The films, on the other hand, do not take place in the 1990s. While it is not specified in the dialogue of the first film, it can be inferred from the modern haircuts, technology, and a primary school certificate for Dudley Dursley (via Cosmopolitan) that it takes place in the year 2001.
The books and films take place from 1991-1998 and between 2001-2008, respectively, though it's easy to get confused, considering the final book was released in 2007 and the final film in 2011.
But there are plenty of debates online between fans who consider the films to have taken place in the same timeline as the books. One reddit user points out that in the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 graveyard scene, "Harry's parents' headstone still says they died in 1981" and another said that the movies also take place in '90s, but it was "laziness" on the part of the filmmakers to include aspects of modern day.
It would likely be easier for everyone if we had access to a time-turner.
