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This is the Best Harry Potter Movie, According to Rotten Tomatoes

Lumos maxima! We're shining a light on the Tomatometer scores for every Harry Potter movie to establish the ultimate ranking, from worst to best.

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The Best Harry Potter Movie: A Countdown

The law of averages virtually guarantees that every storied film franchise will serve up a dud. Even universally-beloved series like James Bond and Indiana Jones have their crosses to bear ( Die Another Day and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull , respectively); certified stinkers that even hardcore fans widely acknowledge as an all-time low. There’s one franchise that bucks this trend, though, consisting of no fewer than eight films, each one garnering an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 77% or higher. This charmed series? Harry Potter, of course.

Although it’s hard to believe, it’s been more than 20 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone made its theatrical debut, transforming an already popular series of books into a bona fide cultural phenomenon. From this very first instalment, it was clear the producers had nailed the magic formula, and the film was as much a critical success as it was a commercial one. What’s perhaps most impressive, however, is that this critical success was sustained throughout the subsequent seven pictures, each one “Certified Fresh” (achieving a consistent “Tomatometer” score of 75% or higher) by the aggregate movie review site, Rotten Tomatoes.

Although all Potterheads likely have their own favourite flick in the series (this coming from a Prisoner of Azkaban fan!), it’s fascinating to see how those personal preferences stack up against each film’s Rotten Tomatoes score. So grab your wands, and prepare to discover how the eight iconic films rank in our countdown to the very best Harry Potter movie.

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) – 77%

Considering it’s earned a very respectable rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes (putting it on par with Gladiator and Sin City , for perspective), it seems a mite unfair to call The Order of Phoenix “the worst Harry Potter movie.” It’s even more unfair when you consider how many magical moments you’ll find throughout this fifth instalment, which (in this muggle’s humble opinion) should be nowhere near the bottom of the heap.

So why is it there? Presumably, it’s because many fans take umbrage (no, not that one!) with the fact that it condenses the longest of J.K. Rowlings’ novels (800-odd pages) into just 138-minutes, making it the shortest entry in the series and losing a lot of plot threads in the process. But there’s no evidence of a hatchet job on-screen, as the tale—which focuses on the Ministry of Magic’s escalating smear campaign against Harry and Dumbledore—is beautifully paced and shifts effortlessly from fun and fantastical to sombre and, at times, downright scary. As the tyrannical new administrator of Hogwarts, Dolores Umbridge (played to perfection by Imelda Staunton, above ) is so completely, utterly vile, she very nearly succeeds in supplanting the Dark Lord himself as the film’s “big bad.” I say very nearly, as the climactic battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort in the vault-like chambers of the Ministry of Magic is nothing short of epic.

Check out 10 sequels that are better than the original .

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) – 77%*

If you thought The Order of the Phoenix was a dark ride, buckle your seatbelts. In setting the table for the series finale, The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 puts Harry, Ron and Hermione through the wringer. As they embark on a quest to hunt horcruxes, our heroes find themselves isolated from friends and family, and—for a great deal of the film’s second act—even pitted against each other. Apart from a fun opening sequence ( above ) in which the Order assembles an army of Harry decoys thanks to a big batch of polyjuice potion, it’s grim and gritty, with nary a glimpse of Hogwarts and its cozy trappings. That’s not to say it’s badly done, by any means—it’s just a dramatic contrast from the more playful tone of the first four films, effectively raising the stakes, and hinting at the horrors in store should our heroes fail.

[ * Technically, The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is tied with The Order of the Phoenix at 77% on the Tomatometer. To break the tie, we factored in the Audience Score for each. As The Order of the Phoenix earned an 81% Audience Score, and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 an 85%, it tipped the scales in favour of the latter in our countdown to the best Harry Potter movie. ]

6. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – 81%

Rewatching Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone , it’s astonishing to realize how much they got right from the very beginning. I mean, casting this one couldn’t have been easy. For the three leads, they needed not only talented child actors, but talented child actors who could commit to a further seven films, literally growing into their roles on a very-nearly yearly basis. Luckily, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were up to the task, serving as our guides in this utterly charming introduction to Hogwarts. Between the sumptuous design, the sweeping score and the assured adaptation of J.K. Rowlings’ source material, it’s hard to imagine a more solid foundation on which to build the series. More so than any of the films that followed, The Philosopher’s Stone succeeds in making magic look fun. From the visit to Ollivander’s ( “The wand chooses the wizard!” ), to the Sorting Hat, to the first broomstick ride, Harry’s initiation into the wizarding world is also our initiation, and we share in his sense of wonder at all of these incredible experiences, brought to life so beautifully on the big screen.

