<P> Harry Potter and the Philosopher 's Stone ( released in the United States as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer 's Stone ) is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures . It is based on the novel of the same name by J.K. Rowling . The film is the first instalment in the long - running Harry Potter film series , and was written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman . Its story follows Harry Potter 's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers that he is a famous wizard and begins his education . The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter , with Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley , and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger . </P>
when did harry potter and the sorcerers stone take place
Harry Potter 's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry