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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane ... see more see more... , Alan Rickman , Richard Harris , Richard Griffiths , Ian Hart , John Hurt , Warwick Davis , Fiona Shaw , John Cleese , Julie Walters , Sean Biggerstaff , Zoë Wanamaker , Tom Felton , Harry Melling , Matthew Lewis , David Bradley , Bonnie Wright , James Phelps , Oliver Phelps , Chris Rankin , Devon Murray , Verne Troyer

The best-selling novel by J.K. Rowling (titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in England, as was this film adaptation) becomes this hotly anticipated fantasy adventure from Chris Columbus, t... read more read more...he winner of a high-stakes search for a director to bring the first in a hoped-for franchise of Potter films to the screen by Warner Bros. Upon his 11th birthday, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), who lives in misery with an aunt and uncle that don't want him, learns from a giant named Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) that he is the orphaned son of powerful wizards. Harry is offered a place at prestigious Hogwarts, a boarding school for wizards that exists in a realm of magic and fantasy outside the dreary existence of normal humans or "Muggles." At Hogwarts, Harry quickly makes new friends and begins piecing together the mystery of his parents' deaths, which appear not to have been accidental after all. The film features alternate-version scenes for every mention of the titular rock. Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, John Cleese, and Fiona Shaw co-star. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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81% liked it

1,048,795 ratings

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80% liked it

186 critics

PG, 2 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Release Date: November 16, 2001

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DVD Release Date: May 28, 2002

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Stats: 57,516 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (57,516)

  • spielberg00
    February 10, 2012
    spielberg00
    Based on the novel of the same name by rags-to-riches author J.K. Rowling, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE was just the beginning of a cinematic legacy. It is a fantasy film for the entire family, twisting both clichà (C)d aspects of magic (i.e. magic wand becomes simply wa... read morend; various spells, charms, and curses are created rather than a corny "Abracadabra!") and Greek mythology into its own characters (i.e. Fluffy the Three-Headed Dog, though he went by a different name in mythology), and it goes far enough to even create its own magical sport.

    Okay, so we have to give most, if not all of the credit for such brilliance to Rowling for spending years of her life creating such decent entertainment. But people who read "Sorcerer's Stone" (the book) when it first came out in 1997 (1998 in North America) were anticipating the book adapted for the screen. And in 2001, they got it. Maybe the characters weren't as imagined, but it was astounding for fans to see the dazzling visuals of Quidditch (the sport played on broomsticks), mountain trolls, Norwegian Ridgeback dragons, and spells. And it still is.

    If you saw 1990's HOME ALONE, you know that Chris Columbus has some pretty good experience with family movies (though the humorous aspect of HOME ALONE was mostly because of the scripting by John Hughes). After Steven Spielberg was turned down for a directing role (he wanted to make this into an animated film--just imagine how terrible that would have been), Columbus was confirmed. He made this first film a work of art, with just as much magic and creepiness that the author intended.
  • jarobb3
    January 17, 2012
    jarobb3
    Gets the party started. Good enough for me.
  • aquateen2
    November 10, 2011
    aquateen2
    A smart fantastic start to an ptherwise average franchise only really for action or potter fans.
  • scottgreen96
    October 30, 2011
    scottgreen96
    One of the best start's to a phenomenon ever recorded, my second favorite in the series, and a start to one of the most successful franchises ever created.
  • fb729949618
    July 31, 2011
    fb729949618
    Haven't read the books so can't compare, but this is a great film and a great start to the franchise.
  • riverdale237
    July 26, 2011
    riverdale237
    While "The Lord of the Rings" remains VASTLY superior, this movie is still a great one. Great acting, fantastic sets and some of the best lighting I've ever seen. Great way to start of a great franchise.

    The only thing I didn't like was the script. I always thought Chris Colum... read morebus was a bit overrated, and Harry Potter wasn't very well directed. Luckilly, the actors made the best of the script.

    And oh those actors. This was one of the few films I've seen where the child actors actually do a good job. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. That's not to say the adult actors didn't do a good job too. Out of the adults, I particularly liked Alan Rickman as Snape and Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid.

    The special affects were pretty good, albeit not spectacular, especially the CGI of the 3-Headed Dog. Little did 2001 audiences now it would get better in years to come.

    Over all, like I said, it's no LOTR. But it's still amazing.
  • FilmFanatik
    July 25, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    The first entry in the Harry Potter franchise is a very good one. While things start out rather playful and tame, they are no less entertaining. Unfortunately the first in a series means there's going to be a lot of setting up of characters and explaining what's going on and what... read more it's all about as much as possible, which is where this film's weakness lies. It drags a bit during the exposition and doesn't quite barrel along like later entries. Still, that doesn't make it bad, just a little slow.
  • fernandorafael
    July 19, 2011
    fernandorafael
    The first two installments were the most kid-oriented of the series. Naturally, they're less nuanced and a lot cheesier but visually arresting as ever. Chris Columbus's lack of attention to detail is evident, though, and the film lags quite a lot around the middle. The cast is a ... read moredelight, although they hadn't fully submerged into their roles, occasionally looking forced (except for Alan Rickman; he was born to play Snape). It's always nice to revisit the first chapter in what would become the most succesful movie franchise of all time.
  • blkbomb
    July 18, 2011
    blkbomb
    Professor McGonagall: This boy will be famous. There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know his name.

