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All Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Movies Ranked: The Wizarding World by Tomatometer

The Harry Potter film franchise ruled the box office for a decade, but it also managed the uncommon feat of earning Certified Fresh status for every single one of its installments. It remains one of the most successful movie sagas of all time, and it’s even spawned a spinoff series. But while the first Fantastic Beasts continue the Certified Fresh streak, the second became the first Rotten entry in this cinematic Wizarding World. The third Beasts film, The Secrets of Dumbledore , released April 2022. Now, we’re ranking all Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies by Tomatometer! — Alex Vo

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) 96%

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) 90%

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) 88%

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) 84%

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) 82%

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) 81%

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) 77%

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) 78%

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) 74%

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) 46%

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) 36%

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The best Harry Potter movies: every film ranked, from worst to best

Listing the best Harry Potter movies, ranked in their rightful place

A promo shot for the first Harry Potter movie showing Ron, Harry and Hermione dressed in their Hogwarts uniform and pointing their wands at the camera.

If you want to know which are the best Harry Potter movies, you're in the right place. There are eight movies in total, but if you only want the finest wizard flicks of the bunch, then in this magical guide we'll rank all of the Harry Potter films from the worst to the best, so you know which can be skipped and which should be savored.

Even the biggest Harry Potter fans know not all of the movies are created equal. After all, the franchise has had four directors all with different styles and approaches to adapting the books to the screen. Which means there's plenty to have an opinion on when it comes to which are the best Harry Potter movies in the saga.

If you're a purist, you need our guide to how to watch the Harry Potter movies in order instead. In the US, you can watch all of the Harry Potter movies on Peacock after the service took them from Max in 2022. In other countries, you'll find the Harry Potter movies on Netflix . So if you want to know which are worth your time , read on for our ranking of the best Harry Potter movies.

8. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Release date: 15 November 2002 Runtime: 161 minutes Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith Director: Chris Columbus

All of the best Harry Potter movies have positives, but the second movie, Chamber of Secrets , had a lot to live up to after the stellar success of the first instalment of the franchise. It was Chris Columbus, the Home Alone director, who took on the challenge of the first and second films – and he chose a darker, more dangerous path for the series in Chamber of Secrets , setting the tone for each subsequent movie.

With this in mind, it became more of a second-level of stage setting that, whilst incredibly important to the overall story, wasn’t filled with the magic and wonder of the others, hence why it's placed last on the Harry Potter movies ranked list. Plus, at a whopping two hours and 41 minutes, it was arguably a bit long for being one of the movies that focused more on introductions and narrative.

That being said, Chamber of Secrets is where we did get to first meet some iconic stalwarts of the series such as Draco Malfoy’s prolific dad, Lucius (Jason Isaacs) and everyone’s favourite house elf, Dobby (Toby Jones). For this, we are forever thankful.

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Chamber of Secrets does a fantastic job at maturing the story from the first instance of a group of kids, big-eyed and bushy-tailed, embarking on their adventure at Hogwarts and really just taking off their training wheels. With maturity came the stark realisation that the Harry Potter series was to be more ghastly than expected with Tom Riddle’s true identity slowly unravelling, an unfortunate slug-vomiting charm, and the terrifying Basilisk to name but a few of the movie’s iconic moments.

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Release date: 18 November 2005 Runtime: 157 minutes Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12A (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Gary Oldman, Timothy Spall Director: Mike Newell

Goblet of Fire is the home of the Triwizard Tournament and a thrilling addition to the franchise. It brought together alternative magical schools for which it may have initially seemed that Hogwarts was the only one. The promise of a Quidditch World Cup finale was a promising one, but one that was not delivered. And there was a questionable focus on the teenage romantic angst of the characters that left fans divided. Underlying it all though, the first big reveal of he who shall not be named (you know – we’ll name him later).

In Goblet of Fire , the students are clearly developing as they come to a certain stage of their lives and arguably, this ends up dominating much of the movie. It echoes perhaps the age of the cast too, showing fans that they were changing and that we would learn to grow alongside them.

It was always going to be a hard one to tackle given the shift in narrative, but director Mike Newell rose to the occasion creating drama, rivalry, and a notable change in the relationships not only in the newly-introduced characters but with the Harry, Ron, and Hermione too.

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Release date: 10 November 2001 Runtime: 152 minutes Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davies, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Ian Hart, John Hurt, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters Director: Chris Columbus

The first movie of the franchise, sure, and an absolutely fantastic start. But, not the best. It’s clear that the Sorcerer's Stone (Or Philosopher’s Stone as it was called outside of the US) had one focus in mind - to begin it all. Given what we know now about all the epic stories it was building up to, it’s no surprise that it made sure it set us up just right.

There are so many iconic moments in the Sorcerer's Stone that fans and newbies alike could enjoy as the first foray of Harry Potter to screen. We meet Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), the Hogwarts’ gentle gamekeeping giant. We board the Hogwarts Express alongside Harry for his maiden voyage to Hogwarts and, of course, we meet his best friends, Ron and Hermione. And, we’re treated to our very first look at the magical academy of Hogwarts itself..

Whilst Sorcerer's Stone is incredibly important to the franchise – because without it Harry Potter wouldn’t exist – the actual main storyline in the movie is something that leaves a little less to be desired in terms of magic and action when stacked up against the other movies in the franchise, placing it sixth.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Release date: 19 November 2010 Runtime: 146 minutes Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12A (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Julie Walters Director: David Yates

Deathly Hallows: Part 1 has been continuously appreciated for how true it stayed to the book. Ending a series after such a long time meant there was a lot at stake and it needed to be done right. But, you’re not going to please everyone. Deathly Hallows: Part 1 absolutely turns its focus onto Harry, Ron, and Hermione, demonstrating the growth they’d made as characters and actors throughout the franchise. There’s long narrative moments, emotional exchanges, and the slow, nail-biting crescendo that, we know, inevitably amalgamates into the epic finale that was to follow.

It caused some split opinion with fans feeling that it wasn’t full of the action they had expected from Deathly Hallows and constant quibbling around the decision to split the movie into two parts. But, arguably, without Deathly Hallows: Part 1 building up the momentum and slowing the pace to focus on the characters we had all become so incredibly attached to, the stark change in pace when the storm hits in Deathly Hallows: Part 2 would not have been as impactful.

4. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Release date: 15 July 2009 Runtime: 153 minutes Age rating: PG (US) / 12A (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Julie Walters Director: David Yates

As discussed for a few of the entries in the list, the best Harry Potter movies explore and finesse a fantastic balance between action-packed scenes and lending time to the relationship-building narrative. Half-Blood Prince is one of the movies that tests this balance to the extreme.

Filled with famed scenes such as the hunt for horcruxes, Christmas at the Burrow, and we still aren’t ready to discuss what happened in the Astronomy Tower, but our wands are held high. But then, taking long, gaping moments of screen time to build upon what the books started.

One thing feels right though, that without these moments of contemplation and focus, that the remaining movies would not have created such an all-encompassing emotion. Through J. K. Rowling’s writing and the director’s translation to film, the series manages to constantly allow its viewers to feel deeply for the characters and, as such, makes for a more impactful sensation when the action descends.

3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Release date: 11 July 2007 Runtime: 138 minutes Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12A (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters Director: David Yates

If action is what you’re after though, Order of the Phoenix , has always been ready and raring to go armed with a complete abundance of it. Voldemort, Death Eaters, and butting heads with the Goliath that is the Ministry of Magic, Harry really has his work cut out for him and, of course, he doesn’t have to do it alone.

Director David Yates took the helm for this movie and, after great praise, the subsequent final three movies were his to play with. Yates took the humour, visuals, and action scenes to a new level for the franchise and delivered to fans what they’d waited years to see.

It’s the dialogue that truly shines in Order of the Phoenix , from conversations between Harry and Sirius (Gary Oldman), Snape (Alan Rickman), and Remus (David Thewlis) is unmatched in the series. Their discussions are tension building, emotional, and inevitably lead us to discover secrets about each character that surmised in shock and awe. Also, let’s not forget the epic Voldemort and Dumbledore duel that pitted two powerful wizards against each other to a momentous backdrop of the Atrium foundation in the Ministry of Magic.

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Release date: 4 June 2004 Runtime: 142 minutes Age rating: PG (US) / PG (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Richard Griffiths, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters Director: Alfonso Cuarón

There’s so much to learn about Harry Potter and the world he finds himself constantly thrown around in. His parents, Voldemort, Hogwarts and its many staff’s relationship to Harry’s story, the Wizarding War, and his survival. Prisoner of Azkaban acts as a great beacon of detail for what we know about Harry up to this point.

We meet Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew for the first time. We learn about the Marauders map, visit Hogsmeade, learn about Patronus’, and see Harry fly both on Buckbeak and his Firebolt for the first time. A lot of firsts but ones with pivotal importance for the rest of the franchise.

Whilst Voldemort isn’t present, the tale of his return hangs over the movie like a dark cloud. This dark cloud is a stalwart for Prisoner of Azkaban , changing up the pace of a childlike wonder into a more mature nightmare. Much like the book, a crucial moment in the story where it becomes apparent that this tale isn’t going to follow a group of children learning the magic ropes, but one that will test their durability and stamina throughout.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Release date: 15 July 2011 Runtime: 130 minutes Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK) Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters Director: David Yates

Finally the top choice in our best Harry Potter movies ranked list. It’s hard to put into words how truly fantastic Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is at achieving its main goal – to end it all. There’s a lot at stake both in the fight for survival, but also in the amount of pressure on a finale to live up to expectations.

After Deathly Hallows: Part 1 split opinion and slowed down the pace, Deathly Hallows: Part 2 came as almost a surprise to fans who felt they’d been listened to, that expectations were being met, and that non-stop action was about to unravel before their very eyes. As is true with a lot of movie finales, Deathly Hallows: Part 2 becomes home to some of the most iconic scenes of the entire franchise.

Snape’s moments, in particular, that up to this point had painted a character over hours and hours of screen time as a villainous man, were transformed entirely by beautifully crafted directorial and writing prowess.

It was clear that everything up to this point had been leading to this movie. To tie it all together. To leave fans feeling satisfied, but also incredibly on edge. Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is a true example of film craftsmanship that shaped a much-loved book series and did it justice, whilst taking fans on one last, nail-biting and thrilling ride.

For more Harry Potter -based coverage, find out which films made it onto our best Netflix movies and best Max movies lists. Alternatively, read up on why we don't need a Harry Potter reboot on Max , even though Harry Potter 's TV remake is set to arrive in 2026 .

Grace is a freelance writer for TechRadar, with past work at sites like GamesRadar, Metro and The Loadout.

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All the Harry Potter Movies, Ranked

B lame ABC Family for playing Sorcerer’s Stone on repeat throughout the 2000s, but for many Millennials (and now, their children) a chill in the air demands curling up on the couch for a Harry Potter rewatch.

While millions of viewers used to take comfort in visits to Hogwarts, these days, engaging with the series can be complicated. Harry Potter taught so many about the importance of fighting against prejudice, which makes creator J.K. Rowling’s controversial comments on gender identity all the more disappointing. Even some of her most ardent fans accused her of transphobia, at which point Rowling doubled down on her exclusionary brand of feminism . Now, many fans strive to find a way to derive value from the material while rejecting its creator’s views.

Even Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who spoke out against Rowling’s anti-trans tweets, has wrestled with whether the story is irredeemably tarnished. In an open letter for the Trevor Project , he wrote, “If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe … if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual … then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that.” For many, the annual rewatch remains a tradition, albeit a fraught one.

And so, we find ourselves reassessing these adaptations, all eight of which are streaming on both Peacock and HBO Max as of Oct. 15. Typically, fans agree on favorites in a film series. Most Star Wars diehards will tell you Empire Strikes Back is great, and Phantom Menace sucks; Indiana Jones fans will assure you that none of the sequels lived up to Raiders of the Lost Ark ; and anyone who argues Dark Knight isn’t the best of the Batman movies is just trying to be contrarian. Rational minds can certainly disagree. But for the most part, every franchise has good movies and bad movies, and it’s easy to divide films into those two buckets.

The Harry Potter films prove more difficult to rank. True, the awful new Fantastic Beasts movies will easily land at the bottom of any Potter fan’s list (spoiler alert). But the older films are surprisingly solid. Look up fan polls and critics’ rankings, and you’ll find there’s no consensus view on how the original eight films compare. Some fans prefer the glee of those first movies, while others trend towards the darker entries later in the franchise. Movie fans may love the cinematography of Half-Blood Prince , while book loyalists take umbrage with director David Yates’ adaptation choices. Some critics preferred the quiet, contemplative moments spent in the forest during Deathly Hallows, Part 1 , while others favor the action-packed battles of Deathly Hallows, Part 2 .

Many fans’ views have also evolved with the passage of time. It’s easier to assess the series as a whole now that the movies have become a true cultural touchstone. And Rowling’s commentary, political views and additions to the canon will no doubt influence any critic’s perception of the films, for better or worse. Here is how we rank the Harry Potter films—at least for now.

10. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald embodies everything wrong with the continued expansion of the H arry Potter universe. The Harry Potter prequel could have explored a whole new corner of the wondrous world Rowling once built. Instead Grindelwald plays like a cash grab. Rowling’s script tries to connect just about every new character it introduces in some forced, hackneyed and occasionally racist way to the characters we know and love from the original Harry Potter films. But the revelation that one character will eventually become a snake or that another is a long-lost relative of Albus Dumbledore only muddles the canon.

Meanwhile, the one person the audience does recognize and care about—young Dumbledore, played enchantingly by Jude Law—gets the short shrift. Despite insisting in interviews that Dumbledore and the Hitler-esque wizard Gellert Grindelwald were romantically involved as teens, Rowling has never actually written that romance into any of her books or screenplays. Crimes of Grindelwald centers on a proxy battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald but only vaguely references that the two might have had a romantic relationship. Rowling’s refusal to acknowledge that these two men are queer and have a complicated history is maddening. It zaps the film of any real tension between its main hero and villain. Meanwhile, offscreen, Rowling’s insistence that Grindelwald actor Johnny Depp remain with the franchise after his ex-wife Amber Heard accused Depp of assault, was off-putting to say the least. Since then, a high court judge found that Johnny Depp was guilty of assaulting Heard , and Warner Bros. finally parted ways with the actor . Still, the ill-fated series will soldier on.

Read More: Just Cancel the Fantastic Beasts Franchise Already

9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Eddie Redmayne in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was Rowling’s first screenplay, and it shows. If you squint, there’s a good movie within Fantastic Beasts about the rise of fascism in the Wizarding World in the 1920s. Unfortunately, studios have to sell stuffed animals. So Fantastic Beasts wraps its dark Grindelwald origin story inside a movie about a dorky magical creature enthusiast (Eddie Redmayne) scurrying across 1920s New York City trying to round up adorable critters. The platypus-esque Nifflers are, undeniably, cute, and the other CGI creatures are quite impressive. But the bipolar movie never quite ties the two plots together.

There’s hope that Rowling could rectify this issue in future films. One of Rowling’s best talents is actually intricate plotting—the early Harry Potter books and their adaptations would often weave plots together to make a more cohesive whole. The author would patiently plant the seeds of a plot point in an early novel that would then bloom in the later books to stunning effect. Perhaps it’s unfair to judge Fantastic Beasts on just the first two entries (the studio intends to produce five films). But so far the franchise has failed to cast a spell over its audience.

8. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Let me be clear: There is a giant chasm between Chamber of Secrets and the Fantastic Beast films. While Chamber may rank low on this list, it’s still a delightful time at Hogwarts. Hermione turns into a cat person! Harry and Ron fly in a car! Kenneth Branagh pokes fun at his own public persona as a narcissist! Sure, child actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint haven’t quite yet mastered their acting skills. But they’re pretty cute.

