You can skip 3 of the 11 titles in the Wizarding World franchise and still follow the main story: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. The essentials (8 titles) take about 20 hours instead of 26 hours.
- Skippable
- 3
- Essentials
- 8
- Time saved
- 7 hours
Safe to skip
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them2016 · Film · 2h 13m · optionalNewt Scamander in 1920s New York; a prequel best watched after the Harry Potter films.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald2018 · Film · 2h 14m · optionalGrindelwald's rise and a young Dumbledore.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore2022 · Film · 2h 22m · optionalThe last Fantastic Beasts film so far.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 2016 · Film · 2h 13m · optional
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
In 1926, Newt Scamander arrives at the Magical Congress of the United States of America with a magically expanded briefcase, which houses a number of dangerous creatures and their habitats. When the creatures escape from the briefcase, it sends the American wizarding authorities after Newt, and threatens to strain even further the state of magical and non-magical relations.
Why it matters: Newt Scamander in 1920s New York; a prequel best watched after the Harry Potter films.
- Starring
- Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, and Dan Fogler
- Director
- David Yates
- Box office
- $809 million on a $180 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 74%
No. 02 · 2018 · Film · 2h 14m · optional
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Gellert Grindelwald has escaped imprisonment and has begun gathering followers to his cause—elevating wizards above all non-magical beings. The only one capable of putting a stop to him is the wizard he once called his closest friend, Albus Dumbledore. However, Dumbledore will need to seek help from the wizard who had thwarted Grindelwald once before, his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
Why it matters: Grindelwald's rise and a young Dumbledore.
- Starring
- Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, and Dan Fogler
- Director
- David Yates
- Box office
- $655 million on a $200 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 36%
No. 03 · 2022 · Film · 2h 22m · optional
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards and witches. They soon encounter an array of old and new beasts as they clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers.
Why it matters: The last Fantastic Beasts film so far.
- Starring
- Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, and Mads Mikkelsen
- Director
- David Yates
- Box office
- $407 million on a $200 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 46%
The essentials, in release order
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone2001 · Film · 2h 32mHarry arrives at Hogwarts: the place to start.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets2002 · Film · 2h 41mYear two, and an early clue to Voldemort's Horcruxes.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban2004 · Film · 2h 21mYear three introduces Sirius Black and Lupin.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire2005 · Film · 2h 37mThe Triwizard Tournament ends with Voldemort's return.
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix2007 · Film · 2h 18mDumbledore's Army and the fight at the Ministry.
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince2009 · Film · 2h 33mSnape's secret and the Horcrux hunt begins.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12010 · Film · 2h 26mHarry, Ron and Hermione on the run.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 22011 · Film · 2h 10mThe Battle of Hogwarts ends the saga.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Wizarding World title?
No. You can skip 3 of the 11 titles in the Wizarding World franchise and still follow the main story: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. The essentials (8 titles) take about 20 hours instead of 26 hours.
How long are the Wizarding World essentials?
About 20 hours for 8 titles, in release order starting with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Keep reading
Catch-up guideWhat to watch before the HBO Harry Potter seriesOut December 25, 2026- RecapHarry Potter recap: the story so far11 titles recapped
- Watch order guideHow to watch the Harry Potter movies in order11 titles · 26 hours
Skip guideWhat can you skip in Game of Thrones?2 titles you can skip
RecapChainsaw Man recap: the story so far2 titles recapped
Watch order guideHow to watch the One Piece movies in order8 titles · 498 hours