Harry Potter is a worldwide phenomenon and one of the highest-grossing film series of all time. In these documentaries, the secrets are revealed and we get to behind-the-scenes to learn about the filmmaking process. Hear J.K. Rowling tell her incredible story from being a poor single mom to becoming the world's first billionaire author. We also get to follow her as she writes the last Harry Potter book. Learn about the History of Magic and hear what Daniel Radcliffe and Eddie Redmayne have to say about the Wizarding World.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Series
Creating the World of Harry Potter is an 8-part documentary series that takes us behind the scenes of the movie-making experience. Each part focuses on a different aspect that helped create the world of Harry Potter. The documentary includes exclusive never-before-seen clips and interviews with the cast and crew.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Documentary Series was first available on the Ultimate Editions, followed by the Wizard's Collection and Hogwarts Collection. Now they are included in the new 8-film collection box sets and the new individual releases of the films.
Buy Harry Potter The Complete 8-Film Collection (affiliate link)
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 1: The Magic Begins
The choices, the breakthroughs and the early decisions are explored here via rare footage, cast and crew reminiscences and more. Learn about the extensive search by producer David Heyman and director Chris Columbus for the perfect actors to portray Harry, Ron and Hermione, and see the earliest meeting of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in this fascinating portal into Harry’s world.
Warner Brothers released the first part of the documentary series online to celebrate the start of their Wizarding Wednesdays.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 2: Characters
A decade-spanning exploration of how the actors brought beloved characters to life. Discover which parts of the books helped Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and more stars make their roles leap from page to screen. See rare screen tests and learn why so many of Britain’s acting greats wanted to be part of Harry Potter’s world...and which ones became mentors to the young stars.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 3: Creatures
Experience the Harry Potter world of creatures through new eyes with the revealing look at a new group of wizards: the artists who create the monsters and marvels. Roam the Creature Shop, then hear Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as they share stories about acting opposite everything from tiny computer-generated pixies to a four-ton mechanical spider.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4: Sound and Music
Share the vision of composers, sound experts and others who make the Harry Potter films enchantment for the ears as well as the eyes as sound and music transport viewers on an emotional journey alongside the characters on-screen. Learn how specially created musical motifs identify individual characters and places, and watch as Foley artists use unusual techniques to replicate everyday sounds.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 5: Evolution
Production Design, Costumes, Filmmaking Style, even the look of Hogwarts itself, have all developed from film to film over time. Discover how these elements have evolved, and what new concepts have been introduced as the movies progress.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 6: Magical Effects
Harry’s world is full of magic and it takes an army of effects technicians to bring these imaginary concepts to life. We’ll explore how traditional in-camera effects and the latest state-of-the-art CGI combine to create some of the most incredible visuals ever seen on film.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 7: Story
Hear the story of how J.K. Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves collaborated and developed a friendship based on trust and respect as they sit down for an intimate conversation.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 8: Growing Up
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and other cast and crew reflect on the extraordinary experience they shared growing up on set, and the moments that helped shape who they are today.
Harry Potter: Behind the Magic Series
Harry Potter: Behind the Magic is a documentary series created by ITV and presented by Ben Shephard. They got exclusive access to take their cameras on set and interview the cast and crew at Leavesden Studios. ITV created one-hour documentaries for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
The documentaries are available to watch on the Creating the World of Harry Potter discs.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Behind the Magic
Presenter Ben Shephard journeys to Leavesden Studios and onto the set of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to take a deeper look at the production, featuring intimate interviews with the cast and crew.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Behind the Magic
Get a lesson in how to battle with a wand and discover how the massive sets were created. We get to go behind the scenes of Harry’s first kiss, learn about the new professor and hear interviews with the cast and crew.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Behind the Magic
Ben Shephard takes us behind the scenes for an exclusive look at the making of the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Ben chats to Daniel Radcliffe and all the main cast and crew.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1: Behind the Magic
Discover how one of the most complex scenes was assembled and how the flying sequences were shot. Then hear stories of friendly competition among the stars and gain insight into life on the set.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2: Behind the Magic
Go behind the scenes to learn how CGI was used to create Hogwarts and see how the Great Hall was destroyed and rebuilt three times during filming.
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
A documentary on bringing the first three Harry Potter films to the screen, featuring rare behind-the-scenes footage and stories.
It can be watched on the Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 3 disc.
Inside Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
This television special journeys back through the making of the first three films and presents the new characters, creatures and challenges that lie ahead for Harry and his friends in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
It is found on the Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4 disc.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Some Animal Magic
Presenter Ben Shephard takes a closer look at the variety of wondrous animals, and their human handlers, that help make the World of Harry Potter a magical place.
You can watch it on the Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4 disc.
When Harry Left Hogwarts
Hear candid and emotional stories about the final days on set with a behind-the-scenes look. Directed by the BAFTA-winning filmmaker Morgan Matthews, this film takes you on the journey of making Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2.
The documentary was first available in the Target exclusive Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 four-disc Blu-ray set. It can now be found on the Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 8 disc. An 86-minute extended version is included on the Bonus Disc found in the Wizard's Collection and Hogwarts Collection.
Trailer:
J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and Me
For the first time, J.K. Rowling tells in her own words the story of how the bestselling books of Harry Potter came to life.
Harry Potter and Me is a Christmas television special by the BBC, broadcast on 28 December 2001. It is an interview with J. K. Rowling and is notable for showing pages of Rowling's notes on the Harry Potter series.
Watch the documentary below:
J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life
A fascinating and intimate look into the life of J.K. Rowling over the last year of writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The documentary was filmed by James Runcie.
This documentary was shown in December 2007 on ITV and it was later aired on the ABC Television Network. It is included in the Special Features of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 6.
Harry Potter: A History of Magic
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter book, this documentary visits the real-life magical history behind J.K. Rowling's beloved classics. With footage from the British Library's exhibition, and exclusive access to a priceless collection of artefacts, take a tour around the mesmerising journey creating this global phenomenon. Includes interviews with J.K. Rowling herself as she examines the most exciting items on display, and opens her private archive to reveal drawings and drafts that have been hidden away for years. And, as opening night arrives, famous fans marvel at this fascinating trove of delights, like Harry Potter seeing Diagon Alley for the first time.
Buy Harry Potter: A History of Magic (affiliate link)
50 Greatest Harry Potter Moments
Robbie Coltrane narrates a countdown of the movie franchise's best scenes. From Harry's first meeting with Ron and Hermione aboard the Hogwarts Express through to magical mysteries, spellbinding battles and tragic deaths, every key moment is here. Ralph Fiennes reveals the secrets of being Voldemort, Julie Walters discusses how the young cast grew into such confident adult performers and JK Rowling talks about seeing her words being brought to life on screen.
It was originally created by ITV to mark the release of the eighth and final movie in the series. It therefore only included moments from films 1-7. In December 2011 an updated version was aired that included scenes from Deathly Hallows Part 2.
This special is included on the Bonus Disc found in the Wizard's Collection and Hogwarts Collection.
Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts: The Secret Of The Wizarding World
Eddie Redmayne and Daniel Radcliffe help Radio 1’s film critic Ali Plumb discover why J.K Rowling's Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has become one of the biggest and most beloved franchises ever.
This documentary was created to celebrate the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and is available to watch on YouTube: