The film opened on 16 November in the United States, Canada, and Taiwan as well as officially in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released to cinemas in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 10 and 11 November 2001 for two days of previews. Filming took place at Leavesden Film Studios and historic buildings around the United Kingdom from September 2000 to March 2001. Rowling insisted that the entire cast be British and Irish, with the three leads chosen in August 2000 following open casting calls. Production began in the United Kingdom in 2000, with Columbus being chosen to helm the film from a short list of directors that included Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner. Pictures bought the film rights to the book in 1999 for a reported £1 million ($1.65 million).
Its story follows Harry's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers that he is a famous wizard and begins his formal wizarding education. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. It is the first instalment in the Harry Potter film series. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and produced by David Heyman, from a screenplay by Steve Kloves, based on the 1997 novel of the same name by J.
