Harry Potter movies in order: All 11 films, the correct sequence and more

With the Harry Potter universe, J.K. Rowling has created a legacy whose global significance few other works can match today. The wizarding world of Harry and co. is a far-reaching phenomenon that has captivated readers and viewers since the publication of the first book and brought Rowling worldwide fame. We give you all the important information about the Harry Potter movies in order and also reveal some interesting side information.

Based on the literary works, many productions have appeared over the years, bringing the magic first to the big screen, your home theater and finally even to the theater. The seven Harry Potter volumes have resulted in eight main films. Three more spin-offs have been added so far in the form of the “Fantastic Beasts” chronology, which itself is not based on a real novel. Instead, the book appears as a fictional teaching aid in the Harry Potter novels.

In terms of content, the events around 20 years before “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” are highlighted here. The plot and parts of the screenplay were also written by J.K. Rowling. In addition, two further projects – although not currently active – are being planned, but are at least on the docket and could still be released in cinemas by the end of the decade.

Speculation about a ninth part based on the two-part theater production “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child“, which tells the events several years after the end of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2“, persists to this day. Regardless of this, the universe offers a complex timeline and a wealth of fascinating characters and locations that allow you to immerse yourself in an interesting wizarding world.

When does Hogwarts Legacy play?

The video game Hogwarts Legacy, released in 2023, is set in the 19th century and therefore predates “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them“. Thematically, the story tells of the goblin rebellion against the Ministry of Magic. Accepted as part of magical society but not respected by humans as an equal race, a counter-movement of goblins breaks out in the 17th century. So you are right in the middle of it.

All films sorted by theatrical release

• 2001: “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone“
• 2002: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets“
• 2004: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban“
• 2005: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire“
• 2007: “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix“
• 2009: “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince“
• 2010: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1“
• 2011: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2“
• 2016: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them“
• 2018: “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald“
• 2022: “Fantastic Beast: The Secrets of Dumbledore“

All productions with original title

The Harry Potter volumes have been translated into over 80 languages. To date, over 500 million copies of all the books have been sold. This makes the stories of the young wizard the world’s most successful book series to date. The film productions of the main series have also been more or less well received, achieving total worldwide box office sales of over seven billion US dollars.

Harry Potter movies in order

You don’t have to pay much attention when watching in the correct chronological order. As all of the previously published works in the prequel series “Fantastic Beasts” build on each other, you simply start with the first film in the series. This is followed by the main series starting with “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone“. If you want to know what happens after the last movie so far, there is currently no way around a visit to the theatre The play is currently still being performed exclusively in New York at the Lyric Theatre.

• “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (2016)
• “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” (2018)
• “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” (2022)
• “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (2001)
• “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (2002)
• “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004)
• “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005)
• “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (2007)
• “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (2009)
• “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” (2010)
• “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011)
• “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” theatre play (premiered in 2016)

Curious facts about the Harry Potter series

• During the entire filming period, lead actor Daniel Redcliffe used a good 80 wands and wore 160 pairs of glasses specially made for him.
• Three different owls named “Gizmo“, “Ook” and “Sprout” played Hedwig alongside Harry.
• Creator J.K. Rowling was originally supposed to play Harry’s mother in various flashback scenes from the first film. However, Rowling declined.
• Underwater footage was used as the basis for the portrayal of the Dementors and re-animated in post-production.
• J.K. Rowling and Daniel Redcliffe share the same birthday. However, there is a 24-year age difference between the two.
• Harry does not use a single spell in the entire storyline of the first film.
• The name “Dumbledore” comes from Old English and means bumblebee.
• J.K. Rowling created the ghostly dementors based on her own depression after her mother died.
• Because Daniel Redcliffe was allergic to contact lenses, Harry has blue eyes in the films. In the books, his eyes are described as bright green.
• The naming of the four Hogwarts houses “Gryffindor“, “Slytherin“, “Hufflepuff” and “Ravenclaw” came about during a flyover and was recorded by J.K. Rowling on a bag.

• Albus Dumbledore has a secret collection of telephone directories, as a large number of corresponding number directories were wrapped in old covers for the filming in his library.
• A platform with the number 9 3/4 actually exists – but without an invisible barrier. You can find the platform at Kingcross station in London.
• Professor Snape and Dolores Umbridge are based on real people from J.K. Rowling’s life.
• Lead actress Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger, originally wanted to leave the film series after “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” as the actress felt physically exhausted. As Watson could not imagine anyone else in the role, she continued.
• Through the destruction of the so-called Horcruxes, the color saturation of the Dark Lord Voldemort steadily decreases. In the end, a deep black becomes a dirty gray.
• After Steven Spielberg left the project just a few months after the go-ahead, Kevin Alone at Home director Chris Columbus was quickly hired to shoot the first two parts.
• J.K. Rowling created the character of Hermione Granger in her own image as an 11-year-old girl, complete with an affinity for reading and the otter Patronus as her favorite animal.
• Several of the same locations are in Oxford. Christ Church College served as the backdrop for several interior shots. The large dining hall was also used as a model for the Great Hall in the Leavesden Studios near London.
• Originally, Harry Potter was to be played by the American Liam Aiken. However, J.K. Rowling wanted a British actor for the role. The rest is history.
• To make it easier to portray on screen, Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant, has shrunk by one meter to around 8.5 feet. In contrast, the actor Robbie Coltrane, who died in 2022, is only 6.07 feet tall. His body double Martin Bayfield, on the other hand, measures 6.82 feet.

