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'Harry Potter' movies become most successful film franchise worldwide 
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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Squib
Points: 165
Chantal Moonlight says:
I just knew Harry Potter would be on top!!! And with 2 more movies to go!! I really can't wait for movie 6 let alone movie 7!! All I can say is that I am super proud to be a Harry Potter fan!!
Posted Sep 15, 2007 at 4:44 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1547
Severus' Advocate says:
Wow, isn't that amazing? There's no shock really, but it's still great to hear it :D
I don't think anything will come close to the success of Harry Potter after this decades over, for a very long time. Harry Potter's made history in so many ways.
Posted Sep 15, 2007 at 9:45 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2325
mad_eye muggle says:
Awesome!Its actually not surprising,tht HP is the most sucessful franchise ever.It's an amazing film.Congrats to all the cast and crew of the HP movies.HP RULES!
Posted Sep 15, 2007 at 10:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
Thats awsome!!!
but it was to be expectied.
Posted Sep 16, 2007 at 12:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2073
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant, with all the FX and sceneries that were built and destroyed. The trailers made the movie very exciting to see. Upon see the movie, it was awesome and very mischief from the beginning until the end.
Posted Sep 16, 2007 at 8:47 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3190
HufflepuffActress says:
I have to wonder with two more Harry Potter movies to go how long it will take another movie to surpass HP? I doubt the next two movie will be any less successful.
I know at some point a another film series will have to surpass Harry Potter because “successful” is counted by money made not the number of tickets, VHS, DVD, rented, sold etcetera. Currently a ticket to see the film at a first-run movie theater will cost you roughly $8-$16. (With the exception of the dollar movie that has not been a dollar for some time) Truth be told movie theaters make much less profit on tickets that they do with soda, popcorn, and candy. I mention this only to give an example of profit. In fifty years a ticket to see a film will most likely $30-$60 (I am guessing rates due to the fact I do not know what the inflation will be.) While it will also take more to produce films than it does now, people will have to pay more to see them. Even if Studios make less profit percentage-wise the amount of money in dollars and cents will be more.
I do not doubt that in terms of tickets and money spent buy or renting films for Harry Potter is may be less than other film series due only to the fact that currently more films have been made of many of the above mentioned films than in the Harry Potter films to-date. While each of the films may not have sold as many tickets individually, together 21sell a lot of tickets. Also these films have been around longer so people have had more opportunities to see, rent, buy them.
Posted Sep 17, 2007 at 3:46 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3047
Anastasia Popovick says:
Not surprising to me. The movies are awesome! They have fans of all ages and other catagories.
Comparing the films to Bond isn't really fair. Some people only like certain actors as Bond. HP actors are consistant (thank God!). I do not enjoy any of the recent Bond films because I am not a fan of all the explosions and hightech drama. I like to use my imagination too. HP does that! As do the early Bond films...so not really a fair comparision but probably as close as you can get.
Posted Sep 18, 2007 at 7:28 AM EST
Witch
Points: 534
~AlyPotter~ says:
I am very happy that the HP franchise has surpassed all these films to become the most successful franchise in all of history. And to surpass 21 Bond films is an amazing defeat. The franchise will continue to do well especially with two more films that are going to be released. Great job guys and congrats to all those who made this possible. I just know that HP will stick around for a long time.
Posted Sep 18, 2007 at 9:08 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1720
hufflepuff_babe says:
Well the Harry Potter books have obviously popularized the Potter movies. While it is exciting it is also sad because when something is messed up in the plot, it makes me sad to think that JKR is endorsing this. I love the films for the most part but the commercialization is obviously contributing to the sucess of the films and that is why it is so sad. A price should not be put on good literature.
Hehe I can't wait until Bond 22.
Posted Sep 21, 2007 at 10:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
Congrats to harry potter. keep up the good work everyone who works on the film.
Posted Oct 5, 2007 at 2:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 952
im freeeeeeeeee says:
Well obviously! I mean there have 5 amazingly successful movies. I mean even LotR was only 3 movies.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 1:01 AM EST
Student
Points: 235
accio_gorgeous_girl says:
Congratulations to all the cast and crew!!!
You have done so much in the Film Industry and the Lives of the people!
peace out.
Posted Oct 26, 2007 at 8:30 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 44
zara-zora says:
I love the Harry potter movies and books i cant belive the Harry Potter movies were the biggest movies!! I am sooooo happy!! I cant wait to see "hbp"!!!!
Posted Oct 28, 2007 at 6:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 577
puremudblood says:
Nothing can change that! HA!!! Whatever happens harry is the best in everything he touches. Of course we (the hp fans) will never let him down in any poll, we are always behind him
Posted Jan 1, 2008 at 6:40 PM EST
Student
Points: 202
x_loony_lovegood_x says:
Go Harry Potter!!!! Thats really amazing. When you think of all the films out there - some very good ones, for HP to take the lead like that is fantastic!
Well done!
Posted Feb 2, 2008 at 6:54 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 19
ginny is hot says:
Wow! that is amazing. Harry potter rocks. Everyone always says that Star Wars is better, but now we know who brings in the bacon.
Posted Feb 27, 2008 at 4:30 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 14
felixfine7x says:
I think the cause is probably as Kwan-Rubinek [however you say THAT.. ] put it.. you don't have to be a certain age or race or nationality to be enthralled with magic.
Posted Feb 28, 2008 at 11:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2073
JAYSTARR says:
Brilliant...I hope that it continues to go on...
Posted Mar 23, 2008 at 12:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1043
Herminone Potter says:
Here is yet another example of how much influence Harry Potter has had on pop culture! Its a great story that makes it great films!
Posted Mar 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 60
Miss_Gryffindor says:
Whoo!!! Why am I not surprised??!!?!??!??
This is AWESOME!!
I love Ron! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
<33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333
Posted Apr 22, 2008 at 8:16 AM EST
Witch
Points: 616
FawkesRox315 says:
YES!!! HP RULES! wow i love HP and i am so happy for this current achievement i know HP awesome and rubbed in the face of my bro every chance i get!
Posted Apr 30, 2008 at 4:31 PM EST
Student
Points: 221
Artep says:
Well this is largely because it is alot of sequels and James Bond was made most in a time before inflation and is a load of rat dung. We will have to see what happens after all of The Chronicles of Narnia have been filmed.
Posted May 5, 2008 at 8:40 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 40
kikipotter103 says:
I love the books and the movies. they are awesome, i am glad!
Posted May 26, 2008 at 4:05 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 40
kikipotter103 says:
I love the books and the movies. they are awesome, i am glad!
Posted May 26, 2008 at 4:06 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2319
bonniewrightrulz says:
Well..that doesnt come as a big surprise to me.And by the time Deathly Hallows gets released it will certainly take a long time to beat HP's record.
Posted Jun 17, 2008 at 4:16 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 57
Meganc93 says:
=] Congratulations.
I cant say Im suprised.
Posted Jul 17, 2008 at 11:21 AM EST
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