Every single 'Harry Potter' and 'Fantastic Beasts' movie, ranked by audiences

Audience score: 53%

Audiences felt the sequel to 2016's "Fantastic Beasts" left a lot to be desired.

Many fans felt like they didn't care about the new characters introduced in the spin-off universe, even though they really felt for the ones in the "Harry Potter" movies. 

"I had my hopes up for 'Crimes of Grindelwald' thinking it would actually expand the Potterverse in a new and intriguing way but like it's predecessor, is full of plot fluff," audience reviewer Anna R. wrote. "A lot of this new information isn't all that important or engaging. I find myself bored by most of these new characters and their stories."

Audience score: 74%

"Goblet of Fire" is the fourth installment in the "Harry Potter" series.

Although some complained that it felt "episodic," or like a long "teaser" for the fifth film, others thought it did a fine job ushering in the final chapters of the series.

"A very solid movie in the 'Harry Potter' franchise," audience reviewer Aiden S. wrote. "While it may not have been as good as the third, this is the first movie where you get the sense that these characters have matured, and are no longer the same as when we first met them." 

Audience score: 78%

The sixth installment, "Half-Blood Prince," is the second lowest-rated "Harry Potter" film.

"A very good movie filled with content, but dragged down to its insistence on love triangles," audience reviewer Raiodesol S wrote. "This movie could be almost perfect if it knew how to focus."

Audience score: 79%

Five years after the "Harry Potter" series came to an end, the Potterverse reared its delightful head and gave us "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Audiences weren't quite sure what to make of this spin-off. Some fans called it "a fanciful stroll through a dreamlike world," but others thought longtime Potter fans would be "underwhelmed by this extension of the wizarding world."

"It's not without fun elements, but there's an almost total lack of compelling characters," wrote audience reviewer Alec B.

Audience score: 80%

By the time "Chamber of Secrets" came out in 2002, fans were already reading "The Goblet of Fire," so the film seemed to bore some of the series' aging audience.

However, other fans feel that the film was a solid adaptation of the book.

"With a darker tone and an extreme loyalty to the original source material, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' is both a treat for fans and non-fans alike," wrote audience reviewer Matthew M.

Audience score: 81%

Fans praised director David Yates for miraculously condensing the longest book in the series into a film that's just over two hours.

However, some felt that "Order of the Phoenix" was more of a transitional moment in the series.

As audience reviewer Daniel M. wrote, "'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is a middling installment in the franchise which contains potential but lacks focus in its execution."

Audience score: 82%

The first film debuted to rave reviews, mostly due to its faithful retelling of Rowling's source material.

"Sorcerer's Stone" is warmly remembered as the beginning of an unforgettable series for many fans.

"It's a tough job when you are hired to make an adaptation of a popular children's book," wrote audience reviewer Lasse G. "And it's even more tough when that movie is also intended to be the beginning to a long series of movies, but Chris Columbus actually does a good job."

Audience score: 83%

Although fans weren't as fond of the second installment in the "Fantastic Beasts" series, "The Secrets of Dumbledore" won them over.

The film follows the conflict between a young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen).

Audience reviewer Ruben A. wrote, "Best movie of the saga till now, what a trip full of magic, they should continue and finish the lore."

Audience score: 85%

"Deathly Hallows - Part 1" is the set-up for the triumphant finale in "Part 2," and yet Yates managed to keep audiences entertained in a movie that could have been pretty boring.

Audience reviewer David A. wrote, "The performances were spectacular and the direction was superb. It's the best 'the beginning of the end' installment you could ever want." 

Audience score: 86%

Widely lauded as the "darkest" of all the "Potter" films, the Alfonso Cuarón-directed adaption of the third book resonated with many fans.

Audiences raved about new character introductions — like Sirius Black — and said the film "finally transcends the child-like nature of the first two films."

Audience reviewer Daniel Mumby said the film "is far superior to anything that came before in the series and set the bar very high for all that came after." 

Audience score: 89%

It makes sense that the long-awaited finale would be the most beloved of all the "Harry Potter" films. 

"Ten years comes to a close in grand fashion," wrote audience reviewer John Manard. "Two hours of stand up and cheer, break out the kleenex cries, and closure on a series of movies that captured a generation."

Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change.

This story was originally published in 2018 and most recently updated on November 19, 2024. 

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