Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone made British history when more than 1.2million DVDs and videos were snapped up on the first day of the film's release.
The previous record was held by Titanic, which sold 1.1million when its small-screen format was released in 1997. Warner Home Video shipped 5million copies of the film to stores throughout Britain anticipating a demand when it went on sale on Saturday morning. Tens of thousands of fans ordered copies over the Internet and hundreds queued at HMV in Oxford Street, Central London.
Toni Preece, 31, from Eltham, South-East London, waited for 15 hours and was the first to buy a copy, for which she received a presentation plaque. The shop was transformed for the event by special effects, wizards and witches, and an owl.
Actors Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who play Harry's friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, launched the video and DVD at London's King's Cross station. The station is featured in the film and sees Harry take a train from platform nine-and-three-quarters to Hogwart's school.
Actor Robbie Coltrane, who plays game-keeper Rubeus Hagrid, also made an appearance.
Tesco's 24-hour shops and 58 Asda superstores started selling the video and DVD at midnight. Asda stores had a special Hogwart's Express cash desk. Neil McEwan, managing director of Warner Home Video, said: 'The results have exceeded all our expectations.'
