltongue (snake language).

The third movie opens with Harry Potter at the Dursley house, where he spends his summers between school. After being ridiculed, Harry leaves his muggle relatives. Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to Hogwarts for their third year of schooling, where they learn about the mystery surrounding the escaped Azkaban prisoner, Sirius Black, who poses a dangerous threat to Harry.

In his fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter finds himself a participant of a hazardous wizarding tournament between rival schools of magic. Throughout the movie, Harry is distracted by recurring nightmares while trying to strategize each of the three tasks of the tournament. The final task ends with Voldemort confronting Harry again.

As Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old book marked as "the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past. In the movie, Dumbledore prepares Harry for the ultimate final confrontation between him and the Dark Lord by informing him of the secret behind Voldemort's power.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron race through time and evil to destroy Horcruxes, objects created by the Dark Lord to hide a figment of his soul in order to become immortal.During their journey, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world.

In the final installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry, Ron, and Hermione search for the remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.