Harry Potter is the most popular fantasy franchise in the world, surpassing even JRR Tolkien’s epic The Lord of the Rings. Author JK Rowling could never have imagined just how hugely successful her children’s book series about a boy wizard would ultimately become. Bertie Bots Every Flavour Beans, Quidditch, Butterbeers and the Deathly Hallows have entered the lexicon of an entire generation in the UK. Science has proved that liking Harry Potter makes you into a better person. The Harry Potter books were all about racism but the irony is that the author herself is prejudiced! JK Rowling is transphobic but it is possible to like Harry Potter and still think that JK Rowling is a bitch. Nevertheless, it is clear that Rowling’s toxic views have hurt the lucrative Harry Potter franchise. I have no prejudices whatsoever. Voldemort and the Death Eaters are an allegory for Hitler and the Nazis, and the themes in the books of racism, ethnic cleansing, xenophobia and fascism are still relevant today unfortunately. Donald Trump’s name is a byword for hatred like Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter, so that’s why people refer to Voldemort or Donald Trump as “You Know Who” in public because their names are like swear words. Theme parks, Lego, theatre plays and studio tours are available to fans of all ages who wish to immerse themselves further in the magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Although as a small disclaimer, I do question the morality of the Hogwarts Sorting system, whereby children as young as eleven are told they are evil if they are sorted into Slytherin… Also, I think that private education should be banned and therefore I think Hogwarts should be abolished too! The Goblet of Fire is great but it is a little bit too fast paced to be the number one Harry Potter movie. So the clear winner of this ranking is The Prisoner of Azkaban!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has brought us seven fantastic novels and eight incredible movies, plus three spin-off films (with more on the way). There is even a television remake in development. Like most millennials in the UK, I grew up with Harry Potter as a kid and I love it. The first book was published just a few years after I was born on 7th August 1994. Harry Potter was a huge part of my childhood like Star Wars and Doctor Who. I read all of the Harry Potter books and listened to all of the Stephen Fry-narrated audiobooks when I was a kid and I still own all of my signed, original, first edition copies of the books. I also still own my copies of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them guide book and The Tales of Beedle the Bard. I know every line in most of the films. But it was only recently that I decided that something was missing from my blog: a ranking of the Harry Potter movies. A re-watch was required. This ranking was very difficult to make. I think that all of the Harry Potter films and books are great, but there are some that I like more than others. I have met many of the Harry Potter actors, however there were many Harry Potter legends that I sadly never met including the late, great Richard Griffiths, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Alan Rickman, John Hurt, Robert Hardy, Helen McCrory, Robbie Coltrane (who I tried to meet), Leslie Phillips, Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith. I have no desire to meet JK Rowling because, to reiterate, she is a bitch! I have a forensic interest in Harry Potter! 

11. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

★★☆☆☆

RD: 8/4/2022

Directed by David Yates

Based on the 2001 guide book of the same name

10. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald

★★☆☆☆

RD: 16/11/2018

Directed by David Yates

Based on the 2001 guide book of the same name

9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

★★★★☆

RD: 18/11/2016

Directed by David Yates

Based on the 2001 guide book of the same name

8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

★★★★☆

RD: 19/10/2010

Directed by David Yates

Based on the 2007 novel of the same name 

7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

★★★★☆

RD: 12/7/2007

Directed by David Yates

Based on the 2003 novel of the same name

6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 

★★★★☆

RD: 3/11/2002

Directed by Chris Columbus

Based on the 1998 novel of the same name

5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 

★★★★☆

RD: 4/11/2001

Directed by Chris Columbus

Based on the 1997 novel of the same name 

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 

★★★★★

RD: 7/7/2011

Directed by David Yates

Based on the 2007 novel of the same name

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 

★★★★★

RD: 6/11/2005

Directed by Mike Newell

Based on the 2000 novel of the same name

2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

★★★★★

RD: 7/7/2009

Directed by David Yates

Based on the 2005 novel of the same name 

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 

★★★★★

RD: 31/5/2004

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Based on the 1999 novel of the same name