Planning to dive into the magical world of Harry Potter movies can feel overwhelming. Did you know there are 11 films in total, including the Fantastic Beasts series? This guide will line them up for you, making it easy to watch them in chronological order.
Get ready for an epic adventure.
The Harry Potter Timeline
The Harry Potter timeline takes you on a magical journey from the past to the present. It includes eight main movies and three Fantastic Beasts films, summing up over 24 hours of adventure.
Explanation of the timeline
The Harry Potter timeline starts with the world of wizards before diving into Harry’s own story. It begins with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” moving through its sequels, then jumps to when Harry enters the picture.
This order lets fans see the magical world grow over time. J.K. Rowling played a big part in writing these stories, making them connect well.
Eight movies bring Harry’s journey to life, from finding out he’s a wizard to his final battle. Alongside, three Fantastic Beasts films add depth and history, showing magic across the globe.
Combined, these films made billions and won hearts worldwide by taking us deep into fantasy.
Now let’s talk about how many movies are in this beloved series.
Number of movies in the series
Moving from the timeline, we dive into the heart of this cinematic universe. In total, there are 11 films in this magical series. Eight of these movies are from the original Harry Potter saga – starting with “The Sorcerer’s Stone” and ending with “The Deathly Hallows Part 2.” Alongside, the Fantastic Beasts spinoff adds another three films to our list.
Each movie serves as a unique chapter in this film series, creating a vast and enchanting narrative that spans from the early 20th century to Harry’s epic battle with Voldemort.
Diving deeper, these movies go beyond being simple sequels or installments. They’re part of a larger tale that has captured hearts around the world. The franchise includes both mainline entries and spinoff films that enrich the universe even further.
Whether watched by release date or in chronological story order, each film installment contributes to an immersive storyline spanning decades within this beloved film saga.
The time it takes to watch all of them
To watch all Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies, you’ll need about 24 hours. That’s right, a full day! The eight Harry Potter films alone take up nearly 20 hours. Adding the three Fantastic Beasts movies brings in an extra 4 hours and 24 minutes.
So, if you’re planning a magical movie marathon, make sure you have plenty of snacks and comfy pillows because it’s going to be a long ride through the wizarding world.
Each film whisks you away on a fantasy adventure with wizards, spells, and creatures both fierce and friendly. From the first spell cast in “The Sorcerer’s Stone” to the latest beasts found by Newt Scamander, this franchise packs over a day’s worth of action, mystery, and magic into its story.
Perfect for those days when all you want is to dive deep into the realms of fantasy–just remember to take breaks!
Chronological Order of the Harry Potter Movies
Diving into the magical world begins with finding out the right order to watch. Ready for a journey through time? Let’s explore where it all starts—and how it unfolds.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” hit theaters in 2016, inviting fans back into the magical world they love. This time, though, it’s not Hogwarts we explore but New York City in the 1920s.
The movie introduces us to Newt Scamander, a wizard with a suitcase full of magical creatures. He’s on a quest that quickly turns into an adventure involving dark forces and fantastic beasts.
The film kicks off a prequel series to the Harry Potter movies. It sheds light on new aspects of the wizarding world. You can watch this movie and its sequels on Max, Peacock, or Fubo TV.
They offer a fresh perspective while keeping alive the magic so many grew up loving.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
The Crimes of Grindelwald takes us deeper into the magical universe. Here, we see more enchanting beasts and learn about the dark wizard, Grindelwald’s plan. Released in 2018, this film shows a world filled with witchcraft and wondrous spells.
It sets the scene for what comes later in the Harry Potter timeline.
In this story, Newt Scamander faces new challenges. He fights to stop Grindelwald from causing harm in their mystical realm. We get to meet magical creatures and see spellbinding sorcery in action again.
This movie connects dots to the Harry Potter series, making it a key part of understanding the whole story.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” hit theaters in 2022, marking its spot as the freshest film in the magical universe. It’s nestled neatly as the third movie in the Fantastic Beasts saga.
This fantasy film takes viewers on a journey through a world filled with magic, dark wizards, and incredible creatures long before Harry Potter steps into Hogwarts.
In this chapter of wizarding adventure, our heroes face off against powerful forces to thwart evil plans. Set in the vibrant 1920s, it pulls fans deeper into the tales of wizards and witches combating dark forces within their community.
Whether you’re knee-deep in love with every part of this magical universe or just stepping into this enchanted world – “The Secrets of Dumbledore” offers a piece of action-packed prequel trilogy excitement that spans both time and imagination.
