“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Becomes the UK’s Highest Grossing Film of the Year

LONDON - Warner Bros. Pictures International UK today reveals that “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” has become the biggest movie of 2009. Taking into account the GBP5,176,950 it made this weekend, the film has now grossed GBP33,070,181 since it opened in UK cinemas on 15th July.

Josh Berger, President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Entertainment UK commented: “Harry Potter is a uniquely British franchise so it’s fitting that this, the sixth movie in the series, is another phenomenal success at the UK box office. The performance of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” has been nothing short of astonishing; it has enjoyed the biggest 5 day opening weekend of the year so far, become the highest grossing movie of 2009, and the fastest edition in the franchise to reach the GBP33 million point; all in just two and half weeks.”

Producer David Heyman added, “We share this success with Jo Rowling, whose books are the foundation of this remarkable franchise, and the tremendous team-director, writer, cast and crew-with whom I am privileged to work every day and whose ambition for the films never ceases to amaze me. Thanks also to our friends at Warner Bros. and the countless Harry Potter fans around the world for their continued and passionate support.”

Based upon the acclaimed book by JK Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” is the sixth movie in the highest grossing film series in cinema history. It is currently on general release across the UK and sees Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and face new challenges and dangers in the wake of Lord Voldemort’s return. The film also stars Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Helen McCrory, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.

Notes to Editors: - The previous highest grossing movie of 2009 was “Slumdog Millionaire” with a total box office of GBP31,664,346. - The last Harry Potter movie, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” grossed GBP49.8 million at the UK box office in 2007 - The Harry Potter movie franchise has grossed almost GBP300 million at the UK box office thus far.

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is directed by David Yates from a screenplay by Steve Kloves, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. David Heyman and David Barron produced the film, with Lionel Wigram serving as executive producer and John Trehy co-producing.

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”: An IMAX 3D Experience-digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) through proprietary IMAX DMR(R) technology-is being released by Warner Bros. Pictures in select theatres in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago concurrently with the nationwide 35mm release in traditional theatres. The film will open nationwide in IMAX on July 29th. Using IMAX’s revolutionary live action 2D to 3D conversion technology, the movie’s opening sequence has been transformed into IMAX 3D. The film will also be shown completely in IMAX 2D in select locations without IMAX(R) 3D capability.

Images are available on www.Image.net

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures International

For additional information, please contact: Louisa Radcliffe / Stuart Gurr, +44(0)207-984-5200, Louisa.radcliffe at warnerbros.com / Stuart.gurr at warnerbros.com