Harry Potter Costumes
Dress up as your favorite Harry Potter character

Since Harry was brought to life on the big screen in 2001, the Harry Potter movies have received a huge following across the globe. Now that the film franchise is about to end, here’s a quick look at the magical Harry Potter movies that follow the adventures of The Boy Who Lived.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

An orphan with a miserable life, Harry Potter never thought there’s a totally different life waiting for him at Hogwarts. Harry learns on his 11th birthday that he is a wizard and is famous in the wizarding world for surviving a killing curse.

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Unexplained things have terrified Hogwarts teachers and students, and a monster is out to kill students without magical blood. Harry defeats the monster and saves the life of his best friend’s sister.

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry faces a new threat on his life, as mass murderer Sirius Black has escaped detention to kill him. Struggling against dementor attacks, Harry discovers the truth behind the murder of his parents.

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

To his utter surprise, Harry finds himself as one of the contenders in the Triwizard Tournament held at Hogwarts. During the competition, he encounters Voldemort who tries to reclaim his lost glory in the wizarding world.

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry has a hard time convincing the wizarding community that Voldemort is back. Together with his friends, he forms the Dumbledore’s Army to teach defensive spells to his fellow students.

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry and Dumbledore try to unravel the past of the Dark Lord to discover the way to make him mortal.

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Coming in two installments, the last Harry Potter movies will follow the quest of Harry and his friends to destroy the remaining Horcruxes where bits of Voldemort’s souls are kept.

Check out the latest Harry Potter Halloween costumes for 2009. Theses are some of the hottest outfits this year, from Harry Potter and Hermione Granger to Lord Voldemort and Death Eaters.

You can find costumes in sizes for adults, children, toddlers and plus size. What Harry Potter character will you dress up as this year?

It doesn’t take a “pure-blood” fan to know who the Harry Potter characters are. For about a decade, these characters have left an indelible mark—much like the protagonist’s lightning bolt scar—to many Potter fans.

Listed here are the most unforgettable Harry Potter characters to ever grace the pages of the book.

1. Harry Potter

Harry tops the list for an obvious reason—he is the leading character in the books and movies. It’s not hard to sympathize with his character. For 10 years, he had endured unfortunate circumstances, only to find out that his status is totally different in the magical world. His courage has saved a lot of lives at Hogwarts. He survived a killing curse, thanks to his mother’s love that protected him from death. That’s why he is popularly known, both in fiction and in reality, as The Boy Who Lived.

2. Ron Weasley

Ron is Harry’s best friend and ever dependable sidekick. He provides comic relief both in the books and movies. While he is not as popular as Harry or as brainy as Hermione, his loyalty and natural charm more than made up for it.

3. Hermione Granger

Once described by Professor Snape as an “insufferable know-it-all,” Hermione consistently excels in her classes (except for Divination). Buermione does more than just that. Among the Harry Potter characters, she possesses a logical mind, which has tremendously helped Harry in most of his battles.

4. Albus Dumbledore

For Harry and most Hogwarts students, Professor Dumbledore is the greatest wizard who ever lived. This 150-something-year old Hogwarts headmaster is indeed a master of every field of magic. His wisdom and magical prowess are cloaked under his calm, serene demeanor.

5. Severus Snape

Is he on the side of Dumbledore or Voldemort? This ambiguity adds mystery to Snape’s character, making him one of the most debated and interesting Harry Potter characters.

Originally slated for release on November 2008, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince finally hit the cinemas in July the following year. Was it worth the long wait? It’s absolutely worth it if you’re talking about the Harry Potter cast of the movie’s sixth installment.

The casting of the Half-Blood Prince, which was completed on November 2007, is an awesome mix of the original actors of the film franchise and interesting newcomers. Leading the cast are Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, who are reprising their roles as Harry, Ron, and Hermione, respectively. The trio, once again, are in for dangers of the looming return of Voldemort.

They are joined by the rest of the original Harry Potter cast, including Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Snape), and Bonnie Wright (Ginny). Tom Felton, who plays Harry’s most wicked nemesis in Hogwarts, reprises his role too—but he plays a big role in the Half-Blood Prince.

The additions to the Harry Potter cast consist of both veterans and neophytes. Two multi-awarded English thespians come on board for the Half-Blood Prince. Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent plays Horace Slughorn, the new potions professor at Hogwarts. Helen McCrory plays Narcisa Malfoy, the mother of Draco and sister of Bellatrix (played by Helena Bonham Carter).

Several young actors make their debut in the Half-Blood Prince. The most talked about is Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, who portrays the 11-year-old Voldemort, the adult version of whom has been played by his uncle Ralph Fiennes in the previous two Harry Potter films. Playing an interesting role in the movie is Jessie Cave who has bagged the role of Lavender Brown.

Before the Harry Potter movies became a sensation worldwide, Harry Potter books have been on the bestseller lists for years. With more than 400 million copies sold worldwide, Harry Potter has earned a multi-millionaire status and multiple awards for its creator J.K. Rowling.

Here’s a rundown on the Harry Potter books that have endeared themselves to millions of fans.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Until his 11th birthday, Harry thought he is an ordinary orphan who’s bound to live under the stairs for the rest of his life. Soon, Harry finds himself studying magic at Hogwarts and facing the most feared wizard in his world.

