Hogwarts

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

If you think visiting one of the greatest schools of magic would ever get old, you need some help. Or maybe a SAD lamp: are you feeling okay? But this is the third year Harry Potter has visited Hogwarts, and the filmmakers have to do something to hold our interest. They can't show us the same sets again and again.

Cuarón brought some real-life magic to the setting by filming in more real-life locations than previous films, which were mostly shot on sound stages. He had no qualms about moving Hagrid's hut to a more scenic location. And many of the surrounding environs were filmed in the lush country of Scotland. (Source)

All the gorgeous scenery doesn't mean that Cuarón left Hogwarts itself behind. He populates the halls with ghosts, shows us the incredible moving staircases, and even casts Dawn French (Vicar of Dibley) as the Fat Lady. French brings her perfect comic timing to her brief role as the painting guarding the Gryffindor common room.

Years before fans could actually visit Hogwarts at Orlando Studios, Cuarón's vision gave fans hope that Hogwarts wasn't just a figment of their imaginations.