Every ‘Harry Potter’ Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

Whether you grew up with the books or discovered the films first, the Wizarding World spans a full decade of Hogwarts adventures and another decade of spin offs. That means there are plenty of entries to line up from the early school years to the final battle and the globe trotting prequel stories that followed.

This list includes all eight mainline films and the three ‘Fantastic Beasts’ entries. It counts down from worst to best based on overall audience reception and staying power across rewatch statistics and cultural footprint, so you can jump to the ones you want to revisit first.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ (2022)

Albus Dumbledore tasks Newt Scamander and a small group to stop Gellert Grindelwald as the dark wizard seeks political power through an international wizarding election. The story moves across Bhutan, Berlin and Hogsmeade and introduces the qilin as a creature central to how a new leader is chosen.

The film marks the recasting of Grindelwald and continues Credence Barebone’s arc as Aurelius. It expands the backstory of the blood pact and shows how Dumbledore is finally able to confront Grindelwald. The production features large scale practical sets for the German Ministry and extensive location shooting in the Alps.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ (2018)

Grindelwald escapes custody and begins rallying pure blood followers in Europe. Newt returns to the field at Dumbledore’s request while Jacob and Queenie travel to Paris in a thread that intersects with Tina’s investigation into Credence.

The film explores the Lestrange family history and introduces Nicolas Flamel along with early versions of locations tied to the later saga. It ends with Grindelwald’s rally in Père Lachaise that reveals his world war vision and establishes the blood pact that prevents Dumbledore from moving against him.

‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ (2016)

Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York with a case full of magical creatures that accidentally escape. As he retrieves them with help from Tina, Queenie and No Maj Jacob, the city faces unexplained destruction caused by an Obscurial.

The film sets the pre war tone of wizarding America through MACUSA and the Second Salemers and introduces beasts like the Niffler, Bowtruckle and Thunderbird. It also brings in Grindelwald through a twist involving Auror Percival Graves and establishes Newt’s future authorship of the Hogwarts textbook.

‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ (2002)

Harry returns for his second year and learns that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Students are petrified by a creature controlled by Tom Riddle through an enchanted diary and the school edges toward closure.

The story introduces the Ford Anglia escape, Polyjuice Potion and the first appearance of house elf Dobby. It culminates in the basilisk battle beneath the school and the destruction of a Horcrux years before the term is used. The film expands the castle’s scope with the Burrow and Knockturn Alley sequences.

‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ (2007)

The Ministry denies Voldemort’s return and places Dolores Umbridge at Hogwarts to enforce strict rules. Harry forms Dumbledore’s Army to teach defensive spells while visions connect him to Voldemort’s search for a prophecy.

The film debuts the Room of Requirement, the Thestrals and the modern design of the Ministry of Magic with the vast atrium battle. It also features the first major confrontation between Death Eaters and the Order and the loss of a key guardian figure that reshapes Harry’s path.

‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ (2001)

An orphaned boy learns he is a wizard and begins first year at Hogwarts where he meets lifelong friends. The trio navigates classes and school challenges while uncovering a mystery involving the Stone that grants immortality.

The story introduces Quidditch, the houses, Diagon Alley and the concept of the Dark Lord’s attempted return. It establishes core visual language for the series including the Great Hall, moving staircases and John Williams themes that continue across later entries.

‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ (2009)

Dumbledore brings Horace Slughorn back to teach Potions so Harry can extract a memory central to Voldemort’s origins. Through the old textbook of the Half Blood Prince, Harry excels in class while learning new spells that later carry consequences.

The narrative details Tom Riddle’s history and the creation of Horcruxes and takes Harry and Dumbledore to a seaside cave to retrieve a locket. It ends with the fall of the headmaster at the Astronomy Tower and the Dark Mark over the castle, setting up the hunt that follows.

‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ (2005)

The Triwizard Tournament comes to Hogwarts with champions from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Harry is entered against his will and must complete three tasks that involve dragons, a Black Lake rescue and a maze that leads to a graveyard.

The climax restores Voldemort to physical form and introduces Priori Incantatem as wands connect in a duel. It also shows the first large gathering of Death Eaters and the return to the school with a loss that signals the series’ turn toward darker stakes.

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’ (2010)

Harry, Ron and Hermione leave school to find and destroy Horcruxes while evading the Ministry and the Snatchers. The trio deciphers the symbol of the Deathly Hallows and learns the tale that explains the Elder Wand, Resurrection Stone and Invisibility Cloak.

Key sequences include the infiltration of the Ministry, the Godric’s Hollow visit and the Malfoy Manor escape aided by Dobby. The film ends with the loss of the house elf and Voldemort claiming the Elder Wand from Dumbledore’s tomb, directly setting the stage for the final battle.

‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004)

Harry learns that Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban and is believed to be after him. Dementors stationed at the school affect students and faculty while Professor Lupin teaches practical Defense Against the Dark Arts.

The plot uses the Time Turner to revisit events and reveal the truth about Peter Pettigrew and the betrayal of Harry’s parents. It introduces the Marauder’s Map, Patronus charm mastery and the Whomping Willow passage that leads to the Shrieking Shack.

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ (2011)

The trio returns to Hogwarts to find the final Horcruxes as the school prepares for siege. The Battle of Hogwarts brings together students, teachers and allies against Death Eaters and giants across the grounds and courtyards.

The story resolves Snape’s memories and reveals the full plan behind Harry’s journey to the Forbidden Forest and back. It concludes with the destruction of the Horcrux in the diadem, the final duel in the Great Hall and an epilogue that closes the saga on Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

Share your own order of the Wizarding World films in the comments and tell everyone which one you plan to rewatch next.