Greetings, reader!
Like many in my generation, I grew up reading and watching Harry Potter, with this fantasy world being one of my very favorite things during childhood, and one of my greatest sources of nostalgia during adulthood. I recently saw the newest instalment of the Fantastic Beasts spin-off series - I naturally went to see it with my mother, who became quite the Potter fan herself via her kids once upon a time. Curious to see what I think of the third Fantastic Beasts film? Read this post to find out where it's placed in my ranking of all the Wizarding World films!
11. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
"You're too good, Newt. You never met a monster you couldn't love"
Even my least favorite Wizarding World movie isn't all bad - the sequence in Hogwarts is a lovely burst of nostalgia, Eddie Redmayne is delightful as always as Newt Scamander, and Jude Law's young Dumbledore is an intriguing addition.
But, for the most part, it's pretty bad.
The first Fantastic Beasts film worked so well for two major reasons: the main character, and the titular beasts. Following the wonderfully quirky Scamander being himself, while dealing with a variety of lovable, imaginative and visually spectacular fantasy creatures, made for just the sort of lighthearted spinoff that fits the Potter universe like a glove. So, naturally, the sequel has less Newt, less creature shenanigans, less lighthearted Potter fun, and basically tries to be a Marvel movie for most of its runtime. Nothing wrong with Marvel movies, mind you - the whole "THE WORLD IS ABOUT TO END UNLESS WE DESTROY THIS EVIL PURPLE SKY BEAM" shtick just feels very out-of-place in the Potter world. The second Fantastic Beasts tries to do too much, feels quite over-stuffed, and most definitely forgets the fantastic beasts from the damn title.
10. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
"You were willing to put yourself in danger to save a perfect stranger. Seems to me you're the kind of average Joe the world needs right now"
The newly released third Fantastic Beasts flick is certainly a step into a better direction. It still has its share of flaws, as the wild jumping between dark seriousness and light silliness is a bit extreme at times, and it still focused a tad less on Newt and his creatures / more on the various human subplots than I would've liked. Also, parts of the film were downright painful to watch because Mads Mikkelsen's version of the villain Grindelwald is so painfully Putin-esque that his scenes constantly reminded me of the horrors in Ukraine - but given the time when the movie was written and shot, this is obviously just a freakish coincidence so I won't let it affect my opinion of the film.
Anyways, there were lots of delightful positives in the newest instalment. The references and connections to the Harry Potter books/movies hit the right spot, as the film wasn't over-filled with such fan service, but the neat little easter eggs every now and then made my inner child squeal with excitement. There was some amazing visual fantasy concerning the creatures that the spin-off series is (or should be) all about, and Redmayne's role as Newt Scamander continues to be one of my favorite things in blockbuster cinema. Also, even though I criticized the second instalment heavily for focusing too much on non-creature-related large-scale matters, I do have to admit that the election storyline in this film was very well done and captivating.
9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
"Well, my philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice"
I'm sorry - I know that my list would be more interesting and sexy if it didn't have the structure of all Harry Potter movies at the top, and all Fantastic Beasts movies at the bottom. But that's just the reality of things - though I like the first Fantastic Beasts film quite a lot and it certainly comes close to some of the Potter films, it just isn't quite on the same level.
Still, there's a lot to enjoy in this thoroughly decent if not mind-blowing spin-off. Eddie Redmayne is at his peculiar best in this film, and unlike the later instalments, this one actually is about Newt Scamander and his titular fantastic beasts. These fantasy creatures are a visual delight, and they make for many amusing moments in this light and entertaining film. While it may not quite be on the level of quality achieved by the Potter films, the Fantastic Beasts films do have their share of fantastic moments, and most of them come from the first and best instalment.
8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
"Uh...Dean was told by Parvati...please don't ask me to say it again. Hagrid's looking for you"
"Well you can tell Ronald..."
"I'M NOT AN OWL!"
While it is decent enough to beat the Fantastic Beasts films (though it beats the first only with a very narrow margin), The Goblet of Fire has always been my least favorite out of the eight Harry Potter films. This has a lot to do with director Mike Newell, one of the four different directors who have helmed a Potter film, and whose first and last project in the franchise was this instalment. Newell's directing isn't exactly bad - it's just generic. Between Chris Columbus' nostalgia-magical child-friendly style in the first two films, Alfonso Cuarón's thoroughly unique and zany vibe in the third one and David Yates' large-scope dark-undertones vision for the later films, all of the franchise's directors have brought their own twist to make the franchise richer, except for Newell and his solid-but-bland touch.
Also, I have some issues with the script - I know that not every good part from the book can fit into the two-and-a-half-hour runtime, but with most Potter instalments, I find myself agreeing with what was cut and what wasn't, but no so much with this one. The Quidditch World Cup game is one of the most fascinating moments in the Goblet of Fire book, and I never really got the reasoning behind the film showing so much of the hype beforehand and the events afterwards, but cutting the actual Quidditch match, which certainly would've been a sight to see on the silver screen.
