The best-ranked Harry Potter film in Rotten Tomatoes’ critic ordering is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), at 96%; the lowest is Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010), at 77%. This list ranks the eight-film Harry Potter series by Tomatometer percentage, using Rotten Tomatoes’ guide consulted September 30, 2026. A Tomatometer percentage is the share of counted critic reviews marked positive—not an audience poll, a measure of how strongly critics liked a film, or an objective verdict on artistic merit.
How this Harry Potter movie ranking works
The order below follows Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer figures on its ranking page, published November 18, 2025 and consulted September 30, 2026. Aggregator scores can change. Each percentage indicates the share of counted critic reviews marked positive; it does not measure the intensity of those reviews or tell you how audiences rank the films. The numbers establish a consistent critic-based order, not a definitive ranking of artistic quality.
The scope is the eight Harry Potter films. Fantastic Beasts is a separate prequel series in the wider Wizarding World and is not included here.
Harry Potter movies ranked from worst to best
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) — 77%
David Yates’s first half of the finale places eighth in the critic ranking. Its transitional structure can make it feel more like a setup for the conclusion than a complete standalone story. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus also praises its cinematography and emotional effect, so its lower position does not mean it lacks feeling or craft; it reflects one way of weighing a deliberately incomplete chapter.
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7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) — 78%
Yates’s fifth film follows closely at 78%. Its central adaptation challenge is compressing the series’ longest novel into its shortest film. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus describes the result as entertaining and action-packed. Readers who prioritize the book’s breadth or details may find the film’s pace and omissions more consequential than this critic score suggests.
6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) — 80%
Chris Columbus’s first film introduces Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hogwarts, establishing the world that the sequels build on. Critics’ consensus praises its faithful adaptation while recognizing that a novel must be condensed for the screen. Sixth place in this order should not obscure its foundational role: viewers who value discovery, warmth, and the beginning of the school-year adventures may put it much higher.
Rank #2
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- Harry Potter: 8 Film Collection (4K)
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) — 82%
Columbus’s sequel ranks just above the first film. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus calls it darker and livelier than its predecessor and notes how it expands the world. Its school mystery and adventurous feel make it a natural favorite for viewers who prize world-building, even if its critic percentage puts it in the middle of this list.
4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) — 83%
Yates’s sixth entry combines a darker story with occasional humor and a distinctive visual style, according to its critics’ consensus. It belongs to the later films’ more serious stretch, but tone alone does not determine this ranking. Its balance of atmosphere, character development, and story can appeal to viewers differently from the more self-contained mysteries of the early films.
Rank #3
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- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (152 mins) – The magical adventure begins as Harry arrives at Hogwarts.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (161 mins) – Flying cars, deadly secrets, and an ominous warning await in Harry’s second year.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (142 mins) – Dementors arrive and Harry uncovers a mysterious connection to a dangerous prisoner.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (157 mins) – Deadly tournaments and the rise of Lord Voldemort put Harry to the ultimate test.
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (138 mins) – As few believe Voldemort’s return, Harry must secretly prepare his friends for war.
3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) — 88%
Mike Newell’s fourth film turns the school-year structure into a more dangerous competition with the Triwizard Tournament. The premise gives the series a clear escalation, and Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus highlights the maturing characters, effects, and performances. That mix of spectacle and a shift toward higher stakes places it third in the critic order.
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) — 90%
Alfonso Cuarón’s third film ranks second. Harry’s third year brings the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban into the story as a central threat. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus emphasizes the film’s technical craft and complex storytelling. Its darker atmosphere and change in directorial style distinguish it from the first two entries, which is part of its appeal for some viewers and a reason others may prefer the earlier films’ lighter school adventures.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) — 96%
Yates’s final film takes the top spot, closing the central conflict with the series’ final battle and resolution. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus calls it “Thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling” and says it brings the franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Its position at the top reflects the positive share of critic reviews—not a universal ruling on which film every viewer should love most.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why your personal ranking may differ
Rotten Tomatoes has noted that Potter fans often disagree about the order, including over the contrast between the lighter early years and darker later ones. A personal list can reasonably use different priorities from an aggregate critic score. Consider which of these matters most to you:
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- Adaptation and pacing: how a film handles the length and detail of its novel, particularly Order of the Phoenix, or the two-part ending’s split structure.
- Direction and visual style: how each director shapes the world, atmosphere, and action.
- Performances and character development: the cast’s work and the characters’ growth across the series.
- Standalone satisfaction versus series payoff: whether you prefer a film that feels complete on its own or one whose meaning depends on the larger story.
These are ways to compare the films, not separately measured scores. They explain why a fan ranking—or one shaped by affection for a particular book—need not match the Tomatometer order.
How to watch the Harry Potter movies in order
For the eight-film series, watch the films in release order: start with Sorcerer’s Stone, continue through the school-year films, then watch Deathly Hallows: Part 1 immediately before Part 2. That keeps the main story’s progression intact and lets the split finale play as one concluding arc. The Fantastic Beasts films belong to the wider Wizarding World, not this eight-film ranking.
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