90 Fun Facts About Harry Potter Movies

What password is required to enter the Gryffindor common room in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'?

In the first film, 'Caput Draconis' is the password for the Gryffindor common room, which translates to 'dragon's head' in Latin.

Which actor portrayed Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films?

Harris originated the role in the first two films and died in October 2002, forcing a recast before Prisoner of Azkaban.

Which of these subjects is taught by Professor Snape in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'?

Severus Snape was the Potions Master at Hogwarts for many years, a position he held in Harry's first year. He later became the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

What position does Harry Potter play on the Gryffindor Quidditch team?

Harry Potter was a gifted Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, known for his ability to spot and catch the Golden Snitch.

Which Horcrux does Harry destroy with a serpent's fang in Chamber of Secrets?

Tom Riddle's Diary is the first Horcrux destroyed: Harry stabs it with a fang from the basilisk he has just killed, and its venom is one of the few things that can do the job.

What animal form does Wormtail take to hide for years as a Weasley family pet?

Wormtail hid as a rat, the Weasleys' pet Scabbers, for twelve years until Sirius Black recognised him in a Daily Prophet photo of the family in Egypt.

Who is revealed as the true antagonist manipulating events in 'Prisoner of Azkaban'?

While Sirius Black is initially believed to be the antagonist, it is revealed that Peter Pettigrew faked his death and framed Sirius, secretly serving Lord Voldemort.

From which platform do students board the Hogwarts Express?

Students reach Platform 9 and 3/4 by walking through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross; the Hogwarts Express departs at 11 o'clock on 1 September.

What is the incantation for the Wand-Lighting Charm?

The Wand-Lighting Charm, 'Lumos', causes a beam of light to emanate from the tip of the caster's wand, useful for seeing in the dark. Its counter-charm is 'Nox'.

Who took over as Albus Dumbledore from the third film, after the original actor died in 2002?

Michael Gambon was picked by producer David Heyman and director Alfonso Cuarón for Prisoner of Azkaban and stayed in the role for every remaining film.

Who primarily portrayed Lord Voldemort in his fully-formed appearance from 'Goblet of Fire' onwards?

Ralph Fiennes became the definitive on-screen portrayal of Lord Voldemort from 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' through the rest of the film series.

Which device lets Hermione attend overlapping classes in Prisoner of Azkaban?

McGonagall lends Hermione a Time-Turner so she can take every elective; Harry and Hermione later use it to save Buckbeak and Sirius.

What giant serpent lurks in the Chamber of Secrets?

The Chamber's monster is a Basilisk, a gigantic snake whose direct gaze kills and whose indirect gaze petrifies. It is set loose by a memory of the teenage Voldemort.

Which of these schools participates in the Triwizard Tournament alongside Hogwarts?

Durmstrang, the northern school with a dark-arts reputation, sends Viktor Krum; Beauxbatons sends Fleur Delacour, and Harry and Cedric both end up standing for Hogwarts.

Who directed the first Harry Potter film?

Chris Columbus, known for films like "Home Alone," directed the first two Harry Potter movies, establishing the visual tone for the beloved series.

Which actor portrayed the character of Harry Potter in all eight films?

Daniel Radcliffe starred as the titular character, Harry Potter, in all eight film adaptations of J.K. Rowling's book series.

Which colors are associated with the Hogwarts house of Gryffindor?

Gryffindor house, known for bravery and chivalry, is represented by the colors scarlet (red) and gold, symbolizing fire.

Which two colors are traditionally associated with the Hogwarts house of Ravenclaw?

Blue and bronze are Ravenclaw's colours, with an eagle as mascot in the novels and a raven in the films; the house prizes wit and wisdom.

Which two colors mark Hufflepuff house at Hogwarts?

Yellow and black belong to the badger house, which prizes loyalty and hard work, and is headed by Herbology teacher Pomona Sprout.

Which potion lets Harry and Ron impersonate Crabbe and Goyle in Chamber of Secrets?

Hermione brews Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom; it turns the drinker into whoever's hair is added, so Harry and Ron can question Draco in the Slytherin common room.

What animal does Harry Potter's Patronus take the form of?

A stag, the same form James Potter took as an Animagus; Harry's Patronus drives off hundreds of Dementors in Prisoner of Azkaban.

What is the name of Albus Dumbledore's loyal phoenix companion?

Fawkes takes his name from Guy Fawkes, a man associated with fire, and his tears save Harry from basilisk venom in the Chamber of Secrets.

Where is Gringotts Wizarding Bank located?

Gringotts Wizarding Bank, the only bank of the wizarding world in Great Britain, is famously located on the north side of Diagon Alley in London.

Which director was in talks to make the first film before walking away in 2000?

Steven Spielberg negotiated to direct Philosopher's Stone but left the project in early 2000; he reportedly favoured an animated version with Haley Joel Osment voicing Harry.

