9 best movies like Harry Potter At this stage, it is safe to say that Harry Potter has become a household name. The highly acclaimed book series not only gave rise to a beloved stage musical and numerous companion books, but also produced eight incredibly successful movies that showcased the growth of its young actors in front of our own eyes.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in the main roles, the films depict the escapades of Harry Potter, a seemingly average boy who discovers his extraordinary magical abilities. He embarks on a mission to protect the wizarding world from an oppressive aspiring tyrant.
If you have already watched all the movies and still crave for some magical cinematic experience, we have compiled a list of films similar to Harry Potter that will satisfy your desire. All of these movies are currently available for streaming.
9 Best Movies like Harry Potter
Calling all Potterheads! If you’ve already watched the entire Harry Potter series (multiple times) and are craving more magical adventures, then you’re in luck. In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the 9 best movies that capture the same sense of wonder, excitement, and enchantment as the beloved Harry Potter franchise. From epic fantasy worlds to extraordinary characters, these movies will transport you to new realms and leave you spellbound. So grab your wand, hop on your broomstick, and get ready for a movie marathon that will bring back all the magic of Hogwarts.
9 Best Movies like Harry Potter on Disney Plus, Max and more
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
- The House with a Clock In Its Walls
- Hugo
- Beautiful Creatures
- Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children
- Young Sherlock Holmes
- The Neverending Story
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
During the early 2000s, A Series of Unfortunate Events emerged as a major rival to Harry Potter in the genre of children’s fantasy books featuring unfortunate orphans. The story revolves around the Baudelaire siblings – Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny – who tragically lose their parents in an unexplained fire. They are then taken in by Count Olaf (played by Jim Carrey, who seemingly indulges in overacting), a distant relative with sinister intentions towards the children. What sets A Series of Unfortunate Events apart from other films within the same category is its dark and twisted sense of humor, placing its young protagonists in relentlessly grim situations while simultaneously acknowledging the audience with a playful wink.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Long before JK Rowling conceived the idea of Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia had been captivating children for multiple generations (and still does). However, when the film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was released in 2005, it was given the go-ahead partly with the intention of benefiting from the popularity of the wizarding franchise, indicating that young viewers had a positive reception to fantasy stories.
The Pevensee children, a quartet of siblings from England during World War II, find themselves magically transported to the enchanting realm of Narnia through an ordinary wardrobe. In this extraordinary land, they become entangled in geopolitical disputes, engage in a fierce battle against a malevolent witch, encounter Santa Claus, and ultimately ascend to the positions of kings and queens. Quite an impressive journey for a group of young preteens.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Every day, there seems to be another film in the style of Harry Potter, directed by Christopher Columbus. Just like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson is an enduring underdog who discovers with astonishment that he possesses extraordinary abilities and a remarkable heritage. Similar to Harry Potter, the Percy Jackson book series gained immense popularity among young readers globally. However, unlike Harry Potter, which focuses on a young wizard’s life in a magical school, Percy Jackson draws its inspiration from Greek mythology.
Percy uncovers the truth that he is, in fact, the son of Poseidon, a demigod. To ensure his safety, he is sent to a summer camp specifically designed for the children of gods who have mixed parentage. Being the offspring of one of the three most influential gods, all of whom pledged not to father any more demigods for the greater good, Percy becomes an immediate target. It’s as if he has been singled out as “the Chosen One.”
The House with a Clock In Its Walls
There are numerous similarities between The House with a Clock In Its Walls and Harry Potter. Both stories revolve around young orphans who are sent to live with their eccentric relatives due to a car accident that claimed the lives of their parents (although, in Harry Potter’s case, this is later revealed to be untrue). In both movies, the orphan unintentionally discovers a world of magic and is compelled to fight against dark forces in order to protect those around them. However, unlike Harry Potter, The House with a Clock In Its Walls was originally intended to be a standalone film, despite the interest of many fans in a sequel that would further explore the adventures of its young wizard protagonist.
Hugo
Although Hugo and Harry Potter differ in terms of plot, they share similarities in that they are both adaptations of popular children’s books and revolve around young orphan boys who stumble upon magic. Set in a busy train station in Paris, Hugo (portrayed by Asa Butterfield) must constantly avoid being caught by a persistent security guard.
