Although many consider the books to be better than the film adaptations, the Harry Potter films have become an integral part of the franchise. An additional Fantastic Beasts prequel that expands beyond the original series. Hogwarts Legacy has also arrived, so it’s a good time to revisit the Potter timeline to see where it all fits in.
Whether you’re new to the series or just forgot the proper order of the movies, the guide below will walk you through.
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How many Harry Potter movies are there?
The original series had only seven books, A total of 11 movies in the Harry Potter seriesThis includes eight movies based on the books (two parts of Deathly Hallows) and three Fantastic Beasts prequels. Beyond the movies, there are quite a few Harry Potter games, including a Broadway play called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the latest, Hogwarts Legacy.
Where does the Hogwarts legacy fit into the Harry Potter timeline?
Hogwarts Legacy takes place before the mainline movies around the 1890s. For context, the Fantastic Beasts films begin in his 1920s, and the Harry Potter films in his 1990s. And while it takes place before the movie, the Hogwarts Legacy has quite a few surnames known from the books and movies, and Hogwarts Castle is pretty much the same.
Harry potter movies in chronological order.
1. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
Dating back to 1926, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was first released in theaters as a prequel to the Harry Potter spinoff. Considering it’s set about 70 years before Harry entered Hogwarts, it’s the first movie you’d want to see if you’re going chronologically. The first Fantastic Beasts film focuses on Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) making his way through the magical underpinnings of New York and America.
read us Review of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
2. Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald (2018)
Just months after the conclusion of the first prequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, we return to England for an even stronger connection to the original Harry Potter films. We see young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and are even introduced to the youthful Mindaba McGonagall (Fiona Glascott). The movie itself mainly focuses on the villain revealed in the first movie, Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).
read us Crime of Grindelwald review
3. Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secret (2022)
Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secret is the first film in the Fantastic Beasts series to see a true time jump. His third film in the Fantastic Beasts series, set five years after him in the events of The Crimes of Grindelwald, largely refocuses his Grindelwald himself. This time he’s actually played by Mads Mikkelsen. Although there are a few time jumps due to a creature named Kirin, most of the film is set in his 1930s.
read us Dumbledore’s Secret Review.
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the first film in the original series. Although most of the film is set in his 1991, the real beginning of the film is technically his 1980. It’s the year Harry was born and Hagrid dropped him off at the Dursley manor. This is the first Harry Potter movie released, so we get our first look at Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). .
more about philosopher’s Stone.
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second film released in the franchise, following Harry’s second year at Hogwarts. This places the film between 1992 and 1993 as Harry uncovers the truth about his past from a giant spider and a young ghostly Voldemort, also by Professor Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh). and House also introduces his elf Dobby.
more about room of Secrets.
6. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third film in the original series, coinciding with the year 1993 when Harry goes to Hogwarts for three years. We are introduced to the likes of Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) and Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall). Werewolves are also introduced by Remus Lupine (David Thewlis), a new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and of course, the eerie soul-sucking Dementors of Azkaban.
read us Prisoner of Azkaban review.
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth film in the original series and coincides with Harry’s fourth year at Hogwarts. 1994’s The Goblet of Fire breathed new life into Hogwarts with the addition of the Triwizard Tournament and the Yule Ball. It introduces important new characters such as Mad-Eye Moody (Brandon Gleeson) and Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson). It was also the first time I saw not only a professional Quidditch tournament, but other Wizarding School members and faculty. This is also the first movie in which Harry comes face-to-face with a fully-alive Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).
read us Thoughts on the Goblet of Fire.
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth film in the original series and is set in 1995. Celebrating his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry enrolls with his newfound family and sees some of the other members of the Order for the first time. Phoenix like shape-shifting Nymphadora Tonks (Natalia Tena). It also gives the first introduction to Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch), who will play an important role in the upcoming film. There’s also a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Delores Umbridge (Imelda Stanton), who has a penchant for cruelty that everyone comes to hate.
read us Order of the Phoenix review.
9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth film to be released in 1996. Harry enters his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and after facing many more deaths, he truly begins to grow. In this movie, for the first time, we truly see the motives of Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). We also get to see Voldemort and the Death Eaters fully unleashed as Dumbledore uncovers even more secrets about the prophecy Harry is involved with. – It’s also where Weasley (Bonnie Wright) is seen more often and her relationship with Harry expands.
read us Half-Blood Prince review.
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 took place in 1997 and coincides with the seventh and final book in the series. It’s the first of his two films to split the story of one book, and with good reason there’s a lot of story to unfold. In Harry’s seventh year at Hogwarts, Harry, Hermione, and Ron instead set out in the real world to find and destroy Horcruxes. With considerable action and deep character growth between Harry, Ron, and Hermione, it’s clear the franchise is reaching its climax here. To go.
read us The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 review.
11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is chronologically the last film in the Harry Potter series. Set in 1998, the film is a continuation of Part 1 where the previous film left off. Harry and his friends eventually return to Hogwarts as they uncover more information about the prophecy Harry is participating in, for a final showdown between Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Although it’s an emotional battle that ends with the character’s death, we get to see the true heroism of Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) and a pretty definitive ending to the story.
read us The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 review.
How to watch Harry Potter movies by release date
- 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)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald (2018)
- Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secret (2022)
Looking for more movie timelines? Check out our guide on how to watch The Lord of the Rings in order and our Star Wars guide in order. Check out our collection of Harry Potter merchandise.