Here are the best feel-good movies on Netflix Canada right now.

5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) – 82%

In his review of The Chamber of Secrets , legendary film critic Roger Ebert writes , “The first movie was the setup, and this one is the payoff.” And what a payoff! The longest film in the franchise uses its 161-minute run-time to delve deeper (quite literally) into the Hogwarts setting, while further fleshing-out its students and staff, who already have the warm familiarity of old friends. In this decidedly darker adventure, they’re tasked with an intriguing series of mysteries to solve, each one leading to the next: Who is trying to prevent Harry from returning to Hogwarts? What terrifying force is petrifying Muggle-born students? What is the Chamber of Secrets? It’s a fascinating puzzle that maintains a breathless pace throughout. Although this is our last glimpse of Richard Harris as the definitive Dumbledore, it’s ultimately Kenneth Branagh who steals the show as lovably flamboyant fraud, Gilderoy Lockhart.

These silly Harry Potter jokes are sure to make you smile.

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) – 84%

And just like *that*, everything changes! The Half-Blood Prince is less a film in its own right than an advancement of several major story arcs for the series. The fact that it’s virtually plotless doesn’t seem to matter much, though, largely because those developments are downright epic. From Snape’s true allegiances to the nature of horcruxes, earth-shattering revelations are delivered fast and furious, interspersed with some lovely character moments between Ron and Hermione, whose budding romance is sensitively handled. Less convincing, it must be said, is the relationship between Harry and Ginny, which is stilted and awkward in comparison. It’s the downbeat climax, however, that lingers long after the credits roll: the disturbing torture of Dumbledore at the hands of Harry in an attempt to recover a horcrux, and the headmaster’s heartbreaking final bow.

Here are 10 Best Original Score winners worth rewatching for the soundtrack alone.

3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) – 88%

The tale of the Triwizard Tournament remains a firm fan favourite, although to be completely honest, I’ve never quite understood why. Don’t get me wrong, the central concept of Europe’s top wizarding schools duking it out in a magic-fueled Olympics is absolutely brilliant, and there’s plenty of fun to be had with the set pieces crafted around the individual challenges. What I find a bit frustrating here is the tone, which just feels a bit… Off. In the first three Harry Potter flicks, magic is presented as something that’s fun and awe-inspiring—a gift that wizards and witches are lucky to possess. In The Goblet of Fire , it seems more like a curse that weighs heavily on everyone’s shoulders; particularly Ron and Hermione, who are in a completely miserable mood throughout. Granted, they’ve got plenty of reason to be, given their treatment by Tournament officials: At one point, they’re actually kidnapped and chained underwater as props in a Tournament contest. Poor Cedric Diggory fares even worse, of course, murdered so that Voldemort can finally be reborn. It’s a fairly radical shift in tone to a darker, more cynical Hogwarts than we’ve seen before, and (for me, anyway), the transition is a bit of a bumpy ride.

Check out 12 movies that are better than the books they’re based on.

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) – 90%

“But you know happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.” Wise words from Dumbledore, in a film that positively sparkles with wit and whimsy from the very first scene in Privet Drive. I mean, has there ever been a more satisfying comeuppance than Harry’s, erm… Inflation… of Aunt Marge? It’s one of those magical moments that will have you cheering from the sofa, and it sets the tone for the rollicking roller coaster ride that follows. From there, we get Harry’s dizzying trip on the Knight Bus, then the chilling Dementor attack on the Hogwarts Express… It’s just one iconic set piece after another, culminating in the mind-blowing, time-paradox climax. Note the metronome-like “tick-tock” that’s subtly layered into the soundtrack as soon as the Time Turner is activated… It’s the attention those those tiny little details that make The Prisoner of Azkaban a worthy runner-up to the best Harry Potter movie.

