Harry Potter movies, ranked: From Azkaban to Grindelwald

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Joan Rowling highlighted her screenplay with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” but its sequel to this magical prehistory seemed less experienced than the first. A large editing may have cut out the dense details and graphics that looked better placed in the pages of a book. This is the lowest-rated Harry Potter movie of all, not only here, but on Metacritic (the only one that matters), with a paltry 52%. The biggest criticism? I’m sorry, I thought too much about this film to answer this question.

“Jennifer Bisset.”

Warner Bros. Pictures

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 can be blamed for Twilight Rises: Part 1 (not to mention the Hunger Games: Jay mocker – Part 1). Many would argue that the adaptation of the latest Harry Potter book really should be divided into two films. I agree, but his weak tone can be heavy, plus he spends most of his time tuning the second part. It’s a little marathon to run, filled with horrible, tragic deaths.

“Jennifer Bisset.”

Screenshot by Abrar Al-Heeti / CNET

Arachnophobes, beware. The Room of Secrets is a perfectly acceptable film, as long as you don’t have a crippling fear of spiders, snakes or Jason Isaacs. Our first introduction to one of the franchise’s biggest plot points, our tiny trio finds themselves facing Slytherin’s heir, who holds the leash of a beast so dangerous you can’t even look at it directly. However, he lost points for the presentation of the film version of Ginny Weasley. Bonnie Wright did a relatively good job, but we will never forgive the scenarios for reducing Ginny from a brave, charismatic person to a two-dimensional side character with heartfelt eyes for Harry.

“Steph Panecasio.”

Warner Bros. Pictures

When Warner Bros. decided to turn Rowling’s thin pamphlet into a sprawling multi-film franchise, it could be seen as a return to magic or cynical money-making magic. And thanks to the off-screen controversy (Rowling’s candid views on Twitter, Johnny Depp’s marital difficulties), the Fantastic Beasts series has spread like wildfire.

But let’s say this: the first film is decent. It gives fans and ordinary viewers a chance to enjoy science fiction without delving into the world of boarding schools, and the expanded view of the world of Rowling’s wizards comes with delightfully colorful creatures and a stylish retro fantasy atmosphere.

He’s also a really good cast: Eddie Redmain is great as Newt Scamander, a big screen character whose character is defined by tenderness, curiosity and compassion instead of violence and aggression. Catherine Waterston and Ezra Miller provide intriguingly unusual support, and Colin Farrell is such a smoldering seductive villain that it’s a pity Depp took over. Wherever the series goes, here you can find some fantastic things.

“Richard Trenholm.”

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The main thing I remember about this movie: Daniel Radcliffe makes strange clicking spider sounds while drinking a potion (drug) that makes you lucky. Almost visually dark as an episode of Game of Thrones, The Thoroughbred Prince is marked by a brutal duel between Harry and Malfoy, not to mention Dumbledore’s death. In fact, it doesn’t have a clear beginning, middle and end, instead it feels like a big mix of teen romance sub-stories. He does not complain.

“Jennifer Bisset.”

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We wouldn’t have the great, perfect casting of Daniel Radcliffe, Emily Watson and Rupert Grint without this movie. We would not have the perfect aesthetics of Harry Potter. Perhaps most importantly, we would not have the sublime result of John Williams. Outside of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, is there a more iconic and memorable Williams theme? I would say no.

With the fantasy films down the line, The Prisoner of Azkaban, which is the most obvious example, it’s easy to forget that the Harry Potter sequels follow a visual and stylistic pattern designed in part by the firm hand of Chris Columbus. The man was directing Home Alone, and Mrs. Doutfire, for God’s sake, he knew what he was doing!

The Philosopher’s Stone is one of his best. This is much more of a children’s film than the one that will come later for Harry Potter, but it’s perfectly appropriate given the source material. This is a timeless, intelligent, visually brilliant and great movie to watch with children to this day.

“Mark Surrels.”

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The Order of the Phoenix had many memorable moments. Some were funny, like Arthur Weasley, Vibrating in the Muggle World, and others were tragic, like the death of Sirius Black. The film also features one of the best villains in the Dolores Umbridge franchise. But for me, the film was important because it was the first time that visual effects technology had caught up with the story that Harry Potter was trying to tell. The duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort at the Ministry of Magic? It costs a million galleons.

“Daniel Van Boom.”

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Was it satisfying to finally see Voldemort fall apart and disintegrate like a Disney witch? Yes. Was it satisfying to see Ron and Hermione finally close her lips? Not if you’re a Harmony sender. However, this (long) film managed to tie the bow of one of the biggest and best movie franchises of all time. This is fraught with tension and danger for our heroes, many of whom do not reach the end. Satisfactory last chapter.

“Jennifer Bisset.”

Warner Bros. Pictures

The fiery goblet has a little of everything. It features sports, bathing, ballroom dancing, and even Sir Michael Gambon, who transforms a calm, curious line into a stormy interrogation. The film occupies pages and pages of exposition and makes everything look incredibly normal.

Oh, are there two more magic schools? Of course there is! Is there an ancient tournament of three wizards that puts school-age children against each other in a potentially fatal inter-school competition? Sure! The worst person in the world threatens to come back again? Brilliant! He has everything you want in a Harry Potter movie, and gives leading men hairstyles. What not to love?

“Steph Panecasio.”

Warner Bros. Pictures

In the biggest argument why we DEFINITELY should have had a Spinoff from the Marauder era, the performance of David Tulis and Gary Oldman makes this film an easy number one choice. The only film in the franchise that does not include a repeat of the great bad Voldemort, it is a refreshing and fun adventure that explores the concepts of friendship, loyalty, family, anxiety and, well, the healing properties of a good chocolate bar.

It provides much-needed context for the Marauder era, with the interaction between veteran actors such as Oldman, Tulis, Alan Rickman and Timothy Spole providing a master class within what is a really good time. You will most likely enjoy this movie, regardless of your opinion of Harry Potter. Alfonso Cuarón’s entry into the series is cinematic (these dementors, am I right?), Concise and driven by characters, so we rightly celebrate his superiority.

“Steph Panecasio.”