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Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Harry Potter film ranked as worst but fans definitely don't agree
The Harry Potter movies have finally been ranked from best to worst Rotten Tomatoes has compiled a ranking of the entire Harry Potter film series, including the Fantastic Beasts spin-offs. While the top spot may come as no surprise, the lowest-ranked film has left some fans perplexed, with one commenting: "The rating of this absolutely confounds me." The final instalment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, emerged as the highest-rated with a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. On the other hand, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald fared poorly, securing only 36% in review scores. Despite its star-studded cast, including Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Zoë Kravitz, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, and Kevin Guthrie, the David Yates-directed film was met with lukewarm reception from critics. Penned by JK Rowling, the sequel to the 2016 film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them failed to captivate critics, with one reviewer stating: "The Crimes of Grindelwald's lack of awareness goes much deeper than a mere miscasting." A particularly scathing review went as far as to compare the experience to "About as exciting as a trip to Hogwarts's most neglected lavatory." Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, released in 2018, marks the second instalment in the Fantastic Beasts series and tenth overall in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, reports the Mirror US. Set in 1927, the film charts the journey of Albus Dumbledore and Newt Scamander as they devise a plan to defeat Gellert Grindelwald, the formidable dark wizard who poses a significant threat in this universe. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions and unexpected challenges, depicting a wizarding world more fractured than it has ever been. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald managed to rake in roughly $654.9 million globally at the box office, against its estimated $200 million production cost, earning it the distinction of being the least successful Harry Potter film financially – a record it maintained until the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in 2022. The film earned two BAFTA nominations for Best Production Design and Best Special Visual Effects. Its sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, hit cinemas in April 2022. Penned by JK Rowling, the screenplay of the film was released as a book titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay, following the precedent set by its predecessor, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Audiences were more lenient than critics in their assessment of The Crimes of Grindelwald, with one fan commenting: "This is probably my favorite of the fantastic beast movies. "I love the in depth characteristics and that you see what's going on in the characters heads for each decision that they make. As well this movie was made to be for the older fans that younger fans could still enjoy." One viewer raved about the film with enthusiasm: "The rating of this absolutely confounds me lol this movie is so good! ! Of the 3 this is probably my favorite. "The story is lovely, acting is great, special effects, all of it. I particularly loved how they tied multiple characters and storylines to the Harry Potter series. "Overall it's just really pretty and exciting so I have no idea where all the negativity is coming from." A particular fan disclosed their unique standpoint: "Unpopular opinion but I think this movie was the best of the series to date. "It had tons of magic, intensity and most importantly a great story." Someone else recommended ignoring any harsh criticism: "Beautifully shot, wonderfully written, and some fantastic performances. "Forget the negative reviews, this is worth watching." Full list of all the Harry Potter movies ranked from best to worst: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) The Harry Potter catalogue is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Harry Potter' stars sign open letter supporting trans rights despite J.K. Rowling's ‘anti-woke' stance
Several 'Harry Potter' actors have signed an open letter pledging to stand in 'solidarity' with the transgender community – even despite author J.K. Rowling's outspoken and 'anti-woke' stance against those individuals. The pledge, which has been signed by Eddie Redmayne, Paapa Essiedu and Katie Leung, comes after the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled earlier this month that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' refer strictly to a biological woman and biological sex, per the Times of London. Redmayne, 43, starred in the 'Harry Potter' spin-off prequel franchise 'Fantastic Beasts,' while Essiedu, 34, is set to portray Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming 'Harry Potter' series. Leung, 37, played Cho Chang in the original 'Harry Potter' films. 8 Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.' AP 8 Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming 'Harry Potter' series. Max Cisotti/'We the undersigned film and television professionals stand in solidarity with the trans, non-binary and intersex communities who have been impacted by the Supreme Court ruling on April 16,' the open letter read. 'We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary and intersex people living in the UK,' it continued. 'Film and television are powerful tools for empathy and education, and we believe passionately in the ability of the screen to change hearts and minds. 'This is our opportunity to be on the right side of history,' Redmayne, Essiedu, Leung and the more than 2,000 other signatories added. 8 J.K. Rowling celebrated the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom's ruling against trans rights earlier this month. Shutterstock 8 Katie Leung as Cho Chang in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.' Murray Close Other British actors who signed the open letter expressing support for the 'trans, non-binary and intersex communities' after the Supreme Court's surprising ruling include 'The Last of Us' star Bella Ramsey, 'The Brutalist' actor Joe Alwyn and 'Bridgerton' star Nicola Coughlan. Charlotte Ritchie, who appeared as a student in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,' and Daisy Haggard, who voiced the Ministry of Magic elevator, also added their names to the pledge. The letter comes after Rowling, a longtime and outspoken critic of transgender rights, celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling on social media. 8 Actress Bella Ramsey also signed the open letter. WireImage 8 Joe Alwyn was one of the more than 2,000 actors to sign the open letter on Wednesday. Getty Images 'Think I might be having a cigar later,' Rowling, 59, wrote on X after the ruling was officially handed down on April 16. 'It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they've protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,' she added in another tweet. 'I'm so proud to know you.' The controversial 'Harry Potter' author returned to X later that day to share a picture of herself having a drink and smoking a cigar. 8 J.K. Rowling celebrated on X after the Supreme Court's controversial ruling. jk_rowling/X 'I love it when a plan comes together,' she tweeted, adding hashtags for the Supreme Court and Women's Rights. Actor John Lithgow, who is set to star as Albus Dumbledore in HBO's upcoming 'Harry Potter' series, has also been dragged into the controversy surrounding Rowling's 'anti-woke' stance against the trans community. In an interview with the Times of London published on Sunday, Lithgow addressed the major backlash he has already received for joining HBO's 'Harry Potter' series amid its original creator's divisive rhetoric. 8 J.K. Rowling and Eddie Redmayne in 2016. Dave Allocca/Starpix 'I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?' I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,' the 'Conclave' actor said. 'I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her, and I'm curious to talk to her.' Before Redmayne, Essiedu and Leung signed the open letter, 'Harry Potter' stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson spoke out to publicly disagree with Rowling in 2020. 'Transgender women are women,' Radcliffe, 35, said in a statement at the time. 'Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are,' Watson, 35, later added.
