Embarking on a journey through J.K. Rowling’s magical universe can seem a bit daunting, especially when considering how to watch the Harry Potter series and Fantastic Beasts movies in order. Rest assured, this guide will help you navigate the intricate paths of the Wizarding World, whether you’re a first-time viewer or returning for a nostalgic adventure.
The Harry Potter Series
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The Harry Potter series, based on Rowling’s critically acclaimed novels, introduced audiences to a world of magic, friendship, and epic battles between good and evil. This series follows the life of Harry Potter, a young wizard studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry while contending with the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who seeks immortality and total domination.
The Harry Potter series spans seven books and eight films:
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
What are the Fantastic Beasts Movies in Order?
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The Fantastic Beasts series serves as a prequel to the Harry Potter series. Set decades before Harry Potter’s time, these films focus on Newt Scamander, a magical zoologist who inadvertently gets involved in the conflicts of the magical world. As of writing this guide, there are two released movies in the Fantastic Beasts series:
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
More movies are expected to follow, building up to a total of five.
Watching All Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Movies in Chronological Order
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For those interested in the timeline of the Wizarding World, you might consider watching the series in chronological order. This method focuses on the sequence of events as they happened within the universe, starting from the early 20th century with the “Fantastic Beasts” series and then progressing to the late 20th century with the “Harry Potter” series.
1. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
This is the first movie in the chronological timeline. Set in 1926, this film follows the adventures of Newt Scamander, a British wizard and magical creatures expert. Newt arrives in New York City with a suitcase filled with magical creatures. Some creatures escape, causing a chaos. Amid this chaos, Newt uncovers a dark force that poses a threat to both the wizarding and non-wizarding world.
2. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
The second film in the series and chronologically, this sequel is set in 1927. It follows Newt Scamander as he is enlisted by Albus Dumbledore to thwart the plans of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. Grindelwald is rallying pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings. The film introduces viewers to a younger Dumbledore and deepens the history of the Wizarding World before Harry Potter’s time.
3. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
This third chapter in the “Fantastic Beasts” film saga and the eleventh installation in the overarching Wizarding World franchise, continues the story several years after the events of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” This film delves deeper into the era of young Albus Dumbledore. As hidden facets of Dumbledore’s life come to light, Newt Scamander and his team are entrusted with a perilous mission that thrusts them into the midst of Gellert Grindelwald’s malevolent forces.
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
This first film introduces us to Harry Potter, an orphan who lives with his mean aunt, uncle, and cousin. On his 11th birthday, he learns that he is a wizard and has been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry discovers that he’s famous in the magical world because he survived an attack by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed his parents but mysteriously lost his powers during the attack.
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry’s second year at Hogwarts is marked by mysterious happenings, including a series of petrified students and a voice that seems to come from within the walls. Harry, along with his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, investigates the dark force that is terrorizing the school, which leads them to uncover the hidden Chamber of Secrets.
6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
In Harry’s third year, he learns that Sirius Black, a prisoner from the wizarding prison Azkaban, has escaped and is believed to be after him. The story unfolds as Harry learns more about Sirius’ true relationship with his parents and uncovers the identity of the real traitor who led to his parents’ death.
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The fourth movie centers around the Triwizard Tournament, a competition between Hogwarts and two other European wizarding schools. The Goblet of Fire selects Harry as an unwilling fourth competitor, and he must confront a dragon, merfolk, a labyrinth, and ultimately a trap set by Lord Voldemort.
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
As the Wizarding World is in denial about Lord Voldemort’s return, Harry, Hermione, and Ron train a group of students in defensive magic to form Dumbledore’s Army. They also learn about The Order of the Phoenix, an organization led by Dumbledore to fight Voldemort.
9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
In this film, Harry learns more about Voldemort’s past through memories collected by Dumbledore. Meanwhile, Harry finds a mysterious book marked as “the property of the Half-Blood Prince” that helps him excel in his potions class.
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
Harry, Ron, and Hermione leave Hogwarts to hunt for the remaining Horcruxes—objects containing pieces of Voldemort’s soul. Their journey is filled with danger as they evade Death Eaters and face the reality that they are the wizarding world’s last hope to stop Voldemort.
11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
The epic series concludes as Harry and his friends continue their quest to destroy the remaining Horcruxes. The final battle for Hogwarts begins, and Harry must make the ultimate sacrifice to finally defeat Lord Voldemort. The series ends with an epilogue set 19 years later, showing Harry, Hermione, and Ron sending their own children off to Hogwarts.
Watching All Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Movies in Release Order
The release order starts with the Harry Potter series, followed by the Fantastic Beasts series. Watching the movies in this order allows viewers to experience the unfolding of the Wizarding World as it happened in real time. It offers a nostalgic journey for many fans and provides a clear progression of the narrative and special effects.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Alternate Viewing Options
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Apart from the release and chronological orders, there are other ways to enjoy the series. For example, you might choose to watch all films focusing on a particular character or theme, such as movies highlighting the complex character Severus Snape or those that delve into the concept of Horcruxes. These thematic viewing options can provide a different perspective on the Wizarding World.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
Regardless of the order, each viewing approach offers its own unique charm and insights. For first-time viewers, the release order might be the best place to start, offering a natural introduction to the world and its characters. For those revisiting the series, the chronological order or a thematic
