Before I read the Harry Potter books, I was a fan of the movies. After reading the books and some companion books, I have become a Potter Head. I can't wait to read the books again, but until then I'll give my rankings of the books, movies and characters. As well as some other thoughts I have about the wizarding world. Just to be clear these are my personal rankings and do not reflect whether or not I think one is better than another. These rankings are based on my personal enjoyment.
Harry Potter Books ranking
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - I love the internal and mental struggle that Harry has in this book. Dolores Umbridge is a great antagonist, and I love learning more about the Ministry of Magic. The only thing I don't like is the stuff with the giants, because it doesn't really affect the rest of the story. The pacing is so well done, that even though it's the longest book, it did not feel like it for me.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - I love this book. I love the introduction of the TriWizard Tournament. I love meeting new wizards, like Cedric, Viktor and Fleur. The opening at the Quidditch World Cup is great. There's a whole subplot with Hermione and the house elves. It's also the book that starts to show the trio acting like teenagers and dealing with hormones.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - What I love about this book is the relationship between Harry and Lupin. It's a great mystery about Sirius Black and the reveal of Peter Pettigrew. I like this book introducing the readers to magical creatures through Buckbeak.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - The first book brings the charm and wonder of the wizarding world to life. It's a more simple story that introduces the main trio, and endears them to the reader.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - I love Gilderoy Lockehart! I know he's kind of a not good guy, but I love his upbeat charm and narcissism. We also get more history of Hogwarts, the founders and Slytherin. We meet the Weasley family at the Burrow, we learn about Knockturn alley, this book just builds on the magical world from the first book.
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Just to be clear I still really like this book, but it does take a dark turn with the Horcruxes and the death of Dumbledore. I do love Harry excelling in potions, and we learn more about Tom Riddle. I do like professor Slughorn and his parties. I do enjoy the trio exploring their romantic feelings. But the pacing of this book slows it down for me. I could easily switch this with book 1 or book 2 after reading it again.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - The reason this is my least favorite book is because unlike book 5 which was long but well paced, the Deathly Hallows is long and feels really long. There are large chunks of this book that move so slow, and very little happens. I love the ending of this book though. The battle at Hogwarts is amazing. I also like the break in at Gringotts's and the Ministry of Magic, but everything with Harry, Ron and Hermione on the run in the woods, I find to be so boring.
Harry Potter Movies ranking
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - This was a tough one, because I love the top three choices here, but I think this one barely wins. I love seeing the trio grow up more. I like the introduction to the demeantors. I love Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. The time travel was fun, and it's a solid adaptation to the book.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - There's just a warm charm to this movie, that sucks you into the wizarding world. The iconic John Williams score. So many quotable lines. This is just such a great movie.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - I love the trio growing up and being interested in boys and girls, with the Yule Ball. I like seeing the TriWizard Tournament. Brenden Gleeson as Mad Eye Moody is perfect. The return of Voldemort is shocking and brings the threat. It's great to see a young Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory.
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - I think I enjoy this movie more than most. I absolutely adore when Harry takes the felix luck potion and goes to Hagrid. Daniel Radcliffe is hilarious, "Not to mention the pinchers". I also like the Ron and Hermione making each other jealous subplot. Jim Broadbent is great as professor Slughorn. It's not a great adaptation of the book, but it does what it can to get across the main story.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - The battle at Hogwarts is amazing. Helena Bonham Carter playing Hermione playing Bellatrix is brilliant. The emotional stakes are high, and the movie delivers. Plus I love professor McGonagall stepping up against Snape and then summoning the castle soldiers and saying "I've always wanted to use that spell."
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - I think I like this movie more than most also, it's not bad. I love Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockehart! I think the book is better, but I enjoy the mystery of the chamber. And it's the first use of the recurring potion, Polyjuice.
- Harry Potter and the The Order of the Phoenix - Unfortunately, the book was too long and too much was cut for the movie. We don't get the trio running into Lockehart or Neville at Saint Mongoos. It also doesn't deal with the death of Cedric the way the book does. Ultimately I find vast portions of this movie to be forgettable.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Like the book version, I really don't like the parts with the trio in the woods, I feel it slows down the pacing of the film. I do love Harry and Hermione dancing in the tent. I think their platonic love as friends is beautiful.
Character Rankings
- Hermione Granger - I love Hermione, and Emma Watson playing her. She's smart, brave and often saves the boys. Unlike other female characters, she's not a damsel, isn't overly emotional or feminine. She's a great female protagonist.
- Harry Potter - I really do love Harry, because like Dumbledore says, Harry is a good man. I really came to love Harry when he learned that truth that his father James and Sirius used to bully Snape for no reason. He doesn't defend his dad but confronts Sirius. That shows that Harry is not his father, and does have the love and compassion of his mother. Not everything comes easy to him, but he's willing to learn what is important and remains courageous.
- Luna Lovegood - I love Luna! I wish we would have got her character in the earlier books. Despite everyone thinking she's weird and stealing her shoes, despite being soft spoken, Luna decides to join Dumbledore's Army, and go with Harry and the gang to the Department of Mysteries to face off against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. She helps Harry find Rowena Ravenclaw's lost Diodem, saves Harry on the train and never asks for anything from anyone. I love her!
- Neville Longbottom - Similar to Luna, Neville overcomes his cowardice and lack of wizarding skills to show bravery when it comes to fighting Voldemort. He even becomes a skilled herbologist.
- Ron Weasley - I'm not a big fan of Ron, I think he's better in the books. But I do like his loyalty to Harry, for the most part. He provides good comedic relief and even matures as the books go on.
- Professor McGonagall - I love Minerva McGonagall, especially after learning of her history prior to the start of book 1. She's a strong witch and well knowledged with a soft spot for Harry.
- Remus Lupin - I love his relationship with Harry. I love that he's a werewolf. His relationship with Tonks and the fact that they had a baby is so sad.
- Hagrid - I love Hagrid. He's a bit bumbling with his words, always spilling the gosip to the trio. But he has such affection for the kids he is endearing. And his love for magical creatures is sweet yet terrifying.
- Molly Weasley - She's a great side character. Julie Walters does a great job in the movie, coming off as very motherly. She's sweet and caring. I love that she treats Harry differently from her kids.
- Draco Malfoy - I think Draco is a tragic character. I don't think the book does enough to explore his inner conflict. He seems to wrestle with killing Dumbledore, being forced to do it, rather than actually wanting to. He's a product of hatred and his parents dark connection to Voldemort. I feel like he's more complex than we ever get to know.
So, that's it for my rankings of Harry Potter books, movies and characters. If you want to read the supplemental material or companion books, I recommend "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "The Tales of Beedle the Bard".
Read my review of "Quidditch Through the Ages."
Read my review of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
Read my review of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard."
Check out some of my spooky/thriller-inspired stories on Wattpad.
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