Ranking The Harry Potter Movies

     It has been a slow week with television shows since most of them have gone on hiatus for the winter break. The Walking Dead just had its' midseason finale, but I will not review it and instead wait in a couple months to do the second half of season nine predictions. Today I thought I would rank the eight main Harry Potter films. This series has held a very special place in my heart. When I went to Universal Studios Orlando in 2011, I experienced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I was never a fan of the films at the same; I think I just could not get into them, but seeing the land and riding the rides made me a fan on the spot. Since then, I have never missed a chance to see the marathons on ABC Family (not calling it Freeform, sorry) and SyFy. Let us get to the rankings. Spoilers ahead!!!



8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 
     I know that this is an unpopular opinion. I never really connected with this film. I think it has strong aspects about it, but it also has very weak things about it. The whole Triwizard Tournament storyline was just very "what is the point" to me. I mean I love the scene when Harry fights the Hungarian Horntail, but that is all I really enjoyed. The character of Cedric Diggory was just so pointless, and he was annoying as hell. He served no point to the film. This is the first movie where Voldemort is introduced in "human" form which I find very important, but honestly that is the only thing I liked fully about the movie. The trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione were very whiny and childish in this movie, and I just could not stomach it for an almost three hour runtime. Sorry Goblet of Fire, but one of these movies has to be the worst.


7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
     If you were to poll a majority of HP fans on which film is the most forgettable, it is most likely going to be the Half-Blood Prince. This entry of the franchise serves as set-up information for the final two films. I think the film is just plain boring. The only reason I rank it above number eight is because the information provided in this movie is actually important; it is just done in a dull way. I do like the flashbacks of Voldemort interested in Horcruxes, and the death of Dumbledore is very emotional, but that is all the nice things I can say. This movie is not bad at all, but it is definitely on the lower end of the scale.



6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
     This movie used to be my least favorite, but it has moved up a couple of spots because I think it is better than what I gave it credit for. Like the Half-Blood Prince, I find this entry a bit boring. It feels very drawn out at certain points in the film with some scenes just being complete filler. The ending of the film; though, is fantastic. Harry basically confronts Voldemort for the first time, (I don't count the ending of the first film a confrontation between Harry and Voldemort) and it is very intense and a great plot twist to the film. The Forbidden Forest scene is very tense, and it provides an eeriness to the series that never really happened too much in the first scene. Other than those aspects, those are the only things I appreciated about the movie. It felt like a backstory to what was to come in the franchise.


5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
     Before you click off, and I receive death threats, hear me out on my opinion. I do not hate this movie at all; in fact, I think it serves as a solid finale in a phenomenal franchise. I think it is just the fact that I have seen it so many times. It has worn off on me. I love the action scenes the most. I love the scene where Harry, Ron, and Hermione are running around and complete chaos is going on around them. Beautiful cinematography. I did; however, feel that the film lacked character moments. The only one I really cared for was when Neville killed Nagini and Harry's final duel with Voldemort. Other than that, it was a flatline. Also, the 19 years later segment is bar far in my opinion the worst decision of the franchise. I know it was in the books, but come on. It was so pointless and honestly ridiculous. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is a mostly positive viewing experience, but some things do grate on me.


4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
     I think this is the superior final film out of the two parts. There is plenty of action and great character moments. The sneaking into Gringotts scene is one of my favorite scenes in the entire franchise. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time during the whole segment. Dobby's death remains one of the saddest scenes in movie history, so that scores some points there. People may argue that this film is slow, which I agree it is at some parts, but I will always defend it and say that it is a very solid sequel in the film's franchise.


3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
     The first movie of the franchise remains a masterpiece. It does an amazing job setting the tone of the Wizarding World, when the filmmakers could have easily done a horrendous job with the project. Once the movie starts, you immediately find yourself transported into Harry's world, and it is not an easy thing for a filmmaker to achieve. The Hogwarts setting is astounding, and it makes you want to be a student there. The only downside to this movie would maybe be the tone of it. It feels a bit childlike in comparison to the movies that come after, but that is acceptable considering Harry Potter is only eleven in this entry. The film does a great job of introducing Harry's friends and professors. This movie will always be a staple in the history of filmmaking.


2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
     I have seen mixed reviews with people's opinions on this movie. Some people have it ranked high and some have it low. I personally love it. Professor Umbridge is one of  the most love to hate characters in film history. The actress should be proud. The film saw the introduction of Dumbledore's Army is response to Umbridge banning combative magic which featured plenty of kickass scenes. Also, Luna Lovegood was introduced in this movie and who doesn't love Luna? The film also introduced Bellatrix Lestrange as Voldemort's most loyal follower. Helena Bonham Carter did a fantastic job as the character, and I think she should have been nominated for an Academy Award. I will definitely rewatch this movie every time it plays on my TV.


1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 
     Here it is. My favorite HP film. The Prisoner of Azkaban is almost near perfection. This is the point in the franchise where the tone shifts to being more serious. I believe the visuals used are the best in the entire series. For example, the scene where Harry flies on Buckbeak the Hippogriff is simply gorgeous. It is almost if you can feel the air and the cold water. Also, I believe the opening scene of the movie to be the best scene in the whole series. That is how much I love it. The revelation of Sirius Black, the time travel ending, and the Hogsmeade introduction are just a few of the enjoyable scenes this movie has. The character development of the characters, Hermione in particular, is among the best I have ever scene. Many people agree that this is the best HP picture, and I am definitely one of them. It is such a great movie all around, and I think it is Harry Potter at its' finest.   

Thank you for reading my ranking of the Harry Potter movies. This sort of came to my mind unexpectedly, so I thought...why not? What is your ranking of the films? Leave a comment.