Every Harry Potter movie ranked (from best to worst) based on that magical feeling

The Harry Potter film series is more than just an adaptation, it’s a journey. While some films felt like a squib, others perfectly captured the magic. Let's rank them according to their capacity to evoke the magic, wonder, and nostalgia of the Wizarding World rather than their adherence to the books or their box office performance. This will be considered using "Every Harry Potter Movie Ranked (From Best to Worst)".

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – the purest magic

Nothing beats the first sip of Butterbeer—or in this case, the first experience of Hogwarts on screen. Everything is about this movie, from the twinkling Great Hall to the whimsical John Williams score. Feels like stepping into a dream.

It’s not perfect. The CGI hasn’t aged well, and the acting is charmingly awkward but it’s the closest thing we have to opening a Hogwarts acceptance letter.

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – the cool older sibling

Alfonso Cuarón took the series from “children’s fantasy” to “dark academia masterpiece.” Everything, from the flowing robes to the moody cinematography, made Hogwarts feel alive in a way the previous films didn’t.

Plus, the introduction of time travel and the Marauder’s Map? Pure wizarding gold.

3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – the one that made us all want to punch Umbridge

If you judge a movie by its ability to make you feel strong emotions, this one deserves high marks. Hatred for Umbridge, sorrow for Sirius, frustration at the Ministry—it’s all here.

The battle at the Ministry of Magic is beautifully chaotic, and Dumbledore vs. Voldemort? One of the best magical duels in cinema.

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – dark, sinister, and lovely

Many fans dislike this film for its divergence from the novel, but if one analyzes it simply by its atmosphere, it's one of the most engrossing. The dreamy, golden lighting combined with the creeping menace of Voldemort's ascension creates a surreal, almost poetic feel to it.

Draco's storyline is handled exquisitely. The scene in which Harry and Dumbledore go to the cave to retrieve a Horcrux is chilling.

5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – the underappreciated sequel

It’s a little too long and leans too much into early-2000s CGI. On the other hand, it nails the “mystery-adventure” feeling better than any other film in the series.

The Basilisk reveal, Tom Riddle’s diary, and the eerie whispering of Parseltongue? This movie is basically Hogwarts’ version of a murder mystery novel.

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – a satisfying (but slightly rushed) finale

It delivered the grand showdown we’d been waiting for, but something felt…off. Maybe it was the way Voldemort turned to dust like a poorly aged CGI effect.

Maybe it was the blink-and-you-miss-it deaths of beloved characters. Still, the Prince’s Tale sequence alone cements this film as one of the greats.

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – a beautifully shot camping trip

It’s stunningly filmed, but let’s be real. This movie feels like an extended prelude. There’s a lot of walking, a lot of brooding, and one incredibly awkward dance sequence.

However, the Tale of the Three Brothers animation? Absolute perfection.

8. The Goblet of Fire – the one that forgot it was a Harry Potter Movie

Look, the Triwizard Tournament is cool, but why do people have 2005 emo haircuts? Why do they turn Dumbledore into a man screaming at children? Why did it rush through the great parts of the book and include weird romance subplots? It is not a bad movie—it's just the least magical.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that."

Albus Dumbledore

If we judge these movies by how much they make us feel the magic, the rankings shift dramatically from the usual book-accuracy-based lists. Some films got the atmosphere and wonder just right, while others prioritized action and plot. But at the end of the day, all of them let us escape into a world where letters arrive by owl, chocolate frogs jump, and magic is real. That’s why we love them.