Harry Potter And The Sorcerers Stone
Though its probably the truest book-to-movie adaptation, the Sorcerers Stone, with its Matilda-esque tone, doesnt live up to the power of the rest of the series. In retrospect, the CGI is clunky, and the one-liners are too cute by half. Still, Christopher Columbus was also able to capture, well, the magic of that first introduction into Hogwarts. As soon as those owls begin to invade the Dursleys neighborhood, the Wizarding World suddenly seemed more accessible than it ever did on the page.
At the time of its premiere, Sorcerers success was no guarantee. Throughout the 2000s, fantasy adaptations like The Golden Compass and Eragon flopped at the box office. But Columbus movies managed to do right by the books: Hogwarts awed quidditch looked exactly as fans had imagined it and the school uniforms became instantly iconic. Columbus team also made some fantastic casting decisions that would pay off years later, like recruiting Alan Rickman to play Severus Snape and Maggie Smith to tackle Minerva McGonagall. And they found a trio of child actors who would, over the next decade, hold their own in scenes with some of Englands most talented thespians.
What Was The Scariest Harry Potter Movie
While the scariest Harry Potter movie is much more debatable. Many settle on Deathly Hallows – Part 1 as the scariest Harry Potter movie, which is understandable. Like Goblet of Fire, the tonal shift is more than palpable, as Voldemort has essentially taken over the Ministry, and the trio is constantly on the run from Death Eater attacks. Ron also leaves them behind after Dumbledore gives Harry little to no instruction on how to find the remaining Horcruxes. Much of Harry and his friends’ fate hangs in the balance as friends turn to foes and families are divided. Many people’s favorite characters kick the bucket in Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2, and J.K. spared no expense to nail down the bleak tone that permeates the first half of the book.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 can arguably be blamed for Twilight Breaking Dawn: Part 1 . Many would argue that the adaptation of the final Harry Potter book did need to be split into two movies. I agree, but its downbeat tone can be heavy, plus it mostly spends time setting up the second part. It’s a bit of a marathon to commit to, peppered with awful, tragic deaths.
— Jennifer Bisset
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Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them
While not number one on the list, this film is the best Fantastic Beasts movie. As alluded to above, there was an understandable air of skepticism around Rowling’s decision to let Warner Bros. continue the Harry Potter movie franchise and embark on a journey into entirely original territory. Thankfully, the experiment proved more worthwhile than the scant premise of the original Fantastic Beasts book would suggest. Eddie Redmayne, who was almost cast in Harry Potter, puts in a charmingly adventurous performance as Newt Scamander, while moving away from Harry Potter and his constantly painful forehead finally allows for some major expansion within Rowling’s world. In particular, the threat of muggle society being exposed to the hidden world of magic carries enough weight without delving back into the darkness and danger of the later Potter films.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone Was A Great Start To A Series According To Audiences
Audience score: 82%
The first film debuted to rave reviews, mostly due to its faithful retelling of J.K. Rowling’s source material.
“Sorcerer’s Stone” will always be 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. And it’s even more tough when that movie is also intended to be the beginning to a long series of movies,” wrote audience reviewer Lasse G. “But Chris Columbus actually does a good job.”
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Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Ah, Deathly Hallows, Part 1: perhaps the most divisive movie in the franchise. How do you feel about watching three teenagers bicker in the forest for a few hours? What if two of those characters take a dance break seemingly designed to enrage or tantalize fans, depending on which characters you ship?
There are things to adore in this movie, like the breathtaking animation of the Tale of the Three Brothers. And director David Yates does beautifully capture the frustrations of Harrys Horcrux mission. The scenes in which Harry, Ron and Hermione aimlessly walk through empty fields and abandoned parking lots, a fuzzy voice on the radio rattling off the names of the dead as they wander capture the book perfectly.
But Part 1 spends very little time during those quiet conversations exploring who Dumbledore was and his connection to the Deathly Hallows, three magical tools that are crucial to the final fight in the following film. That may seem like nerdy nitpicking. But good genre fiction distinguishes itself from bad genre fiction by imbuing its McGuffins with actual meaning. If Harry doesnt have a personal connection to the Elderwand through Dumbledore, then hes just chasing some meaningless shiny object. Such scenes also could have given the audience more time with Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort, who shines in Part 2 as one of the greatest onscreen villains of all time.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 96%
After seven films, it all comes down to this Given the 10-year build-up, it would have been so easy for The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 to disappoint. That the final film in the series not only lives up to its own hype, but is also ranked the best Harry Potter movie on Rotten Tomatoes, says it all. Unexpected heroes are born , and some are lost in this truly epic showdown of good-versus-evil. It genuinely feels like anything can happen as Hogwarts Castle is reduced to rubble, and beloved characters become unwilling warriors . Although some fans take issue with it, the coda of Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years later, completing the cycle by accompanying their own kids to Platform 9¾, is pitch perfect. After all theyve been through , these kids deserve a happy ending. And so do we.
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Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix 77%
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the first film after Voldemorts return, and it suitably reflects the darker direction the franchise takes for its second half. The film is Harry against the world, literally, as the Wizarding World turns its back on The Boy Who Lived and his claims of Voldemorts return. It also introduces Dolores Umbridge, arguably the franchises best villain, ranking above Voldemort himself.
Order of the Phoenix presents Harry at his worst. Angry, selfish, volatile, and prone to emotional outbursts, Harry tests the audiences sympathy, coming out unscathed despite his best efforts. The film, the first under the helm of Potter mainstay David Yates, also features the franchises best magical duel, a confrontation between Voldemort and Dumbledore thats yet to be topped. A slew of tragedies and significant steps forward in the sagas overarching storyline make Order of the Phoenix a must-see.
Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire 88%
The Triwizard Tournament is the backdrop for most of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fires action. The film is the first to question the duality in Harrys life what many see as luck and fortune, he sees as a potentially deathly burden. Goblet of Fire features the return of Lord Voldemort and introduces a scenery-chewing Ralph Fiennes in the role, further increasing the franchises thespian crew.
At first glance, Mike Newell might seem like an odd choice to direct a Potter film. However, like Columbus and Alfonso Cuarón before him, Newell brings a unique touch to the franchise, a sense of sophistication and self-seriousness that greatly benefits the story. Goblet of Fire includes possibly the darkest scene in the franchise indeed, the sight of Harry clenching Cedrics dead body was the clearest indication that Harry was officially abandoning childhood.
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Deathly Hallows Part 1
The Tale of the Three Brothers slaps, but beyond that, this movie is a lot of camping and set up for Part 2.
We appreciate the cinematography, acting, and character development , but its just not as exciting or re-watchable as others.
Also Dobby and Hedwig die in the same movie?! Its too much for our hearts.
We LOVE the original it started the whole adventure! Yer a wizard, Harry? ICONIC.
But while Sorcerers Stone is the OG, it still lands just shy of the top half for us. We love the introduction to the magical world, but the story falls a little flatter than others, and Quirrell is the least exciting Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.
Plus, the acting and chemistry isnt quite up to par yet.
All 8 Harry Potter Movies Ranked From Best To Worst
Harry Potter charmed our screens for ten years before departing on Platform 9¾.. ‘Harry Potter Mania’ gripped the world by storm, and when it ended, we were left feeling as Harry, Ron, and Hermione did at the end of Deathly Hallows unsure what to do with ourselves! The Harry Potter films were allowed to expand and mature just like the novels did, with four different directors bringing a diversity of flavours to the series from film to film without compromising character, plot, or continuity. It’s a great achievement made all the more astounding by the fact that there isn’t a single terrible film among them. As the franchise remains as popular today as it was a decade ago, and with Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts coming up soon, it seems like a good time as any to revisit the Harry Potter films and rank them from best to worsta somewhat difficult task given the high standard of quality throughout.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Which movie from the list is your favourite? Share your honest opinions with Pinkvilla in the comments below.
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Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part Ii
Hard to imagine the trio that bumbled through the puzzles to reach the sorcerers stone would eventually rescue a dragon, but here we are. The last film reveals the sinister machinations at work through the series and how even the grown-ups Harry loved and trusted saw him as means to an end. Also, Neville Longbottom turning into an absolute BAMF, ranks Part II high on our list.
