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How Many Harry Potter Movies Are There & What Are Their Names?

The Harry Potter series has been enchanting fans across the world for over 20 years. It’s got everything you could possibly want: wizardry, adventure, and enough world-building to make you feel like Hogwarts is a real school. The series began with J.K. Rowling’s first book in 1997 and has grown to encompass movies, theme parks, and a whole load of merchandise.

One of the most popular components is, of course, the movies! Adapted directly from J.K. Rowling’s bestselling novels, watching them is a key part of being a Harry Potter fan. If you’re a newbie to the wizarding world or just want to relive the magic, it’s integral to know how many movies there are and what they’re called. Because trust me, there’s nothing more embarrassing than getting your titles mixed up in front of fellow Potterheads.

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How Many Harry Potter Movies Are There?

The first six books in the seven-part series were turned into six movies, respectively, with one film per book. But like Voldemort, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was split into multiple parts – two, to be precise. The story was just too epic for one film to handle. As a result, the original franchise contains a total of eight movies.

That’s not including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a play, and the three-film Fantastic Beasts franchise, which that chronicles the events leading up to the showdown between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

So there you have it, folks! Eight Harry Potter movies, a play, and a prequel series. All we need now is a spin-off about Dobby’s adventures and we’re set for life!

Harry Potter Movies In Order (at a glance)

  1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
  2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
  3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
  4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
  5. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (2007)
  6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
  7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 (2010)
  8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (2011)

Do You Need To Watch The Movies In A Specific Order?

You might think you can jump into any Harry Potter movie and follow it like it’s a simple Muggle rom-com, but not so fast! If you want to experience the wizarding world the right way, you’ve got to watch these movies in the right order.

The Harry Potter movies tell a complete story that follows the epic plot of the book series by magical genius J.K. Rowling. Each movie builds upon the previous one like a perfectly crafted potion, introducing new characters, plot twists, and challenges for Harry and his crew to overcome.

It’s a journey that spans seven years of magical education. Each movie corresponds to one school year, and Harry completed his time at Hogwarts in the right order!

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What Is The Best Way To Watch the Harry Potter Movies?

If you want to experience the magical journey to the fullest, you need to follow the proper wizarding protocol: watch the movies in the order of release date. Otherwise, you’ll be more lost than a unicorn in the Forbidden Forest.

Each movie follows a strict chronological timeline, and skipping any of them could result in missing out on important events, characters, and plot progression – and nobody wants that!

Harry Potter Movies In Order, By Release Date

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

The first movie in the franchise introduces us to the wizarding world as Harry Potter, the boy who lived, discovers who he really is – and that he’s capable of magic.

We follow Harry as he gets whisked away to Hogwarts, where he meets lifelong friends – and enemies, too. He learns to cast spells, fly on broomsticks, and – along the way – even discovers some long-held family secrets.

But as things start to get spooky at the school, Harry discovers that something nefarious is afoot: the evil wizard who killed his parents is back, and after him, too! It’s a journey filled with magic, danger, and more twists than a pack of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the wizarding world is back with a bang (or should we say, a hiss?)! In this second movie of the franchise, Harry is getting ready to head back to Hogwarts, but some kind of evil force is determined to keep him from returning to the school – possibly because they don’t want to deal with his antics again.

But Harry manages to make it back, and that’s when things start to get really weird. He discovers that he might be the heir of a notorious wizard, Salazar Slytherin, and that there’s a secret passageway hidden in the school: the Chamber of Secrets. As he pieces together the mystery behind the Chamber, Harry fights giant spiders, giant snakes, and giant egos to save the school from certain doom.

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Hold on to your wands, folks, ’cause things get wild in the third Harry Potter movie! It all starts with Harry accidentally blowing up his Aunt Marge like a balloon. Fearing expulsion, he runs away, but is quickly reassured by the Minister of Magic that he won’t be kicked out of Hogwarts.

