The Wizarding World films follow orphaned boy Harry Potter as he discovers he is a famous wizard, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and confronts the dark forces threatening both the magical and Muggle worlds.
Across eight Harry Potter films and three Fantastic Beasts prequels, the franchise evolves from school‑year adventures into a full‑scale war with Lord Voldemort, before jumping back decades to explore Albus Dumbledore’s complicated past and his conflict with Gellert Grindelwald.
This guide is based on a video from my YouTube channel Cinema Awards Archive, where I walk through every film in the Wizarding World saga – from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore – looking at box office runs, awards attention and how the series changed over time.
Into long‑running fantasy and sci‑fi franchises? Check out my deep dives on The Lord of the Rings, the MonsterVerse, the Conjuring Universe, Alien, and Predator series as well.
The Wizarding World currently spans 11 films: the original eight‑film Harry Potter series (2001–2011) and the three‑film Fantastic Beasts prequel saga (2016–2022).
Most viewers start with the Harry Potter films in release order, then move into the Fantastic Beasts prequels, but you can also watch chronologically within the story timeline by beginning with Newt Scamander’s 1920s adventures.
Below, each film gets its own section with story setup, production highlights, box office performance and awards notes to guide your next Wizarding World marathon.
Also released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the United States, India and the Philippines, this 2001 fantasy film is directed by Chris Columbus and produced by David Heyman from a screenplay by Steve Kloves.
Based on J. K. Rowling’s 1997 novel, it is the first instalment in the Harry Potter film series and introduces Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson making their film debuts as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
The story follows Harry’s first year at Hogwarts as he discovers he is a wizard, begins his magical education and uncovers the mystery surrounding the Philosopher’s Stone and the dark wizard who killed his parents.
Warner Bros. acquired the film rights in 1999, with Rowling insisting on a primarily British and Irish cast; production began in the UK in 2000, with Leavesden Studios and historic locations across Britain standing in for the wizarding world.
Released in November 2001, the film became a critical and commercial hit, grossing around $974 million in its initial run and surpassing $1 billion with re‑releases, making it the highest‑grossing film of 2001 and one of the biggest films ever at the time.
It received multiple awards nominations, including Academy Award nods for Best Original Score, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, and was followed by seven sequels ending with Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011.
Released in 2002, Chamber of Secrets is again directed by Chris Columbus from a screenplay by Steve Kloves and adapts Rowling’s 1998 novel of the same name.
The film continues Harry’s story in his second year at Hogwarts, where ominous messages appear on the walls and the legendary Chamber of Secrets is opened, unleashing a monster that begins petrifying students.
Opening in November 2002 via Warner Bros. Pictures, the movie was praised for its darker tone, expanded sets, strong performances (notably Kenneth Branagh, Robbie Coltrane and Jason Isaacs), and its ability to stay accessible to younger viewers.
It grossed around $878 million worldwide, becoming the second‑highest‑grossing film of 2002, and earned several awards nominations including BAFTA nods for Best Production Design, Best Sound and Best Special Visual Effects.
The film set up the tonal shift that would deepen with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and released in 2004, Prisoner of Azkaban adapts Rowling’s 1999 novel and is widely credited with redefining the look and tone of the series.
The film follows Harry’s third year at Hogwarts as he learns that escaped prisoner Sirius Black may be hunting him, uncovering deeper truths about his parents, their friends and their betrayal.
It was the first Harry Potter film to screen in IMAX, released in late May in the UK and early June in North America, and went on to gross about $808 million worldwide, making it one of 2004’s top releases.
Critics praised Cuarón’s direction, the maturing performances of the young cast, and the more atmospheric, character‑driven approach, with many fans and reviewers still regarding it as the best film in the franchise.
It received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Music Score and Best Visual Effects, and led into the darker, larger‑scale Goblet of Fire.
2005’s Goblet of Fire, directed by Mike Newell from a Steve Kloves script, adapts Rowling’s 2000 novel and marks Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts.
The story sees Harry unexpectedly chosen by the Goblet of Fire to compete in the dangerous Triwizard Tournament, while Voldemort’s return moves from rumours to horrifying reality.
Premiering worldwide in November 2005, the film earned over $896 million at the global box office, making it the highest‑grossing film of 2005 and one of the top earners in the series.
It received positive reviews, BAFTA recognition for Best Production Design (which it won), and an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction, further cementing the franchise’s technical reputation.
Goblet of Fire was also the second film in the series released in IMAX, and it set up the political and emotional stakes that would define Order of the Phoenix.
Directed by David Yates and released in 2007, Order of the Phoenix adapts Rowling’s 2003 novel, with a screenplay by Michael Goldenberg.
The film follows Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts as the Ministry of Magic denies Voldemort’s return, installs Dolores Umbridge at the school, and forces Harry and his friends to form Dumbledore’s Army to prepare for the coming war.
Released in July 2007 in both 2D and IMAX formats, it grossed around $942 million worldwide, ranking among the year’s biggest films despite later being cited in discussions of Hollywood accounting.
