Each film in theHarry Potterfranchise elevated knowledge and understanding of the wizarding world and its history. Although every film is integral to the overall plot, some have more significant importance in pushing the story forward or hinting toward more events to come. For example, nearly every movie in the franchise features a battle between Harry and Voldemort other thanPrisoner of AzkabanandHalf-Blood Prince. However, whatHalf-Blood Princelacks in a fight makes up for in attempting to unravel the truth of Voldemort’s past and how being young Tom Riddle influenced his future. As forPrisoner of Azkaban, that film had a more significant role in unravelingthe truth behind the Marauders' past.
Meanwhile, other movies force the plot forward as Voldemort becomes a more significant threat. Without the conclusion ofGoblet of Fire, Voldemort’s resurrection is left out.Order of the Phoenixportrays the dangerous aftermath of Voldemort gaining his own body, including the psychological and magical side effects Harry gains from the experience.Deathly Hallows Part 2finally shows the war between Harry and Voldemort that had been teased since the beginning of the story, and thus may be the most significant moment of the franchise.
Related:Harry Potter: The Most Important Storyline Of Each Installment
8Prisoner of Azkaban
This is the first time Voldemort himself does not play a significant overall presence in the story. Instead, thePrisoner of Azkabanrelies on revelations about the first war against Voldemort. Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban, and everyone believes he wants to kill Harry, given his history of being accused of being a Death Eater. AlthoughPrisoner of Azkabanshows how everyone is starting to grow up by darkening the tone of the film, the most integral parts of this movie are entirely about the past.
Understanding that Peter Pettigrew was never dead but had been hiding out as Ron’s pet rat Scabbers and was the actual traitor to Lily and James gave Harry a better understanding of how his parents died. Pettigrew’s escape sets up his return as Voldemort’s servant. But, overall, althoughPrisoner of Azkabangifts Harry with twonew relationships with Remusand Sirius, the film itself is more critical toward revealing truths and teaching Harry the Patronus Charm.
7Deathly Hallows Part 1
The first part of the finale is mostly Harry, Ron, and Hermione on the run, isolated from everyone else. Their search for Horcruxes burdens them significantly. But, although there is overall importance to what they are doing, not much necessarily happens inDeathly Hallows Part 1that is integral to the overall story.Deathly Hallows Part 1is more of a setup for the final installment. While it does tease the growth of Voldemort’s hold over the Ministry and the beginnings of Draco’s understanding of how he may be on the wrong side of things, all the payoffs occur inDeathly Hallows Part 2.
6Chamber of Secrets
Giving Ginny Weasley a diary is an event that is a catalyst for many significant details, but not as many of them are thoroughly understood until later. Tom Riddle’s diary is the first Horcrux that Harry encounters and destroys, not knowing how essential it was at the time. While the fight between Harry, the ghost of Tom Riddle, and the Basilisk is highly significant, especially as Ron and Hermione would return to the Chamber of Secrets years later to find a Basilisk Fang, the movie itself relies on that for its most significant impact. Discovering that Tom Riddle is Voldemort is the beginning of understanding that Voldemort had a dangerous and intriguing backstory, but none of it would be revealed until later.
Related:Important Questions Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Finally Revealed
5Sorcerer’s Stone
The first movie,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonedelivered thefirst impression of the wizarding worldand its inhabitants. Creating a brand-new world was a big responsibility, and without successfully portraying it, theHarry Potterfranchise may not have succeeded the way it did. It is everyone’s introduction to Hogwarts, its professors, and other students, along with various uses for magic. However, there are also the first hints of Voldemort and why Harry is such a big deal in the wizarding world, all things the audience needs to understand for the series to work moving forward, as well as the developing of the friendship between Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
4Half-Blood Prince
For the most part,Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Princeleaves a lot of essential information about Voldemort’s past as Tom Riddle out to make room for the budding love stories. However, one thing that could not be ignored or pushed aside so easily is learning what a Horcrux is and why it is so significant. Tom Riddle’s connection to Professor Horace Slughorn and Slughorn’s explanation of a Horcrux helped set the course for Voldemort’s future, as he would go on to create seven. So, even though Harry and Voldemort do not go head-to-head in this movie, he is still very much present in understanding his past.
3Goblet of Fire
For most ofHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it does not feel that different from those that came before. There are still dangerous situations Harry finds himself in, and Ron and Hermione try to help him through them. The movie certainly takes advantage of the central characters growing into teenagers with the Yule Ball and other hints that they are growing up, but the end makes this installment so integral.
Once Harry and Cedric reach the graveyard,it no longer has the same sense of dangeras the previous films. Suddenly, the plot becomes significantly darker as Cedric dies and Voldemort is resurrected. Voldemort’s resurrection, including using Harry’s blood as an ingredient, all play roles in understanding that war is quickly approaching.
2Order of the Phoenix
Voldemort’s resurrection has an unintended side effect: Voldemort and Harry can look into each other’s minds. For the most part, Harry feels Voldemort’s emotions. He can see through Nagini’s eyes as Arthur Weasley is attacked, a massive hint to the Horcrux that Voldemort had placed in Nagini and unknowingly in Harry. However, Voldemort eventually discovers he can use the connection to his advantage and does so by tricking Harry into believing Sirius is in danger at the Department of Mysteries.
The significance ofHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixbecomes more apparent at this point. Throughout the film, Harry, Ron, and Hermione lead Dumbledore’s Army in teaching everyone defensive and offensive spells. As the trio races to help Sirius,they are joined by Neville, Ginny, and Luna, only to discover no one around in a room filled with prophecies. Finally, Harry learns he is destined to kill Voldemort or be killed by him, which is why Voldemort killed James and Lily and attempted to kill Harry.
1Deathly Hallows Part 2
It is a race to find and destroy all of Voldemort’s Horcruxes as he and the Death Eaters bring the war to Hogwarts' doorstep. In the final installment, all the pieces finally come together, whether destroying the final Horcruxes, discovering Harry’s genuine connection to Voldemort, or finally understanding Snape’s past. Although the final battle may be controversial, given how different it is from the book, the reveals of whom the Elder Wand truly belonged to and why it never obeyed Voldemort or Snape. Harry finally defeats Voldemort, and while not everyone survives the battle, it is time tomove on from the horrors of Voldemort’s actions.
