Harry Potter More Popular Than Bond

Barry Nelson · July 2009

According to the attached article, with the release of the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry will overtake James Bond in all-time film revenue. Hard to believe that in just six films Potter will earn more than Bond in 23 films. Yes, I know that if you take into consideration inflation, Bond would probably be way ahead, but it is still impressive to earn that much in six films. I would be interested in seeing a chart that shows all-time total tickets sold, that would be a fair comparison.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/31940770/

mrbond · July 2009

Harry Potter is gay and so is Dumbeldoor. Why should it earn more than Bond. Is is estimated that almost everyone in the world has seen a Bond film at least once. I would not be seen dead watching Harry Potter!
Did you know (this is common knowlelge) that lines in the new films such as 'Harry?' 'Yes Ron?' 'Will you lick my magic wand?' were not included why it would be the best and funniest line ever in the history of pointless, stupid films ever!

Loeffelholz · July 2009

mrbond wrote:

Harry Potter is gay and so is Dumbeldoor.

All right. Surely we can elevate the discourse from here, which is well below sea level and beneath the dignity of these boards. One really ought to get permission from one's parents before playing with the internet 8-)

Not that it matters, but J.K. Rowling apparently agrees with you, re: Dumbledoor...but it's really nothing to do with the story at any point. As for Potter, well...

...Ginny Weasley might offer conflicting testimony

I think there are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is the broader general appeal of the Potter books/movies---i.e., deliberately skewing younger in their audience demographic. Not that Bond hasn't courted the kids all along, but 007 has never had the same hold over young girls that Potter wields, and there are a lot of box office $$$ in that demographic; just ask the Twilight-crazed fanbase...

Harry Potter is the cultural phenomenon of its day, much like Bond was at its peak during the '60s...but the Potter books are such a powerhouse that even mega-best selling authors like Stephen King have stepped back in wide-eyed, open-mouthed, awed stupefication. As big as Fleming got when FRWL made John F. Kennedy's top ten list, he never got this big, with overnight parties being thrown in front of bookstores waiting for the doors to open at midnight, people in costume, etc. Potter has also been fueled by internet fansites, etc. (an advantage Fleming never had), and the publicity machine behind both the books and the films is incredible. Star Wars or the golden age of Trek are the only things that come close.

However, it's worth remembering that there were only seven Potter books, and there will be only eight films in total, and then it will be over...and then James Bond 007, the sure and steady blunt instrument of Her Majesty's Government, will continue to put out a film every two, three or four years. Rest assured, he will ultimately win the day B-)

Loeff Jr, Loeff III and myself will in attendance for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince this evening...and I'm looking forward to a guaranteed good time.

shaken66 · July 2009

Way ahead, considering inflation? Try way, way ahead. According to Wikipedia, inflation adjusted receipts for Bond total 11.6+ billion versus Potter's 1.6+. Granted, we're still talking 22 films versus 6, so you certainly can't discount the success of the Potter films. It's not a contest for me, so I applaud both series (but I'm only concerned with the continuation of one! -{).

blofeld#1 · July 2009

Well I don't take to the whole wizardly thing. I saw CHAMBER OF SECRETS and IMO was a bore. So I haven't really payed much attention to it. But still bravo to the HARRY POTTER franchise to catch up to the bond films. 22 -6. And still one to go.

Asp9mm · July 2009

The new film is superb. Many times HP has gone up against Bond and won, but last year Warner Bros made the decision that going up against Bond was too great and so delayed release to secure more theatres.

Thunderpussy · July 2009

Let me first say that hp6 will be a huge hit,But so far the evidence from recipts from a certin cinema chain are well down from the last HP movie.And on talking to some fans who have grown up with the characters,a lot of them aren't that interseted in it and are quite happy to catch it on DVD. As with a lot of children's movies sometimes your audiance out grow you.
As others have pointed out there will only be one more HP movie, and I don't rate how good a series or single movie is by it's box office,after all It's a wonderfull life was a total flop when released but now it's a classic.

Asp9mm · July 2009

Two more HP movies. The last book is being made into two.

It does seem that many have outgrown it though, what was cool for a seven year old is no longer cool for someone going through puberty. The cinema I was in proved that as it was full of teens that paid to see it, but pretended to be uninterested throughout. Peer pressure and self conciousness reined. HP is not as cool to a pre pubescent teen as Bond, Terminator or Wolverine.

blueman · July 2009

I kinda think HP is to this decade what Bond was to the 60s. Considering how much younger the average movie-goer demographic is these days, makes sense.

As for my interest in HP, wake me up when the little tyke learns how to drive, shoot a gun, and drink a Martini. :007)

Loeffelholz · July 2009

IMO, the interesting thing about Potter is that many of his fans are growing up with him. J.K. Rowling was very canny in that regard. The stories became more mature and dire---and less whimsical---as they went along.

I've no idea how HBP will fare compared to the other Potters---but my sons and I enjoyed it quite a lot. This one had the biggest scare/shock of the franchise so far

The entire cinema jumped---and then laughed at itself in embarrassed amusement. Things such as this are why I like to see films like this on opening day whenever possible B-)

Harry Potter More Popular Than Bond

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