Editing Emma Watson (section)

=== 1999–2009: ''Harry Potter'' and worldwide recognition ===
<!-- EDITORS: "Philosopher's Stone" is the original title of the film. Please do not change it to "Sorcerer's Stone". -->
In 1999, casting began for ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'', the film adaptation of British author [[J. K. Rowling]]'s best-selling [[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone|novel]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Markovitz |first=Adam |date=1 July 2011 |title=Harry Potter: Casting the spell |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/07/01/harry-potter-casting-spell/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626225231/https://ew.com/article/2011/07/01/harry-potter-casting-spell/ |archive-date=26 June 2022 |access-date=17 February 2025 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}</ref> Casting agents found Watson through her Oxford theatre teacher. She had acted in school plays, but had no film acting experience. Her first audition took place when she was nine years old.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<br><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QkJI123yI4c |title=Emma's auditioning experience |date=24 November 2023 |language=en |publisher=Harry Potter YouTube channel |access-date=22 August 2024 |via=YouTube |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822041122/https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QkJI123yI4c |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="economictimes">{{Cite news |date=15 April 2023 |title=Emma Watson Birthday: 15 things to know about Hermione Granger from Harry Potter series |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/emma-watson-birthday-15-things-to-know-about-hermione-granger-from-harry-potter-series/articleshow/99513349.cms?from=mdr |access-date=22 August 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822041119/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/emma-watson-birthday-15-things-to-know-about-hermione-granger-from-harry-potter-series/articleshow/99513349.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schwartz |first=Missy |date=17 December 2001 |title=Harry Potter's Hermione talks sequel and more |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/12/17/harry-potters-hermione-talks-sequel-and-more/ |access-date=22 August 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115154036/http://ew.com/article/2001/12/17/harry-potters-hermione-talks-sequel-and-more/ |url-status=live}}</ref>}} Although Watson had to audition a total of eight times before earning the role, Rowling supported her casting after her first [[screen test]].<ref name="economictimes" /> Prior to casting Watson, the producers considered [[Hatty Jones]] for the role.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Staff |date=22 July 2019 |title=This Little-Known Actress Very Nearly Played Hermione Granger Instead of Emma Watson |url=https://www.ohmymag.co.uk/entertainment/celebrities/this-little-known-actress-very-nearly-played-hermione-granger-instead-of-emma-watson_art4712.html |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=Oh My Mag |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204045144/https://www.ohmymag.co.uk/entertainment/celebrities/this-little-known-actress-very-nearly-played-hermione-granger-instead-of-emma-watson_art4712.html |url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Emma Watson GoF Premiere 2.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Watson at the premiere of ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' in November 2005]]

The release of ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' in 2001 was Watson's debut screen performance. The film broke records for opening-day sales and opening-weekend takings and was the highest-grossing film of 2001.<ref name="shatter">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter magically shatters records |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Box_Office_Analysis_Harry_Potter_breaks_records/1097810 |access-date=21 September 2007 |date=18 November 2001 |work=Hollywood.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002035720/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Box_Office_Analysis_Harry_Potter_breaks_records/1097810 |archive-date=2 October 2007}}</ref><ref name="2001gross">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2001&p=.htm |title=2001 Worldwide Grosses |access-date=29 May 2007 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410133146/http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2001&p=.htm |archive-date=10 April 2007}}</ref> Critics singled out Watson for particular acclaim; ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' called her performance "admirable",<ref name="admirable">{{cite news |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |title=Magic is the only word for it |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1361526/Magic-is-the-only-word-for-it.html |access-date=23 September 2007 |date=4 November 2007 |first=John |last=Hiscock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601223319/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1361526/Magic-is-the-only-word-for-it.html |archive-date=1 June 2008}}</ref> and ''[[IGN]]'' said she "stole the show".<ref name="stole">{{cite news |title=Review of ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'' |work=IGN |first=Brian |last=Linder |date=17 November 2001 |url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/316/316273p1.html |access-date=23 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229044646/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/316/316273p1.html |archive-date=29 December 2007}}</ref> Watson was nominated for five awards for her performance in ''Philosopher's Stone'', winning the [[Young Artist Award]] for Leading Young Actress.<ref name="YAA">{{cite web |url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms23A.htm |title=2002 nominations and winners |access-date=13 September 2007 |publisher=Young Artist's Awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903210759/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms23A.htm |archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref> She was chosen as one of [[Entertainment Weekly]]'s Breakout Performers of 2001.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Schwartz |first=Missy |date=17 December 2001 |title=''Harry Potter'''s Hermione talks sequel and more |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/12/17/harry-potters-hermione-talks-sequel-and-more/ |access-date=22 August 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115154036/http://ew.com/article/2001/12/17/harry-potters-hermione-talks-sequel-and-more/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

