Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
During Harry’s fourth year, Hogwarts plays host to a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament. Three European schools participate in the tournament, with three ‘champions’ representing each school in the deadly tasks. The Goblet of Fire chooses Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum, and Cedric Diggory to compete against each other. However, curiously, Harry’s name is also produced from the Goblet thus making him a fourth champion, which results in a terrifying encounter with a reborn Lord Voldemort.
Ranking The Best Harry Potter Movies
The law of averages virtually guarantees that every storied film franchise will serve up a dud. Even universally-beloved series like James Bond and Indiana Jones have their crosses to bear certified stinkers that even hardcore fans widely acknowledge as an all-time low. Theres one franchise that bucks this trend, though, consisting of no fewer than eight films, each one garnering an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 77% or higher. This charmed series? Harry Potter, of course.
Although it’s hard to believe, it’s been 20 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone made its debut, transforming an already popular series of books into a bona fide cultural phenomenon. From this very first instalment, it was clear the producers had nailed the magic formula, and the film was as much a critical success as it was a commercial one. What’s perhaps most impressive, however, is that this critical success was sustained throughout the subsequent seven pictures, each one “Certified Fresh” by the aggregate movie review site, Rotten Tomatoes.
Although all Potterheads likely have their own favourite flick in the series , it’s fascinating to see how those personal preferences stack up against each film’s Rotten Tomatoes score. So grab your wands, and prepare to discover how the eight iconic films rank in our countdown to the very best Harry Potter movie.
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to Hogwarts for their second year, which proves to be more challenging than the last. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, leaving students and ghosts petrified by an unleashed monster. Harry must face up to claims that he is the heir of Salazar Slytherin , learn that he can speak Parseltongue, and also discover the properties of a mysterious diary, only to find himself trapped within the Chamber of Secrets itself.
Prisoner of Azkaban
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There’s No Remus And Tonks Details
If you aren’t a fan of the books, and instead choose to get your Potter fix by feasting your eyes on the big screen, then you’d have likely been confused at the romance between Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks.
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The book of the same name spends pages laying out the groundwork for this, showing Tonks to be infatuated with Lupin and he hesitant to love her in return. But the movie portrays them as a couple right from the off, leaving some audience members confused.
The Chamber Of Secrets
- In the book, when McGonagall and the other teachers volunteer Lockhart to fight the Basilisk, the teachers are collected in the Staffroom with Harry and Ron hiding in the wardrobe. In the film, the teachers are gathered in front of the daubed message on the wall stating Ginny’s capture with Harry and Ron hiding behind a corner. Also, in the book the teachers’ comments after Lockhart has left them make it clear that they know he is incapable and were simply getting him out of the way. These comments are left out from the film, but it’s still highly unlikely the plan was ever genuine and unlike in the book, the second message is seen on-screen in the film.
- In the book, when Harry and Ron realise that Lockhart is a fraud, they subdue him by performing a Disarming Charm and throwing his wand out of the window. In the film, Lockhart drops his wand in a manner of defeat, when Harry and Ron point theirs at his face.
- Also, the book has Gilderoy Lockhart citing some specific examples of individuals that he not only stole credit for their deeds from, but also wiped memories from as insurance. The film does not actually list any specific examples of his victims.
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What Is Harry Potter About
In the Harry Potter films, a young orphan named Harry Potter attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he becomes close friends with fellow students, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He studies various forms of magic from several teachers under the watchful eyes of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. However, dark clouds of evil are surrounding the new cheerful life Harry has found for himself as Lord Voldemort, who was thwarted the very night he killed Harrys parents and tried to murder the infant Harry, slowly regains his strength. Voldemort plans to rule the magical world, and it is up to Harry and his friends to stop him.
