Be Spellbound By These 20 Amazing Harry Potter Movie Facts
Gallery
Whether you are 5 or 25, The Harry Potter series will always be magical in every way possible. For almost two decades our favourite crew of wizards at Hogwarts has taught us valuable lessons about friendship, acceptance, love and bravery whether that is from our book shelves or the big screen.
Learn more about the beloved films with these fun facts down below.
And for all you true Potterheads, we've got a spellbinding 40% off the Harry Potter London Experience that'll transport you to the wizarding world in no time. Grab your wands and fly on down to the Palace Theatre!
1. Dumbledore is an old English word for bumblebee. JK Rowling said she imagined him humming to himself as he bumbled around.
2. If a muggle should find Hogwarts it would look like a dilapidated old building with a large "KEEP OUT: Dangerous" sign on it.
3. Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone was published in 1998, which is the year that the final Battle of Hogwarts was fought.
4. The Hogwarts School Motto is Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillanduswhich translates as "never tickle a sleeping dragon".
5. The International Statute of Secrecy states that when wizards are out and about in muggle society they should do their best to dress like them, but few wizards like wearing trousers compared to free flowing robes.
6. The only spells and incantations that appear in Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stoneare Wingardium Leviosa, Petrificus Totalus, Alohomora and Locomotor Mortis.
7. Dame Maggie Smith played Minerva McGonagall in the first of the Harry Potter movies but when she shifted into her Animagus cat state another actor picked up the role - a cat called Mrs P. Head.
8. The tabby cat that played Mrs Norris in Philosopher's Stone ran off from the set only to return 48 hours later.
9. JK Rowling put King's Cross Station in the books because it was on a train from there to Scotland that her parents met. “I never knew the slightest indecision about the location of the portal that would take Harry to Hogwarts,” she said.
10. The young actors in the early Harry Potter movies were not free of teenage heartache. Both Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint admitted to having unrequited crushes on Emma Watson!
11. Tom Felton originally auditioned for the roles of both Ron and Harry before landing the role of Draco Malfoy.
12. In the books Harry Potter is described as having green eyes but Daniel Radcliffe has blue eyes. He tried wearing green contact lenses but found it uncomfortable and trying to make his eyes green post production didn't look convincing. JK Rowling said the only thing that mattered was that his eyes should be same colour as his mother's.
13. Harry, Ron and Hermione defeated the troll in the girl's bathroom on 31st October 1991 and it's the day they first became friends. It's the ten year anniversary of when Harry's parents were murdered by Voldermort.
14. The pockets of Tom Felton's Hogwarts robes were sewn shut during the filming of Prisoner of Azkaban because he kept trying to smuggle food on to the set.
15. If all the Harry Potter books sold were laid out in a line they would go around the equator over 1.6 times. And the line gets longer by the day!
16. Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone contains 77,869 words. There are 1,100,086 words in the entire series.
17. During scenes in the first movie where Harry, Hermione and Ron were seen in a classroom doing work, they were actually doing their real life school work.
18. Dragon blood has a variety of uses one of which is as an oven cleaner.
19. There were three owls on set for the first film all of them playing the role of Hedwig. There were seven different owls used in the films overall; Gizmo, Kaspar, Oops, Swoops, Oh Oh, Elmo and Bandit.
20. Ginny Weasley became a professional Quidditch player for the Holyhead Harpies, but eventually retired to take care of her children. She then became the senior Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet.
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts specializing in English and European Literature
Vicki BarkerBachelor of Arts specializing in English and European Literature
An adventurous writer based in Surrey, Vicki is a mum of two sporty and outdoorsy 15-year-old twin girls. She loves exploring London and the surrounding counties, always on the lookout for new and interesting things to do with her family. She has a Bachelor's degree in English and European Literature from the University of Warwick. Finding ways to keep the girls entertained is a challenge she enjoys, and spending quality time with her teens is always great fun and helps them bond together.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
