It's hard to believe the adventures of the world's most famous wizard are coming to an end. The Harry Potter book series ended in 2007 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The film series wraps up this summer with the second part of Deathly Hallows.

It's been a decade now since HP has been delighting movie fans around the world. Thanks to an epilogue in the final book we know what becomes of the beloved J.K. Rowling creations. There is no need to spoil it if you haven't read the book yet, but suffice it to say most HP fans will be satisfied.

Harry first came to life in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. An 11 year-old actor by the name of Daniel Radcliffe came to be identified with the title role. Ten years later the actor has aged along with the character, experiencing many of the same dilemmas the character's young fans have gone through. Granted, Harry has faced these challenges in a magical world while fending off the evil Lord Voldemort.

A steady complaint of devout Potter fans has been omissions and changes between the books and the movies. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was fairly faithful to the book, but fans did take issue with some of the omissions in HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Rowling has generally approved the changes made for the movies, since most were done for the sake of time.

One notable exception is the character of Bellatrix Lestrange played by Helena Bonham Carter. The character first appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but was originally scheduled to left out of the movie because at the time it was a minor character. Rowling insisted that the character be included, since she would be playing an important part in the final movie.

Most of the Potter movies have been successful at the box office, with a few receiving some well-deserved hits from critics. In the end, the Harry Potter ranks with the James Bond as one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. Just like the Bond films, there have been some slips and slides a long the way.

Fortunately, the Potter series is wrapping up on a high note. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 had the biggest opening in the history of the Potter films, bringing in $125 million. Critically, the film was also well received.

Fan are expected to turn out in big numbers again when we say goodbye to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and other familiar old friends when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 arrives in theaters on July 15, 2011 in both normal and 3D formats.