On 16 November 2001, eager audiences around the world settled into their seats as the first film in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was released (上映) in cinemas. It was a big moment in the history of this famous creation. The films and books are still hugely popular and are now attracting a new generation of fans.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first in a seven-book series was published in 1997. The series was written by J.K. Rowling. Although the books were written for young people, their themes made readers of all ages very interested. It became the world's biggest-selling book series and has sold more than 500 million copies globally in about 80 languages.
By 2001, the success of the books led to a film series and filmmakers brought the magical world to life on screen. The first Harry Potter film has made more than £760 million across the world. The eight films based on the books, as well as three spin-off (派生作品) movies released so far, have earned more than £9 billion in total.
Fans loved Harry Potter so much that their wizarding world moved beyond the page and screen to real-world experiences. The Making of Harry Potter studio tour in Watford, England allows fans to visit sound stages and hop on board the actual Hogwarts Express train used in the films. There are also The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks in the US, as well as in Osaka, Japan, and Beijing, China. Fans can ride Hagrid's motorbike, walk through the wizarding bank of Gringotts and buy a wand at Ollivanders Wand Shop.
After more than 20 years of magic, Harry's story continues. A stage show, Harry Potter :and the Cursed Child, has been a big hit in London's West End. There are other productions in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the US. The fourth film in the spin-off movie series Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will be released in 2024.