Still, at the end of the day, it is a Harry Potter movie, and beloved elements of the franchise like the talented cast, the whimsical score, and the brilliant set design coupled with state-of-the-art visuals are as lively as ever.
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
"Seems silly, doesn't it? A wedding. Given everything that's going on"
"Maybe that's the best reason to have it. Because of everything that's going on"
This one causes major mixed feelings, and that alone makes it into one of my least favorite Potter films - the franchise's best entries have very little to complain about, so a Harry Potter flick being somewhat of a mixed bag means that it can't be among the top tier despite being quite spectacular in its best moments.
There's a lot to love here, as the large-scale intensity of the Deathly Hallows book comes across well in the film adaptation - you'll feel the despair of the main characters, as they go rogue and race against time in order to find Voldermort's (Ralph Fiennes) horcruxes before it's too late. Still, I do have a few problems with the movie: namely, while splitting the final book into two films was the overall right decision, it hurts this film a bit while giving an advantage to the more climactic second part. When a two-and-a-half-hour film is just the first part of a story, the pacing feels a bit off, and all of the book's very best parts are left for the much better second part to deal with. Also, I never really got behind the film's decision to float the idea of Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Hermione (Emma Watson) as a couple, and the infamous dance sequence just feels awkward.
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
"You may not like him, Minister, but you can't deny: Dumbledore's got style"
This film was never going to be the best Harry Potter film, as it had an impossible job to accomplish. At nearly one thousand pages long, the fifth book in Her-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named series is by far the longest, which means that the filmmakers had to cut out an unforeseen amount of material when condensing the gargantuan book into a compact-ish feature film. While this does hurt the film to a degree, as it isn't quite as great as a whole as the very best Potter films, I do respect how good of a job the film does with this challenge.
The film's biggest strength (when excluding the obvious biggest strength of every Potter film, which is that they are basing their story off masterpieces of fantasy literature) is the debut of director David Yates, who would go on to direct all three Potter films released after this one, as well as every film so far released in the Fantastic Beasts series. Whereas the family-friendly style of Chris Columbus was perfect for the two first films, the hiring of a director like Yates was the perfect way to convey the gradual turn into more mature themes and darker storytelling that the books underwent. His style is just magical and whimsy enough for the film to still feel like proper Harry Potter, but it is a much more dark and serious atmosphere when compared to earlier instalments, and this atmosphere would go on to define the latter half of the Potter film franchise.
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
"You both realize, of course, that in the past few hours you have broken perhaps a dozen school rules"
"Yes, sir"
"And that there is sufficient evidence to have you both expelled"
"Yes, sir"
"Therefore, it is only fitting that you both receive...Special Awards for services to the school"
I was recently working on an upcoming post of my favorite Marvel movies, and I described The Eternals by writing that "It's beautifully directed and the production values are pure quality - but I just don't like the film". I suppose that Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is quite the opposite. It is in many ways the least well-made Potter film, as the script has its share of plot holes, the production quality isn't on the level that the franchise would reach in later instalments, and the whole thing is based on my least favorite Potter book. This explains why Chamber of Secrets has the franchise's lowest IMDB rating, and why many would consider it the franchise's worst offering.
However - I just really like the film.
Rupert Grint's Ron Weasley is at his funniest, while young Hermione is wonderfully witty and Harry is still getting used to the wizarding world with an endearing bafflement. The plot may not be as smart as in many other Potter films, but it's filled with fun and memorable sequences. While the pure and unbridled magic of the first film may have slightly worn off, it's still mostly there, as Chris Columbus' directing and John Williams' musical touches make this into the next-best thing in terms of the franchise's nostalgic "kids' movie" side. It's a thoroughly entertaining instalment, carried by the childlike enthusiasm of early Harry Potter.
4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
"Why is it, when something happens, it is always you three?"
"Believe me, Professor - I've been asking myself the same question for six years"
Like The Chamber of Secrets, this instalment also seems to be one of the most opinion-splitting instances in the series, as many fans of the books have criticized it for taking more creative differences from the source material than any other Potter film. I do understand that, but the thing is that I mostly agree with the bold decisions made. The sixth book is one of Her-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named best, but it has some storylines that might've not worked on the big screen or didn't fit into David Yates's vision for the final four films, so I don't have a problem with the film's occasional side paths from the source material. It's always better for a cinematic adaptation to retain the book's atmosphere despite changing some story elements, than for the film to follow the book's story very carefully but without managing to feel like the book, atmosphere-wise.
And feel like the book it does - all of the defining elements of The Half-Blood Prince are there, from the strange one-on-one lessons between Harry and Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) to the mystery of the Half-Blood Prince's strange book and the coming-of-age archs of the main characters on the verge of adulthood. While many details from the book are changed, the most important parts stay the same - I won't spoil the film's climactic scene on the off-chance that someone who has lived under a rock for the last few decades is reading my Harry Potter post, but I suppose you know what I mean by that scene. And that scene goes down in the film just like it does in the book, capturing the moment's super-intense build-up and dramatic fallout gracefully.
