Ranking the Harry Potter Films

1. Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Before you come at me with “it doesn’t include enough from the book”, or “they shouldn’t have split it into two movies”, just know that I hear you but for the purpose of the list I’m looking at the end product as a movie and largely ignoring the other context behind its creation. With that in mind, this is an incredibly engaging film from start to finish – part heist film, part action/thriller/war film, it speeds along through its comparatively short runtime without compromising on acting or emotional stakes. The scene diving into Snape’s memories is the most powerful moment in the whole series. It also manages to move from one emotion to the next in the series’ shortest runtime without inducing any whiplash. This sticks the landing to the entire franchise while also standing fully as a watchable film all on its own, which is a hard thing to accomplish. As a bonus, no movie has topped the “main villain gets disintegrated”, but they keep on trying @Thanos. Come for the satisfying end to the series, stay for just how unique and accomplished this one feels.

2. Prisoner of Azkaban

This was probably the boldest film in the franchise and took a seriously different direction than the films before it. For starters, this movie featured the best director of the whole series in Alfonso Cuaron, who would go on to direct the likes of Children of Men, Gravity and Roma. Cuaron brought a unique vision to the world Chris Columbus had created in the previous two films, providing much-needed updates that makes the setting feel incredibly dynamic and alive. Michael Gambon also took over the role of Dumbledore for the recently passed Richard Harris, and Gary Oldman gave an incredible performance as Sirius Black. The acting and writing is also significantly improved; the Dementors not only provide excellent tension and scares, they force Harry to confront his trauma and the fact that it’s more acute than any of his friends. Voldemort also isn’t the foe here – it’s originally Black, the man who allegedly betrayed Harry’s parents. Come for a fresh update to the series and its world, stay for its most emotionally accomplished yet still innocently entertaining entries.

3. Half-Blood Prince

I think this film has the best acting of the whole series – Radcliffe, Watson and Grint all have some of their most emotionally affecting moments, as well as some of their most humorous in this movie. Michael Gambon also gives his best performance as Dumbledore, and Jim Broadbent as Slughorn steals the show. It’s also one of the most visually stunning, as cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel (in his only Potter movie) gives the film a beautifully dim look – and was nominated for an Oscar for this. This film is also concerned with who Voldemort is as a person, and the scenes of the future monster as a young man are phenomenal. The death of Dumbledore plays as emotionally as you would expect (this book moment put me in shell shock in the summer of 2005) and is very well handled. Come for one of the best books, stay for one of the best and most beautiful films.

4. Goblet of Fire

This movie had the same task as the book – significantly expand the scope of the wizarding world and make the transition from children’s entertainment into young adult. Like the book, it succeeds. Many of the themes are darker with far more violence occurring in this film than previously, but the Yule Ball and rift between Harry and Ron also present a more teenage type of melodrama than we were used to for these films. This shift in tone is pulled off very well, largely because director Mike Newell had been working for nearly 20 years before taking on this project. The movie is very well-paced by being built around the Triwizard Tournament challenges; trimming the excess story from the books that distracts from that aspect of the film was a very smart choice. Come for the young adult upgrade to the series, stay for the second-most consistently exciting.

5. Deathly Hallows, Part 1

As a teenager, I was kinda frustrated to learn that they were splitting the final book into two movies, and while the second of the two is the reason why it’s an excellent idea, the first is the reason why it’s a poor idea. This film does some excellent character work as Ron, Harry and Hermione are on the run and forced to rely on each other to survive. However, this mature approach to character is not complemented by a well-paced film as the movie feels stretched to fill its runtime and would have benefited from the lean and rapid approach Part 2 employed. To end on a positive, the dark imagery and themes this movie invokes are at their most effectively realized in the whole series. Come for the beginning of the end, stay for a tonally unique film.

6. Order of the Phoenix

This movie was always going to be a difficult act to pull off – this book is the longest, and the movie ended up being the second shortest. This film also feels like it was cut down from a much longer version, as some of the plot lines don’t really get resolved, and the necessary build up to the most powerful moments aren’t left in. The film also moves at an unusual pace, and begins sprinting to the end with 30 minutes left after calmly walking for most of the runtime. The most crucial plot aspects are here, and the plot element of Voldemort attempting to invade Harry’s mind is the strongest. Another powerful thread in this film is Harry’s feeling of isolation happening in tandem to the mind invasion. However, Sirius Black’s death has far less emotional impact than it should (even though the scene is well constructed) because we haven’t spent an awful lot of time with him. Dolores Umbridge, on the other hand, is perfectly realized as a bureaucratic nightmare in pink. Come for a mature and politically charged Potter story, stay for some great supporting performances.

7. Chamber of Secrets

Revisiting this film is always personal to me, since I got into the series after being invited to a birthday party to watch this in a movie theater; it was the coolest movie experience I had at the time, but the film hasn’t really held up. It captures an awful lot of the book, which is impressive, but none of the plot elements feel that they have time to breathe and we’re hurried around from point to point. Because of this, the movie touches a lot of interesting themes and ideas without going too deep on any of them. The use of practical sets, particularly in the Chamber of Secrets itself, is very much appreciated. At the end of the day, it’s still well-made yet feels made for children. Come for the second in the series, stay for a very densely-plotted movie with exquisite sets.

8. Sorcerer’s Stone

Here we are, the first in a series that only got better with time. There’s not a lot to criticize here, except maybe our lead actors (but hey, they were only kids), but also not a lot outstanding to praise. As with Chamber, much of this movie’s tone feels very childish, and the emotional stakes often get brushed to the side to make room for a constantly moving, yet unevenly paced, plot. Despite all this, the film does leave room for an immense sense of wonder Harry experiences when he’s introduced to the wizarding world, and the iconic score (courtesy of John Williams) was first introduced for this movie. The supporting roles are turning in solid performances, and it’s refreshing to see the seeds of the series start in this movie. Come for the start of Harry Potter, stay for the start of a cultural event.