Over 20 years later, theHarry Pottermovies are still a topic of discussion, which shows how immensely successful and well-made they are. The success of the movies inclined Warner Bros. toreboot the series at Max. The project is currently in development and expected to start airing sometime from 2025-2026.
While fans await the Harry Potter reboot which will re-introduce the franchise to newer and older fans, now is the best time to revisit the older movie series. It all started way back in 2001 withHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonewhich established the wizarding world on the big screen. But what wasHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneeven about, and where can the movie be streamed at home?
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What is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone about?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, adapted from the novel of the same name follows an 11-year-old orphan named Harry Potter who lives with his Aunt, Uncle, and cousin who often mistreat him. Harry’s life changes drastically when he is visited by Hagrid, a member of the Hogwarts staff. The half-giant hands Harry his letter of acceptance at Hogwarts as a wizard. During his first trip to Hogwarts, Harry manages to make friends with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Their bond is so strong that the golden trio lasts throughout the whole series. It is also on his first trip that Harry first encounters Draco Malfoy, who quickly becomes his rival.
Harry, as well as the audience, is introduced to all of the different facets of wizarding life through his first days at Hogwarts. Many of the series' most enduring aspects are established in this first entry,including the sorting hat, which places Harry and his friends in Gryffindor. Other fun aspects include Harry’s first Quidditch game as well as a battle with an escaped troll.
This movie also features one of the late Richard Harris’s appearances as Dumbledore. There has always been a debate over whether Harris or Michael Gambon played the role better, but it’s hard to deny how well Harris embodied the role of Hogwarts’s wise and powerful headmaster. Of course, this story also introduces the very firstDefense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Quirrell, who has a secret of his own that could threaten the lives of Harry and every wizard at Hogwarts.
The plot of theSorcerer’s Stonemostly revolves around Harry navigating his new life and figuring things out as he goes. That includes learning what happened to his parents, James and Lily Potter, as well as his connection to Voldemort, or as he is mostly known in the early parts of the series, he who must not be named.
What is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’s Rotten Tomatoes score?
Despite being the first entry in the Harry Potter franchise,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonewas a great movie and a welcome adaptation of the wizarding world to the big screen. TheHarry Pottermovies have a high standard when it comes to ratings by audiences and critics. All theHarry Pottermovies have the Certified Fresh status which is a distinction given to movies with a score of 75% or above at Rotten Tomatoes.
While an excellent and nostalgic movie,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonestands at arating of 81% accumulated from over 200 critic ratings. Additionally, theaudience score stands at 81%, supported by an impressive +250,000 reviews. This elevated rating for the movie demonstrates its superiority even when compared to recent films.
Sorcerer’s Stoneset the standard for the entire Harry Potter series, and while different directors applied their own style to later movies, it was Christopher Columbus who imbued the first two with a sense of whimsy and magic being discovered for the first time. Fans of the books were finally able to see all of their favorite characters in action, embodied by actors who would forever be associated with their roles in the franchise.
Where can you stream Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?
All the mainline entries within the Harry Potter series were removed from HBO Max earlier this year in February, but have since made their way back onto the streaming service.Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneis also currently available to stream from Peacock.Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, can be rented from platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or even YouTube.
