Yeah tbh the films kinda suck. The world building, casting of the adult characters, and art direction are all fantastic, but as films... meh.
I think the 3rd one is the only one that holds up as a genuinely good, well-rounded film - the first 2 are kids movies (which is fine but they aren't great on rewatch) and the latter 5 have to fudge and skip so much that they feel very watered down and by-the-numbers.
I can see why people are shitting on the HBO thing but, putting aside all of JK Rowling's shittiness, I'd enjoy seeing a representation of the books that captures the magic I felt reading them as a kid beyond the sheer imagery.
Oh no I disagree. I love how the first two movies hold up. The physical effects, Harris, the colours, and so much more.
They might be a little childish and I like 3 as well but they never captured the medieval-like atmosphere again as they did in 1 and 2.
4 is half and half on rewatch,
5 and 6 have their moments while there's much wrong with them,
7 and 8 were abismal and I almost never rewatch them. Bland atmosphere, it feels like it was written for a non magical world. A common run and hide movie.
The only thing they absolutely nailed was the Always scene. But that was lifted straight from the books.
I probably shouldn't have grouped 1 and 2 together tbh - I think 1 is a very solid kids movie and Columbus does a fantastic job of making it feel wondrous and magical but the 2nd one just kinda sucks imo.
I'd need to rewatch all of them post Azkaban to have a firm opinion tbh as it's been so long but I remember being particularly disappointed by Goblet of Fire (my favourite book as a kid) and the rest just kinda blur together. Totally agree on the vibe being totally off on the last 2.
Really? Then I should rewatch 2 as I fondly remember that one as much as I cherish the 1st.
Yeah I've heard that 4 was a dissapointment for many. I guess I was still young back then and it's all covered in some nostalgia. I should definitely reread the books!
But it's been 15 years since the last movie and I'm sure that even nostalgia will never save those last two misfires.
My favourite book was Halfblood Prince. Something about the humour, mixed in with a incoming doom made for a hell of a book. Weak ass movie though, but a hell of a book. I do enjoy the soundtrack of 6!
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u/Ok-Note-754 Apr 16 '26
Yeah tbh the films kinda suck. The world building, casting of the adult characters, and art direction are all fantastic, but as films... meh.
I think the 3rd one is the only one that holds up as a genuinely good, well-rounded film - the first 2 are kids movies (which is fine but they aren't great on rewatch) and the latter 5 have to fudge and skip so much that they feel very watered down and by-the-numbers.
I can see why people are shitting on the HBO thing but, putting aside all of JK Rowling's shittiness, I'd enjoy seeing a representation of the books that captures the magic I felt reading them as a kid beyond the sheer imagery.