Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone premiered in 2001 when four Harry Potter books had already been published. As the books released, the films were not far behind. Fans recognized that as the story progressed, details would become much more severe than just children attending magic school. Instead, it became a franchise about friendship, love, and war.
With the characters growing older and the world around them becoming a more dangerous place, the movies reflected those changes. As the films advanced, there is a noticeable change in how the story captures the darkness the wizarding world has fallen into. Still, throughout the eight movies, some things never changed.
Changed: The Tone
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the wizarding world is shown to be an exciting and upbeat place. Everything is brightly lit, and there is relatively light energy throughout the film. There is fantasy, whimsy, and thrill in the magical world, which is incredibly exciting to muggle-raised Harry and Hermione.
However, in later installments, the tone grows darker. Elements to the reality and horror of the universe are slowly introduced, letting the world building flesh out. Even the introductory music and the Warner Brothers logo at the beginning of the films foreshadow how the movies grow darker.
Stayed The Same: Harry Must Face Voldemort
At the end of his first year, Harry must face Voldemort to prevent him from getting the sorcerer's stone. But, this would not be the last time Harry battles Voldemort. Harry defeats a version of Voldemort in the very next film and the fourth, fifth, and eighth movies.
It was no surprise that Harry and Voldemort's lives were intertwined. Each installment prepares Harry for the inevitable final clash.
Changed: The Stakes
Similar to how the tone grows darker with each film, so do the stakes. While Harry, Ron, and Hermione do put their lives at risk to save the stone, it only gets more complicated from there. Harry puts his life on the line in much more terrifying situations as he grew older.
However, it wasn't just Harry's life at stake. The entire wizarding world became at risk after Voldemort's resurrection, and without destroying his Horcruxes, the stakes of everyone's lives would continue to grow.
Stayed The Same: Hogwarts Is A Crucial Location
Harry visits several vital places during the series. However, the most important is Hogwarts. The school is the central location for seven out of eight movies, and where the final battle takes place.
Although Harry and his friends don't go to Hogwarts during Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, information about the school is still revealed over the radio, such as Snape being Heaster. Death Eaters also infiltrate the Hogwarts Express after Harry, Ron, and Hermione go on the run.
Changed: Maturity
Given each installment, other than Deathly Hallows, occurs during a different year of their lives, it was expected the kids would grow up. Relationships became more complex as everyone got older. In later movies, some situations emphasize that the once clunky first years are growing up and experiencing certain feelings for the first time.
However, it is also noticeable in the teen angst and how they behave toward the severe topics the Ministry is implementing or avoiding. In the final film, Neville Longbottom is shown to have matured and stepped up in Harry's absence, becoming the leader of Dumbledore's Army.
Stayed The Same: Ron And Hermione Help Harry
No matter the year, Ron and Hermione will help Harry. Even when they argue or the situation feels impossible, the trio will come together to figure out how to save the day. Ron and Hermione are Harry's best friends and are devoted to helping him defeat Voldemort.
However, they are also ive of the Triwizard Tournament, Dumbledore's Army, and Quidditch. During the final two movies, Ron and Hermione go with Harry to search for Horcruxes, a mission that was only known to the three of them.
Changed: Hagrid's Hut
In the first two installments of the Harry Potter franchise, Hagrid's Hut appears to be close to the castle. It only takes a few steps to walk to Hagrid's Hut. However, starting in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, that is no longer the case.
When Alfonso Cuarón took over as director from Chris Columbus, he changed the overall look and feel of the movie, aging it up with the characters. One of the parts that got changed was Hagrid's Hut. It was moved far away from the castle and remained there for the rest of the franchise.
Stayed The Same: Snape Bullies The Students
One of the worst things about Snape is how he continually bullies the students. While this is seen more commonly in the novels, it is not left out of the movies. Indeed, it is one of the most prominent features of Snape's character.
While most of his insults go toward Harry, Hermione, and Neville, he appears disgusted by Gryffindor House as a whole. Yet, Snape does not act the same toward Draco and the Slytherin students.
Changed: Perspective of Dumbledore And Snape
Some fans have commented on Dumbledore as being manipulative to Harry. However, that is not the impression he gives off in the first film. Dumbledore may not be the most straightforward, but he acts more as a background character in the movie than a prominent one. As the years go on, reveals such as Dumbledore raising Harry to die rubbed fans the wrong way, leading several to view him as more villainous.
Severus Snape is also a controversial character. In the first seven movies, he is an antagonist; his actions are proof enough. However, when Harry goes through Snape's memories, it reveals more to Snape than he ever knew. Still, Snape having feelings for Lily tended to divide fans more than anything. While some forgave Snape, believing him to be a good man, others did not think that having one-sided feelings and an obsession for a woman who loved another man was reason enough to redeem him.
Stayed The Same: Draco And Harry Are Opponents
Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are not friends. While Draco does cover for Harry at Malfoy Manor, the movies tend to show Harry and Draco on opposite sides of a war. While the epilogue may suggest that they had moved past their Hogwarts years, that did not indicate that they were friends.
During every year of school, Harry and Draco were adversaries. No matter in of classwork, Quidditch, or war, their rivalry lasted the entire series.