And yet, the movie clocks in at 160 minutes, far too long for one of the shorter and, let’s be honest, lesser Harry Potter books. The pace of the film is, at times, agonizingly slow. Like Sorcerer’s Stone , Chris Columbus’ Chamber is slavishly dedicated to the book—except for the bizarre moment when Lucius Malfoy attempts to use the killing curse “avada kedavra” on Harry in the middle of a Hogwarts hallway. (Apparently Lucius Malfoy actor Jason Isaacs improvised the line and had forgotten the actual meaning of the curse.) In transcribing the work rather than adapting it, Columbus undercuts a sense of discovery that is essential to the Potter stories.

7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone - Movie Stills

Though it’s probably the truest book-to-movie adaptation, the Sorcerer’s Stone , with its Matilda- esque tone, doesn’t live up to the power of the rest of the series. In retrospect, the CGI is clunky, and the one-liners are too cute by half. Still, Christopher Columbus was also able to capture, well, the magic of that first introduction into Hogwarts. As soon as those owls begin to invade the Dursley’s neighborhood, the Wizarding World suddenly seemed more accessible than it ever did on the page.

At the time of its premiere, Sorcerer’s success was no guarantee. Throughout the 2000s, fantasy adaptations like The Golden Compass and Eragon flopped at the box office. But Columbus’ movies managed to do right by the books: Hogwarts awed; quidditch looked exactly as fans had imagined it; and the school uniforms became instantly iconic. Columbus’ team also made some fantastic casting decisions that would pay off years later, like recruiting Alan Rickman to play Severus Snape and Maggie Smith to tackle Minerva McGonagall. And they found a trio of child actors who would, over the next decade, hold their own in scenes with some of England’s most talented thespians.

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Ah, Deathly Hallows, Part 1 : perhaps the most divisive movie in the franchise. How do you feel about watching three teenagers bicker in the forest for a few hours? What if two of those characters take a dance break seemingly designed to enrage or tantalize fans, depending on which characters you ship?

There are things to adore in this movie, like the breathtaking animation of the “Tale of the Three Brothers.” And director David Yates does beautifully capture the frustrations of Harry’s Horcrux mission. The scenes in which Harry, Ron and Hermione aimlessly walk through empty fields and abandoned parking lots, a fuzzy voice on the radio rattling off the names of the dead as they wander capture the book perfectly.

But Part 1 spends very little time during those quiet conversations exploring who Dumbledore was and his connection to the Deathly Hallows, three magical tools that are crucial to the final fight in the following film. That may seem like nerdy nitpicking. But good genre fiction distinguishes itself from bad genre fiction by imbuing its McGuffins with actual meaning. If Harry doesn’t have a personal connection to the Elderwand through Dumbledore, then he’s just chasing some meaningless shiny object. Such scenes also could have given the audience more time with Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort, who shines in Part 2 as one of the greatest onscreen villains of all time.

5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Book fans tend to criticize the Half-Blood Prince adaptation because it leaves out crucial details about Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) and why he decides to create the Horcruxes. As a result, the burden falls upon the already plot-heavy sequels to communicate the importance of these magical objects. It’s frustrating to watch Harry hunt down and destroy parts of Tom Riddle’s soul like he’s stumbling across random Bosses in a video game when Rowling gave each Horcrux a meaningful backstory in the books that rendered Voldemort a more complex character.

More than any other movie, Half-Blood Prince seems to miss the point of the books. Take the pivotal scene in which Snape kills Dumbledore. Although Harry’s single defining trait as a character is his willingness to rush rashly and headlong into danger for his loved ones, the movie-version of Harry stands by and does nothing while Dumbledore is murdered. In the book, Dumbledore has put Harry under a spell that prevents him from moving to interfere with Snape—a detail skipped over in the movie. Exacerbating matters is Michael Gambon’s performance as Dumbledore, which comes across as cold and commanding rather than gentle and eccentric.

Still, the cinematography in Half-Blood Prince is fantastic. Yates signals the transition to a grimmer story by rendering Hogwarts as darker and more empty than in previous films. It’s arguably the most aesthetically beautiful of all the movies. And many critics have praised the slower pace of the film, which spends less time on Quidditch and magical battles and more time on character relationships than its predecessors.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Deathly Hallows, Part 2 is all action. As soon as the movie begins, Harry, Ron and Hermione are breaking into Gringotts, riding on the back of a dragon and, finally, battling Voldemort. That’s not always a good thing: The audience is barely given a moment to breathe and consider the consequences of this final battle. Book readers will certainly miss some of the quieter moments of reflection, particularly between Harry and Dumbledore at King’s Cross Station after Harry dies.

But the film is able to pull off several crucial moments of character development amid the chaos, including Neville’s evolution into a bold hero, Ron and Hermione’s first kiss and Molly Weasley’s epic defeat of Bellatrix LeStrange. To that end, the film plays like a somber but satisfying reunion. Deathly Hallows Part 1, and even to some extent Half-Blood Prince, are films about loneliness and isolation. Some of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter series are missing entirely from those movies. When Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts, we get to enjoy Rowling’s wide array of Dickensian characters once again.

And the movie more than makes up for any elided conversations with the emotional punch of Alan Rickman’s performance as Snape. The series’ finale hinges on Rickman’s ability to sell the audience on the idea that his love for Harry’s mother Lily was so strong that he took on the impossible job of playing double agent. And while the books are told almost entirely from Harry’s perspective, Yates wisely chooses to offer his audience Snape’s point of view: He begins the film with shot of Snape gazing over Hogwarts and pauses to linger on Snape’s face as he dies weeping in Harry’s arms. In those two moments, elevates the story from a battle between good and evil to one of a complicated man’s struggle to cling to the power of love in the face of hatred.

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

It’s unfortunate the movie version of Goblet of Fire doesn’t fall at the top of the heap when the book version ranks #1 or #2 for many Potter fans. But director Mike Newell made some irksome choices that diverge wildly from the original text, including, notoriously, Dumbledore screaming at Harry, “Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?!?” a line that Dumbledore uttered “calmly” in the book. Worse still, Goblet is at its heart a mystery novel, but the adaptation undercuts the whodunnit at the center of the story—who did put Harry’s name in the Goblet of Fire?—by showing the culprit in the very first scene .

That said, it’s pretty hard to screw up Rowling’s best story. Goblet breaks from the formula of the last three books, centering the action around the Triwizard Tournament instead of the normal events school year. The three terrifying tasks are a joy to behold, and the angst-producing Yule Ball plays host to some of the most fraught—and delicious—teen drama in the series.

The movie also successfully balances the fun of the tournament with the gravity of Cedric’s death, a major turning point in the franchise. A young Robert Pattinson proves his star power in the small but consequential role. And as Cedric’s father mourns over his body, even non-readers realize the story is about to transform from a boarding school romp into a deadly battle between tolerance and prejudice. Plus, Ralph Fiennes’ inaugural performance as He Who Must Not Be Named is appropriately terrifying and wonderful.

2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ."

The book Order of the Phoenix often gets knocked for its preoccupation with hormonal teenagers’ mood swings. But that’s the brilliance of the story. Our heroes are hormonal teenagers who make bad decisions based on impulse. The book does force readers to spend a lot of time inside Harry’s head when he’s at his most angry. The movie actually spares the audience this unpleasantness. Because of medium, we only see Harry’s external reactions, and Radcliffe smartly chooses to play Harry as defeated and depressed, a decision that engenders sympathy rather than alienating the audience. Harry only shares his darkest fears about something evil burgeoning inside him in intimate scenes with his godfather Sirius, which makes Sirius’ sudden and surprising death at the end of the film all the more painful.

Other things that recommend Order of the Phoenix: Quieter conversations that plumb the characters’ emotional depths; nightmare-inducing performances by two of the series’ best late-game villains, Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix and Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge; and no quidditch, a game that was getting deadly boring by the second film. But the best part of this movie is the epic final showdown in the Department of Mysteries between Dumbledore and Voldemort. That battle—the only one we get to see between the two greatest wizards in history—takes plenty of license but does so in the best way possible. The clash of fire and water and transformation of glass into sand encapsulate the power of film adapation.

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe,

It’s no surprise that Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón directed the best of the Harry Potter flicks. Some might call Prisoner of Azkaban more “adult” than the first two movies. And while we’re of the philosophy that anyone can enjoy and appreciate Harry Potter , it’s certainly fair to say that Cuarón made a more atmospheric movie. He clearly has a talent for working with child actors: The director allowed them to style their school uniforms however they liked, adding a realistic and lived-in feeling to the film. His eye for detail also brings Hogwarts truly to life for the first time, from the candles that look like spinal columns floating in Professor Lupin’s classroom to the reimagined Whomping Willow, which marks the passage of time by huffily shaking off its leaves in autumn.

There are a few choices to quibble with: Deciding not to film a flashback scene featuring Harry’s father and his friends prowling the Hogwarts grounds as Animagi (wizards who can transform into animals) was a missed opportunity. And Cuarón may have unwittingly given away Snape’s allegiance when he directed Alan Rickman to throw his arms across Harry and his friends to protect them from a werewolf, an impulsive act of selflessness that seemed uncharacteristic for the snarling professor. And the Time Turners introduce thousands of questions and plot holes. But all those choices serve a final time traveling sequence that, with the giant clock ticking away in the background, is pitch perfect.

Correction, Nov. 3

The original version of this story misstated when the movies The Golden Compass and Eragon premiered. They debuted after The Sorcerer’s Stone film was released, not before.

Every Harry Potter movie, ranked by A.V. Club review

We looked under every sorcerer’s stone and into every deathly hallow to find the highs and lows of cinema’s wizarding world.

Screenshots, from left to right: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

November 14 marks the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone , the Hollywood adaptation of the first book in J.K. Rowling’s almost inconceivably popular kid-lit fantasy series. Back then, the big question on everyone’s mind was whether the films could match the success of their source material—and maybe even if the first one would even prove successful enough to spawn a whole corresponding movie series. Which of course seems very quaint today, with the eighth and final Potter movie now a decade in our rearview mirror and the series now a holiday-season (and year-round cable-TV) perennial, despite the general cruddiness of both the Fantastic Beasts prequels and Rowling’s public remarks.

With hindsight, it’s of course possible to see a spectrum of quality in these quality-controlled all-ages blockbusters. Our own Noel Murray, in fact, offered a ranking of the whole series a few years ago. But how did The A.V. Club feel as the franchise was still in progress, before it dove into deathly hallows?

In honor of this upcoming anniversary, we’ve rounded up the contemporaneous reviews we wrote on each Potter installment and done our best to put them in order of general site preference. “Our best” because the Harry Potter franchise predates not just the A.V. Club ’s adoption of letter grades for reviews but also the tenure of almost everyone who writes for the website today. Plus, they were written by no less than three AVC staffers, each with presumably different opinions about the best and worst of this smash franchise. (What they all seem to agree on: None of these movies are great , exactly.)

Nonetheless, a pattern of fluctuating enthusiasm does reveal itself as you make your way through every AVC take on every new adventure at Hogwarts. Don’t tell apple-polishing Hermione, but the first couple, at least, might have struggled to earn a passing grade.

8. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

The second Potter film is a chore. Like its predecessor, Chamber Of Secrets doesn’t so much adapt Rowling’s source material as joylessly transcribe it the screen, beat by beat. And it offers more of Chris Columbus’ weightless direction of CGI action and the slightly shaky performances by its young stars, who were still coming into their own as actors. What probably clinches its status as the lowlight of the series is the fact that it lacks even the sense of discovery of a new world you could find in Columbus’ mediocre original. The A.V. Club ’s Keith Phipps acknowledged that the film “works perfectly well as a cinematic corollary to J.K. Rowling’s adored children’s fantasy series,” while also cataloging the ways that it fails as anything other than fan service:

Try imagining a universe in which the Harry Potter series existed only in film form. Would audiences still find themselves transported by such thinly drawn characters? Would the imaginations still leap for the nonstop assault of impressively realized but creatively pedestrian special effects? And would the two-and-a-half-hours-plus trek toward an unmasking straight out of Scooby Doo seem quite so satisfying? So far, the series has relied on viewers’ familiarity with Rowling’s characters to fill in blanks that other movies would have to fill for themselves.

Check out Keith Phipps’ full ungraded review of Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets .

7. Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

Warner Bros. took no chances bringing the first of the Potter books to multiplexes. The adaptation that launched the series is the very definition of a safe play, designed to give people what they wanted—which to say, what they already read and loved. Sorcerer’s Stone stays slavishly true to the events of the novel and stages them with a kind of sub-Spielbergian twinkle; The A.V. Club ’s Scott Tobias would later describe it as a “pop-up novelization.” His full review of the hugely successful first film was similarly withering:

Harry Potter begins to lose its grip during an expensive-looking “Quidditch” match, a game that’s like a cross between Rollerball and the pod race in The Phantom Menace , but is about as exciting as watching someone else play a video game. At 152 minutes, the film tries to squeeze in as much of the Rowling tome as possible, but the length grows more oppressive just as it should be gaining momentum for the finale. More Potter movies are in the pipeline, but the franchise seems exhausted halfway through the first.

Check out Scott Tobias’ full ungraded review of Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone . And for a second opinion pretty similar to the first—and issued years later—read Tom Breihan’s Popcorn Champs piece on the movie .

6. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1

In a decision likely made out of both necessity (because of the length of the novel) and greed, Warner Bros. opted to divide Rowling’s final Potter novel into two movies. That left a penultimate film that sometimes feels like very expensive wheel spinning—a downbeat hangout movie, trudging through soap operatic character work and exposition before the fireworks factory offered by the rousing final movie. Deathly Hallows: Part 1 has its fans—it’s a sleeper favorite among those who appreciate its melancholic detours and eccentric touches (like a Nick Cave waltz and an animated flashback). AVC critic Tasha Robinson is not among their ranks:

A long middle sequence of wandering (and grim, gloomy posing) is set against glorious, Lord Of The Rings -like natural backdrops, which unfortunately just heighten the stiffness. The pacing is endlessly aggravating: It’s just as well [director David] Yates didn’t attempt to cram the final book’s action into an eviscerated single film, and it’s admirable how he attempts to stretch out, to patiently build a mood and let audiences feel the characters’ directionless anxiety. But the result is a herky-jerky movie that alternates glacial brooding with unwieldy chunks of exposition and frenzied, rushed battles.

Check out Tasha Robinson’s full C review of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 .

5. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

The Order Of The Phoenix is notable mostly for who’s standing behind the camera, not what happens in front of it: This was the first film of the series directed by David Yates, who would go on to make every installment afterwards, as well as the two Fantastic Beasts spinoff films. Narratively, it’s very much a transitional installment, bridging the tragedies of book four and book six with a… not terribly memorable story. That was the perspective, anyway, of Scott Tobias’ review of Phoenix , the first Harry Potter movie eligible for a letter grade from us. Of course, it got a very A.V. Club B-:

Save for the thrilling opening sequence, there’s not much to remember about the film beyond Staunton ( Vera Drake ), who masks her bottomless malevolence behind a pasted-on patrician smile. During this transitional stage, Dumbledore’s Army and the Order Of The Phoenix prepare for bigger fights ahead—and presumably, more exciting movies, too.

Check out Scott Tobias’ full B- review of Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix .

4. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

While most of the Potter adaptations range from fairly faithful to rather exhausting in their fidelity, the fourth movie represents a rare case of the franchise making big cuts: In order to pack all the pertinent narrative of Rowling’s 700-page novel into a single movie, a whole lot of extraneous subplots had to go. It’s a choice Warner would probably make differently today, especially if it knew the money it’d later rake in by bifurcating Deathly Hallows . Nonetheless, as Tasha Robinson points out in her review, the choice lends Goblet Of Fire a breathless pace that’s hard to resist, even if it means sacrificing some of the world-building charms for once.

With its slam-bang-whoosh-giggle-gasp mentality, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire could be a halfway decent thrill ride for newbies to the series. But its less-explanation, more-momentum mentality is really aimed squarely at the fans, who’d likely rather see more well-timed business from their favorite characters than a pile of dreary exposition and reminders about the story to date. For all its length, Goblet Of Fire speeds past all too quickly. But the real accomplishment may be that for all its brevity, it still feels like it tells the important parts of Rowling’s story.

