Much like its title hero, the Harry Potter franchise has humble beginnings. Working as a waitress, single mother J.K. Rowling sketched out the fantastical story on the back of napkins. After being rejected by 12 publishers, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stones was put into syndication on June 26, 1997. This modest book marked the beginning of the explosive franchise that changed the course of modern pop culture.
Early Growth
Soon after publication, more than 300,000 copies had been sold globally. With the endorsement of children and young adults worldwide, it rose to the top of the New York Times fiction bestselling list in August of 1999.
The numbers quickly rose and seemingly have not stopped. Now, the first story alone has sold over 120 million copies and is translated into 80 languages.
Furthering the Written Franchise
The second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was published on July 2, 1998. From there, the main series would see five more books. Though the series suffered finding a publisher originally, it would see release parties at bookstores. These parties would lead up to midnight releases, featuring fans decked out in their favorite memorabilia.
Once the “final” book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released on July 21, 2007, many fans worried that reading their beloved series was at an end. Much to their delight, the author has written several more additions.
Rowling first added to the franchise by writing a series of textbooks featured in the main storyline, like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The Movies
Hollywood recognized the possibility of the Harry Potter franchise on the big screen. In 2001, the iconic trio debuted in what was called the “Wizard of Oz of the new generation”. The movie grossed 978 million dollars at the box office globally, the second-highest of all time up to then.
The movie franchise took off with as much thunder as its written origin. Theaters consistently sold-out, requiring fans to purchase tickets days in advance. Midnight Thursday shows featured fans once again dawning their favorite merchandise of the franchise.
Not-so Spin Off Movies
In 2016, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them was released in theaters, marking the beginning of the new movie series in the franchise. The prequel series acts almost like an origin story for many of the main series’ legendary characters.
Video Game Launches
The franchise jumped into video games early on with the first movie released in 2001. Rather than stick to a genre, they have jumped around, reaching many audiences. These include the lucrative LEGO Harry Potter series and the mobile apps Wizards Unite and Hogwarts Mystery.
Physical Destinations
Franchise fans are not limited to reading and writing about the series. They can also go to the famed Platform 9 3/4, which is a physical location in London. Also, Universal Studios built a working Hogsmeade as an immersive theme park, where fans can choose a personalized wand.
Pottermore
Interactive and personal, Pottermore is a website where fans can create an account to live the series. They take quizzes written by Rowling herself to be sorted into houses and receive a wand. It includes behind the scenes information, untold anywhere else.
Other Byproducts
The enormous franchise extended further into every branch of pop culture, like symphony halls, musicals, SNL skits, graphic novels, LEGO sets, plays and other memorabilia.
Vincent Salera
Founder @ World's Best Story™ amplifier of creativity & fun!
