So, you want to head back to Hogwarts. Maybe you’re doing a rainy day marathon or perhaps you’re one of those people who finally—finally—convinced a friend to see what the fuss is about. Either way, figuring out how to list all harry potter movies in order can actually get a bit confusing if you start counting the prequels and the weird timeline jumps.
Most people just want to see the kid with the glasses grow up and stop the nosy dark wizard from taking over the world. That’s fair. But honestly, if you include the Fantastic Beasts films, you’re looking at a saga that spans nearly a century of magical history.
Let's break this down without the corporate fluff. Here is every single movie in the Wizarding World, categorized by how they actually hit theaters and how they fit into the "Potter-verse" timeline.
✨ Don't miss: Sid Ice Age Voice Actor: Why the Lisp Was Actually Real
The Original Eight: List All Harry Potter Movies in Order of Release
This is the "OG" way to watch. It’s how most of us experienced it—watching the cast literally hit puberty on screen. If you’re a first-timer, start here. Do not pass Go, do not collect 200 Galleons.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
The one where it all begins. It’s colorful, it’s whimsical, and Chris Columbus (the director, not the explorer) kept it very "kinda-sorta" magical for the kids. Harry finds out he’s a wizard, meets Ron and Hermione, and learns that his scar isn’t just a cool tattoo.Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Things get slightly creepier. We get a giant snake in the plumbing, a flying car, and Kenneth Branagh being absolutely hilarious as a fraud professor. It's the last movie that feels like a "children's movie" before the vibe shifts.Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Basically everyone’s favorite. Alfonso Cuarón took over directing duties and gave the series a moody, indie-film aesthetic. The kids stop wearing their robes all the time and start wearing hoodies. Plus, we get Gary Oldman as Sirius Black. It’s peak cinema.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The one with the "awkward hair year." Everyone has long hair for some reason. This is the turning point where the story stops being about school pranks and starts being about a literal war. Voldemort finally gets a body (and a nose... wait, no, he still doesn't have a nose).Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry is moody. The Ministry of Magic is in denial. Dolores Umbridge—the most hated villain in history—shows up in head-to-toe pink. It’s a bit of a political thriller, honestly.Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Teenage hormones meet dark destiny. It’s surprisingly funny but ends in absolute heartbreak. We learn about Horcruxes, which are basically the "save points" for Voldemort’s soul.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
The "camping" movie. The trio leaves Hogwarts and goes on a road trip to find Voldemort's soul-bits. It’s slow-burn, atmospheric, and sets the stage for the big finale.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
The end. The Battle of Hogwarts. Dragon escapes, Gringotts robberies, and a showdown in the courtyard. It’s the highest-grossing film of the bunch for a reason—it sticks the landing.
The Prequels: Fantastic Beasts and the Expanding Universe
Around 2016, Warner Bros. decided eight movies weren't enough. They went back in time to the 1920s. These movies are technically part of the same world, but they focus on Newt Scamander, a guy who just really likes magical animals and accidentally gets caught in a global wizarding war.
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) – Set in New York, 1926. It's fun, fresh, and shows us magic in America.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) – Things get messy here. A lot of lore, a young Dumbledore (Jude Law), and a controversial ending that left people scratching their heads.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) – The most recent film. It handles the Dumbledore/Grindelwald rivalry and moves us closer to the timeline of the original books.
Chronological Order (The Time-Traveler's Way)
If you want to watch the story as it happened in "real-time" (within the fiction), the order changes. You’d start with Newt Scamander in the 20s and end with Harry’s kids going to school in the 2010s.
💡 You might also like: Simple Song Shins Chords: Why This Indie Classic Is Actually Kind Of A Beast
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (1926)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (1927)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (1932)
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1991–1992)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1992–1993)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1993–1994)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (1994–1995)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (1995–1996)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (1996–1997)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (1997–1998)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (1998)
A quick note on the dates: The movies were released in the 2000s, but the books (and thus the internal logic of the films) are set in the 1990s. It’s why you don’t see Harry using an iPhone or Googling "how to kill a Horcrux."
Why Does the Order Matter?
Look, you can watch them however you want, but the list all harry potter movies in order exists for a reason: character growth. Unlike some franchises where you can jump in anywhere (looking at you, Fast & Furious), Harry Potter is one long, continuous narrative.
If you skip Prisoner of Azkaban, you won't understand why Harry cares so much about a random dog in the next film. If you skip Half-Blood Prince, the ending of the whole series makes zero sense.
It’s also interesting to see the evolution of the directors. Chris Columbus gave us that Spielberg-ian wonder. Mike Newell brought the British boarding school energy. And David Yates, who directed the final four (plus all the Fantastic Beasts movies), turned it into a gritty, desaturated war drama.
The Future: Is There More?
As of 2026, the "movie" side of things is a bit quiet, but the Wizarding World isn't dead. HBO is currently deep in production for a Harry Potter TV series.
Reports from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and Variety confirm that this will be a "faithful" adaptation of the books, with one season per book. Filming reportedly began in mid-2025 at Leavesden Studios. We’ve even got some casting news—Dominic McLaughlin is set to play Harry, with Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton as Ron and Hermione.
It’s a decade-long commitment, meaning we’ll be watching this new version of the story unfold until the mid-2030s. It’s a weird feeling for those of us who grew up with Daniel Radcliffe, but it gives the creators a chance to include all the stuff the movies cut out—like Peeves the Poltergeist or the actual backstory of the Marauders.
How to Binge the Right Way
If you're planning a marathon, here are a few tips from someone who has done this way too many times:
- Check the Extended Cuts: The first two movies have extended versions that add back some nice character moments. They aren't "essential," but they're fun for die-hards.
- The Reunion Special: Don't forget Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. It’s a documentary, not a movie, but it’s the perfect "dessert" after finishing the eight-film run.
- Streaming Status: These movies play musical chairs with streaming services. In the US, they usually live on Max (formerly HBO Max) or Peacock. Always check before you buy the popcorn.
What to do next: If you've already seen the movies a dozen times, your best bet is to keep an eye out for the first trailer of the HBO series, which is rumored to drop sometime later this year or early next. Or, you know, just go back and read the books. They still hold up.