The novels of J.K. Rowling were already a global sensation when the movie adaptation of “Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone” hit screens in late 2001. Then the enormous success of the film franchise has turned her magical world into a full-fledged institution. Collectively, the five movies so far are the second most successful series worldwide in cinema history, beating “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings.” Only James Bond has earned more money (just over $5 billion, not adjusted for inflation), and with the upcoming release of “Half-Blood Prince,” Harry Potter ($4.5 billion) is sure to jump ahead into the top slot.
Let’s not forget, though, that the Harry Potter films aren’t just commercial successes. Every film has scored a “B” grade or higher with the critics on Yahoo! Movies along with a “Certified Fresh” rating from RottenTomatoes.com. Plus, the series has racked up six Academy Award nominations. Here is a breakdown of how each of the five movies performed at the box office, and how they were rated by both critics and fans. And we have a first look at new character banners and the latest theatrical trailer for movie number six, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”