Check out Tasha Robinson’s full ungraded review of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire . And side note: This is Noel Murray’s favorite entry in the series, as named in his Run The Series run-through .

3. Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Yates’ second Potter film is one of the franchise’s most darkly confident and mature in theme, even before its grand downer of a climax. While there are arguably better films in the series (see the next two slides), this might be the one that best balances the magic of Rowling’s world with the hormonal moodiness and melodrama that would define later installments. Tasha Robinson mostly agreed in her positive review:

It takes a significant amount of investment in the Harry Potter world to make Half-Blood Prince relevant, let alone sensible; the film makes no concession to newbies, and thankfully spends virtually no time reiterating points already covered in previous installments. But those already involved will find that the series has matured much as the books did. This is the darkest, saddest, most sophisticated Harry Potter film yet.

Check out Tasha Robinson’s full B review of Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince .

2. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

It’s hard to understate what a breath of fresh air—what a dose of real movie magic— The Prisoner Of Azkaban felt like when it hit theaters in the summer of 2004. Grabbing the reins of the franchise after the commercially successful but largely regrettable Chris Columbus entries, director Alfonso Cuarón reinvented the world of Hogwarts for the screen by investing in both the blooming adolescent spirit of the place and the danger of the forces swirling around it. (He also added some nifty time travel to the mix, though that’s obviously straight out of the Rowling source material.) The result courses with a style that Scott Tobias describes as “simultaneously darker and more whimsical than the previous films.” Today, it’s often still cited as the best film of the series, though Tobias’ unranked review is measured enough that we can’t quite put it at the top of this particular, site-aggregated ranking.

From the start, The Prisoner Of Azkaban taps into the neato fantasies that have inspired the Potter cult, but it never overemphasizes them, and it relegates many bits of magic to background noise. For the first time, the non-converted may actually see what all the fuss is about.

Check out Scott Tobias’ full ungraded review of Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban .

1. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2

The final Potter film is the consensus critical choice for the best of the series, and also the best-reviewed by The A.V. Club . One might argue that it’s all falling action—a race to the finish line that spends all its time blowing up Hogwarts instead of giving us one last tour of its pleasures. But there’s no denying that director David Yates and his accomplished young cast—who really grew into both their roles and their talents over the years–delivered the dramatic spectacle that diehards and casual fans alike were waiting for. It’s certainly the most… climactic film of the series. And officially, the most warmly regarded around these parts, thanks to Tasha Robinson’s largely glowing review:

This is the most epic of the Harry Potter movies, the one that finally dispenses with side-quests and open-ended plotlines and offers up all the final payoffs. That includes satisfying front-and-center roles for too-often-neglected subsidiary actors Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Matthew Lewis, as well as a gratifying variety of grand dramatic moments, executed with commitment and style. From an early sequence where Rickman stands in a high tower, coldly surveying the prison camp that Hogwarts has become to a late-film showdown that finds small comic moments among life-or-death conflict, it operates on an intense yet tonally lofty scale suitable for the final act of a series that’s held the world’s attention for more than a decade. Its principal cast members were hired as cute prepubescents and have grown impressively into their adult roles; with this installment, the series itself completes a similarly protracted and rewarding maturation.

Check out Tasha Robinson’s full B+ review of Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban . Echoing some of her sentiments is Tom Breihan, who wrote about the final film in the franchise in his Popcorn Champs column .

All Your Favorite Harry Potter Movies, Ranked

W hen Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone premiered on Nov. 14, 2001, moviegoers were introduced to the visual wizarding world for the first time. Almost magically, the Harry Potter movies transferred the massive success of the novels by J.K. Rowling, some of the best fantasy books of all time, to the screen. With eight magical movies, plus three Fantastic Beasts prequels, how are the best Harry Potter movies ranked?

The uniqueness of each movie makes the rankings difficult, not to mention personal opinion. To come up with our order, we looked at critical reviews, ratings from Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, fan favorites, box office numbers and our own personal views to put them in order from worst to best. Still, definitively ranking Harry Potter movies is even harder than coming up with the Star Wars movies ranked !

But first we must address the elephant (dragon?) in the room: Rowling's controversial and upsetting comments about gender identity. Many people disturbed by her words had previously found a safe and welcoming place in the Harry Potter universe, with its themes and hidden messages in the Harry Potter books of the positive forces of inclusion, trust, loyalty and love. We're taking the lead from Daniel Radcliffe, who wrote on The Trevor Project, "If you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life—then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that." In addition, the movies are the work not just of the author of the novels, but the many actors, directors, writers, special effects masters and all the other crew members who brought to life the visual Harry Potter world we know and love.

With that said, let's take a look at the films that many would consider among the best movies of all time , must-see classic family movies and the most exciting drama movies to ever grace the big screen. Though the rankings were difficult, we solemnly swear we were up to some good.

Which Harry Potter movie did the best?

In terms of box office success, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 , the last film in the series, earned the most money, with a lifetime domestic gross of $381,011,219. But the first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, also did extremely well, breaking the opening weekend record of $72 million held by Jurassic Park: The Lost World by taking home more than $90 million and earning its place as the second-highest grossing movie ever at the time. The most popular movies in the series, both Deathly Hallows: Part 2 and Sorcerer's Stone, have since passed the $1 billion worldwide box-office gross.

Which Harry Potter movie is the most underrated?

Just as it would be hard to decide which Harry Potter novel belongs on the list of most underrated books , this is, of course, a completely subjective question. There's really no such thing as a bad Harry Potter movie! Personally, we love the reflective quality of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 , although for most fans it's on the bottom of the list. Another low-ranking movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has a long runtime that only gives viewers more Harry Potter to enjoy. But for most fans, the most underrated is generally agreed to be Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , which is gorgeously shot, well acted and sprinkles in bits of humor missing from some of the earlier films.

Can you watch all eight Harry Potter movies in a day?

If you're talking about just the eight films in the main Harry Potter series, then technically, yes—if you're up for a 24-hour movie marathon. All the Harry Potter films clock in with a total runtime of 19 hours and 39 minutes, so you'd have just over four hours left for pee breaks, trips to the fridge and maybe a little sleep. But adding in the three Fantastic Beasts movies puts it over the 24-hour mark, as they'd add on another nearly seven hours combined. Only the most die-hard fans would attempt this feat—probably the same ones who could ace any Harry Potter quiz .

And now, on to the Harry Potter movie rankings!

11. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

The second Fantastic Beasts ranked lowest among critics and audiences alike, even with a script from J.K. Rowling herself. Among the positives, though, is a return to a more familiar wizarding world after the first Fantastic Beasts movie took viewers to America and added brand-new characters to the universe. In this 2018 film from longtime Harry Potter director David Yates, we return to Hogwarts and a very young professor Dumbledore (Jude Law) as he plans to take on the evil wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). We even find out the origin story of Voldemort's snake, Nagini.

Critics, though, thought bringing back familiar characters and settings didn't allow Fantastic Beasts to exist as a stand-alone series. Even hard-core Harry Potter fans thought the flick was too heavy on the world-building setup for future films and confusing sub-plots, and too light on character development and satisfying plot conclusions. But still, the world of Harry Potter lives on—there's even a new Harry Potter theme park opening.

Available on: HBO Max

10. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

This 2022 film debuted to no small amount of controversy. Alongside Rowling's statements about the trans community, actor Mads Mikkelsen also replaced Johnny Depp as Grindelwald in this installment, following Depp's abuse allegations. In the months since its release, actor Ezra Miller, who plays Credence Barebone/Aurelius Dumbledore (spoiler!), has come under fire for extremely erratic behavior, several arrests and allegations of grooming a minor.

Despite the shadow of controversy that only seems to grow more complicated as the film ages, Secrets of Dumbledore was generally considered a better movie than its previous installment. Though it earned nearly $250 million less at the box office, it tried to course-correct from the unfocused Crimes of Grindelwald and saw an uptick in critical and audience ratings. Despite suffering from the predictability and heavy-handedness that has plagued the Fantastic Beasts franchise, impactful action sequences and a strong performance from Jude Law as young Dumbledore in love with Grindelwald made this movie more satisfying than its second effort. However, it's unclear if that will be enough to justify the filming of the previously planned fourth and fifth installments, which have yet to be confirmed.

9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Based on the fictional book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, a magical text mentioned in the Harry Potter novels that Rowling then turned into an actual book, this 2016 film directed by David Yates is the first prequel to the main film series. It's a little jarring to be out of the world of Hogwarts—and indeed out of England—as our main character, a gentle soul and "magizoologist" who's good with magical creatures, travels to New York in the 1920s.

But Eddie Redmayne touches our hearts as Newt, and the supporting cast, including a sly Colin Farrell, helps bolster the movie, written by first-time screenwriter Rowling herself. Eventually, we find a connection with the Harry Potter world we know in the dark wizard Grindelwald, who we recognize as the thief who stole the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows, and who we know Dumbledore defeated in 1945. The film is notable for winning the series's only Academy Award, for its wonderful costume design. But although we like the movie and all its adorable magical creatures, it can't touch the main series when it comes to Harry Potter movies ranked.

8. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2

With the longest runtime of any Harry Potter movie (2 hours and 41 minutes) and one of the lowest worldwide box office grosses of the main series, the second film , from 2002, does show the series hitting a sophomore slump. Although there are some standout moments—the flying car, Harry battling the basilisk, getting to see a young Tom Riddle (aka Voldemort)—much of the second movie seems a bit overloaded. Many of the other films trimmed down and adjusted the book content for the screen, but on his second outing, director Chris Columbus seemed determined not to miss a moment in Harry's search for the legendary secret chamber in Hogwarts and its terrible monster. The resulting film just may be too much of a good thing, although it might allow you to look for the Harry Potter details you missed the first time you read the book.

Available on: Peacock ; HBO Max

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

When it comes to ranking Harry Potter movies, some fans like the pensive and suspense-building nature of the second-to-last film in the franchise, which covers half of the final novel in the book series. But because it leaves the entire climax for the second Deathly Hallows , much of this 2010 film feels like the setup that it is, as Harry, Ron and Hermione go on the run to find Horcruxes, the objects in which Voldemort has hidden parts of his soul to make himself harder to kill.

In a lovely, if creepy, animated sequence, we also learn the story of the Deathly Hallows, three treasures that make one a "master of death," which Voldemort is also after. Although there are some heart-pounding scenes, such as our three heroes acting as spies in the Ministry of Magic and escaping from evil wizards in the heart of London—not to mention a heartwarming dancing scene between Harry and Hermione—many fans deemed this contemplative movie from director David Yates too slow-paced.

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The only Harry Potter movie that scored an Oscar nomination for cinematography, this beautifully filmed 2009 movie focuses on teenage love (maybe using some Harry Potter pickup lines ?) as much as on finding the identity of the title character. But even more important, in this second outing from director David Yates, Dumbledore recruits a new Hogwarts teacher, Professor Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), and tasks Harry with retrieving a memory from him that may hold the key to Voldemort's evil plan.

Harry also starts hunting Horcruxes with Dumbledore, who, in one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire series, meets a tragic fate. The movie is a bit meandering, but besides the first and last films, it earned the highest domestic box office gross, which means it's still a success on our list of Harry Potter movies ranked. The sixth film in the series also marks a return to a PG rating after two PG-13 films (all subsequent films are PG-13 as well).

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

In this 2007 flick , Harry and his friends form a secret club to learn how to fight dark magic, mirroring the grownup resistance group the Order of the Phoenix, which includes the amazing Gary Oldman as Harry's godfather, Sirius. The fifth Harry Potter movie, which also lands at No. 5 on our list of Harry Potter movies ranked, is the most political, as it features the subversive actions the rebels take against a corrupt regime. We also see Harry's first kiss, the brilliantly wicked Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and the most eerie villain ever to wear pink, Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton, also known as Queen Elizabeth in Season 5 of The Crown ). A thrilling duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort caps off the first installment from director David Yates.

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Directed by Mike Newell, 2005's Goblet of Fire marks the series's turn to darker, more grown-up fare—largely due to the death of a fellow student at the end of the film, and Voldemort's return in a snake-like human form, chillingly played by Ralph Fiennes. The fourth movie in the series also serves to expand the wizarding world: The opening sequences take place at the Quidditch World Cup, and Hogwarts plays host to students from other wizarding schools as they compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. With several riveting challenges in the tournament, and the Yule Ball thrown in for good measure, this flick is a fan favorite. Nice touches show the characters' transition into teenage-dom, including the boys' shaggy haircuts and the students' disheveled uniforms, creating plenty of fodder for Harry Potter jokes —like Ron's frilly Yule Ball robe.

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Ranking Harry Potter movies proves to be difficult at the top of the list: The best three Harry Potter movies ranked come down to personal opinion! Although its special effects haven't all held up over the years, 2001's Sorcerer's Stone belongs at the top of the list because it set the stage for all the movies that followed: the look and feel of Hogwarts, the soaring theme music by legendary film composer John Williams and the brilliant casting of three fresh-faced child actors.

Seeing the Harry Potter world come to life for the first time truly is magical, and director Chris Columbus accomplished this daunting feat with seeming ease. For sheer nostalgia, this movie ranks in the top three. It also stands as the second-highest box-office grossing flick of the bunch—and you can even listen to Daniel Radcliffe read the book aloud.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

The highest-grossing of all the Harry Potter movies, the 2011 finale of the main series, directed by David Yates, is almost all action after the slower-paced, reflective feel of Deathly Hallows: Part 1 . The first action sequence involves freeing a dragon and a thrilling escape from Gringotts Wizarding Bank, with most of the movie focusing on the Battle of Hogwarts and Harry's final showdown with Voldemort. But a break in the action gives viewers one of the best scenes in the film, as Harry talks to Dumbledore in the place in between life and death. Emotional and thrilling to its climax, the film is a satisfying conclusion to the hugely successful series.

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The lowest-grossing Harry Potter film, and the third in the series, is also widely regarded as the best by fans and critics. Director Alfonso Cuarón changed the look and feel of the Harry Potter world created by Chris Columbus in the first two films—enough to update it as the characters and the storylines mature, but not enough to turn off viewers. New faces in the 2004 flick include David Thewlis as one of the best teachers Harry ever has, Professor Lupin, plus the introduction of Gary Oldman as wrongfully convicted Sirius Black. Add in a werewolf, an escaped prisoner, time travel, Harry's flight on a Hippogriff, a thrilling ride on the Knight Bus and the Marauder's Map, and you've got a recipe for a fun-filled outing that Cuarón keeps moving at a quick pace for the best film in the franchise. The flick also contains one of the most memorable Harry Potter quotes : "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The Trevor Project : "Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling's Tweets on Gender Identity"
Rotten Tomatoes : "All Harry Potter Movies Ranked by Tomatometer"
Metacritic : "Every Harry Potter Movie, Ranked from Worst to Best"
Forbes : "Every 'Harry Potter' Movie Ranked by Worldwide Box Office"
The Numbers : "Box Office History for Harry Potter Movies"
Box Office Mojo : "Franchise: Harry Potter"
The Hollywood Reporter : "'Fantastic Beasts' Wins First Oscar for 'Harry Potter' Franchise"
Variety : "'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' Crosses $1 Billion Box Office Milestone After China Rerelease"

The post All Your Favorite Harry Potter Movies, Ranked appeared first on Reader's Digest .

Every Harry Potter Movie Ranked Worst To Best

After so much time apart, we were ecstatic when the folks at HBO announced they were bringing the Harry Potter movie series in its entirety to their cable and streaming platforms and featuring it alongside the latest addition to the magical universe, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Like so many muggles the world over, we hit our Harry Potter -verse binge hard — all 21 hours and 48 minutes of it — and we're now ready to rank the entire series, from The Sorcerer's Stone to The Deathly Hallows . Hold onto your wands, kids, 'cause the magic is about to begin.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Beginnings are important in all things, but beginnings for a film franchise can be a tricky business, especially when that franchise is based on one of the biggest-selling book series in history . Considering what a thrilling experience Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was for readers of all ages when the books made their debut, there was reasonable expectation that this first film would deliver an equally thrilling intro to the big-screen series.