Why did Richard Harris reverse his decision to turn down the role of Dumbledore?

Richard Harris accepted Dumbledore only after his young granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he turned it down; he had at first declined the multi-film commitment.

How much did Philosopher's Stone gross in its initial run, roughly eight times its budget?

Philosopher's Stone grossed about $974 million worldwide in its original 2001-02 release on a $125 million budget, the biggest film of 2001; later re-releases pushed it past $1 billion.

David Thewlis, cast as Lupin, had earlier auditioned for which role in the first film?

He was Alfonso Cuarón's first choice for Lupin in Prisoner of Azkaban.

Which two directors were on the list with Alfonso Cuarón for Prisoner of Azkaban?

After Chris Columbus stepped back, Warner Bros.' shortlist for Prisoner of Azkaban was Callie Khouri, Kenneth Branagh and Alfonso Cuarón; Cuarón got the job and his film darkened the series' tone.

Which Oscar-winning actress plays Three Broomsticks barmaid Madam Rosmerta in Prisoner of Azkaban?

Julie Christie, Best Actress Oscar winner for Darling (1965), played Three Broomsticks landlady Madam Rosmerta in Prisoner of Azkaban, a film itself nominated for score and visual effects.

Which future Doctor Who plays Barty Crouch Jr. in Goblet of Fire?

David Tennant played Barty Crouch Jr. in Goblet of Fire, released in November 2005, weeks before his first full episode as the Tenth Doctor; Roger Lloyd-Pack played his father.

Who wrote the screenplay for Order of the Phoenix, the only film in the series not by Steve Kloves?

Michael Goldenberg wrote Order of the Phoenix, the one screenplay Steve Kloves did not write; Goldenberg had been considered for Philosopher's Stone before Kloves was hired.

Evanna Lynch won the role of Luna Lovegood over roughly how many other girls at an open casting call?

Evanna Lynch, a 14-year-old Irish fan of the books, was picked as Luna Lovegood from about 15,000 girls at an open casting call in London in early 2006.

Who plays the 11-year-old Tom Riddle in Half-Blood Prince?

Hero Fiennes Tiffin, nephew of Ralph Fiennes, played the 11-year-old Tom Riddle in Dumbledore's orphanage memory in Half-Blood Prince; Frank Dillane played Riddle at sixteen.

In Deathly Hallows Part 1, to whom did Mundungus Fletcher sell Slytherin's locket?

Dolores Umbridge took Slytherin's locket from Mundungus Fletcher in place of a fine for unlicensed trading; in Deathly Hallows Part 1 the trio infiltrate the Ministry and pull it from her neck.

Which Harry Potter film was the only one released fully in 3D in its original run?

Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was the only film in the series given a full 3D release; it grossed $1.34 billion, the most of the eight, and earned three Oscar nominations.

How did producer David Heyman first come across Philosopher's Stone in 1997?

He had disliked 'the rubbish title' until she recommended it; Rowling sold the rights to the first four books in 1999.

What did Warner Bros. pay Rowling in 1999 for the first four Harry Potter film rights?

Warner Bros. paid a reported £1 million in 1999 for the film rights to the first four Harry Potter books; David Heyman's Heyday Films had brought the property to the studio.

Who was the production designer for all eight Harry Potter films?

Stuart Craig was production designer on all eight films and later the Fantastic Beasts series, working with set decorator Stephenie McMillan; he repeatedly redesigned Hogwarts as new books revealed new locations.

Which cinematographer shot both parts of Deathly Hallows?

Eduardo Serra shot both Deathly Hallows films for David Yates; he had earlier been Oscar-nominated for The Wings of the Dove and Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Who did John Williams bring in to adapt and conduct the score for Chamber of Secrets during his busy 2002?

William Ross adapted and conducted John Williams's music for Chamber of Secrets while Williams was tied up with Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can and Attack of the Clones in 2002.

Which composer scored both Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince before stepping away?

Nicholas Hooper, a longtime collaborator of director David Yates, scored Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince; Alexandre Desplat took over for both parts of Deathly Hallows.

Where did the London Symphony Orchestra record Desplat's score for Deathly Hallows – Part 2?

Alexandre Desplat's Deathly Hallows – Part 2 score was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with the London Symphony Orchestra, orchestrated by Conrad Pope.

Which actor announced on Twitter that 12 June 2010 was 'the last day of principal photography on Harry Potter – ever'?

Warwick Davis, who played Professor Flitwick and, in Part 2, the goblin Griphook, tweeted the wrap on 12 June 2010 and called it 'the end of an era'.

How many Academy Awards did the eight Harry Potter films win in total?

None of the eight films won an Academy Award: six were nominated for 12 Oscars in total, including three for Deathly Hallows – Part 2, and lost every time.

