Adapted from J.K. Rowling’s beloved children series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone follows 11 year old Harry Potter’s journey into finding out that he’s not only a wizard, but is known throughout the wizarding community as single handedly taking down You Know Who, a.k.a. Voldemort, when he was barely a year old.

After being raised by his mother’s sister after his parents death, who kept any and all knowledge of his magical ancestry from him during his entire life, Harry is brought into the world with the help of Rubeus Hagrid, the Groundkeeper at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Though, the Dursley’s threaten to keep him away from Hogwarts, Hagrid quickly makes it clear he won’t be leaving without Harry.

Hagrid takes Harry to Diagon Alley, where Harry gets met with admiring fans and he has absolutely no idea why he seems to be such a big deal to everyone. Harry has no idea that his name is celebrated among witches and wizards, and that his name ever appears in a number of books about the Dark Arts. (Later on, we also learn that Harry is the only person living after having the Killing Curse used on him. But, that’s another book/movie!)

Harry slowly pieces together his history, and why he’s so well known. He realizes that his history can help him realize his future, and that a powerful enemy from his past is quickly gaining power as the years go on.

As overwhelming as the whole experience is for Harry: magic comes naturally to him once he gets to Hogwarts. It almost seems like he was born for it, especially when it comes to the popular wizarding sport of Quidditch. He excels at it, and soon finds out that his father also was an amazing Seeker during his time at Hogwarts.

As the year progresses, Harry pieces together a mysterious item being hidden in the halls of Hogwarts. He attempts to figure out who Nicholas Flamel is, why someone is trying to find the mysterious item, and who exactly is working for the Dark Lord to assist him in getting his power back.

When this movie came out: I was 11 years old. I’d grown up loving the books, and remember my excitement when going into the theatre to watch this movie. It’s what started it all, and is one of the things to start my obsession with the series even after all the books and movies have been released. I’ll watch the movies and read the books over and over again, and will likely have at least one child named after a character from this series.