What is the main plot about?

On his eleventh birthday, the boy Harry Potter discovers that his family is descended from a bloodline of wizards and that he has magical abilities. His path eventually leads him to a school full of magic and mystery, where the budding wizard trains in the art of witchcraft and magic. There, the young magician learns about a sport called Quidditch, which takes place high above the ground, and is faced with challenges that his courage and wits must overcome. But a dark threat is already waiting on the horizon.

Our sorcerer’s apprentice Harry spends his summer vacation in the uninviting care of his relatives, who don’t think much of his magical talent. Isolated from his friends, who don’t seem to respond to his letters, the boy meets the mysterious house elf Dobby, who warns him of great dangers if Potter continues his magical training. Despite the warnings and obstacles the elf puts in his way to prevent him from returning, the young wizard remains determined to continue his apprenticeship and face the challenges.

Potter returns to Hogwarts School of Magic for his third year. After an unexpectedly bumpy journey, the next adventures are already waiting for our wizard. An escaped prisoner has set off in search of Harry. The school year is also filled with all kinds of new difficulties, including dealing with unique creatures and being confronted by shape-shifters. But the biggest challenge is yet to come and is closer than expected.

Harry unexpectedly finds himself in a dangerous competition between three magical schools. No one knows who entered the young magician, but now he faces challenges ranging from confronting a dragon to battling water spirits, turning his escape from an enchanted labyrinth into a race for survival. But Potter has no idea that another groundbreaking duel awaits him in this place, for the Dark Lord has returned.

After an eventful year, Harry returns to his less than cordial relatives, only to be caught up in another encounter with sinister creatures. Forced to use magic in the real world to defend himself, a dubious invitation from the Wizarding Court suddenly awaits him. While our wizard has to answer to this magical court, Hogwarts is targeted by an authoritarian bureaucrat who is increasingly meddling in the school’s affairs.

In the sixth year at the school of magic, the atmosphere is at times dominated by romantic entanglements and emotional turmoil among the youngsters. The culprit: a love potion from the new professor Horace Slughorn. Soon after, new problems and dangers arise as Harry’s adversaries gather their strength. Although a crucial discovery solves the mystery of the Dark Lord’s immortality, the threat has already reached the safe haven of our heroes.

In a world that has changed dramatically, where evil challenges good and the fate of magic hangs in the balance, Harry embarks on a crucial quest. Together with his loyal friends, our wizard searches for the keys to weakening the Dark Lord. The dangerous search reveals new insights. An ancient legend could lead the way to victory and decide the fate of all.

The final phase of the epic battle begins as Hogwarts loses its protective power and dark forces move across the land. Harry and his brave companions, now persecuted, face their greatest challenge: the search for the missing magical objects that offer the only hope of salvation. This task leads the group on a desperate hunt for these hidden artifacts, whose power can tip the balance between good and evil. But with no clues as to their whereabouts, a race against time begins.

What happens in “Fantastic Beasts”?

A British wizard named Newt Scamander, known for his passion for magical creatures, arrives in America with a suitcase full of magical creatures. Tensions between the magical and normal worlds are the order of the day there. Due to a mishap, some of his charges are released, which leads to turbulent events and brings him together with a dedicated employee of the magical authorities. This encounter sets off a chain of events that puts the fragile balance between the worlds to the test.

The notorious wizard Gellert Grindelwald, who was arrested with the help of Newt Scamander, escapes from prison. Barely free, Grindelwald gathers supporters for a plan that envisages the rule of pure-blooded wizards. His former friend Dumbledore is supposed to stop him. Once in the heart of Paris, old friendships and enmities decide the future of the magical world.

Gellert Grindelwald continues to gather followers for his dark ambitions. Dumbledore is already aware of the impending danger and seeks the support of News Scamander and his companions to stop the villain once and for all. Their search leads to a confrontation with Grindelwald’s followers that tests not only their world but also personal bonds. A conflict between light and darkness emerges in which loyalty and courage play decisive roles.

Have you already seen every minute of the Harry Potter universe several times and are looking for a modern change of pace? Then take a look at our magazine article on the Marvel film and series order.