Two fantasy films that launched hugely successful cinematic franchises premiered 25 years ago, making 2001 the most significant year for the fantasy genre. Fantasy, as seen in The Lord of the Rings, has always been a tremendous outlet for imaginative storytelling. These stories can whisk audiences away to new worlds with distinct characters and rich mythology.
The fantasy genre has sparked massive franchises that have connected with audiences worldwide. Two of the most popular fantasy franchises are The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Written by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings transported readers to Middle-Earth, and took them on a quest with hobbits, elves, and wizards.
Speaking of wizards, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published in the U.K. in 1997, and became a global phenomenon shortly after. While Lord of the Rings was published well before Harry Potter, both of their first film adaptations premiered in 2001, and both remain popular 25 years later.
Lord of the Rings And Harry Potter Both Debuted In Theaters In 2001
In the 21st century, The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter have emerged as two incredibly successful franchises, and their first films premiered only about a month apart. The Sorcerer’s Stone was released in the U.S. on November 16, and The Fellowship of the Ring debuted in the U.S. on December 19.
Both films performed well, but Harry Potter was the box office victor. The Sorcerer’s Stone made $90 million domestically in its opening weekend and finished with a worldwide gross of $974 million in its initial run, making it the highest-grossing film of 2001. In 2020, the film passed the $1 billion mark, following a “re-release in China,” according to Variety.
The Fellowship of the Ring grossed over $47 million in its domestic opening and earned over $868 million worldwide in its initial theatrical run. While it finished behind Harry Potter at the box office, it did beat Sorcerer’s Stone at the Academy Awards.
The first Harry Potter film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score, but didn’t win any. Meanwhile, Fellowship of the Ring was nominated for 13 Oscars and won four, which were Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, and Best Visual Effects.
Both Franchises Have Had Massive Impacts On The Fantasy Genre And Are Still Expanding
While both of these franchises are crucial to the fantasy genre, their impacts are unique. The Lord of the Rings set a new standard for high fantasy in terms of storytelling and production. The films are a testament to what’s possible when every aspect of a film’s production comes together brilliantly, and each department brought Middle-Earth to life beautifully.
Return of the King won the most Academy Awards ever for a single film, and the original trilogy is still regarded as one of the best of all time. Meanwhile, Harry Potter revealed a winning model for more family-oriented fantasy storytelling. Other fantasy stories, such as Percy Jackson and Impossible Creatures, follow a similar formula, though in different worlds.
Both of these franchises remain popular and continue to expand. Harry Potter has become a massive part of Universal Studios theme parks worldwide, and new stories are still being added, such as the Fantastic Beasts films and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The main story is also being reimagined as an HBO TV show.