A year later, Watson reprised her role as Hermione in ''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'', the second installment of the series. Reviewers praised the lead actors' performances. The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said Watson and her co-stars had matured between films,<ref name="LATCoS">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |url=http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan15nov15,0,1767241.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051228225730/http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan15nov15%2C0%2C1767241.story |archive-date=28 December 2005 |access-date=22 September 2007 |date=15 November 2002 |author=Kenneth Turan |work=Los Angeles Times |url-status=dead}}</ref> while ''[[The Times]]'' criticised director [[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]] for "under-employing" Watson's hugely popular character.<ref name="underuse">{{cite news |title=Film of the week |first=Barbara |last=Ellen |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article828645.ece |access-date=23 September 2007 |date=14 November 2002 |work=The Times|location=UK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517074505/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article828645.ece |archive-date=17 May 2011}}</ref> Watson received an Otto Award from the German magazine ''[[Bravo (magazine)|Bravo]]'' for her performance.<ref name="bravo-archiv-2003">{{cite web |url=http://www.bravo-archiv.de/auswahl.php?link=ottosieger2003.php |title=Bravo Otto&nbsp;– Sieger 2003 |access-date=22 September 2007 |language=de |work=Bravo magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011095017/http://bravo-archiv.de/auswahl.php?link=ottosieger2003.php |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref>

In 2004, ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' was released. Watson was appreciative of the more assertive role Hermione played, calling her "charismatic" and "a fantastic role to play".<ref name="radcliffegrintwatson">{{cite web |first=Jonathon |last=Trout |date=1 June 2004 |title=Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/06/01/daniel_radcliffe_emma_watson_rupert_grint_azkaban_interview.shtml |access-date=3 August 2007 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070718145239/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/06/01/daniel_radcliffe_emma_watson_rupert_grint_azkaban_interview.shtml |archive-date=18 July 2007}}</ref> Critics lauded Watson's performance; [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' remarked: "Luckily Mr. Radcliffe's blandness is offset by Ms. Watson's spiky impatience. Harry may show off his expanding wizardly skills ... but Hermione ... earns the loudest applause with a decidedly unmagical punch to [[Draco Malfoy]]'s deserving nose."<ref name="NYTPoA">{{cite news |title=Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Film review |work=The New York Times |author=A. O. Scott |date=3 June 2004 |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?&res=980DE2D81431F930A35755C0A9629C8B63&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin |access-date=23 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218233842/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?&res=980DE2D81431F930A35755C0A9629C8B63&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin |archive-date=18 February 2012}}</ref> Although ''Prisoner of Azkaban'' proved to be the lowest-grossing ''Harry Potter'' film in the entire series, Watson's performance won her two Otto Awards and the Child Performance of the Year award from ''[[Total Film]]''.<ref name="otto1">{{cite news |url=http://www.danradcliffe.com/news/fullnews.php?id=630 |access-date=13 September 2007 |title=Dan Wins Another Otto Award |publisher=DanRadcliffe.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011083639/http://danradcliffe.com/news/fullnews.php?id=630 |archive-date=11 October 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="otto2">{{cite press release |publisher=Presseportal.com |url=http://www.presseportal.de/story_rss.htx?nr=819426 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011091949/http://presseportal.de/story_rss.htx?nr=819426 |archive-date=11 October 2007 |access-date=13 September 2007 |title=Bravo Otto Awards 2005 |language=de}}</ref>

With ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' (2005), both Watson and the ''Harry Potter'' film series reached new milestones. The film set records for a ''Harry Potter'' opening weekend and opening weekend in the UK. Critics praised the increasing maturity of Watson and her teenage co-stars; ''The New York Times'' called her performance "touchingly earnest",<ref name=NYTGoF>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/17/movies/the-young-wizard-puts-away-childish-things.html |access-date=24 September 2007 |title=The Young Wizard puts away childish things |first=Manohla |last=Dargis |date=17 November 2005 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=29 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529184457/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/17/movies/the-young-wizard-puts-away-childish-things.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote that "Watson's gutsy, confident performance nicely shows that inside and outside the world of magic there is a growing discrepancy between a teenage girl's status and her accelerating emotional and intellectual development."<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/nov/18/harrypotter |title=Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |work=The Guardian |date=18 November 2005 |access-date=23 September 2007 |archive-date=20 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920041140/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/nov/18/harrypotter |url-status=live}}</ref> For Watson, much of the film's humour sprang from the tension among the three lead characters as they matured. She said, "I loved all the arguing. ... I think it's much more realistic that they would argue and that there would be problems."<ref name=igngoblet>{{cite web |title=Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/667/667146p1.html |date=15 November 2005 |access-date=3 August 2007 |website=IGN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107051958/http://movies.ign.com/articles/667/667146p1.html |archive-date=7 November 2007}}</ref> Nominated for three awards for ''Goblet of Fire'', Watson won a bronze [[Bravo Otto|Otto Award]].<ref name=bfc2>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfca.org/individual_movie.asp?id=1769 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071229055819/http://www.bfca.org/individual_movie.asp?id=1769 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 December 2007 |title=Goblet of Fire awards |publisher=Broadcast Film Critics Association |access-date=13 September 2007}}</ref><ref name=mtv1>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1529112/story.jhtml |title=Alba, Carell, 'Crashers,' 'Virgin' Big Nominees For MTV Movie Awards |date=24 April 2006 |access-date=22 September 2007 |last=Carroll |first=Larry |publisher=MTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219091809/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1529112/story.jhtml |archive-date=19 December 2007}}</ref> Watson almost quit the franchise after ''Goblet of Fire'', saying, "I think I was scared. I don’t know if you ever felt like it got to a tipping point where you were like, 'this is kind of forever now.'"<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 2021 |title=Emma Watson Wanted To Quit 'Harry Potter', Here's Why She Stayed. |url=https://www.elle.com.au/culture/celebrity/emma-watson-almost-quit-harry-potter-26438/ |access-date=2 April 2024 |website=ELLE |archive-date=2 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402142922/https://www.elle.com.au/culture/celebrity/emma-watson-almost-quit-harry-potter-26438/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, Watson played Hermione in ''[[The Queen's Handbag]]'', a special mini-episode of ''Harry Potter'' in celebration of Queen [[Elizabeth II]]'s 80th birthday.<ref name=handbag>{{cite news |title=New Harry Potter scene for queen |date=12 June 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5072118.stm |access-date=6 August 2007 |publisher=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921024306/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5072118.stm |archive-date=21 September 2007}}</ref> The fifth film in the ''Harry Potter'' series, ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', was released in 2007. A huge financial success, the film set a record worldwide opening-weekend gross of $332.7&nbsp;million.<ref name=mojoOotP>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm |title=All Time worldwide opening records |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=25 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623165250/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm |archive-date=23 June 2011}}</ref> Watson won the inaugural [[National Movie Award]] for Best Female Performance.<ref name=NFA>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7019374.stm |title=Potter wins film awards hat-trick |access-date=29 September 2007 |date=28 September 2007 |last=Pryor |first=Fiona |publisher=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016123337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7019374.stm |archive-date=16 October 2007}}</ref> As the fame of the actress and the series continued to rise, Watson and her ''Harry Potter'' co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint left imprints of their hands, feet and wands in front of [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]] in Hollywood on 9 July 2007.<ref name=grauman>{{cite news |title=Stardom fades, but cement lives on |work=Toronto Star |date=11 January 2008 |access-date=22 January 2008 |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/293005 |first=Peter |last=Howell |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521154939/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/293005 |archive-date=21 May 2008}}</ref> That month, Watson's work on the ''Harry Potter'' series was said to have earned her more than £10&nbsp;million, and she acknowledged she would never have to work for money again.<ref name="money">{{cite news |last=Peck |first=Sally |title=Harry Potter's Sidekick 'Rich Enough To Retire' |work=[[Telegraph Media Group|The Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1557009/Harry-Potters-sidekick-rich-enough-to-retire.html |date=10 July 2007 |access-date=25 February 2014 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331000934/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1557009/Harry-Potters-sidekick-rich-enough-to-retire.html |archive-date=31 March 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson & Rupert Grint colour.jpg|thumb|left|Watson with co-stars [[Daniel Radcliffe]] (''left'') and [[Rupert Grint]] (''right'') at the premiere of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]'' in July 2011|alt=Watson with Daniel Radcliffe (left) and Rupert Grint at the London premiere of Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in July 2011|205x205px]]