Maybe it was the underwhelming performances of the film's young stars, or perhaps it was the generally apathetic direction by Chris Columbus, but Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was (and remains) a rather tepid affair. One that drags on for a surprisingly stuffy two-and-a-half hours.

With its three-headed beasts, shape-shifting professors, flying brooms, and larger-than-life chess match, there's still magic to behold in Harry's first year at Hogwarts. Still, the film is so bogged down by Columbus' efforts to build the enchanted world of the films, without sacrificing too much of Rowling's book, that it fails to connect on a visceral level. In the end, this first installment of the landmark franchise is just magical enough to keep your attention, but it's also a bit of a snoozer on repeat viewings — even if it did make close to a billion dollars in worldwide box office.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Even the most staunch defenders of Sorcerer's Stone 's big-screen adaptation have to admit the film lacked in both energy and, well, magic. It was a bit of a surprise then that Chris Columbus was offered the director's chair for Harry's second year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets .

Columbus knocked Chamber of Secrets out of the park, bringing a genuine sense of discovery, and even danger, to the famed school surrounded by whomping willows, spider-filled forests, and the titular Chamber of Secrets . All of this as Harry and friends begin to unravel the riddle that is, um, Tom Riddle.

Unfortunately, Chamber of Secrets still sees stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint struggling to find their way as actors. Columbus struggles with tone and pacing as well. Though Chamber of Secrets eclipses Sorcerer's Stone on virtually every level — particularly when Kenneth Branagh is on screen — its almost three-hour runtime makes it a bit of a slog to sit through, and the film's overall lack of style certainly played a part in Warner Bros.' decision not to offer Columbus the third film in the franchise, Prisoner of Azkaban . More on that film later.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

After cheating death for three straight years, Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts proved to be his most perilous yet. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire finds the tortured teen wizard struggling to navigate the choppy waters of coupling in the wizard world, competing as the youngest-ever contestant in the perilous Tri-Wizard Tournament, and facing down the murderous dark lord himself, Voldemort.

If it sounds like there's a lot going on in Goblet of Fire , that's because there is. A bit too much to be honest. After all, Goblet of Fire is based on the second-longest book in J.K. Rowling's beloved series. Even with a runtime approaching two hours and forty minutes, it still feels like this adaptation is glancing over, or flat out ignoring, too much of Rowling's book.

Mike Newell's overall approach to Goblet of Fire 's narrative is largely to blame for that. The director focuses the bulk of the film's time and energy on the daring trials of the Tri-Wizard tournament and nowhere near enough time on the wizards involved in them. That approach easily makes Goblet of Fire the most action-packed entry in the series, but the film is so lacking in nuance that when one of the Tri-Wizard competitors meets an untimely end, we've spent so little time with him that the tragedy (and the sense of danger that should accompany it) barely registers. Upon revisiting Goblet of Fire , we can't help but wonder if it might've worked better as a two-parter.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

After seven epic novels and eight super-sized movies set almost entirely within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, even the biggest Harry Potter fans were feeling like J.K. Rowling's enchanted world of wizards and witches was beginning to feel a little too small. Seems the famed author was in agreement on that matter. Rowling's first post-Potter film, and the first film she herself wrote, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , takes the magic about as far away from Hogwarts as possible and into the bustling streets of 1920s New York.

While The Big Apple proves a welcome change of scenery for Rowling's world, to call Fantastic Beasts a mere experiment in world expansion would be a dramatic understatement. Free from the world of O.W.L. exams and unending teen angst, Rowling's thrilling tale of adult wizards dealing with adult wizard problems in adult wizard ways feels like an outright revelation.

Rowling fills the tale of Fantastic Beasts with enough action, adventure, and magical minutiae to rival any film in the Potter - verse, and even if the writer's spellbinding narrative often feels a little too action-heavy, it still manages to keep the human element front and center. As such, it's Katherine Waterston's tenacious Government agent, Dan Fogler's wide-eyed "no-maj," and Eddie Redmayne's endearingly oddball wrangler Newt Scamander that make Fantastic Beasts such a whimsical, well-rounded addition to Rowling's magical world. One that's got us amped to see its upcoming sequel, The Crimes of Grindewald .

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

As much pressure as there was on J.K. Rowling to bring Harry Potter's literary journey to a satisfactory close when Deathly Hallows hit bookshelves, the pressure was even higher for director David Yates to do as much for the billion-dollar cinematic franchise. That pressure was so intense that Warner Bros. decided to split the final film in the series in two with the hopes that David Yates and his team could give the franchise the sendoff it deserved.

Against seemingly impossible odds, Yates managed just that with Deathly Hallows Part 2 . In this closing chapter of the final Harry Potter franchise, Yates' team covers Harry, Hermione, and Ron's desperate search for Voldemort's Horcruxes, Snape's surprising backstory, the epic Battle of Hogwarts, and Harry's fateful showdown with the last heir of Slytherin.

Even as the second act of a two-parter, it feels like too much narrative for one film. However, Yates manages to squeeze all the inherent action and drama — and a number of characters too great to mention — into the shortest film in the franchise. That he does so without slighting any of the subtleties or overarching dramas that made the series such a compelling narrative experiment was no small achievement. Every thrilling moment of Deathly Hallows Part 2 coalesces to deliver a finale that's stimulating both emotionally and intellectually. Every moment, except for that 18 years later finale that still feels both tacked on and a bit silly, mostly because Neville and Luna aren't included.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

After the roller coaster ride that was Order of the Phoenix , it seemed unlikely that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince could match its predecessor in terms pure emotional energy. In many ways, Half-Blood Prince actually bests Order of the Phoenix on the dramatic front. Of course, the film's impact is bolstered by a devastating third-act death, but the impact of that moment also hinges entirely on the buildup to it.

Luckily, buildup is Half-Blood Prince 's specialty. The film essentially serves as a two-and-a-half hour expository tale that sets up the final chapters in Harry's story, Deathly Hallows 1 and 2 . While that may sound like a bit of a bore, the penultimate film (well, sort of) in the series finds Harry and friends continuing to fight the good fight while unraveling the deep, dark secret that's made Voldemort all but immortal.

Structured more as a pulpy detective story than a magical adventure tale, Half-Blood Prince is the one film in the series that can be qualified as a genuine slow-burner. One that sees director David Yates (backed by Bruno Delbonell's Oscar-nominated cinematography ) skillfully guiding the film's puzzle-like narrative and holding each of his pieces until the exact moment they must be placed. Half-Blood Prince may test your patience with its pacing, but it delivers on the promise behind its mysteries. That said, the final revelation about the Half-Blood Prince's identity still doesn't pack the wallop it should.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

There was the Harry Potter franchise before Prisoner of Azkaban , and there was the Harry Potter franchise after. If you're uncertain about whether that's a good thing, take a moment to revisit the rankings for Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets, and you'll understand how necessary it was for Warner Bros. to bring a fresh set of eyes on board for the third film. Mexican auteur Alfonso Cuarón brought more than fresh eyes to Prisoner of Azkaban , he brought a whole new perspective to the magical franchise by grounding it in humanity.

Of course, Cuarón benefited greatly from the fact that the first two films painstakingly set up the characters, settings, and larger story arcs that became the mainstays of the franchise, but one cannot understate just how much style the director brought to Harry's world. Even from the film's opening moments, colors felt brighter, lights and shadows seemed to come alive, performances were more natural, the blending of effects more fluid, and, above all, the film is crackling with a youthful energy and overarching sense of danger all but absent in the prior films.

That energy drew us into Harry's life in ways the first two films hadn't. It's the reason the Dementors attacks on him are so frightening, it's why we shudder at the thought of Sirius Black getting his murderous hands on Harry, and it's what left us weepy as Black's real motives were revealed. That energy not only brought the wonder back to Hogwarts, it fundamentally altered the direction of the franchise.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

We must not tell lies when talking about Order of the Phoenix , so we'll come clean and tell you it remains the first film in the franchise that actually brought us to tears. That emotional response came as a bit of a surprise after the dramatic misfire that was Goblet of Fire , even if that film's most thrilling moment helped to set it up. That thrilling moment being Harry's first showdown with a fully resurrected Voldemort.

The dread spawned around that showdown permeates through every single frame in Order of the Phoenix. An authoritarian regime in rising within the Ministry of Magic, and, behind it, one of the great Harry Potter villains, the mirthfully malicious Dolores Umbridge, who seizes control of Hogwarts. All this while Harry shares terrifying visions with Voldemort, Dumbledore freezes Harry out, and Dumbledore's Army assembles.

As with all of the Harry Potter movies, there's a lot going on in Order of the Phoenix. Unlike many of its predecessors, however, Order of the Phoenix never feels overwhelmed by its narrative ambition. It plugs along at a brisk pace, covering the bases (including the series' first full-on wizard fight), delivers one of the series' biggest emotional payoffs in its harrowing final moments, and proves the greatest trick David Yates pulled in his four Potter flicks is that he turned the longest book of the series into the second-shortest film in the franchise.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)

The end of Harry Potter marked not just a farewell to one of the most beloved franchises in history but the legit end of an era. For that reason, Warner Bros. decided to split Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows into two separate films in service of telling the whole story — and doubling their profits of course. Luckily, finale director David Yates brought the franchise home with a bang in Deathly Hallows Part 2 , but that's only because he set the finale up so well with Deathly Hallows Part 1 .

Equal parts brooding character study, rambling road movie, and treatise against fascist bureaucracy, Deathly Hallows Part 1 unfolds with a propulsive immediacy unseen in any prior Potter film, mostly because it's set almost entirely outside the grounds of Hogwarts. In fact, Harry, Hermione, and Ron spend much of the film completely isolated from the allies who have backed them up in every film prior.

As such, Deathly Hallows Part 1 's emotional crux lay squarely on the shoulders of Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint, who step up to deliver their strongest performances of the series. In turn, Yates and his team deliver the series' most stylish film, shooting in lavish, isolated locations, utilizing breathtaking visual effects, and delivering the most memorable sequence of the entire franchise with a jaw-dropping, animated account of the titular artifacts. Though Deathly Hallows Part 1 spelled the beginning of the end for the storied franchise, it stands as the crowning achievement in the adaptation of Rowling's magical mystery world. One that continues to thrill on repeat viewings.

Lists , Ranked Lists

All 8 Harry Potter Films Ranked From Worst to Best

Jack Walters
April 5, 2022

Take a look through our list of all the Harry Potter films, ranked from worst to best, in honor of the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore !

This article contains spoilers for all 8 Harry Potter films.

There are few film franchises that have had the same cultural impact as Harry Potter, building a rich and magical universe from the ground up with unique characters and a sprawling narrative that’s worked its way into so many people’s hearts over the years. Whether it’s the childlike wonder of the first few films or the high-stakes action of the final couple, there’s something for all audiences in the Wizarding World. And even more impressively, every single film in the series has its own fresh tone and atmosphere, making for eight tonally distinct but narratively connected adventures that form the Harry Potter story we all know and love. Whilst some of Rowling’s books were translated to screen with a little more success than others, the overall impact of this entire franchise is one that cinema is unlikely to see again any time soon. Here’s our list of all eight films, ranked from the worst to the best!

8. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

Director: Mike Newell Writers: Steve Kloves

loud and clear reviews all 8 harry potter films ranked from worst to best goblet of fire

Although Goblet of Fire features some of the most thrilling and exciting individual scenes of the entire franchise, the film as a whole doesn’t quite come together in the same way as the others in the series. It’s a little too full of teenage drama and relationship troubles to ever reach the emotional and dramatic heights that were established in the three prior films. The stakes are lower (barring that final, thrilling final act), and as such, the narrative feels a little less compelling. That being said, the challenges of the Triwizard Tournament are extremely fun to watch, and it’s still entertaining to follow these beloved characters as they start to learn more about themselves and make some crucial self-discoveries. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of surprises, just like Harry Potter should be. With a little more focus on the whole ‘return of Voldemort’ subplot and a little less fixation on these kids’ hormonal explorations, Goblet of Fire could easily have been one of the best in the series.

7. HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE

Director: Chris Columbus Writer: Steve Kloves

loud and clear reviews all 8 harry potter films ranked from worst to best philosopher's stone

The Philosopher’s Stone is filled to the brim with so many iconic and unforgettable moments that it’s almost impossible to choose a favorite. From Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) exploring Diagon Alley together to the students sailing to Hogwarts for the first time, the entire film is full of magic and nostalgia that elevates it way, way above what anybody could have expected.

The only real problem with The Philosopher ’s Stone is that the main narrative is never anywhere near as compelling or gripping as the less important side narratives. The character of Professor Quirrell (Ian Hart) never really becomes anything other than a stereotypical villain, which leaves the final act to struggle with a notable lack of momentum. Regardless, this is where all the magic and adventure starts, so it’s hard not to view the film through rose-tinted glasses and ignore the little nitpicks that would otherwise drag the film down.

There’s no Harry Potter without The Philosopher’s Stone , and it’s still an extremely entertaining and watchable film in its own right. It might not be perfect, but it is quintessentially magical – and that’s more than enough.

6. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBERS OF SECRETS

loud and clear reviews all 8 harry potter films ranked from worst to best chamber of secrets

Despite not quite being as magical and dreamlike as its predecessor, Chamber of Secrets does a lot to advance the world of Harry Potter into the dark and dangerous adventure that it is destined to become. It sacrifices the childlike innocence of the first film for a more mature and dangerous story involving a deadly Basilisk, generation-long prophecies, and ominous messages written on the walls in blood.

Chamber of Secrets also introduces us to some of the most interesting and entertaining characters of the entire franchise: not only do we meet Draco’s father Lucius (Jason Isaacs) and their House Elf Dobby (Toby Jones), but the film also spends a lot of time with Tom Riddle (Christian Peter Coulson) – allowing for that chill-inducing reveal of his true identity.

Although the story might not be as full of magic and wonder as some of the other installments, Chamber of Secrets still offers an extremely captivating mystery that the audience is invited to investigate alongside Harry and his friends. It marks a drastic departure from the hazy, nostalgia-driven storytelling of the first installment and develops a sharply distinct personality that definitely works in its favor.

5. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

Director: David Yates Writer: Steve Kloves

loud and clear reviews all 8 harry potter films ranked from worst to best half-blood prince

Half-Blood Prince is the biggest mixed bag of the entire series . On the one hand, the film features some of the most exciting and haunting scenes in Harry’s whole story – with the battle on the Astronomy Tower, the retrieval of Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) locket and the bathroom duel with Draco (Tom Felton) standing out among them all – but it’s also one of the weakest in terms of its plotting and pacing. There are several moments that easily could have been cut from the film, and it leaves the momentum feeling a little jarred and uneven at times.

The most common complaint with Half-Blood Prince is that for much of the runtime, nothing really happens. But whilst that’s true from a short-term narrative perspective, it’s a smart decision that’s made in favour of subtly developing the important relationships at the heart of the story. Without the rich character work that’s done on Snape (Alan Rickman), Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) and Draco in Half-Blood Prince , none of those incredible emotional beats in the final film would have hit even half as strongly. It’s for this reason that casual audiences often find themselves disappointed with the film, whilst hardcore fans of the series often cite it as one of their favorites. And for that, it lands itself right in the middle of this list.

4. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Director: David Yates Writer: Michael Goldenberg

loud and clear reviews all 8 harry potter films ranked from worst to best order of the phoenix

There’s absolutely no denying that Order of the Phoenix is one of the most exciting films in the whole Harry Potter franchise. It’s in this film Harry’s journey really starts to pick up the pace as he’s forced to face off against not only the Ministry of Magic, but also Voldemort and his newly reunited Death Eaters. The film has a very different feel from the previous four, bringing in new face David Yates (who will go on to direct the remaining three films), and he does a great job of gradually increasing tension and raising the stakes throughout – making for an explosive finale that carries huge levels of emotional weight .

