With the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, it’s time to look back at what’s come before and appreciate the highs and lows that the films set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter have given us. From the highs of seeing Hogwarts and the entire magical world for the first time in Sorcerers Stone and the epic finale of Deathly Hallows Part 2 to the lows of the Fantastic Beasts films, especially The Crimes of Grindelwald, this franchise is always at the very least intriguing. It’s been said many times before, but who among us hasn’t wished to get whisked away to a magical world of excitement and wonder? That’s what these films give us.
So we’ve counted down the 10 films that preceded The Secrets of Dumbledore (though you can read the review for that here). Follow along and let us know what your ranking is @SiftPop!
Alright gang, we need to talk. Suppose you were a fan of the Wizarding World — there’s a real chance you are — and you were given the task of writing the script for a sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It would have to lean away from the beasts and towards the prequel series it will end up being, with the knowledge there are three more to come. Would you then write a movie that’s essentially about Newt Scamander having a hard time talking to his love interest, Jacob Kowalski having a hard time talking to his love interest, Credence Barebone having a hard time talking to… just about anybody, and Dumbledore and Grindelwald having a hard time actually getting to the part where they talk to, or fight, each other? You might pick one of these things, but would you pick all of them? It boggles my mind that Crimes of Grindelwald is essentially two hours of J.K. Rowling spinning the wheels on her own franchise, layering in scene after scene of things that she might think are neat, but don’t seem to go anywhere. In the process, she goes against her own world, her established canon, and even some of the things that make this world exciting to be involved in. It feels like it was intended to be some kind of slow passing of the torch from Newt to Dumbledore, though the movie insists on bringing Newt’s baggage along with it to muddy the waters on what’s actually important to this story. He’s a fine character for a movie about quirky magical animals, but he feels so out of place in a movie about the rise of a wizard supremacist that only gestures at the rivalry we’ve all come to see develop. Instead we get intrigue and plot twists for a plot that doesn’t build any narrative throughline for this series, and what could have been an incredibly tense climax with a pretty good sinister performance from Johnny Depp essentially rings hollow. It could and should have been so much more. (Chris Bakker)
This movie too often gets maligned for its laborious runtime, some of the childish antics, or the convoluted plot. I am here to be an ardent defender of Chamber of Secrets. To me, this has always felt like a fantastic expansion of the Wizarding World by introducing new concepts and characters, while also planting foreshadowing seeds for important developments in later films, specifically Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2. This flick brings us and expanded look at Ginny Weasley, the annoying but lovable Dobby, voiced by Toby Jones, theater icon Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart, as well as the legendary Jason Isaacs playing Lucious Malfoy. Beyond the amazing characters, this is also full of fun and adventurous moments. Whether it is hijacking a flying car, getting pummeled by the Whomping Willow, Harry versus Malfoy as dueling seekers in quidditch, being chased through Forbidden Forest by giant spiders, or battling a basilisk with the assistance of a phoenix, this movie is full of magic and wonder. Sure, this is the longest Harry Potter film ever made. The two hour and 41 minute runtime can be rough, especially when this is based off the second shortest book in the series. I can understand people’s trepidation toward the film, especially when interesting characters like Hermione get sidelined for a chunk of the movie as well. But it still really works well for me. It’s also worth noting that this was the last time that this really felt like a kid’s adventure with Chris Columbus leaving the director’s chair after this movie and the tone turning much darker in Prisoner of Azkaban. Even the untimely passing of the great Richard Harris felt like things were changing as the gentle Santa-esque version of Dumbledore would be no more. It was indeed a changing of the times. I understand it might not be everyone’s favorite, but there’s still so much passion and magic within Chamber of Secrets that I cannot help but still love it to this day. (Heath Lynch)
The beginning of the end. This is what you could easily consider this film to be. The first foray for the Wizarding World away from the core Harry Potter story, and into something else — into an expansion of the series as a whole. What this film also symbolizes is when doing so isn’t the best idea in the world, as it can start to affect the overall quality of what’s come before. Now having said all of that, there’s nothing particularly wrong with this movie. I’d say my, and many other people’s, opinion lies in the, “yeah, this is alright” point of view. We meet Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), and his quirky, animal-friendly ways, and we follow him on a quest to recapture his beasts. All that is a lot of fun; however, what doesn’t work is when they decide they want to tie the whole thing into a wider, more epic story, that ultimately means the overall release’s downfall. This should have just stayed a fun film about creatures, and maybe a government body that wanted to ban them. That’s it. We didn’t need this to be a five movie epic about Dumbledore’s greatest triumph. That’s not what people were asking for, and the results didn’t help bring anymore people onboard; I can tell you that much. But again, as the first one goes, it’s much more fun than it’s normally given credit for. Still a recommendation in my books, but a very light one to be frank. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