    "Let the Magic begin."

    After wrapping the series up Thursday night; I got a strong impulse to go back and re-watch the entire series from beginning to end. Firstly, aft... read moreer this movie first came out when I was 8 it was the biggest thing to happen at my school. Everyone was talking about it and did the teachers hate that(I had the great pleasure of attending a Lutheran school.) One kid even got detention for having the book at school; as it was seen as promoting the Devil's work. This movie is what turned me on to the books and after reading the books that were out at the time, I was completely immersed in the series.

    Sorcer's Stone is one of the most fun movies in the series. We are introduced to the world of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and all the things that inhabit it. Like: goblins, trolls, sorting hats, dragons, and spells. We also learn alongside Harry, his past. How he got his scar and who is after him. Then Voldermort makes his first attempt at coming back to full power.

    I remember be surprised by who was helping Voldermort when I first saw this movie. Looking back, I was pretty stupid. It's completely obvious, but I guess being 8 can be my excuse. The story of the Sorcerer's Stone takes awhile to get going because of the need to introduce us to Hogwart's and to all the characters. Once the stones part of the story begins though, it is wrapped up quickly. Seeing again, the dungeon scenes feel a bit rushed and that's the only thing holding me back from giving it a 5. I don't feel as completely satisfied as I should with Harry's heroics at the end of this one. I know it's long and that's why a lot of the people who don't like this series; don't like it. But I think it could have used about 10 to 15 extra minutes with the dungeon scenes.

    A magical(I know you haven't heard that one yet) start to one of the most entertaining franchises ever made. If you haven't seen this series yet; hurry up.
  • CreedsDelight
    July 17, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    Much has been said about Sorcerers Stone (Philosophers Stone, for you brits) but I'll shortly explain my thoughts in this short review. To me, this film stands as a classic, and is definitely in my top three favorite Potter films, first being Deathly Part 2 and second being Goble... read moret, but I really loved this film. I saw this installment when I was about 8 years old, and besides being scared shitless at Voldemort at the end, I obsessed over this film, seeing it 5 or 6 times in theaters. Seeing everyone young-aged is refreshing and cute, and the visuals are impressive for it's time. Highly recommended.

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Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
March 5, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A near-perfect commercial and cultural commodity. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
March 5, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

I hear the J.K. Rowling books are great, and on the basis of this 2001 movie I'm ready to believe it. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
August 9, 2002
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

It offers more delights than disappointments -- and that qualifies as one of the year's great reliefs.

Peter Rainer
January 22, 2002
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

The filmmakers want to show us a magical world that is, at the same time, wholly believable. They want to create matter-of-fact miracles, but what they end up with is mostly just plain matter-of-fact. Full Review

Richard Roeper
November 27, 2001
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[A] complete triumph... Full Review

Rita Kempley
November 24, 2001
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

You can't expect perfection from muggles.

Andrew O'Hehir
November 18, 2001
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

Professional entertainment with just enough human moments to squeak by. Full Review

Peter Howell
November 16, 2001
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

I doubt that most Harry Potter fans will mind a film that attends to their wishes so splendidly. Full Review

Claudia Puig
November 16, 2001
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Though the film will undoubtedly please the young viewers who flock to it, ultimately many of the book's readers may wish for a more magical incarnation. Full Review

David Edelstein
November 16, 2001
David Edelstein, Slate

As a movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has no inner life -- no pulse -- of its own: It's secondhand. Full Review

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    • Harry Potter: You! No,it can't be. Snape, he - he was the...
    • Professor Quirrell: Yes, he does seem the type, doesn't he? Why, next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-st-stuttering Professor Quirrell?
    • Albus Dumbledore: What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows.
    • Hagrid: Who told you about Fluffy?
    • Ron Weasley: Fluffy?
    • Hermione Granger: That thing has a name?
    • Hagrid: You're a wizard, Harry.
    • Ron Weasley: Sunshine daises butter mellow, turn that stupid fat rat yellow!
    • Hermione Granger: Feels weird going home, doesn't it?
    • Harry Potter: I'm not going home, not really.
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Trivia

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's S... Trivia

  • What was the ORIGINAL name of the first Harry Potter movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"? Which was released in London June 26 1997?  Answer »
  • "There is no such thing as good or evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it!". Is said in which Harry Potter movie?  Answer »
  • In Which Harry Potter Movie did Harry, Ron and Hermione get caught up in the Devi's Snare?  Answer »
  • In Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone, What was the elixir of life?  Answer »
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