Find out the best movies on Netflix Canada right now, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) – 96%

After seven films, it all comes down to this… Given the 10-year build-up, it would have been so easy for The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 to disappoint. That the final film in the series not only lives up to its own hype, but is also ranked the best Harry Potter movie on Rotten Tomatoes, says it all. Unexpected heroes are born (stand up Neville, and even more shockingly, Snape), and some are lost (the brief cutaway to the bodies of Lupin and Nymphadora is gut-wrenching) in this truly epic showdown of good-versus-evil. It genuinely feels like anything can happen as Hogwarts Castle is reduced to rubble, and beloved characters become unwilling warriors (McGonagall’s thrashing of Snape is just wonderful). Although some fans take issue with it, the coda of Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years later, completing the cycle by accompanying their own kids to Platform 9¾, is pitch perfect. After all they’ve been through (particularly in the previous three films), these kids deserve a happy ending. And so do we.

Now that you know the best Harry Potter movie, check out  every James Bond movie ranked, from worst to best .

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Harry Potter: Every Movie in the Franchise, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Score

All of us have our favorite Harry Potter movie, but let’s take a look at how all eight rank according to their Rotten Tomatoes scores.

If there’s one franchise engraved so deeply in the childhood of most Millennials, it’s certainly Harry Potter . This magical movie franchise accompanied us through our childhood, teenage years, and even through young adulthood — there’s no denying its impact on our lives and on pop culture at large. Consisting of eight movies, the Harry Potter franchise gave us a decade of movies that a lot of us still return to today.

Speaking with Variety recently, HBO Max's Head of Originals Sarah Aubrey teased the possibility of a Harry Potter series exclusive to the streamer. Additionally, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav is also pushing for a movie adaptation of the play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It seems like we won’t be leaving the wizarding world for quite a while, and we couldn’t be more excited. While we wait, let's a take a look at all the eight Harry Potter movies and how they rank according to Rotten Tomatoes score.

8 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010) — 77%

Despite being the third-highest-grossing film of 2010, it's no surprise that the seventh installment in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 , ranks lowest with a 77% Rotten Tomatoes score. Choosing to split the final book into two movies was a bold move by David Yates. In this movie, we follow the Golden Trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they embark on a mission that Dumbledore sent Harry on before his death in The Half-Blood Prince to locate all the remaining Horcruxes. We completely abandon the walls of Hogwarts and see our heroes travel all across England in an attempt to escape Death Eaters and find clues to completely destroy parts of Voldemort's soul. The movie is slower-paced than you'd expect for a penultimate installment and the action isn't as grand. Indeed, The Deathly Hallows - Part 1 was more or less a set-up for the final movie.

Related: Harry Potter: Best Performances in the Movies, Ranked

7 Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (2007) — 78%

Yet again directed by David Yates, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix 's ranking as the second-highest-grossing movie of 2007 wasn't enough to keep it from losing $167 million and earning a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. The fifth installment centres around Harry and his friends per usual, but this time with the Ministry praying for his downfall. Given how Harry was the only one to witness Voldemort's great return in the previous film, everyone outside of his circls is denial of it being true. They change the leadership at Hogwarts with one of the most annoying characters in film history, Dolores Umbridge. Since the new curriculum forbids them from learning fighting spells, Harry forms his own club — Dumbledore's Army — where he teaches students some useful spells . The Order of the Phoenix significantly introduces us to Sirius as a father-figure for Harry, and then gruesomely takes him away. The movie is an emotional rollercoaster to say the least.

6 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) — 81%

The film to open the franchise and capture viewers' hearts, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , was handed director Chris Columbus — and he did an amazing job with it, earning a solid 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. The casting process itself had to be challenging. Not only were they looking for child actors to perfectly capture the essence of the characters, but they also had to do justice to the books themselves in order to continue adapting the film. The Sorcerer’s Stone introduced Harry to the world of magic, as well as its audience. It still carried the innocent child-like vibe despite the deadly threats of Voldemort that couldn't be left out of the story. Even 21 years later, the movie still makes money at the box office, grossing around $1 billion.