Prior to the release of ''Order of the Phoenix'', the future of the ''Harry Potter'' series was in jeopardy, as all three lead actors were hesitant to sign on to continue their roles for the final installments.<ref name="mtv-radcliffe">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1553722/20070302/story.jhtml |title=Harry Potter Will Be Played By Daniel Radcliffe in Final Two Flicks |date=2 March 2007 |publisher=MTV |access-date=18 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510132047/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1553722/20070302/story.jhtml |archive-date=10 May 2009}}</ref> Watson was considerably more ambivalent than her co-stars during renegotiations.<ref name="NWWatson">{{cite news |work=Newsweek |title=Will Harry Potter lose one of its stars? |date=2 October 2006 |access-date=25 September 2007 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14966267/site/newsweek/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005101208/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14966267/site/newsweek/ |archive-date=5 October 2006}}</ref> She explained that the decision was significant, as the films represented a further four-year commitment to the role, but eventually conceded that she "could never let [the role of] Hermione go",<ref name="Hermback">{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21447024-5005368,00.html |access-date=12 April 2009 |date=25 March 2007 |title=Hermione is back |publisher=news.com.au |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511061909/http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0%2C21598%2C21447024-5005368%2C00.html |archive-date=11 May 2009}}</ref> signing for the role on 23 March 2007.<ref name="NYTlast2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/24/arts/24arts.html |title=Gang's all here |work=The New York Times |date=24 March 2007 |access-date=12 April 2009 |first=Peter |last=Edidin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903210838/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/24/arts/24arts.html |archive-date=3 September 2014}}</ref>

Watson's first non-''Potter'' role was the 2007 BBC film ''[[Ballet Shoes (film)|Ballet Shoes]]'', a [[television adaptation]] of the [[Ballet Shoes (novel)|1936 novel of the same name]] by [[Noel Streatfeild]].<ref name="BShoes1">{{cite news |title=Dancing towards their dreams |first=Matt |last=Warman |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/12/21/nosplit/bvtvballet21.xml |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=21 December 2007 |access-date=12 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124132754/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2007%2F12%2F21%2Fnosplit%2Fbvtvballet21.xml |archive-date=24 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="BShoes2">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/12/26/baheidi126.xml |access-date=1 January 2008 |title=''Ballet Shoes'' saw me through |first=Adriaane |last=Pielou |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=26 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523051114/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2007%2F12%2F26%2Fbaheidi126.xml |archive-date=23 May 2008}}</ref> The film's director, [[Sandra Goldbacher]], commented that Watson was "perfect" for the starring role of aspiring actress Pauline Fossil: "She has a piercing, delicate aura that makes you want to gaze and gaze at her."<ref name="BalletShoesBBC">{{cite press release |title=A Christmas treat for all the family |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk52/feature_balletshoes.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130080712/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk52/feature_balletshoes.shtml |archive-date=30 November 2007 |access-date=1 January 2008 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> ''Ballet Shoes'' was broadcast in the UK on [[Boxing Day]] to 5.7&nbsp;million viewers, to mixed reviews.<ref name="BShoesBBC">{{cite press release |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk52/trans_bbc1.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209071634/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk52/trans_bbc1.shtml |archive-date=9 December 2007 |access-date=1 January 2008 |publisher=BBC |title=BBC One Transmission Details, weeks 52/1}}</ref><ref name="BShoesGuardian">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/dec/27/tvratings.television |access-date=1 January 2008 |date=27 December 2007 |title=Viewers sold on Old Curiosity Shop |first=Chris |last=Tryhorn |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821030911/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/dec/27/tvratings.television |archive-date=21 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="BShoesTT">{{cite news |title=Last Night's TV |first=Tim |last=Teeman |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3097342.ece |access-date=1 January 2008 |date=27 December 2007 |work=The Times|location=UK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517074523/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3097342.ece |archive-date=17 May 2011}}</ref> The following year, she voiced the character Princess Pea in the [[animation]] ''[[The Tale of Despereaux (film)|The Tale of Despereaux]]'', a children's comedy, based on [[The Tale of Despereaux|the 2003 novel of the same name]], by [[Kate DiCamillo]], starring [[Matthew Broderick]], with ''Harry Potter'' co-star [[Robbie Coltrane]] also starring in the film.<ref name="emmafilmography">{{cite web |url=http://www.emmawatson.com/en/Screen/Filmography/Filmography-Continued/ |first=Emma |last=Watson |title=Filmography |access-date=16 April 2010 |publisher=Official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510071258/http://www.emmawatson.com/en/Screen/Filmography/Filmography-Continued/ |archive-date=10 May 2010}}</ref> ''The Tale of Despereaux'' was released in December 2008 and grossed $87&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref name="mojodespereaux">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=taleofdespereaux.htm |title=The Tale of Despereaux |access-date=16 April 2010 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205113606/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=taleofdespereaux.htm |archive-date=5 February 2010}}</ref>