In the film, Hugo, the main character forms a friendship with a grumpy toymaker (played by Ben Kingsley) and his granddaughter (played by Chloe Grace Moretz). However, he soon discovers that the toymaker is actually Georges Melies, the renowned silent film pioneer in France. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the movie skillfully portrays the journey of the young protagonist as he assists Melies in rediscovering the enchantment of cinema. This is a message that Scorsese aims to convey to the audience as well.
Beautiful Creatures
Why settle for a traditional British boarding school backdrop when you can immerse yourself in the mysterious atmosphere of a Southern gothic? The story of Beautiful Creatures centers around Lena Duchannes, a teenage girl whose life is destined to be transformed on her 16th birthday. Plagued by uncontrollable supernatural abilities, she must choose between embracing the light or succumbing to the dark, just like her ancestors before her.
The story combines the enchantment of Harry Potter and its central conflict between good and evil, while also incorporating captivating family drama. Additionally, it includes a star-crossed romance similar to the one that captivated audiences during the Twilight phenomenon.
Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children
Imagine if the setting of Harry Potter was not a majestic castle in the Scottish countryside, but rather a modest institution for children with unique talents. In that case, it would resemble Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children, where Jake (played by Asa Butterfield) embarks on a journey to the year 1943 and stumbles upon a charming English residence inhabited by a group of children with extraordinary abilities. Among them is one who can breathe underwater and another who possesses the ability to resurrect the deceased. Their guardian is Miss Peregrine, portrayed by Eva Green.
Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children creates a time bubble that encompasses the entire school, providing a safe haven for its peculiar inhabitants. This protective measure shields them from the perils of the outside world and safeguards them against malevolent forces that seek to harm them. In terms of constructing a captivating world and cultivating a magical atmosphere, Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children rivals the finest elements found in Harry Potter.
Young Sherlock Holmes
Although Young Sherlock Holmes does not occur in a magical realm, it still shares several similarities with Harry Potter. The story revolves around one of teenage Sherlock Holmes’ initial investigations, which involves a team of three protagonists: a tall and red-haired individual, a short bespectacled boy with brown hair, and a female companion with bushy hair. Additionally, the film introduces a studious blond antagonist who strikingly resembles Draco Malfoy.
This film perfectly captures the quintessential British boarding school experience and it will be instantly recognizable to fans of Harry Potter for a good reason. It was directed by Christopher Columbus fifteen years prior to his work on the first two Harry Potter movies. The stylistic elements he employed in Young Sherlock Holmes can be seen echoed in Harry Potter, from the castle-like appearance of the boarding school to the long tables in the student dining hall.
The Neverending Story
During the early 2000s, A Series of Unfortunate Events emerged as a significant rival to Harry Potter in the realm of children’s fantasy books featuring unfortunate orphans. The story revolves around the Baudelaire siblings – Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny – who tragically lose their parents in an unexplained fire. They find themselves under the care of Count Olaf (played by Jim Carrey, who undoubtedly put in quite a performance), a distant relative with sinister intentions for his newfound charges. What sets A Series of Unfortunate Events apart from other films in its genre is its dark sense of humor, subjecting its young protagonists to relentlessly bleak circumstances while still slyly acknowledging the audience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most similar movie to Harry Potter?
The closest thing in relation to the real thing is the Fantastic Beasts movie series: a prequel series that focuses on Harry Potter characters deep in the existing canon.
Who is Harry Potter similar to?
The character of Harry Potter is similar to Margaret Mary Kimmel’s character Tom in Magic in the Mist (1975)—a boy who tries to learn magic, befriends a dragon, and has a snake, badger, and raven as his friends. The illustrations in the book bear a close resemblance to those that would be drawn for Harry Potter.
What is the darkest Harry Potter movie?
Order of the Phoenix depicts the darkest moment in Harry’s life, as he finds himself isolated from friends and with the Wizarding World against him.
Is Voldemort in Fantastic Beasts?
Voldemort has yet to appear in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, but he is still part of the overall timeline and it’s possible to guess what he’s doing during that time. The Fantastic Beasts series is part of the Harry Potter universe, and takes place years before the events of the Harry Potter film series.
Bottom Line
If you’re a fan of the magical world of Harry Potter, you’re in luck because there are plenty of other movies out there that capture the same sense of adventure and wonder. From epic fantasy tales to stories about friendship and bravery, these movies are sure to transport you to another world just like Harry Potter did. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready for a movie marathon that will leave you spellbound. Whether you’re watching on Disney Plus, Max, or any other streaming platform, these movies are bound to be a magical experience.
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