But things aren’t all sunshine and butterbeer, as the school is under threat from a dangerous prisoner who’s escaped from Azkaban (the wizarding world’s version of Alcatraz). On his way to Hogwarts, Harry has a run-in with the school’s newest guards, Dementors, but are they powerful enough to protect the school from this deranged criminal?

As Harry discovers the truth about the infamous Sirius Black, a connection to his past is revealed. The movie ends with a heart-pumping rescue mission that involves … time travel? It’s a rollercoaster ride of action, magic, and some seriously hairy situations!

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4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

The fourth Harry Potter movie is where things in the wizarding world take a turn for the worse. Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament, a magical competition between the three major schools of wizardry. But despite not putting his name in the Goblet of Fire, Harry is somehow selected to compete.

As Harry takes on the perilous challenges, he’s aided by the eccentric Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Mad-Eye Moody. But in the final challenge, Harry is transported to a creepy graveyard where he faces off against the noseless wonder himself, Lord Voldemort. The Dark Lord is back, and for real this time!

5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix starts with Harry and his cousin Dudley getting a scare from some Dementors. Harry saves Dudley’s bacon, but is suspended from Hogwarts for using magic in the Muggle world. Fortunately, Dumbledore saves him from expulsion and he gets to return to Hogwarts – which would be great if he didn’t have to deal with the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge.

Umbridge has been sent to Hogwarts by the Ministry to shut down any talk of Voldemort’s return, and her teaching is about as helpful as a broomstick with no bristles. In retaliation, Harry and his friends start an organization called Dumbledore’s Army, where they learn magic they can use to protect themselves from Death Eaters. Which is, you know, what Umbridge should be doing.

Harry’s able to teach his peers a good number of defensive spells – until Umbridge catches on and tries to stop them. The students lead her on a wild goose chase through the Forbidden Forest before taking a trip to the Ministry. There, Harry has another run-in with the Death Eaters. At the end of the movie, no one can deny: Voldemort really has returned.

6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

The sixth movie is where things start to get serious, as Harry and Dumbledore team up to take down Voldemort once and for all. Dumbledore even hires a new Potions teacher, Horace Slughorn, who knows some vital intel about the Dark Lord’s weaknesses.

Despite Voldemort’s return, Hogwarts seems like a fortress of safety for young wizards and witches … that is, until a group of Death Eaters show up. Thanks to some help from Draco Malfoy, they’re able to infiltrate the school, eventually killing Dumbledore. To make matters worse, someone we thought was on our side turns out to be a Death Eater!

7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 (2010)

Without Dumbledore for the first time, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are truly on their own. They aren’t even at Hogwarts anymore – it’s controlled by Death Eaters! The trio go rogue to hunt down and destroy Horcruxes: the key to Voldemort’s immortality.

If that isn’t enough, personal fears and differences put a dent in their relationships, making the mission that much more impossible. Will they succeed? Or will Voldemort continue to reign supreme?

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8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (2011)

Get ready for the grand finale, folks! The last movie picks up where the last one left off, and it’s the ultimate showdown between Harry and his squad against Voldemort and his evil forces. The battle takes place at Hogwarts, and it’s a wild ride with unexpected twists and turns. Our heroes are fighting for their lives, and we’re on the edge of our seats the whole time.

But amidst all the chaos, there are a few surprises. Some characters switch sides, and others reveal their true colors, leaving us all in shock.

As the dust settles, Harry finally learns the secret to defeating Voldemort once and for all, but it comes at a high price. Get your tissues ready, folks, because it’s going to be an emotional rollercoaster.

Where Can You Watch The Harry Potter Movies?

You can catch all the magic on Peacock or HBO Max. However, you may need to keep an eye out for where they’re available as they may periodically apparate between platforms.

Will there be more Harry Potter movies?

While three prequel films have been released under the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them banner, a new movie with the original cast is unlikely. According to them, it’s been challenging to move on from their Harry Potter roles and pursue other acting opportunities. However, J.K. Rowling did publish a play called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which follows the children of the original characters in a story set in the future. Who knows if we’ve seen the last of Harry, Ron, and Hermione?

Lia is a professional writer and editor who is passionate about films and literature.