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

In Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, things turn out to be horrible for students who come from non-magical families. Harry takes on the hero’s hat to kill the basilisk and help Ginny escape death.

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Notorious prisoner Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban, posing a serious threat to Harry’s life. Harry, with the help of Professor Lupin, learns how to fight the creepy dementors and learns the truth about his parents’ death.

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Without Harry’s knowledge, his name has been included as Hogwarts’ representative to the Triwizard Tournament. He survives the death-defying challenges, but can he survive his terrifying encounter with Voldemort?

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

With the looming comeback of Voldemort, Harry has become frustrated because nobody believes him that the Dark Lord is back. Harry takes the matters upon himself to fight Voldemort and his evil followers.

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The book is all about Harry and Dumbledore’s quest in defeating Voldemort. However, there are things that just don’t happen in favor of Harry.

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Of all the Harry Potter books, the final installment has the most bittersweet tale of death, courage, and love. It follows the three protagonists in their effort to continue what Harry and Dumbledore have started—to stop Voldemort from regaining his power.

So your son’s been invited to a Harry Potter costume party.  You search high and low in retail stores and your own chest full of old robes and vintage stuff, but none seems to come close to the adventure-fantasy movie hero who’s been read about by millions of fanatics.

Thank your lucky stars that online stores have available stocks of the authentic Harry Potter costume consisting of a hooded black robe lined with mauve and with the Griffindor Crest gold & red patch emblazoned on the left chest. Let your kid’s look amaze the other guests even more by adding a lightning bolt scar on your son’s face using washable make-up. Don’t forget a pair of glasses to complete his Harry Potter look.

The Harry Potter costume is the same for Harry’s other friends. The robe can have added impact when complemented by accessories like a magical wand that’s fit for a true-blue wizard. A broomstick is another bewitching option.  Online stores also offer licensed accessories like a special wand that can make sounds and has flashing orange light at the tip.

Other accessories you will most likely find online are the Harry Potter polyester tie with maroon and gold diagonal stripes, scarf, wigs for Harry’s friends, Hogwart trick-or-treat bags, plus other delightful items suited for Halloween.

An alternative Harry Potter costume is the maroon hooded robe in flannel, which must be ankle-length. If there’s an adult accompanying your son to the Halloween party, there are masks that may also be purchased online, or you may chance upon them at costume stores. Try Dumbledore or creepy Voldemort mask. If the older companion is a girl, a sorting hat will do.

Imagine the following: Black robes; a wand; messy black hair; black, round glasses; and a lightning bolt shaped scar on the forehead. Red and gold robes; a broomstick; a tiny golden ball with wings; messy black hair; black, round glasses; and a lightning bolt shaped scar on the forehead.

These are the two of the popular Harry Potter costumes come Halloween ever since the first Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, came out in 2001. Harry’s own brand of wizard has been widely adopted by kids and adults alike and has become a staple outfit when the calendar hits October 31st. One could see a dozen Harrys in their Hogwarts robes or in their Gryffindor Quidditch gear walking down the streets.

From the simple black school robes, costumes have evolved to depict the other well-loved characters from the movies. The tremendous popularity of the Harry Potter movies has made close to a million fans to want to dress up as their favorite characters. With all these characters wandering the streets, it might be possible to create an impromptu Harry Potter movie right in your neighborhood.

Buying Harry Potter outfits from costume shops can be expensive, however. Here are tips on how to dress like a witch and wizard and create your own Harry Potter costumes.

Harry Potter in School Robes

Find a black graduation gown and put on a Gryffindor patch. If you know how to embroider, there are a lot of patterns for the Gryffindor House patch available from different web sites. If not, silkscreened patches will do. For your inner wear, pair up black slacks with a white long-sleeve polo and a red-and-gold striped tie. Put on a black cardigan. Finish your look with a pair of black, round glasses and draw a lightning bolt scar on your forehead. Don’t forget your wand.

Quidditch Robes

Instead of a black robe, find a scarlet one and put on a Gryffindor patch. For your inner wear, put on a pair of khaki slacks and a red knitted sweater. If you can find knee and elbow pads, all the better. Don’t forget your broomstick and the trademark round glasses and lightning scar. To make your Golden Snitch, paint a small Styrofoam ball gold and attach some wings made out of yellow pipe cleaners.

Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger

Making a Ron Weasley costume is the same as Harry Potter in school robes, only that Ron has bright red hair and lots of freckles, which may require a wig and an orange marker. Hermione Granger’s school robes are also similar to Harry’s and Ron’s. For her inner wear, find a pleated black skirt and pair it with a long-sleeve button down polo, red and gold striped tie, and black, knee-high socks. Complete the Hermione look with bushy hair and books.

Hogwarts Student

If you don’t want to be Harry, Ron, or Hermione and be just a regular Hogwarts student, simply replace your colors of your patches and ties. Gryffindor students wear red and gold ties, Slytherins wear green and silver, Ravenclaws wear blue and bronze, and Hufflepuffs wear yellow and black. You can find the different patterns for the different House crest patches from various Harry Potter fan sites.