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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: 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
Prefect
Points: 310
harry_potterfan says:
This is really great news for all Harry Potter fans. We are really proud of Rowling for whom all this has been possible. Thanks a lot, Rowling!!!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 7:15 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2656
Grintster says:
I didn't want to watch OotP because they cut out so much of Ron, but when I heard that they made Ron canon at least, or whatever little that was left of him to show on screen, I had to see it. I was also hoping that they had more R/Hr. Plus I couldn't resist seeing Rupert in IMAX for the first time *sigh*
The franchise would have earned so much more and kept fans happier if they treated all characters equally according to how JKR treats them in her books. I understand all the cuts, but not the line-switching.
I hope they make HBP "fair" to Ron. The franchise should not be stupid to think all that success is attributable to only one or two characters/actors -- it is the whole ensemble -- JKR's story mainly, the adult cast too, and its the "trio" that brought it that amount of success.
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 7:27 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4064
ILoveHP! says:
Oh my gosh! I love it! Go HP! 22 star wars films beaten?! Wow! That's such a great honor!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 7:55 AM EST
Silly Squib
Points: 3677
Mat Madcat says:
Now that is saying something! Regardless of the discrepancies of how ticket prices have gone up over the years. Its still impressive:) Considering J.K gets a sizable chunk of the royalties, I can imagine she donates even more to her charities. Not many successful writers can say they've been so avid about donating their profits to a good cause. Long live Harry Potter!!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 8:45 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2324
krisie says:
Yeah !! we all know that Harry Potter is the best. It is even bigger than James Bond and Star wars and that is saying something.
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 8:47 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 732
lordvoldemort1926 says:
Great! HP is not the most successful but the best franchise ever.Congratulations to all.And remember two more are left.I hope no movie ever break its record.
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 9:29 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 2451
Hecate3fold says:
I'm impressed that Harry has out done evan 007 in the film catagorie.
What a marvelous world of wonder we live in thanks to JKR.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 11:49 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1239
MollyMomma says:
I would think that Jo would be so feeling in awe about this. What an amazing thing, that an imaginary world from your brain has crossed national barriers and brought people together in a unique way, a global phenomena. Kudos to Jo Rowling!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 2:13 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1216
hermygrangergirl says:
Congratulations to Warner Bros. I knew it would happen some day. I mean, 7 films in all, and given the great popularity of the series, how could it not be the greatest franchise ever, worldwide? Premieres, or at least first showings, of the movie, are packed everywhere. Even in the tiny city I live in. It's a worldwide phenomenon, kind of like Coke.... but better. :)
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 3:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1214
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
Alright, go Harry!!! I'm not surprised, it's so popular. But I'm glad to see it!! And with the last two films yet to come out, it'll probably be a really hard record to beat.
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 3:58 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 441
wendelinDewyrd says:
Woohoo! Potter rocks! Only like 5 movies came out and makes so much money! $$$
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 4:44 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1665
archangel says:
That's great! I was wondering when they would announce it. That's great! I knew it would be all along.
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 9:15 PM EST
Witch
Points: 799
Brianna Huffleclaw says:
Woohoo! That is so awesome. Maybe the Harry Potter movies will finally get the respect that they deserve!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 10:49 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1596
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
I heard about this and I think it's truely amazing! Who would have thought when Philosopher's Stone was released, Harry Potter would become the worldwide phenomenon it is!!! Truly amazing!
Posted Sep 12, 2007 at 11:49 PM EST
Hogwarts Social Worker
Points: 3148
SnoopyLover says:
Yay, all of us Harry Potter fans, here on HPANA and other sites, have helped to make it a success! We should be proud, and even though the books are WAY better, it is still fun to go to the movies & see the actors.
Posted Sep 13, 2007 at 12:16 AM EST
Squib
Points: 190
Hollix says:
it's so obvious.The five movies have hit big time and imagine two more exciting Harry Potter movies.
Posted Sep 13, 2007 at 6:39 AM EST
Squib
Points: 190
Hollix says:
I really cannot wait until the rest of the movies come out.
It is a long wait but it is worth it.
Posted Sep 13, 2007 at 6:42 AM EST
Witch
Points: 962
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
Wow That's absolutely amazing!! And the franchise isn't complete yet! Just imgaine how much more it will be once HBP and DH come out...Wow
Posted Sep 13, 2007 at 10:11 AM EST
Lips of an Angel
Points: 26337
roflcopter (: says:
Well really... im nit surprised... i mean, what else is there to compete with? POTC? LOTR? its cos harry potter rocks!! :P
Posted Sep 13, 2007 at 10:15 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2510
Mystique says:
Wow... of course i shouldn't be surprised! Considering the success of the five movies so far, and just imagine, they still have two more movies to go!
Posted Sep 13, 2007 at 4:26 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 665
Gryffindor's prefect says:
Always knew that HP series would be on the top spot.
Posted Sep 14, 2007 at 3:33 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1684
zues says:
Well yeah, the movies rock. The next two are going to be big. Can't wait.
Posted Sep 15, 2007 at 12:41 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 5
EvilPenguin101 says:
Heck ya!
Everyone loves Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Sep 15, 2007 at 3:25 PM EST
Points: 264
Saber says:
Wow that is really cool, by the end of the last movie it might make anywhere from like 6.5 to 7 billion, maybe more. That's nuts.
Posted Sep 15, 2007 at 3:53 PM EST
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
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