There might not be as much action or mystery-solving in Order of the Phoenix , but it sacrifices this for a more character-driven story with Harry uncovering the secrets of his parents’ past through gripping conversations with Sirius (Gary Oldman), Remus (David Thewlis), and Snape. The stakes are so much higher in this film than they’re ever been before, with the threat of a deadly civil war between Wizards and Muggles looming over every scene. It’s a real turning point in the series, and David Yates’ signature style works perfectly for this specific tone.

3. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 1

There have been many things said about Deathly Hallows Part 1 in the years since its release, but one thing still stands – this is without a doubt the most underrated film of the bunch . Not only is it perhaps the most accurate to the book, but it also features some truly astonishing character work that allows the audience to see these central characters in a new light for the first time. It’s often described as one of the weaker films in the series since the narrative isn’t that action-packed and a lot of the scenes drag out for a long time – but that’s what makes this installment so new and refreshing.

It’s the calm before the storm , the time when our characters get to reflect on their journey and their lives before the inevitable chaos of Part 2 . The story has been so non-stop up to this point that such a slow and contemplative installment feels almost sobering. We’re with Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) for almost the entire runtime, and those long sequences allow the audience to get a glimpse into their minds outside of Hogwarts, outside all the chaos and danger of battle. The film really emphasizes the idea that they’re still children , just three lost kids with the weight of the world forced onto their shoulders and absolutely nothing they can do about it. It’s not the populist favorite, but there’s a certain human magic to Deathly Hallows Part 1 that just isn’t present in any of the other films.

2. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

Director: Alfonso Cuarón Writer: Steve Kloves

Within the Harry Potter series of films, there’s a distinct point where the tone sharply switches from childlike wonder and curiosity to dark, foreboding danger and fear – and that’s Prisoner of Azkaban . Following on from Columbus’ two magical adventures, Cuarón takes the series in a completely different, mature direction that’s perfectly fitting for this specific story. With the introduction of Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), we’re able to learn a lot more about Harry’s parents, their involvement in the Wizarding War, and the looming threat of Voldemort’s potential return.

Despite being the first film in the series where Voldemort isn’t actually a principal threat, Prisoner of Azkaban has some of the most engaging and thrilling storytelling of the entire franchise, using the conflict between the remaining Marauders to offer some in-depth character development and perfectly set-up Voldemort’s return in the next film. The final hour is some of the finest filmmaking the series will ever see, jumping at a breakneck pace between some of the most intense and exciting scenes in Harry’s whole journey.

1. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2

loud and clear reviews all 8 harry potter films ranked from worst to best deathly hallows voldemort

However, as emotional and refreshing as Part 1 is, it still can’t live up to the pure grandeur and power of the following film. Up to this point, the Harry Potter films have followed a fairly standard formula – they introduce some new characters, give a little exposition, follow the characters through an engaging and entertaining journey, and then wrap it all up before nodding toward the future. In Deathly Hallows Part 2 , there’s no need for that setup. From the second Harry steps foot in Hogwarts, the film doesn’t even offer a second to breathe.

It’s a non-stop action epic that somehow also manages to be a deep, philosophical exploration of death, morality, and friendship. All those little plot points and throwaway ideas from earlier films are brought back and wrapped up in the most satisfying way possible, truly doing the characters justice and adhering to the central message of the series. It may differ from the book in a few places, but all the emotional beats remain the same and are even elevated through the entire cast’s impressive performances.

Alan Rickman in particular is on a whole other level in this film, and the scenes in which he appears (you know the ones) are easily some of the most memorable Yates ever put to screen. Deathly Hallows Part 2 exemplifies everything that makes the Harry Potter series so unique and beloved, and it will be a miracle if we ever get another studio blockbuster with half the raw emotion and sweeping brilliance of this one.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore was released theatrically in the UK, Ireland and Japan on April 8 , and in the US and worldwide on April 15, 2022 . The film is now available to watch on digital and on demand .

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Messianic purpose … Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone review – 20 years on, it’s a nostalgic spectacular

The first film in the franchise is re-released into a very different world – but it’s as entertaining and exhilarating as ever

T he very first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or “Sorcerer’s Stone” for its release in the United States, where audiences were assumed to be unfamiliar with this alchemical term) is now re-released after 20 years, into a rather different world. Sadly, the actors who played the original Dumbledore, Snape, Uncle Vernon and Mr Ollivander – Richard Harris, Alan Rickman , Richard Griffiths and John Hurt – are no longer with us. The Harry Potter franchise itself is still a colossal commercial entity, an IP Shangri La, although its creator JK Rowling is now at the centre of an acrimonious gender politics debate – undreamed of in 2001 – and the world of children’s and YA fiction, which she almost singlehandedly revived all over the world, is strongly policed on just these issues.

It’s amazing and poignant to remember the sheer excitement of that HPATPS premiere in November 2001: I myself called it an “old-fashioned pre-September 11 news event”. Harry Potter emerged into cinemas as we were still all stunned by 9/11, but yet to see the retaliatory “war on terror”. This film, emerging four years after the original novel, marked the birth of a new consolatory pop culture myth, to rival Sherlock Holmes and James Bond, and the circumstances of its own arrival became mythic, from Rowling’s own early poverty to the snapping up of film rights.

Warner Bros had gambled on three cherubically young actors to carry the series through their own adolescence to its finale: Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, Emma Watson as Hermione and Rupert Grint as Ron. Opinions on the acting may divide here, and it was admittedly Robert Pattinson (playing Cedric Diggory in Goblet of Fire), who had the real career staying power. But I can’t think of these characters played by any other actors: the thought of the stories being remade or re-adapted with a different cast is heresy. I even grew to like Grint’s very broad, goofy acting, in which he was encouraged by director Chris Columbus at the outset. Radcliffe’s bespectacled moon face looks heartbreakingly unformed.

In the film we see Harry Potter coming to terms with his messianic purpose: he is released from his Dickensian incarceration in the Dursley household and sent for his first term at Hogwarts with its public-school/Oxbridge traditions. Harry learns how to play quidditch (like Tom Brown learning rugby) and he and his three pals are sorted into their various houses; they encounter the formidable teaching staff, including Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Professor Quirrell (Ian Hart) and Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) and then meet the challenge of a deadly assault on Harry.

And it’s still a very entertaining and spectacular movie, with a rush of nostalgia to go alongside the exhilaration of fun, even though some of the “flying” effects during the big quidditch match aren’t quite what we’re used to in 2021. “Wingardium Leviosa,” says the earnest, wide-eyed Hermione … and the story is airborne again.

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All Eight ‘Harry Potter’ Films, Ranked and Reviewed

Goblet of Fire

Chamber of Secrets
Order of the Phoenix

Half Blood Prince

Deathly Hallows: Part One
Sorceror’s Stone

Deathly Hallows: Part Two
Prisoner of Azkaban

Chris Benis

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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, harry and dumbledore draw closer to the malevolent lord voldemort.

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The climactic scene in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" takes place in one of those underground caverns with a lake and an ominous gondola as the means of transportation, popularized by " The Phantom of the Opera ." At first I thought -- no gondola! But then, one appeared, dripping and hulking. In another movie I might have grinned, but you know what? By that point, I actually cared.

Yes, this sixth chapter is a darker, more ominous Harry Potter film, with a conclusion that suggests more alarmingly the deep dangers Harry and his friends have gotten themselves into. There was always a disconnect between Harry's enchanting school days at Hogwarts and the looming threat of Voldemort. Presumably it would take more than skills at Quidditch to defeat the dreaded Dark Lord.

In one of the opening scenes, we find Harry ( Daniel Radcliffe ) late at night in a cafe of the London Underground, reading a copy of the Daily Prophet which poses the question: Is Harry Potter the Chosen One? By the film's end, he acknowledges that he has, indeed, been chosen to face down Voldemort (whose name should properly rhyme with the French word for "death," mort; also, since their word vol can have meanings such as "thief" and "steal," Lord Voldemort is most ominously named).

Harry is distracted from his paper, however, by an instant flirtation with the young waitress, a saucy cutie who informs him, although he asked only with his eyes, that she gets off work at 11. She indeed waits for him on the platform, but the Chosen One must respond to his higher calling from Dumbledore ( Michael Gambon ), who either materializes, gets off a train, or has a pied-a-terre right there in the Underground. I for one will be disappointed if that waitress (I think her name is Elarica Gallagher) doesn't turn up again in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," whose two parts will conclude the series in 2010 and 2011.

That will be none too soon if Harry doesn't want to steal up on the "Twilight" franchise, since he and his friends, especially poor Ron Weasley, have definitively entered adolescence. Even now he seems to be entertaining thoughts of snoggling with Ron's sister Ginny ( Bonnie Wright ). Yes, Harry, so recently a round-eyed little lad, will soon be one of Hogwarts' Old Boys.

Director David Yates suggests the transition in subtle ways, one of them by making Hogwarts itself seem darker, emptier and more ominous than ever before. Its cheery corridors are now replaced by gloomy Gothic passages, and late in the film an unspeakable fate befalls the beloved Dining Hall at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter), who seems to function principally as a destructive vixen, but no doubt has more ominous goals.

The mission for which Dumbledore summoned Harry at the outset was to visit the London home of Professor Horace Slughorn ( Jim Broadbent ), who has become reclusive since his Hogwarts days, but is now urgently needed along with his memories of the young student Tom Riddle, who grew up to become the man whose name should rhyme with Death. Dumbledore hopes they can discover a secret vulnerability of Voldemort's, and that is why they find themselves in the underground cavern. When this possible key is discovered, I promise you I'm not spoiling anything by observing that its basic message is "to be continued."

There are really two story strands here. One involves the close working relationship of Dumbledore and Harry on the trail of Voldemort. The other involves everything else: romance and flirtation, Quidditch, a roll call of familiar characters (Hagrid, Snape, McGonagall, Wormtail, Lupin, Filch, Flitwick and Malfoy, whose name could be French for "bad faith"). With names like that, how do they get through Commencement without snickering?

Some of these characters are reprised just as reminders. The giant Hagrid ( Robbie Coltrane ), for example, turns up primarily to allow us to observe, look who's turned up! Snape, as played by Alan Rickman , is given much more dialogue, primarily I suspect because he invests it with such macabre pauses. Radcliffe's Potter is sturdy and boring, as always; it's not easy being the hero with a supporting cast like this. Michael Gambon steals the show as Dumbledore, who for a man his age certainly has some new tricks, so to speak, up his sleeve.

I admired this Harry Potter. It opens and closes well, and has wondrous art design and cinematography as always, only more so. "I'm just beginning to realize how beautiful this place is," Harry sighs from a high turret. The middle passages spin their wheels somewhat, hurrying about to establish events and places not absolutely essential. But those scenes may be especially valued by devoted students of the Potter saga. They may also be the only ones who fully understand them; ordinary viewers may be excused for feeling baffled some of the time.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie poster

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality

153 minutes

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape

Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn

Helena Bonham-Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange

Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore

Based on the novel by

J.K. Rowling

Screenplay by

Steve Kloves

Directed by

David Yates

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Every Harry Potter Movie, Ranked by Box Office

The franchise grossed $7.7 billion worldwide!

When movie fans think about film franchises, the same few come to mind: Star Wars , the MCU , and even The Twilight Saga . In company with these giants is Harry Potter , which took the world by storm from the first movie in 2001, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone . It ended in 2011 with The Deathly Hallows Part 2 , but birthed the spin-off movie series Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , which received mixed reviews. The Harry Potter universe has inspired video games, stage shows, studio tours and even a spot at Universal Studios.

The franchise grossed $7.7 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful film series ever. The author, J. K. Rowling, has been involved in numerous controversies in recent years, but the franchise remains beloved by millions of fans." Something along those lines. But the movies remain in the hearts of fans who grew up with Harry ( Daniel Radcliffe ), Ron ( Rupert Grint ) and Hermione ( Emma Watson ), seeing themselves in the characters and finding escapism through the Wizarding World. Every fan has their favorite installment of Harry Potter, but this will break down the best movie as ranked by overall box office numbers using Box Office Mojo .

8 'Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban' (2004)

Worldwide gross: $795,634,069.

Despite having the lowest worldwide gross of the entire franchise, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban is well regarded as the definitive fan favorite and is often listed as one of the best movies . Director of the first 2 movies, Chris Columbus , handed the reigns to Alfonso Cuarón for the third installment. Fans followed Harry through finding Sirius Black ( Gary Oldman ) and discovering more about his parents' past . In contrast to the previous movies, this one got increasingly darker, with more emphasis on the lore of magic in the universe.

The visuals of The Prisoner of Azkaban set the precedent for the rest of the series. The warmth of Chris Columbus' films is stripped away, replaced with coldness and dark hues as the characters turn from children into teenagers . The world of Harry Potter somehow feels more immersive and authentic, with the young actors expertly settling into their roles. And with Michael Gambon taking over the role of Dumbledore with precision, it's hard to believe that this was the lowest-grossing movie out of the franchise. It is undoubtedly one of the best .

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

7 'harry potter and the chamber of secrets' (2002), worldwide gross: $878,979,634.

As the follow-up to the first movie, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets had a difficult job. Chris Columbus crammed a lot of plot into this one, making it the longest movie at 2 hours and 41 minutes. Fans follow the trio as they face a basilisk harming students and the return of Tom Riddle ( Christian Coulson ) AKA Voldemort to the chamber of secrets underneath Hogwarts. More of the universe is explored, namely exposition about purebloods and those born to muggle parents.

Surprisingly, The Chamber of Secrets grossed higher than Prisoner of Azkaban , with it being one of the more unpopular installments of the franchise, mostly due to its length. That being said, it is a movie packed with laughs, character exploration and magical charm more akin to The Sorcerer's Stone . It surely gets extra attention because of the introduction of Dobby (Toby Jones) the house-elf, who looks out for Harry in his own strange way . This film is still beloved, and fans rewatch it obsessively for the nostalgia of the early movies.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

6 'harry potter and the goblet of fire' (2005), worldwide gross: $895,921,036.

For film number 4, director Mike Newell took the torch and made Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire . This installment opened up the Wizarding World beyond Hogwarts, as two different schools came to compete in the tri-wizard tournament. Once again, Harry is put into horrific circumstances out of his control, despite not even being old enough to compete. Harry, Ron and Hermione deal with the trials of adolescence, crushes and friendships. And for the first time, Ralph Fiennes appears as Voldemort, ready for a showdown with Harry.

This is another firm favorite among fans, as viewers love the development between Hermione and the boys, and the iconic school dance. The franchise is well-established now, full of funny moments, balanced out with heartbreak and action. It still does incredibly well as the third-lowest grossing of them all, as the series becomes increasingly darker and more serious . While the final conflict of the movie isn't as tense as it could have been, Fiennes and Radcliffe make it worthwhile . And fans will undoubtedly never forget about the tragedy of Cedric Diggory ( Robert Pattinson ).

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

5 'harry potter and the order of the phoenix' (2007), worldwide gross: $938,212,738.

Overtaking Goblet of Fire is Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix , which features Harry getting involved with The Order, reuniting with Sirius Black and dealing with the incorrigible Dolores Umbridge ( Imelda Staunton ). David Yates ’ directing takes the franchise in a more political direction, as the students rise against Umbridge and train to fight against the evil heading their way. The Ministry of Magic may be trying to squash any news of Voldemort, but Harry and his friends will be ready and waiting.

This franchise instalment is most remembered for the performance of Staunton, who does an incredible job at being the power-hungry teacher who steals Dumbledore’s role. She might be one of the most hated characters, but fans love Staunton’s dedication to the performance . It also earns its spot as the fifth highest-earning movie in Harry’s development, with not only Sirius but also Professor Snape ( Alan Rickman ) and Dumbledore. Fans might underrate this one, but Yates did a great job .

