Based on J.K. Rowling’s 1997 debut novel, the film follows Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), an orphaned 11-year-old boy raised by his neglectful and abusive maternal aunt and uncle, the Dursleys.
On his eleventh birthday, a half-giant named Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) delivers a letter revealing that Harry is actually a wizard.
Harry leaves his mundane life behind to enrol at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
During his first year at the school, he befriends classmates Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), learns the truth about his past, including his global fame for surviving the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered his parents, and discovers a plot to steal the hidden Philosopher’s Stone – an ancient artefact capable of granting eternal life – which Voldemort seeks to use to restore his power.
The staff at Hogwarts include Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris), Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), and the menacing potions master Severus Snape (Alan Rickman).
The film grossed $974 million worldwide during its initial theatrical run, comfortably making it the highest-grossing film of 2001. It eventually surpassed the $1 billion mark through subsequent anniversary re-releases.
The film secured three Academy Award nominations (Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design) and seven BAFTA nominations.
Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe Ron Weasley
Rupert Grint Hermione Granger
Emma Watson Aunt Petunia Dursley Fiona Shaw Dudley Dursley Harry Melling Uncle Vernon Dursley Richard Griffiths Rubeus Hagrid Robbie Coltrane Albus Dumbledore
Richard Harris Professor McGonagall
Maggie Smith Professor Snape
Alan Rickman Madame Hooch
Zoë Wanamaker Professor Quirrell
Ian Hart Professor Flitwick
Warwick Davis Griphook
Verne Troyer Mr Ollivander
John Hurt He Who Must Not Be Named
Richard Bremmer Draco Malfoy
Tom Felton Crabbe
Jamie Waylett Goyle
Josh Herdman Lily Potter
Geraldine Somerville Mrs Weasley
Julie Walters Ginny Weasley
Bonnie Wright Percy Weasley
Chris Rankin Fred Weasley
James Phelps George Weasley
Oliver Phelps Baby Harry Potter
Saunders Triplets Neville Longbottom
Matthew Lewis Seamus Finnigan
Devon Murray Dean Thomas
Alfred Enoch The Sorting Hat
Leslie Phillips (voice) Susan Bones
Eleanor Columbus Nearly Headless Nick
John Cleese The Bloody Barron
Terence Bayler Fat Friar
Simon Fisher-Becker The Grey Lady
Nina Young Mr Filch
David Bradley Lee Jordan
Luke Youngblood Oliver Wood
Sean Biggerstaff Angelina Johnson
Danielle Tabor Alicia Spinnet
Leilah Sutherland Katie Bell
Emily Dale Adrian Pucey
David Holmes Marcus Flint
Will Theakston Terrence Higgs
Scot Fearn James Potter
Adrian Rawlins
Director
Chris Columbus
Video
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During his first year at the school, he befriends classmates Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), learns the truth about his past, including his global fame for surviving the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered his parents, and discovers a plot to steal the hidden Philosopher’s Stone – an ancient artefact capable of granting eternal life – which Voldemort seeks to use to restore his power.
