It’s hard to imagine a world without Harry Potter. On 4 November, 2001, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone premiered in London. For a UK audience, it was actually called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and it was met with huge acclaim straight away.
The movie was the first film adaptation of the book series by J.K. Rowling, with the fantasy film being directed by Chris Columbus and written by Steve Kloves.
The film came four years after the release of the original novel in 1997, with Daniel Radcliffe playing the iconic Harry Potter and flanked by Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Grainger.
Columbus Chosen to Direct Ahead of Spielberg and Reiner
It was Warner Bros. Pictures who acquired the film rights to the book in 1999 for a reported $1.65 million according to Wikipedia. The production of the movie began in 2000 and Chris Columbus was given the directing role, apparently ahead of Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner.
The movie featured several household names and many would go on to appear in the many films that followed thereafter. Robbie Coltrane was ideal for the Rubeus Hagrid character, with Richard Harris rejecting the role of Albus Dumbledore only to be persuaded by his granddaughter to take it.
Alan Rickman performed as the unforgettable Severus Snape, with Maggie Smith serving as Minerva McGonagall, one of the few actors that Rowling insisted on having in the cast.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Smashes US Box Office Records
There were all kinds of records broken when the film was released in the United States. In the US and Canada, the movie made $32.3 million on the opening day, usurping Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace.
On day two of the US and Canada release, it broke the previous day’s record by grossing $33.5 million, with $90.3 million being generated during a first weekend which saw Jurassic Park’s record.
Sorceror’s Stone received three Academy Award nominations: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score for John Williams. It was the first of the most successful film franchise of all time.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