Which editor cut films five through eight of the series?

Mark Day edited Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and both Deathly Hallows films for David Yates; the first four films each had a different editor, starting with Richard Francis-Bruce.

Who physically portrayed a hooded Lord Voldemort in the first film's flashback?

Richard Bremmer played the hooded Voldemort in Philosopher's Stone's Godric's Hollow flashback, while Ian Hart, who played Professor Quirrell, supplied the voice.

Who was the original choice to play Snape before turning it down for Planet of the Apes?

Tim Roth was offered Snape but chose Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes (2001) instead; Alan Rickman, in final talks by August 2000, played Snape in all eight films.

Which cathedral turned down Warner Bros. over the first film's 'pagan' theme?

Canterbury Cathedral refused Warner Bros. permission, citing the story's 'pagan' imagery; Gloucester and Durham cathedrals, plus Alnwick Castle, stood in for Hogwarts instead.

Which London building stood in for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Philosopher's Stone?

Gringotts' banking hall in Philosopher's Stone was shot inside Australia House on the Strand, home of the Australian High Commission; London Zoo's Reptile House hosted the early snake scene.

Which GWR steam locomotive played the Hogwarts Express through the series?

GWR Hall class No. 5972 Olton Hall, repainted in Hogwarts red, pulled the Hogwarts Express throughout the series; Southern Railway's Taw Valley had been tried first but was rejected as too modern-looking.

Why were scenes mentioning the stone shot twice for the first film?

The film is Sorcerer's Stone in the United States, India and the Philippines.

What did Daniel Radcliffe stop wearing on the first film after it caused extreme irritation?

Daniel Radcliffe's green contact lenses caused a severe reaction, so Rowling agreed Harry could have blue eyes on screen; the first pair of glasses also set off his allergies.

Who voiced the Sorting Hat in the first film?

Phillips returned to voice the hat a decade later in the final film's Battle of Hogwarts.

Which John Williams leitmotif recurs in all eight films?

Hedwig's Theme stayed because, Williams said, 'everyone seemed to like it'; it outlived his own involvement, which ended after the third film.

Which Monty Python alumnus plays Nearly Headless Nick?

John Cleese plays Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor house ghost, in Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets; the character was dropped from the later films.

Arthur Weasley's flying car was built from which 1962 model?

The Weasleys' flying car is a turquoise 1962 Ford Anglia 105E, chosen because Rowling's school friend Seán Harris, to whom Chamber of Secrets is dedicated, drove one.

Who voiced Dobby in the second film?

Jones picked up a Broadcast Film Critics nomination for Best Digital Acting Performance; Julian Glover voiced Aragog.

Which Harry Potter film grossed the least worldwide?

Prisoner of Azkaban grossed roughly $800 million worldwide, the least of the eight films, though it earned two Oscar nominations, for John Williams's score and for visual effects.

Which lead failed to hand in Cuarón's character essay, saying 'Ron wouldn't do it'?

Rupert Grint never handed in the character essay Alfonso Cuarón set the three leads, saying Ron wouldn't have done it; Cuarón took that as proof he understood the part.

Which actress was offered Sybill Trelawney before Emma Thompson took it?

Tilda Swinton turned down Sybill Trelawney, later saying she disliked the books' boarding-school setting; Emma Thompson took the part from Prisoner of Azkaban onward.

The choir piece 'Double Trouble' in Prisoner of Azkaban takes its words from which Shakespeare play?

Macbeth's witches supply the lyrics ('Double, double toil and trouble'); Williams wrote it for a children's choir in the Great Hall, his last Potter score.

Which actor has said he took the role of Sirius Black because he needed the money?

He had stepped back from major work to spend time with his children and compared the dialogue's difficulty to Shakespeare.

Which future Superman lost the role of Cedric Diggory in Goblet of Fire?

Henry Cavill was considered for Cedric Diggory but lost out to Robert Pattinson, who replaced Joe Livermore, the Cedric glimpsed in Prisoner of Azkaban's rain-soaked Quidditch match.

Which Goblet of Fire role did Rosamund Pike turn down?

Rosamund Pike turned down Rita Skeeter in Goblet of Fire; Miranda Richardson took the part, and the gossip columnist was cut entirely from the Order of the Phoenix film.

What fabric were the Beauxbatons uniforms made from?

Costume designer Jany Temime dressed the Beauxbatons students in French blue silk, while Durmstrang's students wore heavy wool coats and fur hats for their northern school.

Members of which band joined Jarvis Cocker in the on-screen wizard rock group?

Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway played alongside Jarvis Cocker in the Yule Ball band; after a lawsuit from a Canadian folk group, the band went unnamed in the film.

A folk group from which Canadian city sued over the 'Weird Sisters' band name?

