It’s been 14 years since J.K. Rowling released the first book about the boy wizard who lived, and just under 10 years since the first movie hit the theaters. With the release today of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, it all ends.

ABC News stated in an April 4 article that the seven books have sold nearly 450 million copies worldwide. This makes it the most popular book series ever, about 100 million more than the second-place “Goosebumps” series. And it’s a number that is sure to increase when the books are released as e-books in October.

BoxOfficeMojo.com says the seven films have grossed nearly $6.4 billion worldwide. This makes it the highest grossing franchise ever, beating out the 22 “James Bond” films ($4.9 billion) and the six “Star Wars” movies ($4.6 billion). That number should cross the $7 billion mark before the latest movie leaves the theaters.

So whether you liked the books and/or the movies, there is one thing you simply cannot argue with: “Harry Potter” is a phenomenon.

Many of the people who have followed Harry’s adventures were just kids when the first book came out in June of 1997. They have read every book and seen every movie. And as the stories come to an end with today’s release of the eighth and final movie, those kids are now in their mid- to late-twenties. At least half of their lives have been spent following Harry as he grew up from a 11-year-old boy to a 17-year-old young man.

I was late to the “Harry Potter” party. I have never read the books, and haven’t decided if I ever will. The first movie I saw was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, though I have watched every movie in the theater since and own all but Part 1 of “Deathly Hallows” on DVD.

But once I started watching the movies, I was fascinated. And that fascination has grown for one simple reason: Not only did we get to see Harry and his friends grow up on screen, but we also saw the actors grow up as well.

With the exception of the characters of Albus Dumbledore, who had to be recast in the third movie after Richard Harris passed away, and young Voldemort, who had to be recast in the sixth movie since Christian Coulson was too old to play that young of a character again, all of the major characters, as well as the major supporting characters, still have the same actors portraying them. From Harry, Ron, and Hermione, to Seamus and Neville, to all the Weasleys, to all the Hogwarts professors, all of the actors who originated the roles are still in them.

That is one amazing feat. And a feat that makes watching all the movies through again much more enjoyable. I remember all the talk and rumors after “Goblet of Fire” about recasting Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We can only wonder if the franchise would have continued to be as hot as it’s been had those recast rumors come true.

It will probably be at least Tuesday before I go see the last movie. Unlike former Idol Radio Show Regular, Charlie Spillers, who flew from his home in California to his mom’s house in Florida this week simply so he could see the final movie three hours sooner. Now THAT is dedication.

So how dedicated of a “Harry Potter” fan are you? Have you read all the books? Seen all the movies? What do you think about the franchise? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.