The Harry Potter franchise, which follows a young boy as he grows up and fights evil in the Wizarding World, is undoubtedly one of the most successful and beloved film franchises of all time. The movies and the novels they're based on still have a passionate fanbase over a decade after they were last released.
Despite every fan having their personal favorite, the first movie, The Philosopher's Stone, is considered by many fans to be one of the greatest. Whether it's the nostalgia, the youthful naivety, the playfulness of the characters, or the fact that the entire world was new to audiences when they first watched the movie, The Philosopher's Stone holds a special place in the hearts of many.
10 Magic Is New And Exciting
The Wizarding World is a terrifying yet beautifully magical universe for the entire franchise. As Harry grows and adapts to the new way of life, he and the audience uncover new and exciting elements of the reality of witches and wizards.
However, no film captures the majesty of the wizarding world better than the first. Something about the young wizard's discovery of this other universe helps draw the audience in. As both viewers and Harry are experiencing the excitement of magic for the first time, it seems bigger and brighter than in any other movie, where it begins to become the norm.
9 The Score Is Stunning
Each Harry Potter movie score has become beloved and iconic in its own right. Just hearing the score from certain scenes can bring fans back to their favorite movie moments.
John Williams is one of the most recognizable names when it comes to composing music for movies anyway. Still, his work on the Harry Potter franchise has become some of the most recognizable pieces in film history. The iconic 'Hedwig's Theme' and 'Leaving Hogwarts' are just a couple of the stand-out pieces of music from The Philosopher's Stone, which sit at the top of many fans' lists of their favorite film scores.
8 Harry Meets His Friends
Harry Potter quickly discovers that he is a big name in the wizarding world, with many wanting to insert themselves into his life in whatever way they can. However, luckily, he finds true best friends in Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
Despite a rocky start for the trio, with Ron and Hermione arguing and Draco Malfoy picking fights with each member of the group, they form a strong bond. With Harry in constant danger from both his peers and dark forces, it is comforting to know that even in his first year, he has friends to support and care for him.
7 The First Look At Hogwarts Castle
There are many moments in the Harry Potter series that take the viewers' breath away, no matter how many times they see them. However, the most stunning moment of the entire franchise is the first shot of Hogwarts castle.
Lit up beautifully in the night sky, as Harry and the first years make their journey to the school across the lake in boats, Hogwarts appears more magical than ever. Even the characters, many of which are used to the wizarding world, cannot help but marvel at the majesty of the castle.
6 Richard Harris Is A Beloved Dumbledore
Michael Gambon is fondly remembered for his portrayal of Professor Albus Dumbledore from the third movie until his character's death in the sixth movie. However, Richard Harris is equally loved. The actors portrayed the Hogwarts Headmaster in the first two movies before he sadly passed away.
While he appears in The Chamber of Secrets, many would agree that Harris's Dumbledore is at his best in The Philosopher's Stone. From the moment he and Harry meet again at Hogwarts, Dumbledore is there for Harry completely, trying his best to help Harry transition into the wizarding world with care. However, being the chosen one, Harry gets into many scrapes, but even then, Dumbledore proves himself to be Harry's ally.
5 Ron And Hermione Have Some Of Their Best Moments
Despite being completely different people, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are equally brilliant and often hilarious characters. Their growth throughout the series is incredible, but many fans say that some of their best moments, individually and together, occur in the first movie.
The duo bicker and argue from their first meeting, clashing due to Hermione's intelligence and need to prove that and Ron's more lax attitude. This rivalry results in some incredibly funny one-liners from Ron and some brilliantly witty comebacks from Hermione, which have become iconic within the fandom.
4 Quidditch Is At Its Best
Quidditch, and Harry's newfound love of the game, play a huge part in Harry's time at Hogwarts, especially in the novels. However, a lot of the quidditch content is cut from the movies due to the mass amount of information to be crammed in. Even a lot of the quidditch world cup is missing from the fourth movie.
Therefore, it could be said that the best quidditch sequences are seen in the first movie. Not only do fans get to see Harry's first experience on a broom, proving himself an already great seeker, but they also get to see him win Gryffindor his first game. In an iconic scene, Harry stands on his broom to reach for the Golden Snitch and catches it in his mouth when the broom tips over.
3 The Mirror Of Erised
Harry's parents are his heroes, even more so when he discovers they were wizards and died protecting him. Therefore, the Mirror of Erised scene is one of the most beautiful in the entire franchise. While others may see material possessions in the mirror, which shows anyone their deepest desires, Harry simply sees his parents by his side.
Dumbledore warns Harry that some wizards have been driven to insanity by sitting in front of the mirror, desperate to achieve their desires. However, Harry, who is fully aware that he will not be reunited with his parents, soaks up every moment he can with them.
2 The Iconic Chess Scene
Ron Weasley has many great moments in the series but is not given enough opportunities to prove his strengths and skills outside of academic intelligence. Ron is a brilliant chess player who demonstrates this in The Philosopher's Stone at the most crucial moment.
After the trio has beaten the devil's snare and the flying keys, they are tasked with winning an enchanted chess game to move on to the room with the stone inside. Ron takes charge, playing a skilled game and even proving himself a true Gryffindor by bravely sacrificing himself in the process.
1 Harry Finds His Home
Harry's journey throughout The Philosopher's Stone is incredible and transformative. Many fans would agree that the most heartwarming change in Harry's life is his finding his true home. At the end of the movie, Harry has to return to the Dursleys for a few weeks over the summer.
However, as he says to Hagrid, Harry does not believe he is going home because, for the first time in his life, Harry has found his true home in Hogwarts. At Hogwarts, Harry feels like he belongs, and is loved by his friends and mentors. This is a stark contrast to his awful home life with the Dursleys, as seen at the film's beginning.