Also, while very much not being a horror film, The Half-Blood Prince contains perhaps the most effective jump scare of all time - the hand grabbing Harry in the cave sequence. I've seen the film several times, to the point that I know exactly when it's going to happen and can therefore be extremely prepared for it, yet still it somehow makes me jump every time.
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends"
When my older brother Ville was watching these films for the first time, my parents deemed me too young to watch them - seven years was the age when I was finally allowed to read the first book and then watch the film. Sometimes before that, my brother and mother were watching the first film, and Mom let me watch the first fifteen minutes or so. I was so enthralled, that after it was time for me to go to bed before the film got scary, I decided to sneak up behind the staircase and continue watching the film in secret. I probably got about half an hour further before Mom noticed me in my hiding place, and sent me to bed. Thinking back on this afterwards, it isn't only a story of how magical and addictive the Harry Potter world was for me as a little kid, but it's also hilarious as my shenanigans were absolutely something that Mr. Potter himself would've gotten up to.
When I finally read the book, it became an instant favorite - and the film complimented the experience with perfection. Already at such a young age, I could appreciate that the film felt just like the book to a staggering degree - several years and deep dives into cinema appreciation later, I'm able to come to the same conclusion with more analysis to back it up. The casting is impeccable, John Williams was the best person in the world to create a musical soundscape to fit this fantasy world, and Chris Columbus' directing (coupled with the Oscar-nominated set design team) brings Hogwarts to life in a remarkable fashion. The first Potter film is one of the most magical, whimsical and pure films ever made, which is why it has infinite re-watch value to us who grew up with Potter.
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
"But you know happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light"
I was struggling to find the words to describe just how special this movie is, even within the high standard of Harry Potter films. So, for writing inspiration, I watched the trailer for The Prisoner of Azkaban, which I hadn't seen in years - and watching it put a tear of nostalgia into my eye. That's how special the film is. The mere trailer is such a powerful viewing experience, just because it offers a glimpse into the way in which the franchise's third instalment is Harry Potter at its peak, with the combination of eerie mystery and pure magical fun being at its very best.
Hiring Alfonso Cuarón to direct this film was a genius move, as his peculiar style was just what the series needed. While all Potter films feel aptly magical in their adaptation of Her-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named fantasy world, Cuarón brought it to a next level - his attention to detail makes the Potter universe feel more magical and vibrant than any other film in the franchise. The film is also just riddled with memorable dialogue, epic payoffs, and moments that truly felt larger than life when watching them as a dazzled child. If you only watch one Potter film in your life, it should be this one.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
"Lily? After all this time?"
"Always"
"Is this all real? Or is it just happening inside my head?"
"Of course it's happening inside your head, Harry. Why should that mean that it's not real?"
"If we die for them, Harry, I'm going to KILL you!"
"Not my daughter, you bitch!"
Well, I mean - the fact that I simply couldn't choose just one quote to represent the film, and therefore had to go with four different ones, really says it all. It's a bit cliché to choose the final instalment as my favorite, but in my mind, it simply is the very best one. Deathly Hallows is my favorite Potter book, and most of its greatness comes to life in this second-half adaptation, which is one of cinema's' great franchise finales along with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) and Dark Knight Rises (2012). From the intense Gringotts heist to Alan Rickman's Oscar-worthy acting in the emotional Pensieve sequence, from Harry's fist-pump-worthy return to Hogwarts to the heartfelt 'Nineteen years later' ending, the film does a fantastic job bringing the book to life and creating many of the franchise's greatest moments - though there are two in particular that I want to single out.
Number one - Harry and Voldemort's final duel. It is very rare for a moment in a film adaptation of a book to be better than the book's version of the same moment, though it has been known to happen on a few special occasions - the battle of Helm's Deep in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Tyrion's (Peter Dinklage) trial in Game of Thrones (2011-2019) come to mind. But the best example I've ever seen of a scene being better in the movie adaptation than in the original text is Harry and Voldemort's final duel. In the book, it's slightly anti-climactic - it doesn't weigh the otherwise perfect book down too much, but the way in which the fight goes down (I won't spoil the details) could've been better. It's an extremely bold decision to change such a major scene in the film, but I'm so very glad that they did, because in the movie that scene is much, much better.
And number two - Neville's (Matthew Lewis) moment of glory. As a clumsy and awkward kid who faced his share of bullying when growing up, Neville was always the character I related to the most, and the character whose story I was most invested in. The character made me feel represented and understood, which really meant a lot when growing up. What meant even more was his gradual arch into a more confident and capable version of himself, eventually becoming one of the story's biggest heroes. While the Deathly Hallows book gave him a spectacular moment of heroism that always gave me goosebumps, the film upped the moment even further with the chills-down-your-spine scene where Voldemort is gloating at the Hogwarts side who have seemingly lost the battle, only for Neville to stand up to him with a blistering speech and moment of courage that turns the tide. That scene is empowering to the maximum, and my favorite moment in the entire Harry Potter film franchise.
Thank you for reading! Tune in next week as I post a list requested by local political figure, family friend and fellow film enthusiast Yannick Lahti: the Top 10 Michael Fassbender performances!
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