If you think Harry Potter didn't make much profits, then you clearly have not even tried to look at the data. At all. Just, wow.
That series has profited $6.5 Billion. Profited. Not grossed. Net.
And that is just from box office sales. Video releases and merchandising profited another $25 Billion. Profit. Not gross. Net.
Hell, you could not be more wrong if you tried, with that example.
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
Budget: $125 million
Worldwide box office earnings: $974.6 million
Profit: $849.6 million
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Budget: $100 million
Worldwide box office earnings: $879 million
Profit: $779 million
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Budget: $130 million
Worldwide box office earnings: $796.7 million
Profit: $666.7 million
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Budget: $150 million
Worldwide box office earnings: $896.1 million
Profit: $746.1 million
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Budget: $150 million
Worldwide box office earnings: $942.9 million
Profit: $792.9 million
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Budget: $250 million
Worldwide box office profit: $935 million
Profit: $685 million
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
Budget: $125 million
Worldwide box office earnings: $960.3 million
Profit: $835.3 million
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
Budget: $125 million
Worldwide box office earnings: $1.3 billion
Profit: $1.16 billion