EntertainmentStreamingEvery Harry Potter movie ranked from best to worstThe boy wizard is dominating NetflixWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentStreamingEvery Harry Potter movie ranked from best to worstThe boy wizard is dominating NetflixWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The boy wizard is dominating Netflix
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
If you’ve been onNetflixrecently, chances are you’ll have seen a certain boy wizard plastered everywhere. At the time of writing, 8 of the Netflix top 10 are Harry Potter movies, but unless you have access to a time-turner, there are only so many hours in the day. While the cast is exceptional throughout, which (or Witch) of the movies is actually worth your time?
Here’s our ranking of all the Harry Potter movies, from worst to best — no arguments, ok?
8. Order of the Phoenix
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
One of the most uneventful movies in the franchise and arguably the start of the darker era of Potter,Order of the Phoenixis fine. Just fine. The fact that the high point of action resolves around a battle for a bottle says a lot. At least we are introduced to Imelda Staunton’s Dolores Umbridge as the love-to-hate head of Hogwarts, reminiscent of our least favourite school teachers.
Otherwise, a film about a badass underground order of wizards sounds brilliant but in reality it’s just dull. We’re introduced to way too many characters too quickly that they don’t get enough time for development, five house points if you can tell me anything about Kingsley Shacklebolt.
7. Deathly Hallows part 1
Splitting one book into two parts was never going to make for a balanced narrative structure and its safe to say that the first part ofDeathly Hallowssuffers for it. Not only does this film make the unforgivable mistake of killing off Hedwig at the start and (REDACTED) at the end, but in between the two deaths, nothing particularly happens. We are introduced to Maguffin after MacGuffin throughout on what feels like a sixth-former school trip treasure hunt.
While it’s nice to see our trio of heroes outside of Hogwarts and Ron gets some much-needed development, there is little else of note outside of setup for the second half.
6. Half-Blood Prince
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
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It’s great as well to see a larger focus on Malfoy, a character who at other times in the series has felt like a spare part, while Alan Rickman’s Snape is his usual superb self.
5. Deathly Hallows part 2
As a finale to the entire mainline series (of course, we haveFantastic Beastsnow too),Deathly HallowsPart 2manages to stick the landing and provide a suitable end to a decades worth of movies. TheAvengers: Endgameof the Potterverse, is the pay-off for a whole film’s worth of buildup and largely consists of the famous “Battle of Hogwarts”.
4. Philosopher’s Stone
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
Our first depiction of Hogwarts on the big screen is a generational moment and seeing all the characters so young makes us swell with pride, but this is one of the best-structured movies in the franchise. Having to introduce Harry and his unhappy life in Privet Drive, a whole world of magic and then defeat Voldemort all in one movie is a lot to do.
If this film wasn’t so good, it’s safe to say that we probably wouldn’t have been treated to the rest of the books hitting the silver screen. The narrative is a classic tale of an outcast finally finding somewhere to call home and everyone will be whisked back to their first day of secondary school/high school instantly. You’ve probably seen this movie dozens of times, but it’s always worth going back again.
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
Aside from Sirius Black, we are introduced to yet another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) who seems to be exhibiting some strange behaviours. Time-turner shenanigans later in the story can become a bit of a plot hole but this is definitely a first-rate Hogwarts adventure.
2. Chamber of Secrets
The actual confrontation between the Basilisk and Harry is amongst the most dramatic in the series but we also get plenty of fun with the likes of Moaning Myrtle and Ron’s flying car.
1. Goblet of Fire
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
The ultimate Potter movie ticks all of the boxes. Opening with the Quidditch World Cup is a breath of fresh air and the Tri-Wizard tournament (the ultimate school sports day) is a brilliant framing device for a series of spectacular encounters and exciting action.
This was also the first time we got a look at Voldemort in his true, most dangerous form… Ralph Fiennes. Robert Pattison also gets his big appearance as an excellent Cedric Digory, bringing a real likeability to someone who it could be easy to dismiss as just the handsome, popular kid.
Michael Gambon’s Dumbledore really came into his own in this instalment as well, his hysterical “Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?” ramblings show a new side to a character we previously saw as unflappable and all knowing. Watching in order is obviously the best way to get your Potter fix, but if you only have time for one movie, make it this one.
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