5 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) — 82%

Columbus continued as the director for the second installment, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , as well. With the longest runtime in the whole franchise, the second movie became the second-highest-grossing movie of 2002. The plot follows Harry and his friends in the second year of their studies at Hogwarts as they face yet another deadly threat. The heir of Salazar Slytherin opens the Chamber of Secrets, unleashing a monster that petrifies school students and is mostly after the wizards with non-magical parents. Overall, The Chamber of Secrets was praised for taking a darker turn while still managing to keep the plot appropriate for younger audiences. It scored 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Related: These Harry Potter Actors Were Almost Cast in Different Roles in the Franchise

4 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) — 84%

Yates didn't hold back as he made the most expensive film in the series: Harry Potter and t he Half-Blood Prince . After the events of The Order of Phoenix , the Golden Trio was approached more maturely, and the story itself focused on the hormonal teenage years of our youth. While, of course, dealing with the threat of Voldemort and getting his hands on a mysterious book, Harry also juggles his romantic life and the regular teenage problems that most of us have dealt with. The tricky relationship between Harry and Dumbledore is explored more closely as they try to find the key to Voldemort's downfall. The Half-Blood Prince also heavily focuses on Snape as a character. With its exploration of love triangles, grief and betrayal, the movie was praised for its emotional weight, scoring 84% on Rotten Tomatoes.

3 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) — 88%

The only film in the franchise directed by Mike Newell is no other than Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . This is the movie where we truly start seeing the tone of the series switch from being a kid-friendly narrative to something darker and more sinister. The plot follows Harry in his fourth year at Hogwarts and his accidental participation in The Triwizard Tournament. We're introduced to new three-dimensional characters such as Barty Crouch Jr, Cedric Diggory, and Alastor Moody. With its maturity, sophistication, story, tone, and screenplay, it's no wonder the movie falls into the top three highest-reviewed movies in the Harry Potter franchise, with a staggering 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) — 90%

Alfonso Cuarón was selected as the director for Harry Potter and t he Prisoner of Azkaban , and, with a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, it was probably the best decision the franchise ever made. Harry's third year at Hogwarts is accompanied by his desire to find out more information about his past due to the escape of the titular prisoner Sirius Black from Azkaban, and his connection to Harry's late parents, as well as a new professor, Remus Lupin. Both Cuarón's direction and actors' performances were praised, and the film is often named by both critics and fans as the best movie in the franchise . We're introduced to the backstory of The Marauders, which is often a sub-plot of the wizarding world that is desired to be explored in more detail by the fanbase.

1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011) — 96%

It's somewhat surprising that the last movie of the franchise, Harry Potter and t he Deathly Hallows - Part 2 , is also the highest-reviewed one, sitting at a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's usually not the case with young-adult franchises like these. However, Yates managed to finish the series with a bang. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all of Hogwarts get together to destroy the final Horcruxes and get rid of Lord Voldemort once and for all. It is currently the highest-grossing film in the Harry Potter series, with over $1.3 billion grossed worldwide. It was praised for the acting, Yates' directon, the action sequences, the score, and for a satisfying conclusion of the saga.

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All Your Favorite Harry Potter Movies, Ranked

We solemnly swear we are up to some good: These are the best Harry Potter movies, ranked!

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When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone premiered on Nov. 14, 2001, moviegoers were introduced to the visual wizarding world for the first time. Almost magically, the Harry Potter movies transferred the massive success of the novels by J.K. Rowling, some of the best fantasy books of all time, to the screen. With eight magical movies, plus three Fantastic Beasts prequels, how are the best Harry Potter movies ranked?

The uniqueness of each movie makes the rankings difficult, not to mention personal opinion. To come up with our order, we looked at critical reviews, ratings from Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, fan favorites, box office numbers and our own personal views to put them in order from worst to best. Still, definitively ranking Harry Potter movies is even harder than coming up with the Star Wars movies ranked !

But first we must address the elephant (dragon?) in the room: Rowling’s controversial and upsetting comments about gender identity. Many people disturbed by her words had previously found a safe and welcoming place in the Harry Potter universe, with its themes and hidden messages in the Harry Potter books of the positive forces of inclusion, trust, loyalty and love. We’re taking the lead from Daniel Radcliffe, who wrote on The Trevor Project, “If you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life—then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that.” In addition, the movies are the work not just of the author of the novels, but the many actors, directors, writers, special effects masters and all the other crew members who brought to life the visual Harry Potter world we know and love.