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

4 'harry potter and the deathly hallows part 1' (2010), worldwide gross: $972,050,767.

Next up is the first half of the franchise's conclusion, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 . David Yates has the difficult job of fitting everything into this first part, and he expertly sets up the final movie. Harry, Ron and Hermione hunt down the Horcruxes to destroy them , including a venture into the muggle world. And they find the Deathly Hallows, uncovering hidden secrets in the world of magic . It includes tender moments between the main characters and opens up many doors that fans don't get to walk through until part 2.

This movie did incredibly well at $295 million considering it is mostly a setup for part 2, not answering any questions or offering any conclusions. It earns its rightful praise through excellent action sequences, balanced out with authentic and grounded moments between the characters. The darker aesthetic is in full force, and the inclusion of the Deathly Hallows animated scene is beautiful, making for an immersive viewing experience. While it works best to watch parts 1 and 2 together, this movie stands alone very well .

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

3 'harry potter and the half-blood prince' (2009), worldwide gross: $933,959,197.

In Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince , death eaters are causing chaos at Hogwarts and no one is safe. Draco Malfoy ( Tom Felton ) is put up to killing Dumbledore as he gets corrupted by his father and Voldemort. Harry discovers more about Voldemort when he finds a book belonging to the Half-Blood Prince. And after several romantic musings from the characters, the tone shifts back to seriousness as Snape kills Voldemort, appearing to betray him, though fans know that isn't quite the case .

The Half-Blood Prince comes out with a figure of over $930 million, praised for Yates' directing and a darker, more mature script that delves more intimately into the franchise's most interesting characters, from Dumbledore to Hermione. It also thrives on being one of the funnier Harry Potter movies, with Jim Broadbent as Professor Slughorn, Ron dabbling in love potions and Harry taking liquid luck . When it switches from humor to tragedy , viewers are pulled along by the excellent performances of Radcliffe, Rickman and Gambon.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

2 'harry potter and the sorcerer's stone' (2001), worldwide gross: $974,755,371.

Taking it back to 2001, it's Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, also known as The Philosopher's Stone outside the US. This was the beginning of the Harry Potter franchise, starting with a baby Harry getting left on his aunt's doorstep. Leading up to his 11th birthday, he gets his letter from Dumbledore and, under Hagrid's ( Robbie Coltrane ) guidance, Harry begins his time at Hogwarts. On this wild ride, he finds out more about his parents and has his first brush with Lord Voldemort, who seeks the stone. He also bonds with friends who would go on to be at his side until the end.

The Sorcerer's Stone is the lightest of the franchise, under Chris Columbus' great directing . He manages to bring the book to life with an excellent cast and shows the world of witchcraft and wizardry with a child-like wonder. He prioritized accuracy of the source material, and it worked in his favor. It is by far the most charming installment, as it kickstarted one of the biggest movie franchises ever . Fans still adore it for the nostalgic factor, and it holds iconic status more than 20 years later. John Williams ' now classic score solidifies it as an incredible work of cinema.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

1 'harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2' (2011), worldwide gross: $1,341,511,219.

In the highest-grossing spot is Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, the explosive and action-packed conclusion to a decade-long franchise that fans have followed obsessively. Yates didn't have an easy job wrapping it all up, but he rose to the occasion. The action starts instantly, not giving fans any time to prepare themselves. Lives are lost, the heroes are exposed, and Harry has his last showdown with Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts, which leaves the school in ruins .

In a visually stunning and well-directed feature, The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is an epic conclusion, absolutely earning its box office numbers. It is helped by the performances of the trio, along with Rickman and Fiennes, as Snape's true nature is divulged to the viewers. It plays on the emotions of fans with Harry's brush with death, and Fred Weasley's ( James Phelps ) heartbreaking demise . This emotional and brilliantly shot movie remains a firm favorite among fans and the finest work of the Harry Potter universe, grossing over $1 billion worldwide . There will never be another franchise quite like Harry Potter.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

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NEXT: 15 Best Movies Like 'Harry Potter' to Watch For a Magical Adventure

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Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone, common sense media reviewers.

First Potter movie is a magical ride but also intense.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Plenty examples of courage, teamwork, and loyalty.

Harry's relationship with Ron and Hermione demonst

As one of the most beloved characters in the Harry

Kids are in peril often, mostly from fantasy creat

While the candy featured in the film wasn't origin

Positive Messages

Plenty examples of courage, teamwork, and loyalty. Friendship, standing up for others, expressing compassion, generosity, perseverance, and the triumph of the underdog are also strong themes.

Positive Role Models

Harry's relationship with Ron and Hermione demonstrates the idea behind strength in numbers when it comes to friendship. They're able to work together despite their respective flaws, forgive one another for their mistakes, and overcome great challenges. Hermione is studious and unafraid to express how smart she is, earning admiration of her teachers and eventually peers. Harry stands up for those who've been compassionate toward him, as well as those he feels deserve better treatment; he treats people with respect and loyalty. His generous tendencies encourage viewers to use their experiences with adversity in a positive manner.

Diverse Representations

As one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter series, Hermione shines as a multi-dimensional young girl. She's smart and speaks her mind, even when her classmates ridicule her for it. Among the student body at Hogwarts, witches and wizards of color appear, including Harry's fellow Gryffindors Dean Thomas and Lee Jordan, who are both Black. But they have few lines, and their roles aren't central to the plot. Disparities in wealth and privilege are revealed with Ron having less money than Harry, while Draco exudes high-class snobbery, though the issue isn't explored deeply. A Hogwarts teacher Professor Flitwick is played by an actor who was born with the condition spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenital (SED), which caused his dwarfism. The movie, like its source material, plays into fat-phobic stereotypes, depicting villains such as Harry's Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley as gluttonous and less intelligent.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Kids are in peril often, mostly from fantasy creatures. A three-headed dog chases Harry and friends. Harry and Draco see a dead, bloody unicorn and are chased by a hooded figure in the Forbidden Forest. Harry and friends fight a troll and knock it unconscious, are nearly crushed by a constricting plant, are chased by flying keys, and pummeled by a life-sized chess board. One character dies by turning to dust. Mostly friendly ghosts roam the halls; the ghost Nearly Headless Nick shows how he got the name. Flashback to the (bloodless) death of Harry's parents and much discussion about how they died and the one who killed them.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

While the candy featured in the film wasn't originally real, it is now: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Jelly Slugs, and more. And then there are the action figures, Lego playsets, wands, clothing, and much more associated with the franchise.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , the first movie in the massively popular and successful Harry Potter series (all based on the books by J.K. Rowling), has some intense and scary moments. Harry Potter ( Daniel Radcliffe ) and friends -- who are only 11 years old here -- are in peril and get hurt, but not seriously, and most of the scares come from fantasy creatures. There's a flashback to the (bloodless) death of Harry's parents and discussion about how they died and the villain who killed them. Characters show courage, teamwork, and loyalty. Friendship, standing up for others, expressing compassion, generosity, perseverance, and the triumph of the underdog are also strong themes. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

Parents say (148)
Kids say (541)

Based on 148 parent reviews

inappropriate for most

Some scary scenes that could be a bit much for littles. but a great introduction to the harry potter franchise., what's the story.

When HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE begins, Harry ( Daniel Radcliffe ) is an orphan who lives with the awful Dursleys, his aunt, uncle, and cousin. On his 11th birthday, Harry receives a mysterious letter, but his uncle destroys it before he can read it. Letters keep coming, and the Dursleys panic and hide away on a remote island. But they're found by Hagrid ( Robbie Coltrane ), a huge, bearded man with a weakness for scary-looking creatures. It turns out that the letters were coming from Hogwarts, a boarding school for young witches and wizards, and Harry is expected for the fall term, so Hagrid whisks him off to begin his new life as a wizard in training. On the train to Hogwarts, Harry meets his future best friends, Ron Weasley ( Rupert Grint ) and Hermione Granger ( Emma Watson ). When school begins, things really get exciting, with classes in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, a sport called Quidditch (a sort of flying soccer/basketball), a mysterious trap door guarded by a three-headed dog named Fluffy, and a baby dragon named Norbert. Throughout the year, Harry adjusts to his magical life and begins to come to grips with his famous status in the wizarding world and what he represents to the darker forces there. He also learns some important lessons about loyalty and courage.

Is It Any Good?

This first film in the Harry Potter series is filled with visual splendor, valiant heroes, spectacular special effects, and irresistible characters. It's only fair to say that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is truly magical. The settings manage to be sensationally imaginative and yet at the same time so clearly believable and lived-in that you'll think you could find them yourself, if you could just get to Platform 9 3/4. The adult actors are simply and completely perfect. Richard Harris turns in an excellent performance as headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Maggie Smith (whose on-screen teaching roles extend from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie to Sister Act ) brings just the right dry asperity to Professor McGonagall, and Coltrane is a half-giant with a heart to match as Hagrid. Alan Rickman provides shivers as potions master Professor Snape, and the brief glimpse of Julie Walters (an Oscar nominee for Billy Elliott ) will make you glad you'll be seeing more of her in future movies. And the kids are all just fine, though here they're mostly called upon to look either astonished or resolute.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the Harry Potter book series that inspired Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and the other movies. Do you like the books or movies better?

Which themes from the first in the series pop up again in later installments?

What do you think about Harry and his friends going away to school? Would you ever want to do something like that?

How do Harry and his friends demonstrate teamwork , perseverance , and courage in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ? Why are these important character strengths ?

Movie Details

In theaters : November 16, 2001
On DVD or streaming : May 28, 2002
Cast : Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint
Director : Chris Columbus
Studio : Fine Line Features
Genre : Fantasy
Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
Run time : 152 minutes
MPAA rating : PG
MPAA explanation : some scary moments and mild language
Last updated : March 24, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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’It Was A Strange Thing’: The Harry Potter Movies Were A Huge Success, But Tom Felton Admits He Had No Idea If They’d Make It To The Deathly Hallows

Who could imagine an incomplete Potter saga?

Book fans love to assume that when franchises like the Harry Potter movies get underway, they’ll be able to eventually see the whole series adapted to film. But ask anyone who followed the Divergent series, The Golden Compass or Beautiful Creatures , and they’d tell you that this particular fate is never guaranteed. Hogwarts alum Tom Felton fully admitted to knowing that very truth while making some of the best 2000s movies . He even revealed that after all these years, it’s kind of "strange" how everything worked out so that the series reached Deathly Hallows.

Speaking with Collider on behalf of a new set of Harry Potter Funko toys, brought to the world by Kinder chocolate, the star reminisced about his time working on all eight films in Warner Bros.’ legendary fantasy family franchise. And what he had to say about the process of greenlighting each movie may surprise some of you, as this is how he described the thinking at work:

Well, it was a strange thing because I think people always assumed that we were gonna make the eight films from day one, and that was never the case. It was always, 'We're gonna make one. That did okay, so we're gonna make another one. That did better, so we're gonna make another one.' We were never promised the fact that we were gonna all be coming back next year. I think we all assumed that they would replace us with half-decent actors at some point.

Between the years of 2001 and 2011, it was almost like clockwork to see a new chapter of wizarding excitement in theaters at a regular interval. While there was always a question of how long the younger members of the Harry Potter cast would be present for the ride, the matter of whether the series would be completed never seemed to be up for debate.

To be honest, thinking about the potential for anyone to replace any of the other core cast members of the Potter youth is as alien to me as those rumors back in the day that stated Jake Gyllenhaal was going to replace Tobey Maguire on Spider-Man 2 . The same could be said about the possibility that we might not have seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows adapted into one movie, much less two.

Thankfully, it never came to that point, as Tom Felton himself discussed in his continued remarks. Citing his co-stars as inspiration to keep stepping up his game, he discussed the rest of his magical fate as follows:

But luckily they kept us on and we got better. So, yeah, I was lucky enough to have the best of both worlds. I was able to still stay at my muggle school while attending Hogwarts, and sort of go back and forth over months at a time. And I’ve got three older brothers, so they keep me pretty grounded.

Mr. Felton has certainly kept himself busy in his post- Harry Potter years. With roles in films like Rise of the Planet of the Apes , and TV smash hits such as The Flash , the original Draco Malfoy actor has had a good degree of career longevity in the years that have passed. The fact that he reflects on this career making role so fondly only makes that fact all the more enjoyable, especially as Felton’s feelings on Draco’s arc are pretty spot on.

I think I speak for anyone who’s enjoyed these films when I say that while I’m thankful all seven books were adapted as films, the experience wouldn’t have been as rewarding if it wasn’t for the continued participation of Tom Felton and his Wizarding World co-stars. Magic can only carry a series so far, as the actors present are vital to making such delights come to life.

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While the Harry Potter movie franchise has been concluded for over a decade now, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fun of the Wizarding World. Those films are currently streaming for those of you with a Peacock subscription , if you want to travel back to series past. Or, you can wait until 2026, at which point the Harry Potter TV show will supposedly premiere on Max.

Mike Reyes is the Senior Movie Contributor at CinemaBlend, though that title’s more of a guideline really. Passionate about entertainment since grade school, the movies have always held a special place in his life, which explains his current occupation. Mike graduated from Drew University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, but swore off of running for public office a long time ago. Mike's expertise ranges from James Bond to everything Alita, making for a brilliantly eclectic resume. He fights for the user.

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All 8 Harry Potter Movies Conjure Up a New Streaming Home

All eight of Warner Bros.' acclaimed Harry Potter movies are departing Peacock for a new, yet familiar streaming service.

Warner Bros.' Harry Potter movies, based on the best-selling novels by J.K. Rowling, are heading back to Max.

The Harry Potter movies remain extremely popular among fans that grew up with Rowling's children's books and Warner Bros.' film adaptations despite both ending over a decade ago. Now, per Forbes , after an extended stay on NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock, the Harry Potter adaptations are returning to Max on April 1. With the Fantastic Beasts trilogy already streaming on the platform, fans will now be able to watch the entire Wizarding World franchise in one place.

'Such a Shame': Harry Potter Alum Responds to Co-Star Criticizing Adult Fans of the Films

Starring Daniel Radcliffe (as Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (as Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (as Hermione Granger), the eight Harry Potter films were released almost annually by Warner Bros. from 2001 to 2011. Critically and commercially acclaimed, the franchise collectively grossed $7.7 billion at the global box office. With the original film series remaining beloved to this day, many fans were surprised when Warner Bros. announced plans to re-adapt all seven of Rowling's books in April 2023.

However, instead of new films, Warner Bros. will adapt Harry Potter for the small screen as a Max streaming series. The current plan is to adapt each book as a season of television over the course of 10 years. Rowling is on board as an executive producer along with Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts. "Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally," Max said in a statement at the time.

New Harry Potter Series Gets Exciting Update

While no actors have been cast in the Harry Potter reboot yet, the project has narrowed down who will be scripting the first season of episodes. The top three writers currently vying to become the showrunner for the live-action Harry Potter series are Emmy-winning producer Francesca Gardiner ( His Dark Materials ), Tom Moran ( The Devil’s Hour ), and Kathleen Jordan ( Teenage Bounty Hunters ). A decision is expected to be made by June.

Did the Chronicles of Narnia Inspire the Four Founders of Hogwarts?

Is the fantastic beasts franchise dead.

Before moving forward with a television adaptation of Harry Potter , Warner Bros. expanded on the original franchise with the spinoff/prequel series, Fantastic Beasts . Debuting in 2016, Fantastic Beasts primarily focused on Albus Dumbledore and his agents' quest to defeat Grindelwald as the First Wizarding War and Second World War draw near.

Unfortunately, the Fantastic Beasts series did not achieve the same critical and commercial success as Harry Potter , with the third film — 2022's The Secrets of Dumbledore — becoming the lowest-grossing installment in the Wizarding World franchise. Originally intended as a five-film saga, it is unknown at this time if Warner Bros. still plans to finish Fantastic Beasts or if the franchise will end without a proper conclusion.

