Latest Harry Potter Film Dominates Box Office

July 17, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix” Dominates
Box Office -- Fifth Film In Franchise Is
Largest Worldwide Opening In Warner Bros. History

Film Grosses $330 Million Worldwide

Warner Bros. Pictures International Crosses $1 Billion for Seventh Consecutive Year

BURBANK, CA – Moviegoers are still wild about Harry, as Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” grossed $330 million worldwide in its first weekend in theaters. The film is the largest worldwide opening in Warner Bros. history and the largest opening for the franchise. The prior record for the studio and the franchise was “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” in 2004, which reached $207 million worldwide. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” brought in a record-breaking $140 million in box office receipts domestically for the five day opening; and internationally, it made $190 million in 44 markets, making this the biggest “Harry Potter” opening of all time around the world. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

On the domestic front “Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix” is the largest five-day opening in industry history for a non-holiday weekend, besting “Shrek 2” which held the record at $128.9 million. In addition, this will be the biggest domestic opening week of all five “Harry Potter” films, as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” first week’s box office was $129 million, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” first week came in at $106 million, and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” took in $123 million in its first week. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” held the record to date for the franchise, bringing in $146 million in its first seven days domestically.

Fellman stated, “This is an unprecedented opening – for the studio and for the industry – which tells us that the strength of this franchise just continues to grow as the fifth film of the series shatters box office records across the country.”

In addition, Warner Bros. Pictures International passed the $1 billion mark in overseas box office receipts over the weekend, propelled by the overwhelming success of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” This includes $47 million in gross box office receipts generated by Village Roadshow territories. This is the seventh consecutive year the studio has achieved this status and exceeds the total for the same period in 2006 by 49%.

In Europe, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” had an incredible response, as it is on par with "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" to be the biggest opening weekend for 2007 in France and Germany. It is also the second largest industry opening weekend of all time in the UK (Fri. – Sun.) and is the fifth biggest industry opening weekend in Italy – the first major film in seven years to release in the height of the summer season. In Asia, Australia and Latin America, it is expected to be the largest opening weekend for any film in the “Harry Potter” franchise.

“We are thrilled by such an exceptional opening of ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,’ said Kwan-Rubinek, ‘The day-and-date opening has capitalized on opportunities in virtually every market around the world, resulting in record-breaking grosses in many of our territories and an unparalleled accomplishment for the studio.”

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” also shattered IMAX industry records, becoming the biggest IMAX opening of all time. The film will open on 126 IMAX screens worldwide – 91 of those in the US, with many featuring the final scenes of the film in IMAX 3D – more than any previous release.

Warner Bros. Pictures Presents A Heyday Films Production, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” The film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson and Julie Walters. The film was directed by David Yates and produced by David Heyman and David Barron. Michael Goldenberg wrote the screenplay, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram served as executive producer. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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