Main Movie/Book Differences
- The movie cuts out a lot of the exposition. We don't get to learn as much about Harry and the Dursley's.
- The movie cuts the part where Harry goes back to the Dursley's after getting his school supplies.
- In the movie Harry and Ron knew where Hermione was, and went to save her. Whereas in the book they didn't know, and happened to trap the troll in the same place that Hermione was.
- In the movie it is never mentioned that Harry gets a wooden flute from Hagrid for Christmas. Because of this, they had to find an entirely new way into the trapdoor.
- The Movie cut the entire potions challenge that Harry and Hermione face in the book. Movies are notorious for cutting scenes, but I felt this one was very influential and it still got cut.
- In the book Quirrell is smarter and ties Harry up, but in the movie Harry is free to fight.
- The book explains much better how Harry got out after defeating Quirrell and Voldemort. In the movie Harry basically appeared out.
- In the book it is explained much better why Snape dislikes Harry. In the movie this isn't explained at all.
- In the book there is a trouble making ghost, named Peeves. This character is almost cut out entirely by the movies.
- For a much more detailed list visit this website http://www.harrypotterfacts.com/_film-book1.htm