[[Principal photography]] for the sixth ''Harry Potter'' film began in late 2007, with Watson's part being filmed from 18 December to 17 May 2008.<ref name=HBPfilming1>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmawatsonofficial.com/#news/show/220 |access-date=12 April 2009 |title=Ballet Shoes interviews |publisher=Emma Watson's official website news |first=Emma |last=Watson |date=28 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414192235/http://www.emmawatsonofficial.com/ |archive-date=14 April 2009}}</ref><ref name=HBPfilming2>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmawatsonofficial.com/#news/show/330 |access-date=12 April 2009 |title=Ballet Shoes interviews |publisher=Emma Watson's official website news |first=Emma |last=Watson |date=22 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414192235/http://www.emmawatsonofficial.com/ |archive-date=14 April 2009}}</ref> ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' premiered on 15 July 2009,<ref name=HBPopen>{{cite web |title=Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Global Release Dates |url=http://harrypotter.warnerbros.co.uk/releasedates/ |publisher=Warner Bros. Pictures |access-date=14 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816070521/http://harrypotter.warnerbros.co.uk/releasedates/ |archive-date=16 August 2010}}</ref> having been delayed from November 2008.<ref name=HBPdelay>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7562557.stm |access-date=28 July 2009 |title=Potter film release date delayed |publisher=BBC News |date=15 August 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218073005/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7562557.stm |archive-date=18 February 2009}}</ref> With the lead actors in their late teens, critics were increasingly willing to review them on the same level as the rest of the franchise's all-star cast, which the ''Los Angeles Times'' described as "a comprehensive guide to contemporary UK acting".<ref name=comprehensive>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/reviews/movies/la-et-potter14-2009jul14,0,1421215.story |access-date=28 July 2009 |date=14 July 2009 |first=Kenneth |last=Turan |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Review: 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718004039/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/reviews/movies/la-et-potter14-2009jul14%2C0%2C1421215.story |archive-date=18 July 2009}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' felt Watson had given "[her] most charming performance to date",<ref name=WPcharming>{{cite news |last=Kois |first=Dan |newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Critic Review for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince |date=14 July 2009 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince,1145253/critic-review.html#reviewNum1 |access-date=28 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216203313/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince%2C1145253/critic-review.html |archive-date=16 February 2011}}</ref> while ''The Daily Telegraph'' described the lead actors as "newly liberated and energised, eager to give all they have to what's left of the series".<ref name=DTenergised>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/5841004/Harry-Potter-and-the-Half-Blood-Prince-review.html |title=Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, review |first=Sukhdev |last=Sandhu |date=16 July 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202115756/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/5841004/Harry-Potter-and-the-Half-Blood-Prince-review.html |archive-date=2 December 2014}}</ref>

Watson's filming for the final installment, ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'', began on 18 February 2009<ref name=DHfilming>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmawatsonofficial.com/#news/show/376 |access-date=12 April 2009 |title=Filming begins |publisher=Emma Watson's official website news |first=Emma |last=Watson |date=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414192235/http://www.emmawatsonofficial.com/ |archive-date=14 April 2009}}</ref> and ended on 12 June 2010.<ref name=DHfilmend>{{cite web |first=Alison |last=Schwartz |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20393867,00.html |title=Daniel Radcliffe Calls Wrapping Up Harry Potter Devastating |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=9 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208021622/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20393867%2C00.html |archive-date=8 February 2011}}</ref> For financial and scripting reasons, the original book was divided into two films which were shot consecutively.<ref name=times>{{cite news |title=Longer spell at box office for Harry Potter |date=14 March 2008 |author=Jack Malvern |work=The Times|location=UK}}</ref><ref name=empireheyman>{{cite news |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22200 |title=Potter Producer Talks Deathly Hallows |access-date=14 March 2008 |date=14 March 2008 |author=Olly Richards |work=Empire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710192807/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22200 |archive-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1'' was released in November 2010 while the second film was released in July 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110713/REVIEWS/110719994 |title=Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=15 November 2018 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |archive-date=13 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013012136/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20110713%2FREVIEWS%2F110719994 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2'' became a commercial and critical success. The [[List of highest-grossing films|highest-grossing film]] in the franchise, it grossed more than $1.3 billion worldwide and proved to be Watson's most commercially successful film to date.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1201607/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622021035/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1201607/?ref_=bo_se_r_1 |url-status=live}}</ref>