Which Harry Potter movie did the best?

In terms of box office success, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 , the last film in the series, earned the most money, with a lifetime domestic gross of $381,011,219. But the first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, also did extremely well, breaking the opening weekend record of $72 million held by Jurassic Park: The Lost World by taking home more than $90 million and earning its place as the second-highest grossing movie ever at the time. The most popular movies in the series, both Deathly Hallows: Part 2 and Sorcerer’s Stone, have since passed the $1 billion worldwide box-office gross.

Which Harry Potter movie is the most underrated?

Just as it would be hard to decide which Harry Potter novel belongs on the list of most underrated books , this is, of course, a completely subjective question. There’s really no such thing as a bad Harry Potter movie! Personally, we love the reflective quality of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 , although for most fans it’s on the bottom of the list. Another low-ranking movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has a long runtime that only gives viewers more Harry Potter to enjoy. But for most fans, the most underrated is generally agreed to be Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , which is gorgeously shot, well acted and sprinkles in bits of humor missing from some of the earlier films.

Can you watch all eight Harry Potter movies in a day?

If you’re talking about just the eight films in the main Harry Potter series, then technically, yes—if you’re up for a 24-hour movie marathon. All the Harry Potter films clock in with a total runtime of 19 hours and 39 minutes, so you’d have just over four hours left for pee breaks, trips to the fridge and maybe a little sleep. But adding in the three Fantastic Beasts movies puts it over the 24-hour mark, as they’d add on another nearly seven hours combined. Only the most die-hard fans would attempt this feat—probably the same ones who could ace any Harry Potter quiz .

And now, on to the Harry Potter movie rankings!

11. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

The second Fantastic Beasts ranked lowest among critics and audiences alike, even with a script from J.K. Rowling herself. Among the positives, though, is a return to a more familiar wizarding world after the first Fantastic Beasts movie took viewers to America and added brand-new characters to the universe. In this 2018 film from longtime Harry Potter director David Yates, we return to Hogwarts and a very young professor Dumbledore (Jude Law) as he plans to take on the evil wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). We even find out the origin story of Voldemort’s snake, Nagini.

Critics, though, thought bringing back familiar characters and settings didn’t allow Fantastic Beasts to exist as a stand-alone series. Even hard-core Harry Potter fans thought the flick was too heavy on the world-building setup for future films and confusing sub-plots, and too light on character development and satisfying plot conclusions. But still, the world of Harry Potter lives on—there’s even a new Harry Potter theme park opening.

10. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

This 2022 film debuted to no small amount of controversy. Alongside Rowling’s statements about the trans community, actor Mads Mikkelsen also replaced Johnny Depp as Grindelwald in this installment, following Depp’s abuse allegations. In the months since its release, actor Ezra Miller, who plays Credence Barebone/Aurelius Dumbledore (spoiler!), has come under fire for extremely erratic behavior, several arrests and allegations of grooming a minor.

Despite the shadow of controversy that only seems to grow more complicated as the film ages, Secrets of Dumbledore  was generally considered a better movie than its previous installment. Though it earned nearly $250 million less at the box office, it tried to course-correct from the unfocused Crimes of Grindelwald  and saw an uptick in critical and audience ratings. Despite suffering from the predictability and heavy-handedness that has plagued the Fantastic Beasts franchise, impactful action sequences and a strong performance from Jude Law as young Dumbledore in love with Grindelwald made this movie more satisfying than its second effort. However, it’s unclear if that will be enough to justify the filming of the previously planned fourth and fifth installments, which have yet to be confirmed.

9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Based on the fictional book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, a magical text mentioned in the Harry Potter novels that Rowling then turned into an actual book, this 2016 film directed by David Yates is the first prequel to the main film series. It’s a little jarring to be out of the world of Hogwarts—and indeed out of England—as our main character, a gentle soul and “magizoologist” who’s good with magical creatures, travels to New York in the 1920s.