Done Already A Few More Words Can Help Others Decide If It’s Worth Watching
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A Very Frosty Christmas
Harry Potter, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, Arthur, and Ginny Weasley while the Burrow is attacked by some Death Eaters
- There has been an additional scene in the film which has no book equivalent. The Burrow is attacked by Death Eaters during the Christmas holidays. Bellatrix Lestrange and Fenrir Greyback are the only Death Eaters shown. Greyback flies and lands in a ball of flame and casts a ring of fire around the Burrow . Lestrange lands in black smoke and taunts Harry, chanting “I killed Sirius Black! I killed Sirius Black!” Harry takes off after her in rage. Ginny takes off after him, trying to stop him. Lupin, Tonks, and Arthur Weasley follow them into the grassy marsh. While the five are lost in the field, looking for the Death Eaters, the Death Eaters take off and set the Burrow aflame, burning it presumably to the ground, before leaving. There is no further mention in the film of how the home is restored or what happened to it afterwards. The Burrow was supposed to be protected against the Death Eaters, and they simply set fire to it with no effort. By the time Harry returns to it in the film adaptation Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the Burrow had already been rebuilt.
Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange and werewolf Fenrir Greyback attacking the Burrow with the ring of fire
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
Harry Potter’s third year sees the boy wizard, along with his friends, attending Hogwarts School once again. Professor R. J. Lupin joins the staff as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, while convicted murderer Sirius Black escapes from Azkaban Prison. The Ministry of Magic entrusts the Dementors of Azkaban to guard Hogwarts from Black. Harry learns more about his past and his connection with the escaped prisoner.
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The Tales Of Beedle The Bard
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection of five fairy wizarding tales, told by, well, Beedle the Bard! Professor Dumbledore bequeathed these age-old tales to Hermione Granger, and they turned out to be instrumental in helping Harry Potter crack the clues given to him in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now it’s your chance to read them for yourself. Though the stories in this book all have a magical twist, the themes at their cores still resonate with what we associate with fairy tales: friendship, the everlasting strength of love, and the magic that each one of us possesses.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows
Its tough to judge a film that is self-admittedly half a story, but since its presented as a separate entry into the Harry Potter series, Deathly Hallows Part 1 must be evaluated as such. Book readers had their issues with the walkabout nature of the first half of the final book, so many were bracing for a somewhat sluggish film adaptation of those initial chapters. And while Deathly Hallows Part 1 is mighty compelling for the first hour or so , it definitely loses steam in its second half. This is due in part to the fact that Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on a directionless hunt, disapparating from one gorgeous locale to the next as they bicker amongst themselves. This character conflict is necessary to set up the emotional payoff of Deathly Hallows Part 2, but the act of watching a film that is almost all setup gets a bit monotonous.
And perhaps Deathly Hallows Part 1s biggest issue is just thatits a lot of setup for the finale without much room for payoff. Its a necessity, and director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves handle it about as well as they could, but in one film they have to lay the foundation for all the wand business, move Ron and Hermione towards a point where they can express their romantic feelings for one another, introduce Dumbledores secretive backstory, explain the Deathly Hallows, and solidify the raised stakes leading up to the Battle of Hogwartsall without wrapping up a single one of these threads.
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Quidditch Through The Ages
Or maybe it’s J.K. Rowling’s smash-hit sport, Quidditch, that tickles your fancy. Today, Quidditch is an actual sport played at over 100 colleges in the United States such is the strength of the grip that it’s exerted on our public imagination. But if you’re interested in the academic side of Quidditch, Rowling’s got you covered with Quidditch Through the Ages, which will tell you all that you ever wanted to know about the history and rules behind Quidditch.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Was it satisfying finally seeing Voldemort break up into little pieces and disintegrate like a Disney witch? Yes. Was it satisfying seeing Ron and Hermione finally lock lips? Not if you’re a Harmony shipper. Still, this movie managed to tie the bow on one of the biggest and best film franchises of all time. It’s fraught with tension and danger for our heroes, many of whom don’t make it to the end. A satisfying final chapter.
— Jennifer Bisset
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How To Watch Harry Potter Movies In Chronological Order
But youre a card-carrying Potterhead, right? So youre keen to watch these films properly, and in their chronological order. So heres how you can do that, and heres where to stream each film.
Netflix and Disney Plus subscribers might be disappointed that none of these films is featured on either service, but they can be found elsewhere.
The good news for Potter fans is that theres no need to spend ages searching for each film on different streaming services. All the Harry Potter films are available on Sky as a boxset now. You can be lining up Harry, Hermione and Rons best scenes quicker than you can say accio! Well, almost.
