We all have our opinions when it comes to the Harry Potter movies. The ones who have read the books will have different opinions than those who have only watched the movies. All Potterheads must agree that we as a fandom have been lucky to get some great movies in this franchise. Still, we all have our favorites, so this is our rating of the Harry Potter movies from worst to best:
**WARNING**: There is a 99% chance that you will disagree with this article and hate it…so read at your own risk!
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix:
This is the movie that passed the baton to the final director of the series and his different style of direction is clearly evident. Yates chose to leave out many plot points and focused more on the feeling and Harry’s struggle with adolescence and being possessed by the dark lord.
OOTP is the book that not only shows the raging adolescent hormones of the characters but is also the most political out of all. The movie showed some parts well such as the duel between Voldemort and Dumbledore but failed to show some other crucial details as this is the movie adapted from the longest book in the series.
7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:
The reason for putting this movie on the 7th spot is that it is adapted from the best book of the series and did not justify it. Yates once again focuses more on the feeling of darkness and the rise of terror and leave out things that were TOO IMPORTANT!!
He even left out the parts of Voldemort’s family and birth. It is too hard to forgive the things missed out by Yates if you have read this book. The movie transfers the terror from the pages to the screen well and has a brilliant soundtrack so it can be said that it shows well what it chooses to show and leaves out all the rest.
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire:
GOF is like that bonus book with all the elements of a great standalone adventure and so the movie had a great chance to be the best entertainer in the series. The movie that brings the dark lord back to the flesh has some good moments as well.
Again we don’t see some important things but whatever is shown is done pretty well. The special effects and some other technical aspects are good and overall it is a good film and there is not much to say about it.
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets:
Chris Columbus tried his best to incorporate all the important things from the book to the movie and succeeded but the movie became slightly dull because of lack of creativity.
This movie is perfect for those who want every important detail of the book added to the movie as it is but overall the movie lacked individuality and pace.
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s stone:
This is the movie that set up the whole wizarding world on screen and if it had not been good then the franchise would not have extended up to a decade. Chris Columbus stayed true to the book and gave us an amazing Hogwarts and the perfect trio and John Williams! Columbus liked to stick to the books but at times it felt like he did not take any risks.
Still, he must be appreciated for laying a good foundation and having faith in a story that would go on to become the biggest franchise of this generation.
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Probably the most underrated film of the series DH pt1 took the trio to the real world which was under Voldemort’s terror. This is one of the most mature films of the series and is beautifully shot. The performances are great and the locations are phenomenal.
This is the only movie without Hogwarts and some may feel it has less content and is a set up for the finale. The movie has great moments though and it is interesting to see the trio survive on their own.
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
The finale had to be epic as we had been waiting for this for a decade. The last chapter in the series satisfied everyone and Yates finally did justice to the book! The movie earned critical acclaim as well as audience’s support. Be it acting, special effects, set design, screenplay or soundtrack everything is bang on and it is the finale we had all wished for.
The movie is full of adrenaline as well as emotions as Harry takes on the Dark Lord for the last time. Thank God Yates didn’t mess this up!
1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban:
POA is undoubtedly the BEST MOVIE OF THE FRANCHISE! Alfonso Cuaron is a genius and loves taking risks. He took the third installment of an already successful franchise and made it his own movie. This is the most creative movie of the series and Cuaron gives it his magical touch with a different color palette and quirky feel of the movie.
The series is at its creative best as the whomping willow depicts the changing of seasons and Harry gets a ride on Buckbeak. The part in the shrieking shack is truly iconic as the adult actors Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman and David Thewlis give beautiful performances. John Williams takes the movie to another level with his genius compositions giving the best soundtrack of the series. Cuaron’s contribution made the series much more than just wand whipping and broomstick flying and gave it a heart.