The decision to split the final Harry Potter novel into two films was one that every Y.A. franchise tried to replicate over the next decade, but none came nearly as close to perfection as the conclusion to Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s storylines. Before the Battle of Hogwarts, though, The Deathly Hallows Part 1 brought our beloved protagonists on a harrowing journey of self-reflection and long walks in the woods. Deathly Hallows perfectly sets up the series’ finale, doing some brilliant character work with our leads and supporting cast while continuing to increase the stakes — yes, people will be injured and yes, they will die. This was the first Harry Potter I saw in theaters, and to say that I was frustrated by the cliffhanger – despite being a fan of the books and knowing how the story ends! – is an understatement. Deathly Hallows Part 1 is a triumph – a thought-provoking, and refreshingly meditative bridge to the conclusion of one of the greatest fantasy franchises ever put to film. (Rowan Wood)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is probably one of my favorites out of the series. We’re back in the fourth installment with The Golden Trio at Hogwarts and of course, nothing goes right with Potter around. It’s Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts, and he’s chosen by the Goblet of Fire (aha!) to participate in the Triwizard Cup. It’s also the year of coming of age, shaggy hair, and asking someone out to the Yule Ball. We get to watch them subtly go into teenhood and at that time I saw this film at the theater, what they were going through was pretty relatable to me. Even in the Wizarding World, they go through real stuff too. With the novel being twice the length of Prisoner of Azkaban, it was still a great adaptation. We also get a look at new characters on the screen. Brendan Gleeson as Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody is an animated performance and one of the standouts. Miranda Richardson as gossipy Rita Skeeter is a hilarious take on The Daily Prophet reporter. Skeeter and Harry’s scene in the cupboard is definitely a favorite. It still has the same excitement and magical moments as the first three films, but this time, the tone goes dark when Lord Voldemort appears again. Ralph Fiennes’ portrayal as the dark wizard is feral villainy. He was terrifying, not comical with his over-the-top performance as Voldemort. With the film being a little over two and a half hours, it doesn’t seem to drag. The feature flows nicely all the way to the end. It was the first time I cried at one of these movies, but we all know it wouldn’t be the last time that we do. (Chantal Ashford)
More than 20 years after the premiere of the Potter films in theaters, it’s hard to remember just how different the landscape was for fantasy adaptations. When Sorcerer’s Stone hit (apologies to our international readers), The Fellowship of the Ring was still a month off from its own premiere. Subsequent fantasy films trying to cash in on the popular trend have shown that fantasy novels, no matter how popular, are no sure thing for big screen success (Looking at you, Eragon). The fact that the initial Wizarding World adaptation was gotten so right almost defies the odds. In hindsight, Chris Columbus was the perfect choice to oversee the mix of young actors and grizzled veterans. The casting of everyone from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint as Harry, Hermione and Ron, respectively, to Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Richard Harris as professors McGonagall, Snape, Dumbledore were pitch perfect. Technically, the set and costume designers flawlessly brought author J.K. Rowling’s pages to life with painstaking detail, and composer John Williams created another masterpiece in “Hedwig’s Theme” to serve as the musical accompaniment. And sure, while adaptations would certainly evolve in the future to take more liberties with the source material, the foundation that this initial entry laid down should not be taken for granted. It hooked those that had not yet been taken in by the magic of the novels, while bringing to life on screen a world that fans of the books had only pictured in their imaginations. I mean, with the exception of Peeves, but there’s always hope for the television reboot on whatever has replaced HBO Max in 20 years’ time. (Jake Bourgeois)
What is a great way to shake things up for the Harry Potter franchise? Focus on all the fun and romantic twists and turns of being a teenager! The Half-Blood Prince takes the franchise in a relatable direction as Harry and his friends deal with all the hormones of being teenagers. They get into relationships, get jealous, and get their hearts broken. But that is just the beginning of what this sixth outing offers to the franchise. Jim Broadbent offers his unique trademark charm to the proceedings with his turn as Professor Slughorn, a man with memories of Tom Riddle that Dumbledore needs. Harry goes on a strange journey across the grounds with an odd balance of offbeat humor and emotional moments (poor Hagrid in grief). But this is the film where we see the descent of Draco Malfoy as he is seduced by the Dark Lord. We also see the (seeming) heel turn of Severus Snape as he does the unthinkable. This is one of the darkest outings of the franchise, as Dumbledore’s trip with Harry to find a Horcrux in a cave is a haunting affair. This film ends on one of the most somber notes of the franchise as we lose one of the most beloved characters in the wizarding world. This is an excellent addition to the franchise, even if it does not make the full use of its shocking reveal of who the Half-Blood Prince really is. (Shane Conto)
