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SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. announced today that the Harry Potter film series has become the most successful movie franchise in history, based on worldwide box office returns.
According to the official press release:
With the success of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter films have now become, worldwide, the top-grossing motion picture franchise in history. The announcement was made today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Alan Horn, President & Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.
The combined worldwide box office gross for the five Harry Potter films to date is in excess of $4.47 billion, surpassing the box office totals of all 22 James Bond films and the six Star Wars movies.
This impressive record comes even as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is still going strong in theatres around the globe, and with two more highly anticipated Harry Potter films -- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- still in the offing.
In addition to holding the franchise box office record, all five of the Harry Potter films have the distinction of being among the 20 top-grossing box office hits of all time.
In making the announcement, Alan Horn said, "It would be an understatement to say we are proud of the success of the Harry Potter films. We also want to congratulate all of the extraordinary actors, filmmakers and artists who have shared this remarkable cinematic journey with us."
Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, said, "It is a thrill to see the Harry Potter franchise reach this unparalleled mark, and, with two movies yet to come, it is amazing to think what heights the franchise could reach by the end of the decade."
Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, Warner Bros. Pictures President of International Distribution, added, "This worldwide box office record once again proves that the appeal of the Harry Potter movies knows no border, no age limit, and no language barrier. Each of the five films has captured the hearts and sparked the imagination of audiences everywhere."
The next Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, will open on November 21, 2008. The seventh and final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is planned for a 2010 release.
[Editor's note: There are actually only 21 James Bond films currently in release, not 22 as the press release states. (Thanks, Darin.)]
Congratulations to Warner Bros. and to all the fans for achieving this level of success.
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Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
The most successful movie franchise in history? wow! Congratulations to all!!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 7:56 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
Congratultaions to HP but the statistics are flawed as it counts box office takings. Obviously the price of a cinema ticket cost a lot more today than it did 30 years ago for the first star Wars film, or 40 years ago when the Bond movies started.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 8:49 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1657
CharmedPotter says:
This is really good news! I'm so happy for all the actors and production team! Let us hope that the remaining two films make the current success be an even bigger one.
Keep it going!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 9:14 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8934
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
No surprise here. There are seven full books and the series was wildly successful by any measure. So how could movies (which have been cast and done well) do anything else?
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 9:33 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
Well, duh!!
Seriously though, that really does not surprise me. I'm wondering if they are combining any type of merchandising stuff, soundtracks, etc., or if it is only the movies (in the theater and on DVD). It's really cool, nonetheless!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 9:51 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2445
Rebel says:
I think that it is great but I also have to agree with kazooe, manfred and school governor's posts.
It would be nice to know if those numbers reflect just a total, or if the numbers (for Star Wars and James Bond) have been adjusted for inflation. (Usually they do adjust for inflation, but it would still be nice to know).
You also have to factor in that movies now open to many more screens than they did in the 1960's-1980's, and because of the popularity of multiplex theaters they can keep the films playing longer. From what I could find in doing a quick search, when the original Star Wars movie opened, it played on fewer than 40 screens. The last Harry Potter film opned on more than 40 screens in my hometown alone.
Finally, I think that I remember learning that people have more disposable income now than they did in the 60's, meaning that you can go see the same show a second time
I am not trying to downplay the success, just want to make a point that we are not truely comparing apples to apples. (Though to be fair, we are not comparing apples to oranges either).
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 9:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1827
Lady Leo says:
Yay Harry Potter!!! My brother is a huge Star Wars fan [i enjoy it too] but i like HP more. And hes like HP is stupid, blah, blah, blah and it wont ever do as good as Star Wars. But i just texted him saying that five HP movies have done better than six star wars movies and 22 bond films. haha.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 10:15 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2645
Tokio Hotel Fan says:
Well that is really cool. I think that alot of this is of because of Jo and us we are so detacated to Harry Potter. We rock.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 10:24 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1759
JasmineBlack says:
I guess it's not suprising really... given that there are so many HP fans out there. And lets face it, who doesn't like seeing their favourite characters come to life on the big screen?!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 10:44 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
WOW!!! That is great news. I had no idea it would already beat Star Wars. I can't wait to see the next 2 movies.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 10:45 AM EST
St. Mungo's little helper
Points: 2466
Manfred says:
Rebel... It's good to have someone that agrees...
I just want to add that I don't mean to minimize the succes of OotP either(although I still think it was a crappy movie :))
I just want to know wether it's true or not...
*Manny out*
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 11:14 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1054
dracolady says:
It's really good to see the Harry Potter movies are so successful. Though it isn't surprising, considering how successful the books too, are all over the world. It's really amazing, the mania that Harry Potter has created. I don't think that Rowling ever expected this when she first started writing the Harry Potter books. All she wanted, was some money to survive on, and she got much more than what she expected.
Also, with each movie or book, new Harry Potter fans are created - people who were perhaps too young to appreciate the series when it first began, are being drawn by the hype.
Even when the final movie is released, I don't think Harry Potter will ever die. It's a series that can live on forever, and will become a timeless classic.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 11:42 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
GeeMessy says:
WOW!
This makes me proud to be a Harry Potter fan.
I think this honor is all because of the fans
Congrats everyone!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 3:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 993
danradcliffelover says:
That is pretty amazing, I have to say! Not that I'm extremely surprised or anything, but this is definitely quite an accomplishment. WOOHOO! :)
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 3:34 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
You must take into consideration the fact that Harry Potter is not yet done; there are indeed two movies to be made, and, when those are over, the Potter Franchise will hold the flame far above its surroundings. That is just absolutely amazing! I wonder if the books hold the same record?
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 3:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1426
~Hermione says:
That's amazing! I am really happy for them all. Congratulations!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 4:31 PM EST
Witch
Points: 803
ShiningShina says:
Wow, that's amazing. Harry Potter films are truly ruling the industry. I can't wait to see what records the DH movie breaks.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 4:38 PM EST
Student
Points: 205
Mighty Joe says:
This is actually very skewed... Why?
Just take inflation.
In fact, far less people go to movies now than they used to.
But I don't mind HP being the most successful :D
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 4:46 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1085
Tao says:
They'd definitely even be more successful if they would actually learn to make characters canon and not always focus 100% on Harry. But it is an astounding feat considering!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 5:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 991
OffTheLoop says:
Oh man, that's fantastic! I wonder what the final gross will be at the end, considering the sales of tickets and merchadise and such after all the films are done! :)
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 6:25 PM EST
Squib
Points: 159
hpfan4lifexoxo says:
Woohoo! HP Rocks and totally deserves thiss!
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 8:02 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
EEEK!! Joy, Oh JOY! haha, this is Fantastic, I'm so happy right now.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 8:08 PM EST
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4116
Padfoot4387 says:
That is awesome. Surpassing Star Wars? That's quite a feat! So impressive!
And of course movies 6 & 7 will be so amazing that they only help along this record. :) I can't wait.
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 10:38 PM EST
Squib
Points: 120
tatiweasley says:
HAd to happen eventually with all us crazy fans out there to watch them... =)
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 11:12 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3070
Tikihaha says:
Of course! So happy to hear that Harry Potter films have been adapted so well and have reached such a huge global audience. I can only hope that the success of the films means that more children are inspired to read the books ...
Posted Sep 11, 2007 at 11:18 PM EST
Squib
Points: 117
sweetvanillamint01 says:
Once again, I'm not surprised. the series is something so major, it just can't be missed! I'm proud to call myself a fan.
Congratulations to everyone who has played a part in making the Potter series the most amazing, brilliant one in HISTORY! :) Keep it up, guys!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 7:07 AM EST
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