Here 30+ Amazing Photos That Take Us Behind the Scenes of Harry Potter

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Can you believe that more than two decades have passed since the world first fell in love with Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron, and their fellow Hogwarts students? Today, we’ll look at some rare behind-the-scenes photos from the films. So, grab your scarf, wand, and Quidditch stick as we prepare to board the Hogwarts Express, which leaves from Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

Young Harry Potter

After spending much of his life in his aunt and uncle’s cupboard under the stairs, Harry is accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, our protagonist and Ron travel by train, meet Hagrid, cross the castle’s moat in a rickety rowing boat, and are greeted by Professor Minerva McGonagall.

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The two wide-eyed kids are blown away by the ancient, spooky, and impressive Scottish castle. Then, they’re blown away again when they meet Hermione Granger.

Behind the Scenes — Young Harry Potter

Now, here’s a blast from the past! It’s a young Daniel Radcliffe goofing around on set at the start of his Hogwarts journey. The actor was only 12 years old when he rose to global fame playing the most famous boy wizard of them all. Even before he was a teenager, Daniel was a millionaire, reportedly earning a million bucks for the first movie.

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Over the course of the eight movies, Radcliffe made a staggering $95.6 million. But, that’s nothing compared to what J.K. Rowling made. She was the world’s first billionaire author.

Dudley Fight Scene

This scene from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sees our boy Harry ask his cousin Dudley Dursley — who he lives with at number four Privet Drive — and his gang if he’d been picking on another 10-year-old. The oversized bully then taunts Harry about his late mother, which triggers the boy wizard to attack Dudley, holding his wand to his throat.

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Immediately, the sun disappears behind dark storm clouds. The kids are forced to run, and Harry saves Dudley from a deadly Dementor’s kiss in the tunnel.

Behind the Scenes — Dudley Fight Scene

Here’s a BTS shot of filmmaker David Yates directing Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Melling, aka Harry and Dudley Dursley, getting ready for their fight scene. Did you know that Dudley’s surname comes from a town in Gloucestershire, England near where J.K. Rowling is from?

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David Yates obviously did a fantastic job, as Warner Bros. invited him back to the franchise six times. He directed the final four films in the Harry Potter series and helmed all three Fantastic Beasts movies.