But Eddie Redmayne touches our hearts as Newt, and the supporting cast, including a sly Colin Farrell, helps bolster the movie, written by first-time screenwriter Rowling herself. Eventually, we find a connection with the Harry Potter world we know in the dark wizard Grindelwald, who we recognize as the thief who stole the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows, and who we know Dumbledore defeated in 1945. The film is notable for winning the series’s only Academy Award, for its wonderful costume design. But although we like the movie and all its adorable magical creatures, it can’t touch the main series when it comes to Harry Potter movies ranked.

8. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2

With the longest runtime of any Harry Potter movie (2 hours and 41 minutes) and one of the lowest worldwide box office grosses of the main series, the second film , from 2002, does show the series hitting a sophomore slump. Although there are some standout moments—the flying car, Harry battling the basilisk, getting to see a young Tom Riddle (aka Voldemort)—much of the second movie seems a bit overloaded. Many of the other films trimmed down and adjusted the book content for the screen, but on his second outing, director Chris Columbus seemed determined not to miss a moment in Harry’s search for the legendary secret chamber in Hogwarts and its terrible monster. The resulting film just may be too much of a good thing, although it might allow you to look for the Harry Potter details you missed the first time you read the book.

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

When it comes to ranking Harry Potter movies, some fans like the pensive and suspense-building nature of the second-to-last film in the franchise, which covers half of the final novel in the book series. But because it leaves the entire climax for the second Deathly Hallows , much of this 2010 film feels like the setup that it is, as Harry, Ron and Hermione go on the run to find Horcruxes, the objects in which Voldemort has hidden parts of his soul to make himself harder to kill.

In a lovely, if creepy, animated sequence, we also learn the story of the Deathly Hallows, three treasures that make one a “master of death,” which Voldemort is also after. Although there are some heart-pounding scenes, such as our three heroes acting as spies in the Ministry of Magic and escaping from evil wizards in the heart of London—not to mention a heartwarming dancing scene between Harry and Hermione—many fans deemed this contemplative movie from director David Yates too slow-paced.

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The only Harry Potter movie that scored an Oscar nomination for cinematography, this beautifully filmed 2009 movie focuses on teenage love (maybe using some Harry Potter pickup lines ?) as much as on finding the identity of the title character. But even more important, in this second outing from director David Yates, Dumbledore recruits a new Hogwarts teacher, Professor Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), and tasks Harry with retrieving a memory from him that may hold the key to Voldemort’s evil plan.

Harry also starts hunting Horcruxes with Dumbledore, who, in one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire series, meets a tragic fate. The movie is a bit meandering, but besides the first and last films, it earned the highest domestic box office gross, which means it’s still a success on our list of Harry Potter movies ranked. The sixth film in the series also marks a return to a PG rating after two PG-13 films (all subsequent films are PG-13 as well).

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

In this 2007 flick , Harry and his friends form a secret club to learn how to fight dark magic, mirroring the grownup resistance group the Order of the Phoenix, which includes the amazing Gary Oldman as Harry’s godfather, Sirius. The fifth Harry Potter movie, which also lands at No. 5 on our list of Harry Potter movies ranked, is the most political, as it features the subversive actions the rebels take against a corrupt regime. We also see Harry’s first kiss, the brilliantly wicked Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and the most eerie villain ever to wear pink, Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton, also known as Queen Elizabeth in Season 5 of The Crown ). A thrilling duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort caps off the first installment from director David Yates.

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Directed by Mike Newell, 2005’s Goblet of Fire marks the series’s turn to darker, more grown-up fare—largely due to the death of a fellow student at the end of the film, and Voldemort’s return in a snake-like human form, chillingly played by Ralph Fiennes. The fourth movie in the series also serves to expand the wizarding world: The opening sequences take place at the Quidditch World Cup, and Hogwarts plays host to students from other wizarding schools as they compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. With several riveting challenges in the tournament, and the Yule Ball thrown in for good measure, this flick is a fan favorite. Nice touches show the characters’ transition into teenage-dom, including the boys’ shaggy haircuts and the students’ disheveled uniforms, creating plenty of fodder for Harry Potter jokes —like Ron’s frilly Yule Ball robe.

