Fantastic Beasts: Expanding the Wizarding World Beyond Hogwarts
The Fantastic Beasts film series is a prequel to the Harry Potter saga, offering fans a broader glimpse into J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. Set decades before Harry’s birth, the series follows magizoologist Newt Scamander and explores the escalating conflict between dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald and the magical governments of the world. With rich visuals, new magical creatures, and deeper political themes, Fantastic Beasts aims to blend fantasy adventure with mature storytelling.
The first film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), introduces Newt Scamander, a shy, eccentric wizard who arrives in 1926 New York with a suitcase full of magical creatures. When several of them escape, he must retrieve them before they cause chaos. Along the way, he meets No-Maj (American Muggle) Jacob Kowalski, Auror Tina Goldstein, and her Legilimens sister Queenie. The film balances whimsical creature-chasing with the darker subplot involving an Obscurus—a destructive magical force born from repressed wizard children. The twist ending introduces Gellert Grindelwald, disguised as Percival Graves, setting the tone for a larger conflict to come.
The sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), shifts focus from magical creatures to wizarding politics and Grindelwald’s rise. Grindelwald, now openly threatening the fragile peace between magical and non-magical societies, seeks to recruit powerful allies, including the mysterious Credence Barebone. Dumbledore, played by Jude Law, enlists Newt to help stop Grindelwald’s growing influence. While visually stunning, the film was criticized for its convoluted plot, numerous subplots, and questionable character decisions—particularly Queenie's abrupt defection and the controversial reveal about Credence’s heritage.
The third installment, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), attempts to bring focus back to the central conflict. The story follows a resistance group led by Newt, Dumbledore, and other allies as they work to prevent Grindelwald from gaining political power. Mads Mikkelsen replaces Johnny Depp as Grindelwald, bringing a more subdued but equally menacing performance. The film explores Dumbledore’s past, including his romantic relationship with Grindelwald, and delves into the burden of secrets, loyalty, and sacrifice. While an improvement in pacing and coherence, it still received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office.
What distinguishes the Fantastic Beasts series from the Harry Potter films is its global scope and more adult themes. While Harry’s story was rooted in coming-of-age, Fantastic Beasts delves into ideological battles, international magical law, and the complexities of power. However, the series has struggled to recapture the emotional resonance and tight narrative focus that made the original saga so beloved.
Despite ambitious world-building and strong performances—especially from Eddie Redmayne (Newt), Jude Law (Dumbledore), and Dan Fogler (Jacob)—the series has faced challenges. Plot inconsistencies, a shifting tone, and behind-the-scenes controversies have all impacted its reception. Originally planned as a five-film arc, the future of the franchise remains uncertain, as Warner Bros. has not confirmed whether it will continue beyond the third film.
In conclusion, the Fantastic Beasts series offers a deeper, more complex look at the magical world, expanding its mythology beyond the walls of Hogwarts. While it hasn’t reached the cultural heights of the original Harry Potter series, it remains a visually rich and narratively ambitious extension of the Wizarding World.
