Harry Potter to Overtake Bond as Top Grossing Franchise

Posted on July 13, 2009

Variety reports that Harry Potter is poised to overtake the James Bond film franchise with the opening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This film will push the Harry Potter franchise's box office earnings (currently at $4.48 billion) past the $5 billion grossed by the Bond films. This does not account for inflation - Harry Potter would have much farther to go if it did.

The largest chunk of the franchise's total gross has come from overseas, where J.K. Rowling's book series has been translated into 67 languages.

"Half-Blood Prince" was originally set to open last November, but the studio pushed back the release. The postponement sparked an outcry from Potter fans that has morphed into pent-up demand around the world.

Variety also says Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is already selling out more theatres than Transformers 2 did ahead of its release.
On Monday, MovieTickets.com reported 300 sold-out shows for "Half-Blood Prince" at the domestic B.O., including more than 950 midnight showings. That's more than the presales for this summer's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Online ticketing service Fandango reported that "Half-Blood Prince" is the fastest seller of the year and the biggest of any Potter title.

There's no question Half-Blood Prince will be a summer blockbuster. The films have been amazing consistent and true to the books. It has also been wonderful to have the cast grow along with the characters.

More from Watchers Watch