When it comes to the world of Harry Potter, there's a lot to talk about. We could get into the amazing books, the video games, the theme parks, or anything else from that world. But today, we’re going to be talking about the films — all eight of them.
As a lifelong Potterhead, here is my ranking of all eight Harry Potter films ahead of the book-accurate TV show that’s coming to HBO at the end of the year.
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1
Yeah, I’m sorry; in the grand scheme of things, this is the last one.
I still remember when I found out the last movie would be split into two parts because the book was so large that they wanted to fit everything into the movies. Now that I’m older, I realize that was most likely also a money decision to capitalize more on the last entry.
But at the same time, the first movie in his two-part finale is just kind of…mid. It’s mostly Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) on the run, and nothing really happens until the very end. It honestly feels like a wasted two hours that wasn’t properly edited, which is why it’s my last.
7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I used to think Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the worst film in the franchise, but over time, I’ve learned to appreciate it a bit more. I still think there’s a lot that should have been done, but I’ve come to admire the acting from the main cast, specifically Radcliffe, as this is the first time we really see him actively struggle against Voldemort’s hold.
And of course, dealing with trauma like Harry does always makes the story more interesting and complex. I wish the rest of the film was as tight.
6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
While Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets holds fond memories for me, it’s not one of the best films because it feels like a midway point. We’re still in that era of Harry Potter that leans a lot more into kid territory, but it has darker aspects that show they’re getting older and things are beginning to happen.
There are a few moments I really love here — mainly that whole scene in the Chamber with the Basilisk and Tom Riddle (Christian Coulson). Overall, it’s a fun time, just not my personal favorite to rewatch.
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Ah, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The year that no one in this cast got a haircut.
Jokes aside, I do love this movie. I think it’s a great film that really shifts the tone of the series, showing that Harry and his friends are starting to go through much darker stuff than ever before. I also love that we get to see a little more of the Wizarding World, including the different schools, and how life works outside of Hogwarts.
And of course, I love those trials. I’m a fantasy book girl. Trials are my cup of tea. Watching Harry, Cedric (Robert Pattinson), and the whole crew compete makes me happy. It’s well adapted, despite being the biggest book, and it’s the one novel I really hope gets done well in the series because it means a lot to me and the series overall.
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2
The second part of the finale ranks at my number four, mainly because it genuinely has a lot going on.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 packs the novel's intense action into one film, and it sticks the landing. By this point, these child actors are grown up and delivering incredible performances that stick with the viewer. But it’s not just that — it’s the stakes.
So many characters die in this movie, and it really does a great job of illustrating the tragedies of war and who we lose along the way. The ending is all-out and shows just how deadly the battle is, and it’s a fantastic way to cap the movie series, as much as it pains me years later.
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher’s) Stone
You might think I’m crazy putting Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher’s) Stone this high, but I really do believe it is the perfect adaptation.
Are there some things missing from the novel in the movie? Yes. But every time I watch this film, I still feel that same magical whimsy that I felt the first time, which I struggled to find in the original teaser of HBO’s Harry Potter series until the latest magical trailer dropped. It’s the perfect movie to set the tone for the entire film franchise.
Not only that, but there’s something so rewarding and remarkable about seeing the actors so young, knowing what they grew into, and following the journey their characters take. It’s an excellent setup, beautifully colored, and it's why so many people get hooked on the films as a whole.
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince means so much to me. It was the first Harry Potter film I saw in theaters, and it really cemented that things were changing in the movies.
After certain characters in Harry’s life die, we can actively see the change. Still, this movie shows how he truly feels about everything, including using spells he never thought he would. It’s the perfect mix of typical teenage tropes and magical whimsy, with a realistic look at the effects of war before the true battle even began.
It’s a great precursor to the final two films.
1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
For as long as I’ve loved Harry Potter, the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, has always been my favorite. And honestly, it’s leagues above the others.
Aside from the shift in directors, from Chris Columbus to Alfonso Cuarón, it’s so brilliantly adapted that I could cry. The cinematography is fantastic, the story is tight, and John Williams' score is one I still listen to weekly because it makes me so, so, so happy.
I think it’s also the first movie where I realized just how much the Golden Trio needed each other and how they helped each other no matter what. They all had their vices and their faults, but in the end, it was really the three of them. And that’s beautiful to me.
Or maybe I love watching Hermione punch Draco (Tom Felton) in the face. That’s fun too. Either way, it’s my first, and that’s not changing anytime soon.
You can watch all eight Harry Potter movies on HBO Max. The new Harry Potter series releases on HBO and HBO Max on Dec. 25, 2026.
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