As of today, October 26, 2023, there are three released movies in the Fantastic Beasts series: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. While the original plan envisioned a five-film arc, the future of the franchise remains uncertain following the release of the third installment.
Exploring the Fantastic Beasts Universe
The Fantastic Beasts film series, a spin-off and prequel to the Harry Potter franchise, explores the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander, decades before Harry’s arrival at Hogwarts. These movies delve into the complex wizarding world of the 1920s, 30s, and beyond, introducing new characters and enriching the mythology established by J.K. Rowling. The series serves as a crucial bridge, revealing the rise of Gellert Grindelwald and his influence on the young Albus Dumbledore.
The Films Themselves
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016): The first film introduces Newt Scamander as he arrives in New York City with a suitcase full of magical creatures. When some of these creatures escape, Newt teams up with Tina Goldstein, Queenie Goldstein, and Jacob Kowalski to recapture them and prevent exposure of the wizarding world to the No-Maj (American Muggles). The film also hints at the growing threat of Gellert Grindelwald.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018): This installment sees Grindelwald escaping custody and gathering followers to his cause. Newt, along with his allies, is tasked by Dumbledore to track down Grindelwald and stop him from plunging the wizarding world into war. The film introduces Credence Barebone, a powerful Obscurial whose true identity is central to the plot.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022): The most recent film focuses on Dumbledore’s plan to thwart Grindelwald’s ambition to seize power. Unable to directly confront Grindelwald himself due to a blood pact, Dumbledore assembles a team, including Newt, Tina, Jacob, Queenie, and Yusuf Kama, to carry out a series of elaborate schemes designed to outwit Grindelwald and expose his sinister agenda.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fantastic Beasts
1. Will there be a fourth Fantastic Beasts movie?
The future of the Fantastic Beasts franchise is currently uncertain. While J.K. Rowling initially planned for five films, the mixed reception and box office performance of the second and third movies have cast doubt on the continuation of the series. Warner Bros. has not officially cancelled the series, but no further installments are currently in active development. Any potential future films would likely depend on renewed interest and a compelling narrative direction.
2. Why was Johnny Depp replaced as Grindelwald?
Johnny Depp was asked to resign from his role as Gellert Grindelwald following the outcome of his libel case against The Sun newspaper. Mads Mikkelsen replaced Depp in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. This casting change was met with mixed reactions from fans.
3. Are the Fantastic Beasts movies connected to the Harry Potter series?
Yes, the Fantastic Beasts films are directly connected to the Harry Potter universe. They are set decades before the events of Harry Potter, explore the backstory of Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, and feature familiar magical creatures and concepts from the Harry Potter books and movies. They are considered prequels and spin-offs to the main series.
4. In what order should I watch the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies?
The most straightforward viewing order is to watch the Harry Potter films first, followed by the Fantastic Beasts films. This allows you to experience the original story and characters before delving into the prequel series. While you could watch Fantastic Beasts first as they are set earlier in the timeline, the impact of certain plot points and character relationships might be diminished without the context provided by the Harry Potter series.
5. Where can I watch the Fantastic Beasts movies?
The Fantastic Beasts movies are available on various platforms, including:
- Streaming services: HBO Max (now Max) typically has the rights to stream Warner Bros. films. The availability can vary depending on your region.
- Digital rental and purchase: You can rent or purchase the films on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube Movies.
- Physical media: The movies are also available on Blu-ray and DVD.
6. Who wrote the Fantastic Beasts screenplays?
All three Fantastic Beasts films were written by J.K. Rowling. The first film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, was her screenwriting debut. She co-wrote the subsequent two films with Steve Kloves, who also wrote several Harry Potter screenplays.
7. What are some of the most important magical creatures featured in the Fantastic Beasts films?
The Fantastic Beasts series showcases a diverse array of magical creatures, including:
- Niffler: A mischievous creature with a penchant for shiny objects.
- Bowtruckle: A tree-guarding creature, particularly Pickett, who becomes a close companion to Newt.
- Thunderbird: A majestic bird that can create storms with its wings.
- Occamy: A serpentine creature that can grow or shrink to fit the space it occupies.
- Chinese Dragon: A dragon that appeared in the most recent of the films.
8. What are the biggest differences between the Fantastic Beasts book and the films?
The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them book is essentially a textbook written by Newt Scamander detailing various magical creatures. The film series, however, is a completely original story inspired by the book but not directly adapting it. The films expand upon the world and mythology hinted at in the textbook and introduce new characters and plotlines.
9. What are some of the criticisms of the Fantastic Beasts movies?
The Fantastic Beasts movies have faced several criticisms, including:
- Overcomplicated plot: Some viewers found the plotlines of the later films confusing and convoluted.
- Focus shift: The series arguably moved away from focusing on the fantastic beasts themselves and increasingly focused on the Grindelwald/Dumbledore conflict.
- Character development: Certain characters were criticized for lacking sufficient development or motivation.
- Retcons: Some plot points seemingly contradicted established lore from the Harry Potter series.
10. Who is Credence Barebone, and why is he so important to the Fantastic Beasts storyline?
Credence Barebone, portrayed by Ezra Miller, is a central character in the Fantastic Beasts series. He is revealed to be Aurelius Dumbledore, Albus Dumbledore’s long-lost brother. Credence is an Obscurial, a wizard who has repressed their magical abilities, resulting in a destructive parasitic force called an Obscurus. His powerful magic and connection to the Dumbledore family make him a key player in the conflict between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
11. What is the significance of the blood pact between Dumbledore and Grindelwald?
The blood pact is a powerful magical agreement made by Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald in their youth, preventing them from directly attacking each other. This pact is a central plot point in the Fantastic Beasts series, explaining why Dumbledore cannot directly confront Grindelwald and necessitating the use of intermediaries like Newt Scamander. The blood pact acts as a major obstacle in the fight against Grindelwald’s rise to power.
12. How does the Fantastic Beasts series expand upon the Harry Potter world?
The Fantastic Beasts series expands the Harry Potter world by:
- Exploring different time periods: Setting the story decades before Harry Potter’s adventures provides a glimpse into the wizarding world in the 1920s and 30s.
- Introducing new characters and locations: The series introduces a new cast of characters and explores different wizarding communities around the world, particularly in the United States and Europe.
- Delving into the backstory of key figures: The series provides more depth to the characters of Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, exploring their past relationship and the events that shaped their opposing ideologies.
- Showcasing a wider variety of magical creatures: As the title suggests, the series highlights a diverse range of magical creatures, expanding our understanding of the wizarding world’s biodiversity.