All eight Harry Potter movies head back to Max on April 1.

Source: Forbes

Harry Potter

The Harry Potter franchise follows the adventure of a young boy introduced a whole new world of magic, mayhem and darkness. Traversing the obstacles in his path, young Harry's rise to heroics pits him against Lord Voldemort, one of the most dangerous wizards in the world and all his minions.

How to watch in the US
How to watch in the UK
How to watch from anywhere
How to watch with a VPN

Where to watch Harry Potter for free from anywhere: All eight movies covered

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It's hard to believe that the last Harry Potter movie hit theaters over a decade ago. Fortunately, the beloved wizarding series is available to stream for free from home with the proper setup. If you want to relive the magic, we'll show you all of your streaming options for the franchise, including where to watch Harry Potter from anywhere.

Based on the books by J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter film franchise follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and attempt to evade the ever-growing evil of Voldemort. Although there are seven books, the series is broken up into eight films. Each film has a hefty runtime (every movie is at least two-and-a-half hours long), so it will take you almost 20 hours to watch everything.

There's a pretty good chance you've already seen the Harry Potter movies, but it's never a bad time for a rewatch. We'll show you how to get a jumpstart on your Harry Potter marathon below, including how to access a free stream of them via VPN .

See also: Where to watch Oppenheimer | Where to watch The Zone of Interest | Where to watch Anatomy of a Fall

How to watch Harry Potter in the US

All eight Harry Potter movies are available to stream on Peacock . Peacock subscriptions start at $5.99 per month for the ad-supported plan. For $11.99 per month, you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription tier. In addition to Harry Potter, Peacock has a vast collection of on-demand movies, including Oppenheimer, The Holdovers, and Kung Fu Panda.

Peacock is a streaming service featuring NBCUniversal TV shows, movies, original series, live sports, and news programs. Prices start at just $5.99 a month on one-month deals, with further discounts available on annual plans.

How to watch Harry Potter in the UK

In the UK, all Harry Potter movies are available to stream for free on ITVX , ITV's ad-supported free streaming counterpart. ITVX is free to use and only requires signing up for an account. The selection of available Harry Potter films occasionally shifts, but they're all there at the time of writing.

You can also find them on the UK version of Netflix , which you can access from outside the UK via a VPN (see below) if you already have a Netflix account in another country. This is the best option for most users, as you can ditch the ads if you're already on an ad-free tier of the streaming service.

How to watch Harry Potter from anywhere

If you're currently outside the UK and want to watch Harry Potter for free, you might want to try a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs change your electronic device's location so you can access websites that might not otherwise be accessible in your region. They're also excellent ways to boost your online privacy.

We recommend ExpressVPN , a tried-and-true option that comes with a convenient 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review for more information, and keep reading to learn how to use it for the Netflix or ITV options.

With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.

How to watch Harry Potter with a VPN

Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
Install it on the device you're planning to watch on.
Turn it on and set it to a UK location.
Sign up for an ITVX account. Or sign into a Netflix account.
Enjoy Harry Potter 1-8.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

2016, Fantasy/Adventure, 2h 7m

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them draws on Harry Potter 's rich mythology to deliver a spinoff that dazzles with franchise-building magic all its own. Read critic reviews

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Fantastic beasts and where to find them videos, fantastic beasts and where to find them photos.

The year is 1926, and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident, were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt's fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

Rating: PG-13 (Some Fantasy/Action Violence)

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Original Language: English

Director: David Yates

Producer: David Heyman , J.K. Rowling , Steve Kloves , Lionel Wigram

Writer: J.K. Rowling

Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2016 wide

Release Date (Streaming): Mar 8, 2017

Box Office (Gross USA): $234.0M

Runtime: 2h 7m

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Co: Heyday Films, Nvizible, Warner Bros. Pictures

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Datasat, Dolby Atmos

Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

View the collection: Harry Potter

Cast & Crew

Eddie Redmayne

Katherine Waterston

Jacob Kowalski

Alison Sudol

Ezra Miller

Credence Barebone

Samantha Morton

Shaw Senior

Ron Perlman

Carmen Ejogo

Seraphina Picquery

Jenn Murray

Chastity Barebone

Faith Wood-Blagrove

Modesty Barebone

Colin Farrell

Zoë Kravitz

Johnny Depp

Gellert Grindelwald

David Yates

J.K. Rowling

Screenwriter

David Heyman

Steve Kloves

Lionel Wigram

Executive Producer

Philippe Rousselot

Cinematographer

Film Editing

James Newton Howard

Original Music

Stuart Craig

Production Design

David Allday

Art Director

Leslie Tomkins

Guy Bradley

Toby Britton

Peter Dorme

Gavin Fitch

Martin Foley

News & Interviews for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” About… Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Lord of the Rings Vs. Harry Potter : The Ultimate Fantasy Franchise Face-Off

Your Epic Movie Franchise Binge Guide: The Best Way to Watch the Biggest Series

Critic Reviews for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Audience reviews for fantastic beasts and where to find them.

This film is gorgeously looking and hilarious, has an interesting plot (though complicated at times), benefits from a talented cast, and works as a Harry Potter spin-off.

Though slightly less magical than the best of the Harry Potter film series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them nonetheless re-establishes audiences in J.K. Rowling's wizarding world with a spun-off tale that's at times, well, fantastical. In this PG-13-rated fantasy adventure, writer Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) finds a treasure trove of briefcase-dwelling beasties unleashed in 1930s New York City. So far as adapting a 90-page encyclopedic primer into a 2 and 1/4 hour fantasy full of engaging characters and dazzling spectacle, Fantastic Beasts definitely deserves high marks. Thin on dramatic material but rich in the kind of detailed minutia that often supplemented Tolkien's epic works, Rowling's guidebook certainly doesn't seem like an obvious jumping off point. Considering that the guidebook began life as a prop in a single scene from 2001's Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (she turned the prop book into an actual book while the film was in post-production), however, a feature film as the next logical step actually starts to make sense. The result mostly works and works exceedingly well. What falls in the film's favor is the fact that the author chose this project as her screenwriting debut. Rowling's rich imagination serves the project well, as she colors outside the lines of the Potter-verse while keeping one foot firmly planted in familiar (to some, beloved) territory. Set 70 years before Harry reads Scamander's book, this American-set period piece opens up a new wizarding world rife with sequel potential. Also, unlike with the mega-bestselling Potter book series, moviegoers don't necessarily know where this adventure is headed...necessarily, mind you. Therein lies one of the few actual rubs. The main plot comes to a very predictable conclusion, though the numerous sub-plots unquestionably tantalize audiences for the inevitable follow-ups. The main character also presents viewers with a bit of a rub. The supporting cast proves so rich with personality and character (Dan Fogler refuses to let the often buffoonish best friend role drift into cliche, Katherine Waterson and Alison Sudol invest two very different sisters with enough distinct verve to fill a Hogwarts class, and Colin Farrell makes for a fearful but sympathetic villain) that the reserved Scamander almost gets swept under the magic carpet. Thanks to Oscar winner Redmayne's (The Theory of Everything) masterly use of expression and tone, however, a little thankfully goes a long way. The actor slowly turns the quiet magi-zoologist into a very eccentric - but at the same time heroic - underdog. But let's not forget the titular characters. Brilliantly realized with wand-waving by some top designers and computer animators, the missing Beasts are, if not all Fantastic, pretty damn near to Fantastic (the Niffler, a platypus-like mammal who hilariously purloins shiny things, remains the stand-out). This whole exciting cauldron of story, character and SFX is never boring, swirling us into the bigger brew that's sure to follow. A ho hum twist at the end will excite some more than others but, between plotlines involving political skulduggery and a mysterious cult-leading sorcerer, moviegoers know Where to Find themselves when the sequel arrives. To Sum it Up: New Order of the Phoenix

It's not without fun elements, but there's an almost total lack of compelling characters. Also, I don't know what Eddie Redmayne was doing performance wise but none of it works.

Crude, Americanized (and I do not mean the NYC setting,) junk driven entirely by glutinous CGI effects and populated with paper-thin characters that are memorable only when they are unbearably annoying (Redmayne is insufferably affected, slipping through fish-lips.) Some dull nonsense about repressed magical children becoming smokenadoes of doom. No explanation of why Redmayne is wandering about with a safari park in a suitcase. Just a series of dreary mayhem sequences that recall Michael Bay's Transformers more than the rich, textured world of Harry Potter. Also vaguely sexist. Plus a last minute cameo for the increasingly unnecessary Johnny Depp.

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32 Untold "Harry Potter" Behind-The-Scenes Secrets I Never Knew About The Movies

I got to tour the Harry Potter sets in England, so here are some of the wildest, coolest things I learned about the making of the movies.

BuzzFeed Staff

Hey! I'm Spencer , and I recently visited Warner Bros. Studios in England where they filmed the Harry Potter movies. I got to tour the lot and learned soooo many wild behind-the-scenes facts and secrets from the films – most of which you've probably never heard before – so I wanted to share some of the coolest ones with you here.

For context, my relationship with Harry Potter has changed over the years, especially as a queer person. I'm a fan of the series but have struggled with the notion of separating art from the artist, due to J.K. Rowling's constant anti-trans beliefs and statements. Because of this, I noticed that I've distanced myself more and more from the franchise, which is unfortunate because so many people have found a home in it.

However, I do believe the world of Harry Potter is so much bigger than Rowling herself, and I will always appreciate its stars for speaking out against her and for advocating for trans rights (which are human rights!). If you, like me, feel impassioned about trans rights then you can learn more or donate here .

1. First of all, in order to film the exterior shots of Hogwarts in the first film, the Art Department built a massive (and super detailed!) 1:24 scale model of the school, and they filmed it in front of a green screen. The model is over 50 feet in diameter and took 40 different artists to build. An additional 50 artists were then responsible for maintaining it throughout the production of the film.

Scale model of Hogwarts Castle displayed with surrounding visitors and a label highlighting its over 50 feet diameter

FYI: Here's what the model looked like in Sorcerer's Stone , using digital effects, compared to what it looked like in real life.

Two images comparing Hogwarts models. Top: movie version. Bottom: real-life model with a person for scale

2. More than 8,000 visual effects shots were used throughout the movies, but instead of using CGI on Hogwarts, artists painstakingly installed hundreds of individual lights onto the model. This helped to give the illusion of students walking through the school, lanterns illuminating the campus, and rooms being occupied. Real gravel and plants and trees were also used to make the landscaping look as lifelike as possible.

Hogwarts Castle model display from Harry Potter series, shown under blue lighting with intricate architectural details

3. Hagrid is about 12 feet tall in the books, but for logistical reasons they made him 7.5 feet in the movies. A massive animatronic head was even molded from actor Robbie Coltrane's (6'1") body, and his body double (6'10") wore it to perform all the scenes when they needed to emphasize the character's size. The animatronic head got more advanced as the films progressed, and its eyes and lips could be controlled and moved. In other instances, Robbie would film scenes in front of a green screen and then be digitally added in post-production.

Man adjusts large beard on a figure next to a person appearing to speak, in a behind-the-scenes setting

Martin Bayfield, his stunt double, wore an enormous body suit that had cold water pumping through it at all times so he wouldn't get overheated. They also built large chairs for him to sit on between takes because the suit was so heavy and he was wearing stilts.

4. In order to make Harry Potter's Patronus glow, the Visual Effects team developed an LED vest that was placed on a Scottish Deerhound. Here, the dog could move freely, and the Visual Effects team could see how Harry's Patronus (a stag) would naturally move while glowing. They then combined visual and digital effects to create the right – and believable – lighting effect for the movie.

Scottish Deerhound wearing a custom LED vest, standing on rocks, illuminated from above. Text overlay about the vest's appearance

5. It's kind of ridiculous to believe, but only 20 makeup artists and hairdressers were responsible for handling over 800 cast members on set each day. Also, only about 50 "costumers" (i.e. those in the costume department) worked on each movie, and they were responsible for designing and making everything from the Hogwarts robes, to each character's glasses or jewelry, to picking out Professor Umbridge's tiny brooches.

Mannequin displaying a pink tweed outfit with jacket and skirt, positioned in front of a large, intricate clock backdrop

6. And speaking of Professor Umbridge, her outfits would get more pink as her character would acquire more power. Basically, the more evil and stronger she got, the darker those pink accents on her and her workers' costumes became.

Three stills of Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter, depicting her outfit's evolving darker pink shades through the film

7. Similarly, at the height of Voldemort's power, his robe was made of rich green silks. These tones would get darker, and new layers of silk would be added to his costume as his character grew stronger. However, as each Horcrux was defeated, a layer of silk would be removed, and the outfit would become more faded.

Voldemort in three scenes from Harry Potter films, showing changes in his costume and complexion over time

8. Nearly 350 portraits hung throughout Hogwarts, and all of them were painted on blank canvases by only a couple different artists. In fact, many of the portraits are of random crew members who worked behind the scenes. Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón even had his then-wife and child incorporated into one of them as a tribute.

TV screen showing a bearded man in a beret captioned with David Baron's cameo, portrait painting below

9. Over the course of the eight films, over 250 different animals (most of them rescue) were trained to appear on screen. Ravens were apparently the easiest animals to work with because they could be taught in a single day, but owls were the most difficult to train.

Julie Tottman, who worked as Head Animal Trainer on the movies, said her favorite animal to work with was Fang, Hagrid's oversized dog.

10. While shooting the first movie, all of the "floating candles" in the Great Hall were originally hung from the ceiling by wires. However, the flames started burning through the wires, and they came crashing to the ground. For safety reasons, most of the candles were ultimately replaced with digital effects instead.

Severus Snape and Quirinus Quirrell seated at Hogwarts dining hall with floating candles, some real, others CGI

The original floating candles obviously weren't real – they were just made to look like candles. Instead, they were tubes that were full of oil and topped with a wick. Each one was attached to a wire on a rig, and the wires were meant to be CGI'd out of the final shots.

11. Several invisibility cloaks were made for the movies, and each one was crafted from a special velvet fabric that had Celtic symbols printed on it. In order to make Harry turn invisible, one of the cloaks had a green fabric lining that allowed the Visual Effects team to make it disappear via CGI.

Three frames from a film showing a character, Ron, reacting to another, Harry, who is partially invisible, with a caption "My body is gone!"

12. Exactly 538 individual sets were created throughout the filming of all eight movies. The Gryffindor Common Room, for example, took about three months to build (nearly the same amount of time it took to build the Great Hall) because of how detailed it is. It's one of the longest-standing sets from the entire series.

Two people viewing a young Minerva McGonagall portrait in a Gryffindor-themed room

13. The Griffin Stairwell (aka the magical spiral staircase that leads to Dumbledore's office) was one of the most challenging props for the Special Effects Department to build. They actually built two versions: one static model in my pic below, and a second that actually moved in real life. To make it a functional, moving staircase, they built it in a 12-foot hole in the ground and used mechanics so it would spiral upwards.

Sculpture of an eagle with wings spread in an arched alcove, text overlay indicates where stairs would appear

14. One of the Prop Manufacturing Department's favorite pieces to craft was the Triwizard Cup. Their goal was to make it look like an "ever-evolving, organic crystal, as though it magically had a life of its own." On the trophy are three dragons, which represent the three different schools that compete in the tournament: Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons.

Trophy with dolphin-shaped handles on display, labeled "The Triwizard Cup" from the Harry Potter series

15. The Special Effects Department consulted an actual magician to help figure out creative and "invisible" ways to open and close Marauder's Map. For example, it was the magician's idea to use a hidden thread to sneakily unfold the map. That, coupled with some visual effects in post-production, resulted in the final product that we see in the films.

Harry Potter shows Marauder's Map to Hermione and Ron, who look intrigued. The map is detailed with room names and footprints

16. Harry's first broomstick was obviously the Nimbus 2000, but it almost looked completely different. The Props Department went through 25 different iterations before settling on the final version.

