Harry Potter is a YA [Young Adult] fantasy series written by J.K Rowling. It currently has 7 books and a sequel.
The series chronicle the lives of a youngwizard,Harry Potter, and his friendsHermione GrangerandRon Weasley, all of whom are students atHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The mainstory arcconcerns Harry's struggle againstLord Voldemort, a dark wizard who intends to become immortal, overthrow the wizard governing body known as theMinistry of Magicand subjugate all wizards andMuggles[non-magical people].
Since the release of the first novel,Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, on 26 June 1997, the books have found immense popularity, positive reviews and commercial success worldwide. They have attracted a wide adult audience as well as younger readers and are often considered cornerstones of modern young adult literature.As of February2018, the books have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, making them thebest-selling book series in history, and have beentranslated into eighty languages.The last four books consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history, with the final installment selling roughly eleven million copies in the United States within twenty-four hours of its release.
The series was originally published in English by two major publishers,Bloomsburyin the United Kingdom andScholastic Pressin the United States. A play,Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, based on a story co-written by Rowling, premiered in London on 30 July 2016 at thePalace Theatre, and its script was published byLittle, Brown. The original seven books were adapted into an eight-partnamesake film seriesbyWarner Bros. Pictures, which is the thirdhighest-grossing film seriesof all time as of February2020. In 2016, the total value of theHarry Potterfranchise was estimated at $25billion,makingHarry Potterone of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
A series of manygenres, includingfantasy,drama,coming of age, and the Britishschool story[which includes elements ofmystery,thriller,adventure,horror, andromance], the world ofHarry Potterexplores numerous themes and includes many cultural meanings and references.According to Rowling, the mainthemeis death.Other major themes in the series include prejudice, corruption, and madness.
The success of the books and films has allowed theHarry Potterfranchise to expand with numerous derivative works, a travelling exhibition that premiered in Chicago in 2009, a studio tour in London that opened in 2012,a digital platformon which J. K. Rowling updates the series with new information and insight, and a pentalogy of spin-off films premiering in November 2016 withFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, among many other developments. Most recently, themed attractions, collectively known asThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter, have been built at severalUniversal Parks & Resortsamusement parks around the world.
Main Characters[]
Harry James Potter
Hermione Jean Granger
Ronald Bilius Weasley
Neville Longbottom
Luna Lovegood
Ginny Weasley
Draco Malfoy
Voldemort
Dumbeldore
Secondary Characters[]
James Potter
Lily Evans-Potter
Arthur Weasley
Molly Weasley
Bill Weasley
Fred Weasley
George Weasley
Mad-Eye Moody
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Severus Snape
Minerva McGonagall
Filius Flitwick
Pomona Sprout
Narcissa Malfoy
Lucius Malfoy
Bellatrix Lestrange
Madam Promfrey
Xenophilus Lovegood
Dobby [house-elf]
Kreacher [house-elf]
Remus Lupin
Series[]
Book 1 - Harry Potter andthe Sorcerer's Stone
Book 2 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Book 3 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Book 4 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Book 5 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix
Book 6 - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Sequels[]
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child