It Killed The Harry Potter Franchise, But Here’s Why Fantastic Beasts 3 Is My Favorite Wizarding World Spinoff Movie

The Wizarding World continues to spark discussions due to the incredible Harry Potter films, yet Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore often gets overshadowed. The Fantastic Beasts series is already being forgotten, and I know the film did not do so well with audiences and critics alike. However, despite the reception, I believe that Fantastic Beasts 3 has a unique charm that resonates with viewers like me, as it offers new takes on the enchanting world of Harry Potter that I love while forging its own engaging path.

Though the film has its fair share of flaws, I still find something undeniably engaging about Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, and, in my opinion, Fantastic Beasts 3 fixes the franchise’s previous problems. For me, it stands out as the most mature and driven entry in the spinoff series, even if it can’t hit the same heights as the Harry Potter saga. Fantastic Beasts 3’s setting, action, and emotional depth make it far better than its predecessors, making it my favorite Wizarding World spinoff to date.

Fantastic Beasts 3 Captures The Harry Potter Magic Through Its Setting And Acting

I Loved Every Acting Performance This Film Had To Offer

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore may not have ended the Wizarding World spin-off franchise the way I and many others hoped it would—Fantastic Beasts 3 killed the franchise, after all. Yet, I believe it truly shines is its ability to recapture the magical atmosphere that made Harry Potter so enchanting. The film’s setting, from the towering Hogwarts castle to the intricately designed Ministry of Magic, never ceases to transport me back to the spellbinding world I fell in love with years ago.

However, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore surprises with new stunning locations such as the German and Brazilian Ministries of Magic, the German Erkstag prison, the Austrian Nurmengard Castle, and The Eyrie, a beautiful ancient magic city in Bhutan, China. Each of these locations oozed the magic of the broader Wizarding World. Both the new and nostalgic backdrops, paired with the beautiful and enigmatic cinematography, pull the audience into a realm that feels familiar yet refreshing.

Beyond the magical visuals, the performances in Fantastic Beasts 3 breathe life into the franchise. Jude Law’s portrayal of Albus Dumbledore is one of the film’s standout elements. His magnetic presence brings gravitas to every scene he is in. Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) continues to be a perfect protagonist for the series, even though he is consistently sidelined throughout Fantastic Beasts 3.

Yet the best performance comes from Mads Mikkelsen, who steps into the role of Grindelwald, delivering a chilling villain, providing a fresh take that feels more grounded and grandiose than Johnny Depp’s. Despite the positives of Johnny Depp’s performance, Mikkelsen should stay Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 4, if it happens. The performances of these three actors help elevate the film beyond its narrative shortcomings and immaculately recapture the magic of earlier installments.

Fantastic Beasts 3’s Story Has Plenty Of Redeeming Features (Despite Its Flaws)

The Film Offers Exciting Political Action And Intriguing Moments

While the story of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has received its fair share of criticism, it is not without its strengths. At its core, the film continues to explore the fascinating dynamic between Dumbledore and Grindelwald—two former friends turned enemies. Their relationship, while not fully developed, adds emotional depth to the film that the previous installments lacked. T his thread provides enough intrigue to keep audiences invested, even when the larger plot stumbles.

Additionally, the movie attempts to balance the familiar with the new, bringing in intriguing magical elements like the phoenix and the qilin, both significant to the lore of the Wizarding World. While some subplots may feel undercooked or overly complex, the film does have moments that deliver genuine excitement. In Fantastic Beasts 3, the stakes feel higher than in the previous entries, and there’s a sense of impending doom that keeps the audience engaged.

The political drama and tight pacing were successful elements of the film’s narrative, and were the major contributing factors to why I vastly preferred this film to its predecessors. While the suitcase scene and climax were riddled with plotholes and issues, they were unforgettable sequences and two of my favorites in the series. Despite its imperfections, Fantastic Beasts 3 manages to offer more than enough compelling content to redeem its shortcomings, reminding fans of the darker, more mature themes that made the later Harry Potter films so captivating.

What Fantastic Beasts 3 Has That The Other Two Movies Don’t

Tighter Writing And Character Moments Make This Title Reign Supreme

What sets Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore apart from its predecessors is its focus on character development and emotional depth. Unlike the first two films, which struggled to balance their expanding lore with personal stakes, Fantastic Beasts 3 hones in on its key players—particularly Dumbledore and Grindelwald. This character-driven narrative helps the film feel more cohesive and grounded, despite the numerous plot contrivances. It’s the first time the franchise really dives deep into the psychology of its characters, adding layers of complexity that the other two movies barely touched on.

Another thing the film offers is a sense of urgency and momentum that was missing in the previous installments, much in part due to Fantastic Beasts 3’s less convoluted writing. The plot, while flawed, moves at a faster pace, keeping the audience on edge as the story unfolds. Fantastic Beasts 3’s shift in tone, combined with the more intense action sequences, makes Fantastic Beasts 3 feel like a higher-stakes adventure compared to the slower, more exploratory nature of the first two films.

As a result, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore stands out as not only the most dynamic and emotionally resonant entry in the series, but also the most tight, political, and action-packed in the series. For all of its shortcomings, Fantastic Beasts 3 has carved out a unique and memorable place in the Wizarding World. It is my favorite Wizarding World spinoff film, and to me, its flaws don’t hold it back from living up to its title as a fantastic film.

Director

David Yates

Release Date

April 8, 2022

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures , Heyday Films

Runtime

142 minutes

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