Harry Potter Biggest Film Franchise In History

Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter Films Combine To Become The Biggest Film Franchise In History

With the success of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter films have now become, worldwide, the top-grossing motion picture franchise in history. The announcement was made today in California by Barry Meyer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Alan Horn, President & Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.

The combined worldwide box office gross for the five Harry Potter films to date is in excess of $US 4.47 billion, surpassing the box office totals of all 22 James Bond films and the six "Star Wars" movies.

This impressive record comes even as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is still going strong in theatres across the globe and with two more highly anticipated Harry Potter films--"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"-- still in the offing.

In addition to holding the franchise box office record, all five of the Harry Potter films have the distinction of being among the 20 top-grossing box office hits of all time.

In making the announcement, Alan Horn said, "It would be an understatement to say we are proud of the success of the Harry Potter films. We also want to congratulate all of the extraordinary actors, filmmakers and artists who have shared this remarkable cinematic journey with us."

Lisa Hubbard, General Manager of Roadshow Film Distributors (NZ), the agent for Warner Bros. Pictures in New Zealand, added, "We are thrilled that Harry Potter continues to capture the imagination of audiences, and are elated with the results here in New Zealand, and indeed the overall success of the franchise worldwide. We look forward to bringing the next two films to New Zealand fans."

The next Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," will open on November 27, 2008. The seventh and final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," is planned for a 2010 release.

ENDS

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