Every Harry Potter Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

Bound to make some enemies here.

Dec 09, 2024

The Harry Potter movies have become synonymous with the holiday season. Perhaps it’s because some feature Christmas scenes or because most premiered in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

For me and my family, the movies provide a reliable source of comfort and nostalgia, perfect for a time when all you want to do is cuddle up with a cup of hot cocoa and not think too hard about anything.

On the other hand, the Harry Potter franchise stands tall as arguably the most consistent and satisfying movie series in recent memory. The movies aren’t perfect, but even the less memorable ones can hold their own against the best of Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings (heresy?).

I’m ranking the movies based on production elements, narrative structure (I’m a big story/plot guy), and the complexity of their core themes. While I’ve read all the books, I won’t evaluate the movies based on how they compare to their literary counterparts.

With that said, let’s dive in… Oh, and naturally, spoilers ahead.

#8 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (2010)

Save for a few memorable scenes, this entry in the series lags at pivotal moments and inevitably comes up short, as it primarily sets the stage for the far more exciting conclusion. It often feels like our heroes—Harry, Hermione, and Ron—are hopping from place to place aimlessly, without much for the audience to engage with.

After a while, it becomes tiresome, especially during the second half of the movie. That said, their infiltration of the Ministry of Magic and the showdown with Nagini are standout moments.

#7 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Despite its gargantuan running time, the second entry in the series offers little of note. In some ways, it feels like a retread of the first film but moves at a much slower pace and meanders, likely due to its attempt to include most of the details from the book. Some of the visual effects look particularly goofy, especially during the climactic action sequence, though kudos to the team that designed Dobby.

The humorous scenes hold up well, and it’s nice to see Ginny Weasley take on a more prominent role. The one saving grace? Kenneth Branagh’s flamboyant portrayal of fabulist and fraud Gilderoy Lockhart.

#6 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2009)

Many fans might rank the thrilling conclusion to the series much higher, but while I consider it to be competently made and surprisingly satisfying, it rarely offers much beyond pure spectacle. Don’t get me wrong: the action moves briskly, all our favorite characters get their moments to shine, and the most despicable villains receive fitting punishments.

However, moments of pure earnestness and heart—the essence of the series—are few and far between. My favorite? Professor McGonagall using the Piertotum Locomotor spell to protect Hogwarts.

#5 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

The one that started it all stands as one of the best children’s films ever made, though it lacks the sophistication and high stakes of its sequels. Still, there’s plenty to admire: the sprawling sets, director Ron Howard’s world-building, John Williams’ rousing score, and the many greats of British theater and cinema deftly bringing Rowling’s iconic characters to life.

An unfortunate weak spot, however, is Daniel Radcliffe’s acting. In my eyes, the Boy Who Lived becomes more compelling, more interesting—and better portrayed—by the third movie.

#4 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Azkaban doesn’t rank higher for me because the subplot about Lupin’s lycanthropic misadventures always felt a bit out of place (and not a big mystery in the first place). It seems like it belongs in a different movie, even if it remains a pivotal plot point in the book. That said, Azkaban marked an important turning point for the franchise.

Thanks in large part to Alfonso Cuarón’s eccentric direction and Michael Seresin’s stunning cinematography, the film blends a more mature tone with just enough weirdness to make it stand out while still feeling like it belongs in the Harry Potter universe. It also introduces colorful supporting characters like Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.

#3 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Perhaps no other movie in the series balances grandiose spectacle with human drama as effectively as Goblet of Fire. The world of our favorite characters expands as other wizarding schools arrive at Hogwarts to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. Teenage drama ensues—particularly between Ron and Hermione—when the Hogwarts students interact with those from the visiting schools.

The film features incredible set pieces, but the final sequence truly stands out as one of the best in the series. In this climactic moment, an important supporting character meets an unfortunate demise, and He Who Shall Not Be Named makes his triumphant return.

#2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

I absolutely love Order of the Phoenix because it prioritizes the series’ most vital element: the relationships between the students at Hogwarts. The movie accomplishes this by pitting them against Dolores Umbridge—played by the deliciously sadistic and cunning Imelda Staunton—a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher appointed by the Ministry of Magic to keep an eye on Dumbledore.

We see friendships and romances blossom, while other beloved characters, like Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom, gain confidence and become wizards in their own right. The movie also features the only duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort.

#1 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

They say that "a hero is only as good as their villain," and Half-Blood Prince exemplifies this axiom. The movie follows three overarching storylines: Harry and Dumbledore journey through the latter’s memories, slowly uncovering how Tom Riddle, a talented yet sinister young boy, became Lord Voldemort; Draco Malfoy finds himself at a crossroads, a teenage boy struggling for his soul; and Snape walks a fine line between ally and traitor.

Though short on action, Half-Blood Prince carries the highest emotional stakes of the series. Everything Harry and his allies hold dear collapses following the events of this movie, and it ends on a somber note, leaving us utterly devastated. The film represents the loss of innocence—sometimes we must crash and burn before we can rise again. This is why it stands, in the opinion of this humble muggle, as the best entry in the series.