The Wyrd Sisters, a folk trio from Winnipeg, Manitoba, sued Warner Bros. over the Weird Sisters name; they failed to win an injunction, and the band went unnamed on screen.

Goblet of Fire was the first in the series to receive which BBFC rating?

Goblet of Fire was the first Potter film rated 12A by the BBFC, after three PG certificates; in the US it was likewise the first to be rated PG-13.

Which composer scored Goblet of Fire after John Williams's schedule filled up?

Doyle had worked with Mike Newell on Into the West and Donnie Brasco; only Hedwig's Theme survived from the earlier scores.

Helen McCrory, first cast as Bellatrix Lestrange, later played which character instead?

She withdrew from the fifth film three months pregnant, unable to shoot the Ministry battle scenes.

Who plays Bellatrix Lestrange from the fifth film onwards?

Helena Bonham Carter took over Bellatrix Lestrange for Order of the Phoenix after Helen McCrory withdrew during pregnancy, and played her through Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

Who plays the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Order of the Phoenix?

Imelda Staunton played Dolores Umbridge, the Ministry-appointed Defence teacher of Order of the Phoenix, whose office set was dressed in pink and decorated with plates of mewing kittens.

Why did Order of the Phoenix pause filming for two months from May 2006?

Radcliffe sat his AS levels and Watson her GCSEs before shooting resumed.

Which Arsenal footballer's family made a cameo in Order of the Phoenix?

Director David Yates's partner Yvonne Walcott is Theo Walcott's aunt, and members of the Walcott family appear as extras in Order of the Phoenix.

In which city was the Order of the Phoenix world premiere held in June 2007?

Order of the Phoenix had its world premiere in Tokyo on 28 June 2007, ahead of the London premiere on 3 July and the Los Angeles premiere on 8 July.

Besides hands and feet, what did the trio press into cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre?

Radcliffe, Watson and Grint pressed their hands, feet and wands into cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre on 9 July 2007, the day after the Los Angeles premiere.

The exterior of the Horcrux cave Dumbledore and Harry visit was filmed at which Irish landmark?

The cave's exterior was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare on Ireland's west coast; Dumbledore and Harry Apparate there to retrieve what turns out to be a fake locket Horcrux.

The sixth film's snowy Hogwarts Express scenes were filmed in which country?

Half-Blood Prince's snow-covered Hogwarts Express scenes were shot in Norway, on the Rauma Line near Bjorli, in March 2008.

Which film, budgeted at an estimated $250 million, was the priciest in the series?

Half-Blood Prince's estimated $250 million budget made it the most expensive single film in the series; Warner Bros. reportedly spent another $155 million marketing it.

Which vampire film took the November 2008 release slot the sixth film vacated?

When Warner Bros. pushed the finished Half-Blood Prince from November 2008 to July 2009, Summit moved Twilight up into the vacated 21 November 2008 slot.

Which London landmark do the Death Eaters destroy in the sixth film's opening?

The Death Eaters tear down London's Millennium Bridge in Half-Blood Prince's opening; the book's unseen Brockdale Bridge collapse was swapped for a landmark audiences would recognise.

Who plays Mad-Eye Moody?

Brendan Gleeson called the ex-Auror 'a gunslinger with a wand'; his son Domhnall later played Bill Weasley.

Which 2023 film ended Deathly Hallows – Part 2's run as Warner Bros.' highest-grossing film?

Barbie also beat its 19-day sprint to $1 billion, getting there in 17.

Where was the world premiere of Deathly Hallows – Part 2 held on 7 July 2011?

Deathly Hallows – Part 2 premiered in London's Trafalgar Square on 7 July 2011, with a red carpet running to Leicester Square; the US premiere followed at New York's Lincoln Center on 11 July.

Malfoy Manor's exterior was based on which Elizabethan house?

Stuart Craig modelled Malfoy Manor on Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, the Elizabethan house famous as 'more glass than wall', blacking out its huge windows to make the manor look ominous.

Why was the final film's epilogue reshot in December 2010?

The ageing makeup looked wrong: leaked photos drew complaints that Radcliffe and Grint looked far too old while Watson barely changed, so the scene was redone.

The Hogwarts Express is repeatedly filmed crossing which Scottish viaduct?

The 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highland Line carries the Hogwarts Express in several films; it overlooks Loch Shiel, which doubled as Hogwarts' Black Lake.

How many directors helmed the eight films?

4 in all: Chris Columbus did two, Alfonso Cuarón and Mike Newell one each, and David Yates the final four.

Why was Robin Williams turned down when he wanted to play Hagrid?

The same rule later sank his interest in playing Lupin and Rosie O'Donnell's bid for Molly Weasley.

Which band's song 'O Children' plays during the seventh film?

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' 'O Children' scores the tent dance; the film was Alexandre Desplat's debut on the series.