Sky Cinema currently costs £11 extra a month, but Sky is fond of a TV package, so we would always suggest you check Sky deals before signing up for anything. Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2 are on Sky Cinema now. If you are not a Sky customer, you can also watch on NOW TV.
How To Watch Harry Potter Movies In Release Order
Warner Brothers Intl Television
In case you needed a reminder, there are seven books in the Harry Potter series: one for each academic year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But, of course, there are eight instalments in the film franchise. The filmmakers wisely decidedly to split the final book into two volumes: The Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 and 2. After that came the two Fantastic Beasts prequel films, released in 2016 and 2018. The correct order to watch all ten films is as follows:
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Is It Any Good
David Yates, who took over the franchise with Order of the Phoenix, has created a mature, relationship-focused installment that masterfully sets the stage for the high-stakes final installments. Hardcore Potterphiles should know by now that not all of their favorite characters or scenes will make it into the film adaptations, and even movie-only fans will have to deal with no scenes set in Defense Against the Dark Arts class , hardly any Neville or Weasley twins, and a bit too much foreshadowing in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
What Yates does offer is an incredibly human look at how adolescent wizards deal with their burgeoning hormones: “Won Won” lands his first girlfriend, Hermione acknowledges the extent of her undeclared feelings for Ron, and Harry realizes that his best friend’s kid sister, Ginny , just might be his match. It’s adorable — and spot-on — that even during the darkest times, teenagers still want to snog. Meanwhile, Broadbent is great as snobby, tipsy Slughorn, who still harbors kind thoughts for his once-favorite pupil. It’s that empathy for the promising young wizard that Tom Riddle once was that makes it possible to connect the dots between Harry, Tom, and even the enigmatic Snape. As emotional as the film’s climactic scene is, there’s a small sense of relief in knowing that Harry still isn’t alone. He has loyal, unconditional friends ready to risk their lives so that light can prevail over darkness.
The End Of Childhood And The Beginning Of Voldemort’s Demise
For Harry, Ron, and Hermione, this movie marks the end of their admittedly rocky childhoods and their first steps toward adulthood. Much of the film is concerned with their teenage romances, but by the end, the three of them decide to not come back to Hogwarts for what is supposed to be their last year of school. After years of Voldemort hanging over their heads, they now have a path to stop him.
Other than Dumbledore’s death, the other crucial part of the ending of “Half-Blood Prince” is the revelation that Voldemort has split his soul into seven Horcruxes various magical items that keep him alive even when his body is killed. This is how he survived the night Harry’s parents died. Plus, the diary from “Chamber of Secrets” was one of those Horcruxes. Dumbledore’s plan was to hunt down each Horcrux and destroy it, but with him out of the picture, Harry decides he needs to take that responsibility on himself. Ron and Hermione join him, and they do exactly that in “Deathly Hallows.”
But first, they discover that the locket Harry and Dumbledore nearly died retrieving is actually a fake Horcrux. In it is a letter signed “R.A.B.” it’s later revealed that this is Regulus Arcturus Black, the younger brother of Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather. He was a Death Eater who defected and attempted to destroy the Horcrux but died in the process. Harry, Ron, and Hermione now have to find the real one, and all the others, to save the Wizarding World.
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All The Harry Potter Books In Order: Your Jk Rowling Reading List
Of all the zeitgeist-defining fiction to come out of the past twenty years, perhaps none has been more universally beloved than the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. An incredibly imagined fantasy bildungsroman, it follows the eponymous boy wizard as he attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and contends with his destiny to fight the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Fortunately, he always has clever, loyal friends Ron and Hermione by his side plus the invaluable mentorship of eccentric but wise Hogwarts headmaster, Dumbledore.
As fellow Potterheads will know, its virtually impossible to rank these books from best to worst, since each one is brilliant in its own way. Thats why weve decided to simply present all the Harry Potter books in order of chronology/publication, hitting the highlights for longtime fans to happily reminisce and to help budding fans get a taste of the series genuine magic.
Heres a quick catalog of the series, so that you know what youre in for: