Ranking the very best Harry Potter motion pictures isn’t straightforward. Fans have sturdy opinions about what makes every movie within the franchise particular. With eight movies, every one providing a singular tackle the Wizarding World, it’s no shock that preferences fluctuate extensively. This selection is basically influenced by 4 totally different administrators, every bringing their very own distinct type and imaginative and prescient to the display screen.
But which Harry Potter motion pictures are price your time? We’ve rewatched all the franchise to carry you our checklist of the very best Harry Potter motion pictures ranked, from worst to greatest. If you like to look at them chronologically, take a look at our information methods to watch the Harry Potter motion pictures so as. In the US, you may catch the movies on Peacock or Max. Most different readers will discover they’re accessible on Netflix of their area. Now, let’s get into our rating of the very best Harry Potter motion pictures.
8. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Release date: 15 November 2002
Runtime: 161 minutes
Age score: PG (US) / PG (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, and Maggie Smith
Director: Chris Columbus
As the franchise’s second film, Chamber of Secrets had loads to stay as much as after the stellar success of the primary movie. Chris Columbus, the Home Alone director, returned for the second film – and he selected a darker, extra harmful path for the collection, setting the tone for every subsequent film.
Whilst an extremely essential narrative builder for the Harry Potter franchise, it isn’t full of the magic and surprise of the others, therefore why it is positioned final on our greatest Harry Potter motion pictures checklist. Plus, at a whopping two hours and 41 minutes, it was arguably a bit lengthy for being one of many motion pictures that targeted extra on introductions and narrative. That being stated, Chamber of Secrets is the place we first meet some iconic stalwarts of the collection resembling Draco Malfoy’s prolific dad Lucius (Jason Isaacs) and everybody’s favorite home elf Dobby (Toby Jones).
Chamber of Secrets does a incredible job at maturing the story from the primary occasion of a gaggle of youngsters, big-eyed and bushy-tailed, embarking on their journey at Hogwarts. And then, there’s the stark realisation that the Harry Potter collection was to be extra ghastly than anticipated with Tom Riddle’s true identification slowly unravelling, an unlucky slug-vomiting allure, and the terrifying Basilisk.
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Watch On
Release date: 18 November 2005
Runtime: 157 minutes
Age score: PG-13 (US) / 12A (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, and Robert Pattinson
Director: Mike Newell
Goblet of Fire is the stage for the Triwizard Tournament – bringing collectively different magical faculties for which it might have initially appeared that Hogwarts was the one one. The promise of a Quidditch World Cup finale was a promising one, however didn’t come into fruition. Instead, there was a questionable deal with the teenage romantic angst of the characters that left followers divided. Underlying all of it although, the primary large reveal of he who shall not be named.
In Goblet of Fire, the scholars are going via a sure teenage stage of their lives and arguably, this finally ends up dominating a lot of the film. It was at all times going to be a tough one to sort out given the shift in narrative, however director Mike Newell rose to the event creating drama, rivalry, and a notable change in relationships, not solely within the newly-introduced characters, however with the Harry, Ron, and Hermione too.
6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Watch On
Release date: 10 November 2001
Runtime: 152 minutes
Age score: PG (US) / PG (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davies, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and Fiona Shaw
Director: Chris Columbus
The film that began all of it, however not the very best of the bunch. It’s clear that The Sorcerer’s Stone (or Philosopher’s Stone because it’s identified outdoors of the US) had one focus in thoughts – to start an journey. Given what we all know now about all of the epic tales it was constructing as much as, it’s no shock that it made positive it set us up good.
There are so many iconic moments within the Sorcerer’s Stone that followers and newbies alike can take pleasure in because the franchise’s first large display screen foray. We meet Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), the Hogwarts’ light game-keeping big. We board the Hogwarts Express alongside Harry for his maiden voyage to Hogwarts and, in fact, we meet his greatest pals, Ron and Hermione. Plus, seeing Hogwarts itself. Whilst The Sorcerer’s Stone is extremely essential to the franchise – with out it Harry Potter wouldn’t exist – the principle storyline within the film lacks magic and motion, putting it sixth in the very best Harry Potter motion pictures.
5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Release date: 19 November 2010
Runtime: 146 minutes
Age score: PG-13 (US) / 12A (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Bill Nighy, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ralph Fiennes
Director: David Yates
Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is constantly applauded for the way true it stayed to the ebook. Ending a collection after such a very long time meant there was loads at stake and it wanted to be completed proper. But, you’re not going to please everybody. Deathly Hallows: Part 1 turns its focus onto Harry, Ron, and Hermione, demonstrating the expansion they’ve made as characters and actors all through the franchise. There’s lengthy narrative moments, emotional exchanges, and the sluggish, nail-biting crescendo that, we all know now, inevitably amalgamates into the epic finale that was to observe.
It has cut up opinion with followers as some really feel that it sorely misses motion and are nonetheless irritated that they cut up the film into two components. But, arguably, with out Deathly Hallows: Part 1 build up the momentum and slowing the tempo to deal with the characters, the stark change in tempo when the storm hits in Deathly Hallows: Part 2 wouldn’t have been as impactful.
4. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Release date: 15 July 2009
Runtime: 153 minutes
Age score: PG (US) / 12A (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Timothy Spall
Director: David Yates
The greatest Harry Potter motion pictures discover a sure finesse in relation to balancing between action-packed scenes and lending time to the relationship-building narrative. Half-Blood Prince is without doubt one of the motion pictures that assessments this stability to the acute.
It’s full of famed scenes such because the hunt for horcruxes, Christmas on the Burrow, and the Astronomy Tower scene we nonetheless aren’t prepared to debate. But then, takes lengthy, gaping moments of display screen time to construct upon the narrative. One factor feels proper although, that with out these moments of contemplation and focus, that the remaining motion pictures wouldn’t have created such an all-encompassing emotion. Through J. Ok. Rowling’s writing and the director’s translation to movie, the collection manages to permit viewers to really feel deeply for the characters so when the motion descends, the affect of its penalties is felt even deeper.
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Release date: 11 July 2007
Runtime: 138 minutes
Age score: PG-13 (US) / 12A (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, and Imelda Staunton
Director: David Yates
If motion is what you’re after, Order of the Phoenix comes with an entire abundance of it. Voldemort, Death Eaters, and butting heads with the Goliath that’s the Ministry of Magic, director David Yates had loads to navigate when he took the helm.
Fortunately, he obtained nice reward for his humour, visuals, and motion, which in the end gave him the next ultimate three motion pictures to play with. It’s the dialogue that really shines in Order of the Phoenix although, because the conversations between Harry and Sirius (Gary Oldman), Snape (Alan Rickman), and Remus (David Thewlis) are unmatched within the franchise. Each builds pressure, emotion, and inevitably leads us to find secrets and techniques about every character that provoked shock and awe. Also, let’s not neglect the epic Voldemort and Dumbledore duel that pitted two highly effective wizards towards one another to a momentous backdrop of the Ministry of Magic. All this locations Order of the Phoenix firmly within the prime three of the very best Harry Potter motion pictures.
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Watch On
Release date: 4 June 2004
Runtime: 142 minutes
Age score: PG (US) / PG (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Julie Walters, and Emma Thompson
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
There’s a lot to study the very best Harry Potter motion pictures and the world that he is thrown round in. Harry’s mother and father, Voldemort, Hogwarts and the differing function its workers play in Harry’s story, the Wizarding War, and Harry’s miraculous survival. Prisoner of Azkaban acts as an awesome beacon of element for all the things there’s to study. We meet Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew for the primary time. We study concerning the Marauders map, go to Hogsmeade, study Patronus’, and see Harry fly each on Buckbeak and his Firebolt for the primary time.
Whilst Voldemort isn’t current, the story of his return hangs over the film like a darkish cloud. This darkish cloud is a stalwart for Prisoner of Azkaban, altering up the tempo of a childlike surprise right into a extra mature nightmare. Much just like the ebook, an important second within the story, the place it turns into wholly obvious that the story isn’t simply one among kids studying the magical ropes, however one which as an alternative assessments their sturdiness and bravado all through.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Watch On
Release date: 15 July 2011
Runtime: 130 minutes
Age score: PG-13 (US) / 12 (UK)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Domhnall Gleeson, and Evanna Lynch
Director: David Yates
Finally, we have reached the highest of our greatest Harry Potter motion pictures rating. It’s arduous to place into phrases how really incredible Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is at reaching its major aim – to finish all of it. After Deathly Hallows: Part 1 cut up opinion and slowed down the tempo, Deathly Hallows: Part 2 got here as a shock to followers who felt they’d been listened to, that expectations have been being met, and that continuous motion was about to unravel earlier than their very eyes. As is true with a number of film finales, Deathly Hallows: Part 2 turns into house to a number of the most iconic scenes of the complete franchise.
And it is a film constructed on iconic moments. Most notably, Snape, a personality who over hours and hours of display screen time was painted as a villain, has his true story and motive unraveled by superbly crafted directorial and writing prowess. It was clear that all the things up so far had been resulting in this film. To tie all of it collectively. To depart followers feeling happy, but additionally extremely on edge. Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is an impressive instance of movie craftsmanship that formed a much-loved ebook collection and did it justice, while taking followers on one final, nail-biting and thrilling experience.
For extra Harry Potter-based protection, discover out which movies made it onto our greatest Netflix motion pictures and greatest Max motion pictures lists. Alternatively, examine Harry Potter‘s TV remake doubtlessly being set to reach in 2026, plus who’s been introduced the showrunner and lead director for Harry Potter‘s TV reboot.
