The Universe of Harry PotterLists about the wizarding world that captured the imaginations of children and adults alike and forever changed the way we view owls, brooms, and round eyeglasses.
Updated April 28, 2022 30.9k votes 6.3k voters 94.2k views
List Rules
Rank the "Potter" films in order of preference. If you really dislike a film, leave it off your list
Harry Potter went from a YA literary phenomenon to a cinematic juggernaut. As of 2022, there have been 11 films in the franchise - the eight original Harry Potter adaptations as well as three (and counting) entries in the Fantastic Beasts prequel series. But how do these films stack up against each other?
Most fans agreed that the series got off to a relatively slow start, with the first two entries from director Chris Columbus feeling somewhat juvenile. Later films from Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell, and David Yates expanded the Potter mythology, taking a darker tone and considerably expanding the scope of the universe. Now it's time to answer the question: What's the best Harry Potter movie?
The original series began in 2001 with Sorcerer's Stone (or Philosopher's Stone in the UK), and finally concluded with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2a decade later in 2011. The film's cast and writing staff remained remarkably consistent, with all but one original major cast member (Richard Harris, who played Dumbledore in two films before his passing) remaining throughout. Meanwhile, Steve Kloves wrote all the Potter films (with assistance from Harry Potter author JK Rowling) except for Order of the Phoenix, which was penned by Michael Goldenberg.
Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on murdering the teenage wizard. While Hermione's (Emma Watson) cat torments Ron's (Rupert Grint) sickly rat, causing a rift among the trio, a swarm of nasty Dementors is sent to protect the school from Black. A mysterious new teacher helps Harry learn to defend himself, but what is his secret tie to Sirius Black?
A clash between good and evil awaits as young Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) prepare for a final battle against Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Harry has grown into a steely lad on a mission to rid the world of evil. The friends must search for the Horcruxes that keep the dastardly wizard immortal. Harry and Voldemort meet at Hogwarts Castle for an epic showdown where the forces of darkness may finally meet their match.
The fourth movie in the Harry Potter franchise sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) returning for his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, along with his friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson). There is an upcoming tournament between the three major schools of magic, with one participant selected from each school by the Goblet of Fire. When Harry's name is drawn, even though he is not eligible and is a fourth player, he must compete in the dangerous contest.
Adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's popular children's novels about Harry Potter, a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards. There, he meets several friends who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents' mysterious deaths.
Now in his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) learns that many in the wizarding community do not know the truth of his encounter with Lord Voldemort. Cornelius Fudge, minister of Magic, appoints his toady, Dolores Umbridge, as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, for he fears that professor Dumbledore will take his job. But her teaching is deficient and her methods, cruel, so Harry prepares a group of students to defend the school against a rising tide of evil.
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 within the castle walls, Dumbledore is more intent than ever on preparing the young wizard for the final battle with Voldemort. Meanwhile, teenage hormones run rampant through Hogwarts, presenting a different sort of danger. Love may be in the air, but tragedy looms, and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
