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Happily, the Wizarding World is one of the simplest sagas to watch: the Harry Potter films follow the books in order, so release order works beautifully. The only real choice is where to put the Fantastic Beasts prequels.
Watch the eight Harry Potter films first (release order), then the three Fantastic Beasts prequels. Prefer the in-story timeline? Start with Fantastic Beasts, set decades earlier.
The Harry Potter films in order
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone2001Released as Sorcerer's Stone in the US — Harry discovers he's a wizard.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets2002A hidden monster stalks Hogwarts in Harry's second year.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban2004A darker, beloved entry as an escaped prisoner hunts Harry.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire2005The Triwizard Tournament and the return of a great evil.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix2007Harry forms a secret student army as the Ministry looks away.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince2009Secrets of Voldemort's past come to light.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12010The trio goes on the run to destroy the Horcruxes.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 22011
The Battle of Hogwarts brings the saga to its end.
Then the Fantastic Beasts prequels
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them2016Newt Scamander in 1920s New York, decades before Harry.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald2018The dark wizard Grindelwald gathers followers.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore2022Dumbledore moves against Grindelwald's rise to power.
Wizarding World in chronological (timeline) order
To follow the story's timeline, watch the prequels first:
- 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
- …through to Deathly Hallows: Part 2 2011
Track the Wizarding World in Cinopsys
Build a Wizarding World list in Cinopsys, mark each film as watched, and watch your progress fill in — with ratings and total hours. Free, no ads.
Back to Hogwarts
Start with the Philosopher's Stone and let Cinopsys keep track of the rest.
Frequently asked questions
How many Harry Potter movies are there?
There are eight Harry Potter films, released 2001–2011. Together with the three Fantastic Beasts films, the wider Wizarding World has eleven movies in total.
Should I watch Fantastic Beasts before or after Harry Potter?
Most people watch the eight Harry Potter films first (release order), then the Fantastic Beasts prequels. If you prefer the story's timeline, the Fantastic Beasts films come first, set in the 1920s–30s, decades before Harry's story.
Do the Harry Potter movies follow the books?
Each Harry Potter film adapts the book of the same name, in the same order, with the final book split into two films (Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2).