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
In 2001, the magical world of Harry Potter came to life on the big screen with “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone.” Directed by Chris Columbus, this film adaptation runs for 152 minutes.
It marks a directorial debut in the fantasy genre. Here, viewers meet Harry Potter for the first time. He finds out he’s a wizard and starts his first year at Hogwarts School of Magic.
This movie is the beginning of a coming-of-age adventure in the wizarding world.
The story takes us through Harry’s magical journey as he makes friends, learns about magic, and faces challenges. The school of magic becomes a place where they all grow and discover their strengths.
Next up is “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” continuing the spell-binding saga.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” hit theaters in 2002, crafted by Chris Columbus. With a length of 161 minutes, it takes us deeper into the world of magic and mystery at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
This movie brings new faces like Dobby the House Elf and Ginny Weasley to fans while shedding light on the dark past of Tom Riddle during his time at school.
Following “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone,” this sequel is crucial in understanding the perils that lurk within the wizarding world. It mixes friendship, adventure, and fantasy against a backdrop where dark forces threaten peace.
Viewers explore secrets hidden deep within Hogwarts as Harry dives into another year filled with danger and discovery. Next up: how these films can be watched for an epic magical journey.
How to Watch the Harry Potter Movies
You have two cool ways to watch Harry Potter movies. Pick by release date or dive in by the story’s timeline.
By release date
Watching the Harry Potter movies by release date brings a unique experience. It’s like opening a time capsule, starting from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in 2001 to “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” in 2022.
This journey spans over two decades, mixing eight main films with the newer spinoff films of the Fantastic Beasts series.
This way lets fans see how movie technology and storytelling evolved. The franchise timeline offers glimpses into both worlds – the well-loved Hogwarts saga and the expanding universe of magical creatures.
Following film releases as they happened connects viewers with millions who awaited each sequel with bated breath, sharing excitement across years.
By chronological order
Shifting from release dates, the chronological order offers a unique journey through the Harry Potter universe. This sequence begins with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” moves onto its sequels, and then dives into the original Harry Potter series starting with “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone.” It takes you on a magical trip from the past to the present within this cinematic universe.
Following this path lets fans experience the story as it unfolds in time. You’ll see how events connect across films, adding depth to both characters and the plot. It’s like putting together a puzzle — each movie adds pieces that make up a bigger picture of the wizarding world.
This way brings fresh insights even for those who know these stories well by heart.
You may also like our other movie order guides like X-Men Movies Order & Naruto Correct Order.
The Future of Harry Potter
The Harry Potter world keeps growing, with new adventures on the way. Fans can look forward to more magic and mystery as fresh stories unfold in movies and other projects.
Upcoming Fantastic Beasts movies
Fans of magic, adventure, and enchantment have more to look forward to as the Fantastic Beasts series continues to expand. With two billion dollars added over six years, this franchise is soaring high.
J.K. Rowling has shared her excitement about these movies. She’s working hard to fit all those big stories into films shorter than four hours.
Warner Bros. Discovery has big plans too. They’re thinking about making a TV series based on Harry Potter world that could explore even more stories from this magical universe. This means we might get multiple TV shows to enjoy alongside the movies, diving deeper into wizardry and sorcery adventures without worrying about time limits!
Other Harry Potter-related projects in development
Warner Bros. Discovery is cooking up a TV series set in the Harry Potter universe. They’re thinking about making more than one series to dive deep into all those intricate storylines that movies just can’t fully explore.
J.K. Rowling, who created this magical world, loves the idea but has already waved a flag on how tough it is to cram everything into a movie that’s less than four hours long.
The buzz doesn’t stop there – with projects like the successful “Dune: Part Two” and BBC Studios teaming up with BritBox International, there’s talk about bringing some of these Harry Potter tales to our screens through a TV adaptation.
This new venture could open doors to unseen parts of the wizarding world, using streaming platforms as their stage for spellbinding success.
Conclusion
Watching the Harry Potter movies in order lets you dive deep into a world of magic and adventure. Starting from “Fantastic Beasts” and moving through to the tales of Hogwarts, this journey brings every part of J.K.
Rowling’s universe to life. It’s a magical marathon that weaves together stories of bravery, friendship, and the fight against darkness. Whether you’re new to this wizarding world or revisiting it, following this guide ensures an enchanting experience.
So grab some popcorn, settle in, and let the magic unfold!
Sara Sabrena is a seasoned content writer and a devout cinephile with a flair for dissecting cinematic works. Her love for storytelling is evident in her compelling reviews and thought-provoking analysis of films ranging from indie gems to blockbuster hits. With a background in literature and media studies, Sara brings depth and a unique perspective to her writing.