All eight movies in the Harry Potter series are available to stream across all HBO services beginning January 1st, 2018.
In recognition of that, TV and City presents our list of all the wizarding world films, ranked from worst to best.
By Mark Derdik
8) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
This is the only movie in the series I wouldn’t classify as “good.” Deathly Hallows Part 1 essentially forces fans to watch a two and a half hour prelude to the epic finale. All action is put on hold while you sit there watching the central trio hiding in the forest waiting for something to actually happen. Aside from a fantastic sequence at Gringotts, this film is nothing more than a cash grab from Warner Bros.
7) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
In a surprising move, the Potter producers took one of the shortest and the worst book in the series and turned it into the longest movie version. (Nearly three hours!) Chamber of Secrets is a enjoyable movie on its own terms, but comparatively it definitely falls towards the bottom of the spectrum of Harry Potter movies. Director Chris Columbus fails to entrance us with the magic we loved in the first film.
6) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The sixth film in the saga falls towards the back half purely because of wasted potential. While Half-Blood Prince is dramatic and stylistic watch, it is the worst adaptation of the seven books. Instead of taking us on a riveting journey, slowly introducing us to horcruxes and more magic than we’ve ever known before, we’re given a simple, linear story. Exciting nonetheless, but very disappointing.
5) Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
Whether you call it Sorcerer’s or Philosopher’s Stone, there’s no denying that ever since J.K. Rowling published the first book, fans had been dying to see it on the big screen. This debut movie lived up to all of the hype! Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson are perfectly cast as Harry, Ron, and Hermione. And as far as literary adaptations go, The Sorcerer’s Stone is one of the best ever.
4) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter isn’t really known for its great plot twists, but Prisoner of Azkaban takes the series in bold new directions. The third movie in the series had all of us on the edge of our seats from the get-go. If watching the Weasley’s family rat turn into the notorious Peter Pettigrew and having a mysterious serial killer turn out to be Harry’s loving godfather isn’t shocking then I don’t know what is.
3) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The Order of the Phoenix is the first of the highest tier on this list. The action and drama is unprecedented, the fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort is stunning. “You know who” has finally returned and energized the series. Order of the Phoenix is the best Harry Potter book, and unlike Half-Blood Prince, director David Yates takes full advantage of the Rowling’s source material. It’s also remarkable that the actors continue to do a great job as they transition into their later teenage years.
2) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I have no real critiques for this magnificent movie. The action in Goblet is unparalleled as we watch Harry face one daunting task after the next. The characters feel so real you wouldn’t be surprised if this was a true story, except for the fact that there are dragons. Without a question this film deserves a very high spot on the list.
1) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
We started this article with the seventh story, so it’s fitting that we end the list with one as well. As opposed to its predecessor, Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a brilliant masterpiece. It’s the climax to the series that we had all been watching breathlessly for the past ten years. From the epic battles to the gut wrenching deaths, this movie has it all. This is a rebound unlike I’ve seen before. After practically throwing away Part 1, Part 2 comes in to blow us all away. This has to be one of the best fantasy movies I have ever seen. Actually this has to be one of the best movies I have ever seen, period. It does not get better than this.
Do YOU agree with our list?
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