Cinearium Picks Franchises
All 8 Harry Potter movies in order, from Philosopher's Stone to Deathly Hallows Part 2, plus where the three Fantastic Beasts prequels fit.
The eight Harry Potter films follow Harry's seven years at Hogwarts, and their release order is also the story order, so watching them is simple. Start with Philosopher's Stone (called Sorcerer's Stone in the US) and finish with Deathly Hallows Part 2. The three Fantastic Beasts films are set decades earlier; we list them after the main saga because they work best once you know the wizarding world.
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11 of 11 picks
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2005 · 2h 37m
★ 7.8 TMDB · 22,651 votes
Best for Year 4: a deadly tournament
Why it belongs on this list
Hogwarts hosts a legendary contest between wizarding schools, and Harry is unexpectedly entered. Big set pieces lead to the turning point of the saga.
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2007 · 2h 18m
★ 7.7 TMDB · 21,242 votes
Best for Year 5: rebellion at school
Why it belongs on this list
The wizarding government refuses to believe Harry's warnings, and a new teacher takes control of Hogwarts. Imelda Staunton's Umbridge is one of the series' best villains.
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2009 · 2h 33m
★ 7.7 TMDB · 21,206 votes
Best for Year 6: secrets from the past
Why it belongs on this list
Dumbledore guides Harry through memories that explain his enemy's history, while teenage romance fills the corridors. Moody, beautifully shot and essential for the finale.
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2010 · 2h 26m
★ 7.7 TMDB · 20,812 votes
Best for The final hunt begins
Why it belongs on this list
Harry, Ron and Hermione leave school behind for a dangerous quest across Britain. Quieter and more intimate, it is the first half of one story.
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2011 · 2h 10m
★ 8.1 TMDB · 22,464 votes
Best for The finale
Why it belongs on this list
The saga ends with the battle it has built toward for ten years. Watch it straight after Part 1 for the biggest payoff.
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2016 · 2h 13m
★ 7.3 TMDB · 20,001 votes
Best for Prequel era: 1920s New York
Why it belongs on this list
Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York with a case full of magical creatures. A lighter, creature-filled spin-off set long before Harry's story.
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2018 · 2h 14m
★ 6.8 TMDB · 11,680 votes
Best for Prequel era: the rise of Grindelwald
Why it belongs on this list
A dark wizard gathers followers, and a young Dumbledore asks Newt for help. The prequel story turns darker and connects more directly to Hogwarts history.
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2022 · 2h 22m
★ 6.6 TMDB · 5,258 votes
Best for Prequel era: Dumbledore takes a stand
Why it belongs on this list
Dumbledore and his allies try to stop Grindelwald's bid for power. The latest film in the wizarding world so far, focused on Dumbledore's past.
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2001 · 2h 32m
★ 7.9 TMDB · 30,263 votes
Best for Start here: Year 1 at Hogwarts
Why it belongs on this list
An orphan learns on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. Chris Columbus builds the wonder of Hogwarts, the friendships and the rules of the magical world. Released as Sorcerer's Stone in the US.
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2002 · 2h 41m
★ 7.7 TMDB · 24,096 votes
Best for Year 2: a mystery inside the castle
Why it belongs on this list
Something is attacking students, and whispers of a hidden chamber spread through the school. A longer, spookier adventure that plants ideas the later films return to.
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2004 · 2h 21m
★ 8.0 TMDB · 23,658 votes
Best for Year 3: the series grows up
Why it belongs on this list
A dangerous prisoner escapes, and Hogwarts is placed under guard. Alfonso Cuarón gives the series a darker, more stylish look, and many fans rate it the best film.
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Behind the picks
Films 1 to 8 are the main Harry Potter saga in release order, which matches story order. Films 9 to 11 are the Fantastic Beasts prequels, set in the 1920s and 1930s. Story-wise they come first, but they reference the main saga heavily, so first-time viewers usually enjoy them more afterwards. Notes are spoiler-safe.
Movie facts and community ratings come from TMDB. Streaming information is provided by JustWatch through TMDB and varies by country. Missing availability means no option was returned by the provider; it does not prove a film is unavailable everywhere. Dates above refer to editorial updates.
