Harry Potter: I Spy a Few Changes…

Most books-turned-movies will at some point find portions of the plot lost in translation. Here are a few pointed differences between each book and movie in the Harry Potter series.

(Know a difference that we didn’t include?? Comment back and let everyone know that you're a true Harry Potter fan and fill the rest of us in!)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone

The Mirror of Erised:

Book: When Harry gazes into this mirror, which shows the deepest desires of the person who is peering into it, he sees the entire Potter clan.

Movie: When Harry stands before the mirror, he only sees Lily (his mother) and James (his father) standing beside him.

Norbert the dragon :

Book: Harry and Hermione give Norbert to Charlie Weasley.

Film: Norbert is taken away by Dumbledore.

Draco Malfoy:

Book: Harry and Draco first meet in Madame Malkin's robe shop in Diagon Alley.

Film: Harry and Draco first meet on the Hogwarts Express.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Polyjuice Potion:

Book: The Potion causes the drinker to assume the exact appearance of the target, including their voice and any disabilities (such as poor eyesight) and abilities.

Film: When Harry and Ron drink the potion to become Crabe and Goyle, their voices remain unchanged and Harry still requires the use of his glasses.

Deathday Party:
Book: Includes a Deathday celebration for the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, which Ron, Harry and Hermione attend.
Film: The Deathday celebration is completely ommited.

The Sorting Hat:
Book: In one scene, Harry is sitting in Dumbledore's office and sees the hat. He actually picks up the hat and places it on his head.
Film: In the same scene, Harry just converses with the hat while it's sitting on its stand.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Sirius Black:
Book: Sirius Black is given a lot of back-story and a detailed history. The way in which he escaped from Azkaban is also explained.
Film: His back-story is all but cut and the way he escaped from Azkaban isn’t mentioned.

Fidelius Charm:
Book: The charm, which hides locations from those who don’t already know where it is, is explained.
Film: The details of this charm are omitted, which is important because it doesn’t explain how Sirius was supposed to have betrayed the Potters.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Quidditch World Cup:

Book: Harry and most of the Weasley clan are fans of Ireland.

Film: Harry and Ron support Bulgaria.

S.P.E.W:

Book: The book includes information on S.P.E.W, Hermione's Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare.

Film: This organization is not included, and not seen in any of the other movies.

Gillyweed:

Book: For the final contest in the Triwizard tournament, Dobby the houseelf gives Harry Gillyweed to enable him to grow gills and breathe under water.

Film: Neville learns about the properties of Gillyweed from Mad Eye Moody and gives the plant to Harry.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The playing of quidditch is completely omitted from this film, while it is present in the book.

Mrs. Weasley:

Book: Mrs. Weasley encounters a bogart at Grimmauld Place, which shows all of her loved ones deceased.

Film: This scene is omitted from the film.

Prefects:

Book: Ron, Hermione and Malfoy all become prefects.

Film: This information is ommited.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

The funeral of Dumbledore is not shown in the movie, while it plays a very large and important part of the book.

Hogwarts Express:

Book: When Harry is paralyzed by Malfoy on the train, then hidden under his invisibility cloak, he is found by Nymphadora Tonks.

Film: Luna Lovegood is the one who accidentally discovers Harry, because she is wearing her Spectrespecs and finds him.

Post By KTO, Boulder Book Store Fall Intern