Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (2001)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A young boy discovers he is a wizard and begins his education at a magical school.
The story
Orphaned as a baby, Harry Potter is entrusted to his only living relatives, the Dursley family, who keep him unaware of magic until his eleventh birthday. When his home is flooded with letters from Hogwarts, Hagrid arrives to fetch him. Harry learns he is a famous wizard who survived an attack by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. He travels to Hogwarts via the Hogwarts Express, where he meets Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The trio joins Gryffindor house and begins their education, navigating the mysteries of the castle while discovering the truth about their magical heritage and the dangers lurking within the school's secrets.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After being hidden from his magical heritage by the Dursleys, Harry Potter is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on his eleventh birthday. There, he joins forces with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The trio discovers a mysterious three-headed dog guarding a forbidden corridor and encounters a mountain troll. During his first flying lesson, Harry is named the Gryffindor Seeker. As Christmas approaches, they learn about the Philosopher's Stone, an object capable of granting immortality, which is being hidden on the third floor. Harry discovers that Severus Snape may be trying to steal it for Lord Voldemort. The trio navigates a series of magical defenses—including a giant enchanted chessboard and a deadly plant—to reach the stone. Harry ultimately faces Professor Quirrell, who is hosting Voldemort's weakened soul. Harry's touch destroys the stone and repels Voldemort. He wakes up in the hospital wing, where Dumbledore explains that his mother's sacrifice protects him from the dark wizard's magic. The school year ends with Gryffindor winning the House Cup.
- Original title
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
- First release year
- 2001
- Runtime (minutes)
- 152
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Chris Columbus
- Writers
- Steve Kloves · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Daniel Radcliffe · Harry Potter; Rupert Grint · Ron Weasley; Emma Watson · Hermione Granger; John Cleese · Nearly Headless Nick; Robbie Coltrane · Rubeus Hagrid; Warwick Davis · Filius Flitwick; Richard Griffiths · Vernon Dursley; Richard Harris · Albus Dumbledore; John Hurt · Mr. Ollivander; Alan Rickman · Severus Snape; Fiona Shaw · Petunia Dursley; Maggie Smith · Minerva McGonagall
- Genres
- fantasy; adventure
- Themes
- Coming of age; Friendship; Good vs. Evil
- Tone and mood
- Magical; Whimsical; Adventurous
- Premise and plot tags
- Magic; School; Fantasy
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1997 novel by J. K. Rowling
- Franchise connections
- Harry Potter
- Reception
- The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its faithful adaptation of the source material and high production values, while receiving mixed reviews for its score and length.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 36; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Original Score · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Art Direction · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Costume Design · Nominated; Saturn Award · Best Costume · Won; Cast_Society_of_America · Award · Won; Costume_Designers_Guild · Award · Won
- Production trivia
- The film was originally considered for direction by Steven Spielberg.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…