Critics generally responded positively, praising its visual design and performances, and it secured BAFTA nominations for Production Design and Special Visual Effects.
Yates would remain at the helm for the rest of the series, continuing into Half‑Blood Prince and both parts of Deathly Hallows.
Released in 2009 and directed by David Yates from a Steve Kloves script, Half‑Blood Prince adapts Rowling’s 2005 novel and continues the darker, more serialized approach.
The film follows Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts as he discovers a mysterious Potions textbook annotated by the “Half‑Blood Prince”, navigates blooming romances, and works with Dumbledore to uncover memories crucial to understanding Voldemort’s Horcruxes.
With an estimated budget of around $250 million, it was one of the most expensive films ever made at the time, and its July 2009 release saw massive demand in both 2D and IMAX screenings.
It broke records for single‑day worldwide gross and five‑day opening, and ultimately earned about $941 million worldwide, making it one of 2009’s top box office performers.
Half‑Blood Prince received acclaim for its cinematography and production design, earning Oscar and BAFTA nominations in those areas, and directly set up the two‑part finale.
Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010), directed by David Yates from a Steve Kloves screenplay, adapts the first half of Rowling’s 2007 finale novel.
The film leaves Hogwarts behind as Harry, Ron and Hermione go on the run, searching for Voldemort’s Horcruxes while the Death Eaters tighten their grip on the wizarding world.
Released in November 2010 in both 2D and IMAX formats, Part 1 earned about $960 million worldwide, becoming one of the highest‑grossing films of the year and, at the time, one of the biggest films ever.
Reviews were largely positive, with praise for the performances, cinematography, visual effects and Alexandre Desplat’s score, and the film received Academy Award nominations for Art Direction and Visual Effects.
It concludes on a cliffhanger that leads directly into the final chapter, Deathly Hallows – Part 2.
Released in 2011 and directed by David Yates, Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is the second half of the adaptation of Rowling’s final book and the eighth and concluding film in the original Harry Potter series.
The story brings Harry’s journey to a climax as he returns to Hogwarts, completes the hunt for Horcruxes and faces Voldemort in a final confrontation during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Premiering in July 2011 in both 2D and 3D, it broke numerous box office records, including a worldwide opening weekend of around $483 million, and ultimately grossed more than $1.3 billion worldwide.
The film became the highest‑grossing entry in the Wizarding World and one of the highest‑grossing films of all time, while critics hailed it as a powerful, emotionally satisfying conclusion to the saga.
It was named one of the top films of 2011 by groups like the National Board of Review and earned multiple award nominations, including three Oscars at the 84th Academy Awards.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), directed by David Yates from a screenplay by J. K. Rowling in her screenwriting debut, begins the Wizarding World prequel saga.
Set in 1926 New York, the film follows magizoologist Newt Scamander as escaped magical creatures and a dark Obscurus lead him into the path of MACUSA (the American wizarding authority) and a brewing conflict involving Gellert Grindelwald.
Inspired by Rowling’s in‑universe guidebook of the same name, filming took place mainly at Leavesden Studios, and the movie was released in November 2016 with a budget reported in the $175–200 million range.
It grossed about $814 million worldwide, finishing as one of the top box office hits of 2016, and received generally positive reviews for its world‑building and production design.
The film earned multiple BAFTA nominations and won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design – the first Oscar win for a Wizarding World film.
Released in 2018 and again directed by David Yates from a Rowling screenplay, The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second Fantastic Beasts film and the tenth Wizarding World entry overall.
Set mainly in 1927 Paris, the story follows Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore as they attempt to thwart dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald’s efforts to rally followers and reshape the wizarding world, while raising questions about Credence’s true identity.
The film premiered in November 2018 and grossed around $654.9 million worldwide, making it one of 2018’s bigger hits but, at the time, the lowest‑grossing instalment in the Wizarding World.
Critics delivered mixed reviews, often citing an overabundance of characters and heavy franchise setup, though the film did receive BAFTA nominations for Production Design and Special Visual Effects.
The story continues directly into Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), directed by David Yates from a screenplay credited to J. K. Rowling and Steve Kloves, is the third Fantastic Beasts film and the eleventh Wizarding World entry.
Set several years after Crimes of Grindelwald, it follows Albus Dumbledore as he recruits Newt Scamander and a small team of allies to carry out a covert mission against Grindelwald’s expanding political and military influence.
Premiering in March 2022 in London and released widely in April 2022, the film grossed around $407 million worldwide, marking the lowest box office total for any Wizarding World film to date.
Reviews were mixed, with some praising course corrections from the previous instalment and others criticizing ongoing density and narrative choices, leaving the future of the Fantastic Beasts storyline uncertain.
Across 11 films, the Wizarding World has grown from a single school‑year fantasy adaptation into one of the defining blockbuster franchises of the 21st century, blending coming‑of‑age drama, dark fantasy and political allegory across eras.
Whether you prefer the original Harry Potter saga or the more divisive Fantastic Beasts prequels, the series has left a lasting mark on franchise filmmaking, visual effects, and the way studios build shared cinematic universes.
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