<P> Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in some countries as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) is a 2001 British - American fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures . It is based on the novel of the same name by J.K. Rowling . The film is the first instalment in the long - running Harry Potter film series, and was written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman . Its story follows Harry Potter's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers that he is a famous wizard and begins his education . The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger . </P> <P> Warner Bros. bought the film rights to the book in 1999 for a reported £ 1 million ($1.275 million) Production began in the United Kingdom in 2000, with Chris Columbus being chosen to create the film from a short list of directors that included Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner . Rowling insisted that the entire cast be British or Irish, and the film was shot at Leavesden Film Studios and historic buildings around the United Kingdom . </P> <P> The film was released in theatres in the United Kingdom and the United States on 16 November 2001 . It became a critical and commercial success, grossing $974.8 million at the box office worldwide . It was the highest grossing film of 2001 . It was nominated for many awards including the Academy Award for Best Original Score, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design . It was followed by seven sequels, beginning with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002 and ending with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows--Part 2 in 2011, nearly ten years after the first film's release . It is the 32nd - highest - grossing film of all time and the second - highest - grossing film in the Harry Potter series behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows--Part 2 . </P> <P> Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Rubeus Hagrid, professors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, deliver an orphaned infant named Harry Potter to his only remaining relatives . Ten years later, Harry inadvertently causes an accident on a family outing and begins receiving unsolicited letters by owl . Finally, Hagrid re-appears and informs Harry that he is actually a wizard and has been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding . He also tells Harry that he has become well - known in the wizarding world for being the only person ever to survive a Killing Curse, leading to his nickname "The Boy Who Lived". Hagrid takes Harry to Diagon Alley to buy school supplies, then takes him to King's Cross station to board a train to the school . </P>

Harry potter and the philosiphers stone release date