For me, The Order of the Phoenix is possibly my favorite Harry Potter cinema experience and I have seen most of them in cinemas. Ithas everything you want from Harry Potter film — the sense of adventure, magic, and not just one (as Voldemort has returned!), but two great villains. Dolores Umbridge is possibly my favourite “B” villain from this entire franchise, portrayed brilliantly by Imelda Staunton. She is the cog in the corporate machine that is “just doing her job.” And we get more scenes with Sirius Black, a.k.a. Gary Oldman, with Harry for a reason… I don’t think it’s spoiler to say the moment Sirius dies is heartbreaking as Harry finally has someone resembling a family and they get taken away too. But this film is only as good as the main theme and this theme is simply, we get to see the Order of the Phoenix assemble and fight Death Eaters. That’s a brilliant scene… Well, the last 40 minutes or so are probably my favorite in any Harry Potter film, from our trio running through the Ministry of Magic, to them getting captured by Death Eaters, only for the Order to arrive (in a really cool way), we finally see some magic duels and then, when Bellatrix shows us why we should be afraid of her and kills Sirius… The moment Harry catches up with her and has to decide whether he kills her or not, only for Voldemort himself to arrive, followed by Dumbledore. This is when get the best magic fight (no doubts) between Voldemort and Dumbledore. That entire sequence is executed so well; it’s thrilling, it’s moving, it’s cinematic… everything in this film is firing on all cylinders. I haven’t seen Harry Potter in ages, but this made me want to rewatch them all. This movie encapsulates what this franchise is about: good versus evil and what can be the difference between those two. (Luke Burian)
To call this final installment of the Potter storyline satisfying would be a massive understatement. Hopes and expectations for this film were immense. As far as hardcore Potterheads were concerned, Part 2 had to wrap up the Horcrux storyline without feeling rushed, deliver an emotional sendoff for its many characters, and convincingly depict the epic scale of an all-out wizarding war. Director David Yates perfectly delivered on every one of those promises and then some. Aided by the utter euphoria of composer Alexandre Desplat’s “Lily’s Theme,” Part 2‘s chilling opening instills a sense of ominous foreboding which effectively conveys the gravity of what is about to take place. Though the film offers an engaging continuation of the search for Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes, Part 2 ascends to another level once Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to Hogwarts at the halfway point of the film. From then on, every moment of the film feels historic. Ancient statues coming to life, students and professors banding together, and all manner of magical creatures joining in the Battle of Hogwarts. Yates’ skillful direction on such a large-budget franchise property often goes underappreciated. The music and visuals are striking, and the film’s ability to transition from moments of epic catharsis to small-scale character payoffs is highly impressive. Amidst all the magic and chaos, Part 2 manages to deliver meaningful moments of depth and emotion for not only our lead trio, but for many of the supporting players as well. Memorable arcs are given to Mrs. Weasley, Neville, and the Malfoys, to name a few, though none come close to the shocking and heartbreaking conclusion given to Professor Snape, portrayed to perfection by the brilliant Alan Rickman. The commitment from the entire cast and crew on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 cemented Harry Potter‘s status as perhaps the most consistently high-quality large-budget franchise around. (Foster Harlfinger)
I’m a sucker for time travel in movies, and I’ll always love Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban for its scenes of characters spying on their past selves from a concealed distance à la Back to the Future Part II. Alfonso Cuarón’s whimsical entry in the Wizarding World is the only one not to include an iteration of the big bad, Voldemort, which is refreshing to see. What we do get is the wickedly memorable Knight Bus sequence, twisted Dementors, and a mystery werewolf on school grounds. The best part about it is the introduction to new characters such as Professor Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) and Sirius Black (Gary Oldman). The entire time we’re made to believe that Sirius is a dangerous murderer, the titular Prisoner who has escaped from Azkaban, but it is later revealed that he was a best friend to Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter. This revelation is crucial to Harry’s growth because it embeds Sirius as the closest thing the 13-year-old wizard has to a father figure. Watching the interaction between actors like Oldman, Thewlis, Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall is nothing short of spellbinding in this dark, beautifully shot adventure that faithfully honors the book in terms of both plot and tone. Every film franchise has its ‘definitive’ entry, and in the case of Harry Potter, it’s Prisoner of Azkaban, the most magical of them all. (Jonathan Fedee)