The movies don't do justice to the books, in my opinion. They aren't bad as supplemental material after reading the books, but in my experience people who start out by watching the movies first are less likely to engage in the books. I can almost guarantee it's worth the effort. The first 2 books are short, light reads and feel very much like children's books; they are by no means extraordinary (though on subsequent reads, Chamber of Secrets has felt more and more charming). But once you read the third book, I will be really surprised if you aren't hooked. I don't think it's great literature or exceptionally well written.... it's just so delightfully fun and engaging. The characters are all incredible, the universe is so intricate it feels real, and so many pieces of the puzzle come together so well so often. It's an experience like no other. I would be open to holding off the readings until September! I could not recommend the series more.