Top-down view of individuals at a wooden table with a close-up of a broom labeled Nimbus 2000; dialogue from Harry Potter film

17. The Gringotts vault cart took three months to build, and by the time they started filming, it was able to move up to 15 mph on a specialty track. However, they used both special ~and~ visual effects for the final product. Each actor had a stunt double, and everything was filmed in front of a green screen so the background could be fitted with the computer-generated set.

Harry Potter film characters in front of a green screen and the final movie scene with CGI background

18. In the beginning of Chamber of Secrets , the "cake" that fell on Mrs. Mason's head wasn't actually real. It was made of a lightweight fiberglass and was suspended in the air via a mechanical rig, to look like it was floating. Then, when it came time for Dobby to do the deed, a trap door was released and dropped the actual cake onto her.

Five-panel sequence from a film, with two characters experiencing a cake throwing incident, resulting in a comedic messy outcome

19. The Weasley's home (aka "The Burrow") was the largest set that was built throughout the entire series, coming in at just over 44 feet. A second model of the house was also built a few years later, this time so they could set it on fire while filming Half-Blood Prince .

Mannequin dressed in vintage clothing inside a rustic-themed room with furniture and decorative windows

According to the Art Department, the Weasley's house was designed to look like Mr. Weasley had built it himself, so they "pushed and pulled support beams and wall units out of place with chains after the set was constructed" to give it that awry look.

20. Seventeen giant fireplaces were built to help create the set for the Ministry of Magic, and each one was just over 30 feet tall. Visual effects were then used to make the space feel even larger.

Image from a Harry Potter film showing the interior of the Ministry of Magic with actors walking among large, ornate pillars and green magical flame

In Order of the Phoenix , when Harry first traveled to the Ministry of Magic with Mr. Weasley, a bunch of those extras walking around were actually random crewmembers from the set. They all went through hair, makeup, and costuming to become witches and wizards for a day.

21. Hundreds of different plates were used for Professor Umbridge's decorative kitten plate collection. They were all hand-painted green so the Visual Effects team could CGI cat footage onto them (and, yes, it was actually someone's job to film all of those cats so they had enough footage in the first place).

Dolores Umbridge stands in an office adorned with cat plates; below, Harry Potter faces her. A speech bubble commands, "Sit."

22. The Forbidden Forest was shot on location at a park in the first movie, but for all the other films they actually built a new set on the backlot and soundstages. Here, they hand-painted the backdrops (some as long as 600 feet) instead of just digitally creating them, and they also used real tree trunks to help carve out the forest.

Lifelike model of a prehistoric bird-like creature with a long neck standing in a dimly lit exhibit setting

23. In terms of the makeup effects, there was a whole category of workers in the "Creature Shop" who were responsible for turning the cast into werewolves, trolls, and everything in between. Basically, each character's look would be sketched out, and then a team of artists would create molds for prosthetics, which could then be applied to each actor.

Five special effects movie prosthetic heads displayed on shelves, likely from a fantasy or sci-fi film

24. The Creature Shop would also work on developing non-actor creatures. Sculptors and engineers built animatronics and models, and the Visual Effects team would turn them into computer-generated models that could be animated. For example, this is how they were able to create the Basilisk. A giant snake head with moving eyes, nostrils, and mouth was crafted for close-up shots, but the rest of the Basilisk's body was created with CGI.

Multiple people assembling a large creature prop above, and the completed prop resembling a monstrous creature below in a film scene

25. A full-body werewolf suit – including stilts and an animatronic head – was actually created for actor David Thewlis during Professor Lupin's transformation scene, but it proved too difficult to operate. After months of rehearsals, they ultimately had to scrap the idea and resort mostly to visual effects.

Exhibit of an animatronic creature's head and body on display, with a reflection of onlookers

The makeup department also created several stages of prosthetics to capture each moment of Lupin's transformation into a werewolf. Each look took four hours to apply to the actor.

26. Sixty different actors played goblins during the Gringotts scenes in Deathly Hallows – Part 2 , and many of them were portrayed by female actors. However, female goblins didn't exist in the Harry Potter books, so all of them played male goblins in the movie.

Group photo of actors who played goblins in a film, with props and makeup shown above

Only one female goblin has ever been mentioned in the Wizarding World. Though she wasn't given a name, she was a jazz singer at The Bling Pig speakeasy in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them .

27. Several steps were taken in order to turn every actor into a different-looking goblin, first starting with a cast of each person's face. Makeup artists would then sculpt goblin features on top of the silicone molds, body parts would be painted, wigs would be made and applied one hair at a time, and then all of the body parts – teeth, ears, etc. – would be applied and touched up with makeup to blend seamlessly together.

Three-step prosthetic makeup process: molds of a face, painting of prosthetics, and completed makeup on actors

28. The Props Department created over 38,000 pieces of treasure to fill Bellatrix Lastrange's bank vault for the replication scene in the final movie. Each piece was made of rubber because having real brass, copper, and gold goblets and chalices would have been too dangerous (and costly). The cups were then scanned and digitized to look like they were duplicating in the actual scene. In fact, out of the 7,010 Hufflepuff cups in the vault, only four were gold-plated and made of copper – these were used specifically for close-up shots.

Top: Person surrounded by bubbles. Bottom: Display of Helga Hufflepuff's cup molds and replicas. No persons are visible

29. They also created over 210,000 detailed coins to represent the Wizarding currency. In the first movie, all of the coins – bronze Knuts, silver Sickles, and gold Galleons – were real and made of metal. However, in the final film, the coins were made of plastic and glued together in giant stacks.

Harry Potter in a vault surrounded by piles of gold coins, illuminated by his lantern. Text indicating "actual metal."

30. The Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes joke shop was only featured on screen for 90 seconds in Half-Blood Prince , but 40,000 props were created to fill the store with everything from Nosebleed Nougats, to Puking Pastilles, to love potions. Over 140 different kinds of products were created and sold in their store.

31. The actual layout of Hogwarts changes in every movie, simply because each of the film's directors needed things in different places. Not worried about continuity errors, they figured that "if the staircases could move in the movies then so could everything else." As a result, all of the rooms and grounds consistently change locations. For example, Hagrid's hut doesn't appear in some models of the castle, the Weeping Willow randomly shows up in the second film, and the Great Hall is in a completely different place in the final movie.

Scale model of Hogwarts Castle from Harry Potter series, displayed with visitors in background

Several other changes occurred throughout the series as well, like random courtyards appearing and disappearing, a clocktower being added in Prisoner of Azkaban , and four extra greenhouses popping up in the final movie.

32. And finally, over 4,000 people worked on all eight Harry Potter movies, from the stunt performers, to the animal trainers, to the makeup artists, and so on. The Wizarding World tour ends in Ollivanders' shop, which is stuffed to the brim with wands and boxes, each one inscribed with the name of every individual actor and crewmember who worked on the series.

Wall of wands with name labels dedicated to film crew members from the Harry Potter movie series

If you want more information about the Warner Bros. Studio Tour then definitely check out their site here . They change the theme every few months (the theme when I went was "Magical Mischief"), so everything always feels super fresh and new. For reference, I spent several hours there, and I even visited with people who had never seen the movies or read the books, but we all genuinely had a great time. Enjoy!

Hand holding a Butterbeer mug at the Wizarding World attraction

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Screen Rant

Harry potter's tv remake can fix the half-blood prince movie's most disappointing change.

The Harry Potter TV remake can fix the most disappointing change made by Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince to a beautiful scene from the book.

TV series will adapt all books in the Harry Potter universe, potentially fixing disappointing changes in the movies.
The most disappointing change in the Half-Blood Prince movie was the exclusion of Dumbledore's funeral scene.
The longer TV format of the remake can cover more characters and events, giving justice to critical book scenes.

The world of Harry Potter will continue to expand now with a TV series that will adapt all the books, and thanks to this, it can fix the most disappointing change in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . In 1997, readers all over the world met Harry Potter, the young boy who was actually a wizard, and one who would go on to face the biggest threat in the wizarding world: Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard of all. Harry Potter’s adventures were covered in seven books that became a worldwide phenomenon, leading to their film adaptation between 2001 and 2011.

Given how rich the universe of Harry Potter is, the movies were expected to make changes to the books and leave characters, events, and details aside, either for time, narrative, or visual reasons. While most of these changes worked for the benefit of the Harry Potter saga , there were others that were heavily criticized by fans of the books, as some elements should have been kept in the movies. Such is the case for one scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , but the upcoming TV remake can finally do justice to it.

Every Harry Potter In Order (And & How Long Their Runtime Is)

Hbo's harry potter remake can fix the half-blood prince movie's worst change, the harry potter movies made many changes to the books.

In the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince book, Dumbledore was given a proper funeral, and it’s one of the best scenes in the novel.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth book and movie in the Harry Potter novel series and movie saga. In it, Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger are in their sixth year at Hogwarts, but the story takes a darker turn compared to the previous books and movies. In addition to some personal problems in their relationships with other characters, Harry has to retrieve a memory from Professor Slughorn that’s key to defeating Lord Voldemort as it’s about his Horcruxes.

After that, Harry accompanies Dumbledore to a cave to destroy another Horcrux (Slytherin’s locket), while at Hogwarts, the Death Eaters prepare for Dumbledore’s murder. Draco Malfoy was chosen by Voldermort to kill Dumbledore, but as he hesitates to do it, Snape arrives and kills Hogwarts’ Headmaster , as Harry watches while hiding. Hogwarts students and staff mourn the death of Dumbledore and raise their lit wands to honor the beloved headmaster and one of the most powerful wizards. While this became one of the most memorable moments in the Harry Potter saga, it actually replaced an even better scene from the books.

The funeral was attended by the Ministry of Magic delegation, Madame Maxime from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Dumbledore’s brother Aberforth, centaurs, merpeople, Hogwarts’ ghosts, and many, many more.

In the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince book, Dumbledore was given a proper funeral, and it’s one of the best scenes in the novel. The funeral was held at Hogwarts , where all classes and exams were postponed so all students and teachers (except Snape) could attend. They were joined by the Ministry of Magic delegation, Madame Maxime from the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Dumbledore’s brother Aberforth , centaurs, merpeople, Hogwarts’ ghosts, and many, many more. The movie adaptation of Half-Blood Prince left all of this out, but now the TV remake can finally do justice to it.

Why The Harry Potter Movies Needed To Show Dumbledore's Funeral

Dumbledore’s funeral is one of the most beautiful moments in the harry potter books.

Although concept art for the scene was made, it was never filmed.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince completely left Dumbledore’s funeral out and replaced it with the above-mentioned scene with the lit wands, which doesn’t have the same emotional impact as the funeral. Director David Yates told Hypable back in 2012 that Dumbledore’s funeral was “ in and out ” and “ felt weirdly book-ended ”. Yates explained that it felt “ less about the man and more about the pomp of the ceremony ” so, rhythmically, it didn’t feel right . Although concept art for the scene was made, it was never filmed, so viewers can only imagine what it would have been like.

Dumbledore was one of the greatest wizards to ever live and the only one Voldemort truly feared, and he was a beloved and respected man in the wizard community.

The way Dumbledore’s funeral is described in the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince novel makes it one of the most beautiful scenes in the entire series, but also one of the most important ones. Dumbledore was one of the greatest wizards to ever live and the only one Voldemort truly feared, and he was a beloved and respected man in the wizard community. His funeral was the biggest proof of how important Dumbledore was and the impact of his legacy, bringing together wizards from all over the world and even magical creatures.

How The Harry Potter Show Can Finally Do This Heartbreaking Moment Justice

The harry potter tv remake has some advantages over the movies.

The longer format of a TV show allows the writers to cover more than the movies could.

A Harry Potter TV remake has a lot more advantages than the movies. The longer format of a TV show allows the writers to cover more than the movies could due to time restrictions, thus being able to bring to life most, if not all, of the characters and events that didn’t make it to the movies. A TV show also has a different rhythm than a movie, fixing Yates’ “problem” of Dumbledore’s funeral not fitting into the movie. The Harry Potter TV series can give Dumbledore’s funeral the time it needs , covering it in its entirety.

In addition to that, a TV format allows the Harry Potter remake to explore other sides of the wizarding world and other relationships between the characters, as are those between Dumbledore and other wizards and magical creatures, thus showing why they attended his funeral. There are many scenes the Harry Potter TV remake can fix, and Dumbledore’s funeral should be one of them.

Source: Hypable .

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.

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All Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Movies Ranked: The Wizarding
(Photo by Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection) All Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Movies Ranked: The Wizarding World by Tomatometer. The Harry Potter film franchise ruled the box office for a decade, but it also managed the uncommon feat of earning Certified Fresh status for every single one of its installments. It remains one of the most successful movie sagas of all time, and it's ...
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The film sees Malfoy tasked with a special mission from Voldemort, all the while Harry and Dumbledore come steps closer to uncovering the secret of defeating him. RELATED: Harry Potter: The 10 Most Heartbreaking Deaths, Ranked. The film garnered 435,725 reviews, building up to the movie's rating of 7.6.
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Edging over The Half-Blood Prince - despite being lower than all Harry Potter main films on the Tomatometer and with over a million fewer audience reviews - is the first of the Fantastic Beasts films. It stands in its own right, not relying on retreading the Potter films and delivers a good introductory movie which, if anything, is hampered by its poor, and also it's still unreleased, sequels.
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This article contains spoilers for all 8 Harry Potter films. There are few film franchises that have had the same cultural impact as Harry Potter, building a rich and magical universe from the ground up with unique characters and a sprawling narrative that's worked its way into so many people's hearts over the years. Whether it's the childlike wonder of the first few films or the high ...
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In the film we see Harry Potter coming to terms with his messianic purpose: he is released from his Dickensian incarceration in the Dursley household and sent for his first term at Hogwarts with ...
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Let's begin with the lowest-ranked flick. Goblet of Fire. It's year number four at Hogwarts and Harry and his friends have somehow managed to grow six inches of hair over the summer ...
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Movie Info. As Death Eaters wreak havoc in both Muggle and Wizard worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for students. Though Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects there are new dangers lurking ...
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Budget: $100 million. Opening weekend: $88.36 million. Domestic box office: $262.23 million. Worldwide box office: $878.75 million. By default, this ...
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Radcliffe's Potter is sturdy and boring, as always; it's not easy being the hero with a supporting cast like this. Michael Gambon steals the show as Dumbledore, who for a man his age certainly has some new tricks, so to speak, up his sleeve. I admired this Harry Potter. It opens and closes well, and has wondrous art design and cinematography as ...
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Harry Potter is a film series based on the eponymous novels by British author J. K. Rowling.The series is produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and consists of eight fantasy films, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and culminating with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011). A spin-off prequel series started with Fantastic Beasts and ...
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Parents Need to Know. Parents need to know that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first movie in the massively popular and successful Harry Potter series (all based on the books by J.K. Rowling), has some intense and scary moments.Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and friends -- who are only 11 years old here -- are in…
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Based on the wildly popular J.K. Rowling's book about a young boy who on his eleventh birthday discovers, he is the orphaned boy of two powerful wizards and has unique magical powers. 88,748 IMDb 7.6 2 h 32 min 2001. X-Ray HDR UHD PG. Kids · Fantastic · Mysterious · Stunning. Available to rent or buy. Rent.
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3. Hagrid is about 12 feet tall in the books, but for logistical reasons they made him 7.5 feet in the movies. A massive animatronic head was even molded from actor Robbie Coltrane's (6'1") body ...
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The world of Harry Potter will continue to expand now with a TV series that will adapt all the books, and thanks to this, it can fix the most disappointing change in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.In 1997, readers all over the world met Harry Potter, the young boy who was actually a wizard, and one who would go on to face the biggest threat in the wizarding world: Lord Voldemort, the ...

All Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Movies Ranked: The Wizarding World by Tomatometer

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) 96%

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) 90%

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) 88%

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) 84%

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) 82%

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) 81%

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) 77%

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) 78%

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) 74%

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) 46%

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) 36%

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