Will There Be A Fantastic Beasts 4
As of right now, the future of the Fantastic Beasts franchise hangs in the balance. The series was initially slated to have five movies to its name, with the final act culminating in the infamous battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. However, with the lack of success brought about by the last two films, it’s doubtful that studios will want to shell out more money for the CGI-heavy movies. Certain events have signaled a death knell for the films. Most notably, director David Yates is set to direct a new movie, which is taking precedence in his production schedule. Another incident was Fantastic Beasts 3‘s quick turnaround to HBO Max. People didn’t have to wait long, at least certainly not the usual 45-day period, before getting to stream the movie at home. While Fantastic Beasts 3 did have some wins, like finally exploring Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s relationship, the Harry Potter prequel series might not be getting another movie. The latest film does end on a cliffhanger, but it may be the end of FantasticBeasts, regardless.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Release date: Apr 15, 2022
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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.
Its Our Choices That Show Who We Truly Are
If someone asks which Harry Potter novel to bring to a desert island, it would feel wrong for us Potterheads to choose just one volume. But, as much as we love the whole series, there will always be one installment that holds a special place in your heart. The reason why you pick that book can say a lot about who you are.
So, how about you? Which one is your best Harry Potter book? Share with JobandEdu team in the comment section!
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Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets 82%
Harrys second adventure delves into darker territory, showing the earliest signs of the direction the franchise would eventually take. Chamber of Secrets follows Harry as he begins hearing a mysterious voice just as the titular Chamber of Secrets gets opened again. With Columbus back as the helmer, the sequel reuses nearly every element that worked in the first one while introducing a few more.
Chamber of Secrets features a more ambitious and complex plot, arguably the most intricate in the saga. The film somewhat simplifies it compared with the source material, but the adaptation remains polished and thrilling, continuing Harrys journey into heroic territory. Chamber of Secrets isnt the strongest entry in the saga, but it is a memorable one that stands in its own right, an accomplishment in and of itself.
Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince
Heres where director David Yates really started to use his deluminator. Just like the books, The Half Blood Prince was when Potter got darker than ever. Muggle murders as Death Eaters swarm the Millennium Bridge in London, a Death Eater attack on the Weasley home, a history of the young Tom Riddle and, yes, the horrific and tragic death of Dumbledore. *sob* How could Rowling do it to us? While Hogwarts is still reasonably safe, the peril that lies outside the gates is palpable.
Theres an enjoyably grown up theme here too. Teen hormones are everywhere – it seems to make sense to get with everyone in sight if youre about to be murdered by dark wizards – and the will they/wont they Harry/Ginny relationship is enjoyably handled amidst the madness. The Half Blood Prince also adds the brilliant Jim Broadbent to the cast as Professor Horace Slughorn, a pompous but good-hearted soul who once gave a young Voldemort some seriously risky information. As Harry and Dumbledore work together to find the various Horcruxes of Voldemorts soul, theres a truly thrilling narrative at work thats deftly handled by Yates. Its dark, its scary, and it knows it.
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Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Deathly Hallows, Part 2 is all action. As soon as the movie begins, Harry, Ron and Hermione are breaking into Gringotts, riding on the back of a dragon and, finally, battling Voldemort. Thats not always a good thing: The audience is barely given a moment to breathe and consider the consequences of this final battle. Book readers will certainly miss some of the quieter moments of reflection, particularly between Harry and Dumbledore at Kings Cross Station after Harry dies.
But the film is able to pull off several crucial moments of character development amid the chaos, including Nevilles evolution into a bold hero, Ron and Hermiones first kiss and Molly Weasleys epic defeat of Bellatrix LeStrange. To that end, the film plays like a somber but satisfying reunion. Deathly Hallows Part 1, and even to some extent Half-Blood Prince, are films about loneliness and isolation. Some of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter series are missing entirely from those movies. When Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts, we get to enjoy Rowlings wide array of Dickensian characters once again.