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Ranking Harry Potter movies proves to be difficult at the top of the list: The best three Harry Potter movies ranked come down to personal opinion! Although its special effects haven’t all held up over the years, 2001’s Sorcerer’s Stone belongs at the top of the list because it set the stage for all the movies that followed: the look and feel of Hogwarts, the soaring theme music by legendary film composer John Williams and the brilliant casting of three fresh-faced child actors.

Seeing the Harry Potter world come to life for the first time truly is magical, and director Chris Columbus accomplished this daunting feat with seeming ease. For sheer nostalgia, this movie ranks in the top three. It also stands as the second-highest box-office grossing flick of the bunch—and you can even listen to Daniel Radcliffe read the book aloud.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

The highest-grossing of all the Harry Potter movies, the 2011 finale of the main series, directed by David Yates, is almost all action after the slower-paced, reflective feel of Deathly Hallows: Part 1 . The first action sequence involves freeing a dragon and a thrilling escape from Gringotts Wizarding Bank, with most of the movie focusing on the Battle of Hogwarts and Harry’s final showdown with Voldemort. But a break in the action gives viewers one of the best scenes in the film, as Harry talks to Dumbledore in the place in between life and death. Emotional and thrilling to its climax, the film is a satisfying conclusion to the hugely successful series.

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The lowest-grossing Harry Potter film, and the third in the series, is also widely regarded as the best by fans and critics. Director Alfonso Cuarón changed the look and feel of the Harry Potter world created by Chris Columbus in the first two films—enough to update it as the characters and the storylines mature, but not enough to turn off viewers. New faces in the 2004 flick include David Thewlis as one of the best teachers Harry ever has, Professor Lupin, plus the introduction of Gary Oldman as wrongfully convicted Sirius Black. Add in a werewolf, an escaped prisoner, time travel, Harry’s flight on a Hippogriff, a thrilling ride on the Knight Bus and the Marauder’s Map, and you’ve got a recipe for a fun-filled outing that Cuarón keeps moving at a quick pace for the best film in the franchise. The flick also contains one of the most memorable Harry Potter quotes : “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

• The Trevor Project : “Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling’s Tweets on Gender Identity”
• Rotten Tomatoes : “All Harry Potter Movies Ranked by Tomatometer”
• Metacritic : “Every Harry Potter Movie, Ranked from Worst to Best”
• Forbes : “Every ‘Harry Potter’ Movie Ranked by Worldwide Box Office”
• The Numbers : “Box Office History for Harry Potter Movies”
• Box Office Mojo : “Franchise: Harry Potter”
• The Hollywood Reporter : “‘Fantastic Beasts’ Wins First Oscar for ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise”
• Variety : “‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ Crosses $1 Billion Box Office Milestone After China Rerelease”

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Ranking Harry Potter movies

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1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

PG | 142 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young wizard.

Director: Alfonso Cuarón | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Richard Griffiths

Votes: 647,412 | Gross: $249.36M

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

PG-13 | 130 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Harry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.

Director: David Yates | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Michael Gambon

Votes: 889,249 | Gross: $381.01M

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

PG-13 | 157 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Harry Potter finds himself competing in a hazardous tournament between rival schools of magic, but he is distracted by recurring nightmares.

Director: Mike Newell | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Eric Sykes

Votes: 639,123 | Gross: $290.01M

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

PG | 152 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.

Director: Chris Columbus | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Richard Harris , Maggie Smith

Votes: 798,280 | Gross: $317.58M

5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

PG | 161 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

An ancient prophecy seems to be coming true when a mysterious presence begins stalking the corridors of a school of magic and leaving its victims paralyzed.

Director: Chris Columbus | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , Richard Harris

Votes: 648,452 | Gross: $261.99M

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

PG-13 | 146 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy

As Harry, Ron and Hermione race against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.

Director: David Yates | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Bill Nighy

Votes: 560,472 | Gross: $295.98M

7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

PG | 153 min | Action, Adventure, Family

As Harry Potter begins his sixth year at Hogwarts, he discovers an old book marked as "the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.

Votes: 556,902 | Gross: $301.96M

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

PG-13 | 138 min | Action, Adventure, Family

With their warning about Lord Voldemort's return scoffed at, Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as an authoritarian bureaucrat slowly seizes power at Hogwarts.

Director: David Yates | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Brendan Gleeson

Votes: 593,728 | Gross: $292.00M

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