It all began in the year 2001! Some would say it began before. In the year 1997, when the first book was published. Or others would argue that the seeds of the phenomenon were laid way before even these two dates. In the year 1990, when it is said that J.K. Rowling imagined for the first time a simple black-haired, bespectacled kid who would become the greatest nemesis of the most sinister Dark Lord to haunt the Wizard World. If you have not guessed the title of this great series yet, then I am afraid that you have been bereft of many a joy. For this post is a prelude to the release of the most anticipated film of the year, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
While the Harry Potter book series had become quite a sensation before the release of the first film, which provided a firm fan base to begin with, the kind of revenues that the movies could generate still remained to be seen. All expectations were shattered when the first movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, opened in November 2001 to a phenomenal reception. $90 million at the US box-office was a good figure to start the first weekend with, especially when the production budget had not been more than $125 million. The movie till date remains the highest earning movie of the series, collecting $318 million at the US box office and $976 million worldwide. The phenomenon had however just begun! Exactly an year later, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets too met with success, with a collection figure of $262 million in US and $879 million worldwide.
While an April release did not suit the third film of the franchise, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which is the only film of the series so far to collect less than $800 million in worldwide revenues, the next three films in the series restored things back to normal. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire raked in $896 million in 2005 and the next two films, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix & Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, once again took the revenues above the $900 million mark, collecting $938 million and $934 million worldwide, respectively. Such staggering collections have made the Harry Potter franchise the highest grossing film series of all time with $5.4 billion in worldwide receipts on a total production budget of less than $1 billion. Phew!! And to imagine that two more movies still remain in the pipeline…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would be showcased in two different parts, the first one releasing this weekend while the second part would be shown in July 2011, marking the end of this great epic. The numbers that will be generated would be anybody’s guess. Somewhere close to $900 million in worldwide ticket sales is a safe bet. But with the end now in sight, both the final movies could be looking for a $1 billion earning. Already five of the six Harry Potter movies feature in the All-time #20 list in terms of worldwide collections, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & Part 2, would be firm favorites to make their mark in this elite list. But only 7 movies so far have had the $1 billion tag shine across their names. Would Harry Potter finally make it there… I, for one, would love to see the Boy who Lived depart in such a grand style!
While the Harry Potter book series had become quite a sensation before the release of the first film, which provided a firm fan base to begin with, the kind of revenues that the movies could generate still remained to be seen. All expectations were shattered when the first movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, opened in November 2001 to a phenomenal reception. $90 million at the US box-office was a good figure to start the first weekend with, especially when the production budget had not been more than $125 million. The movie till date remains the highest earning movie of the series, collecting $318 million at the US box office and $976 million worldwide. The phenomenon had however just begun! Exactly an year later, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets too met with success, with a collection figure of $262 million in US and $879 million worldwide.
While an April release did not suit the third film of the franchise, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which is the only film of the series so far to collect less than $800 million in worldwide revenues, the next three films in the series restored things back to normal. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire raked in $896 million in 2005 and the next two films, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix & Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, once again took the revenues above the $900 million mark, collecting $938 million and $934 million worldwide, respectively. Such staggering collections have made the Harry Potter franchise the highest grossing film series of all time with $5.4 billion in worldwide receipts on a total production budget of less than $1 billion. Phew!! And to imagine that two more movies still remain in the pipeline…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would be showcased in two different parts, the first one releasing this weekend while the second part would be shown in July 2011, marking the end of this great epic. The numbers that will be generated would be anybody’s guess. Somewhere close to $900 million in worldwide ticket sales is a safe bet. But with the end now in sight, both the final movies could be looking for a $1 billion earning. Already five of the six Harry Potter movies feature in the All-time #20 list in terms of worldwide collections, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & Part 2, would be firm favorites to make their mark in this elite list. But only 7 movies so far have had the $1 billion tag shine across their names. Would Harry Potter finally make it there… I, for one, would love to see the Boy who Lived depart in such a grand style!
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