Midnight Is The MAGIC Hour For HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2

BURBANK, CA, July 15, 2011 — Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” smashed the domestic box office record for a midnight opening, taking in a phenomenal $43.5 million. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Domestic Distribution.

In addition, the film broke the midnight opening record for IMAX theatres, with a $2 million gross on a record number of IMAX screens.

Some midnight showings around the country capped marathon screenings of all the previous Harry Potter movies, leading up to the long-awaited finale. There were fan celebrations at a number of theatres, with audience members dressing up as their favorite characters, turning the release of the film into a shared event.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is also the first in the series to be released in 3D, and many lucky fans attending midnight 3D screenings received commemorative Harry Potter 3D glasses to keep as a souvenir.

The midnight opening record came on the heels of the film setting the record for advance ticket sales. Many of the opening day’s shows were sold out weeks ago as moviegoers rushed to be among the first people to see the last title in the most successful film franchise of all time.

Fellman stated, “What an incredible beginning for the movie that ends it all. The filmmakers and cast crafted a wonderful and fitting finale for this extraordinary franchise, and the response of the fans has been extremely gratifying. Everyone at Warner Bros. joins me in congratulating the many people behind the Harry Potter films. We know this is just the start of what promises to be an astounding weekend and a magical summer.”

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was directed by David Yates, and produced by David Heyman, David Barron and J.K. Rowling. Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the first Harry Potter film to be released in both 3D and 2D. Concurrently with its nationwide theatrical distribution, the film will be released in select IMAX® theatres. The film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology.

Opening nationwide on July 15, the film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.

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