Over the last few months, I took a liking to Harry Potter through movies, games, and books. Growing up, I had my book series I enjoyed but I slowly drifted off into athletics, sports, and video games. It was only until March that my girlfriend convinced me to watch the movies, which I had been meaning to do for some time now. It was new, exciting, and nothing like I expected. All of the major events that occurred were completely foreign to me. I had no expectations of what would happen, although I had an inkling none of the three main characters would die.
After finishing The Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (8th movie), I felt that I owed it to the Wizarding World to continue further and read the books. I started from the beginning once again and finished the first book in several days. I finished the second one even sooner. Despite split opinions on the author, J.K. Rowling, she does an excellent job in storytelling, world-building, and character developing through the seven books. It came as a retrospective shock that I never took the time to read these books when I was younger.
In this article, I want to speak more on the Wizarding World at large, including the movies, books, video games, and beyond. More specifically, I’ll add personal anecdotes to my relationship with aspects of the universe. This, of course, will contain spoilers. The Wizarding World is a big one, and so we shan’t waste any more time.
Books
There seems to be no better place to start than where it all began for Harry Potter, in the Sorcerer’s Stone (or Philosopher’s Stone). We begin to get a glimpse of Harry’s life with the crooked Dursley family at 4 Privet Drive. Of course, as the books move on, we leave Muggle areas and go to Hogwarts and the Wizarding World outside of the public eye of non-wizards. The rest of the story seems to take place at Hogwarts or the surrounding areas, including the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade.
What is so enjoyable about the books is the fact that there is so much detail. As a writer myself, I found myself in awe at how Rowling could include so many side plots that would all contribute to the main plot by the end. The movies do not do these side plots justice. Furthermore, the movies cut away a lot of the book content regarding the main plot or character traits. Harry’s talk with Dumbledore where Dumbledore reveals the entire prophecy is cut into a one minute throwaway scene. The entire reason for the series is thrown into a one minute scene, can you imagine?
We don’t see Hermione’s SPEW, Winky the house-elf, Kreacher’s character development, the Marauders line, Wormtail’s suicide, Sirius’ two-way mirror, and the Triwizard tournament winnings being donated to Fred and George. Some of these have larger impacts to the story, but them all being included in the books show the books superiority over the movies. I don’t care if they’re considered children’s books, I think everyone ought to read them (I know that’s rich, coming from a 22-year old who read them for the first time).
Films
I bashed the films a lot in the books section, but I love the movies still. There’s a split in the fiction community that watching something before reading the original content is sinful. Therefore, watching the movies before reading the books gives your opinion little merit in the community. I would highly disagree with that statement. Watching the movies before reading the books gave me an appreciation I could never have had previously. It helped form this beautiful world on screen for me, painting pictures I could transfer while reading. From the first movie, I was enchanted. I’ve never been a huge “magic” person, especially after college writing workshops. Yet after watching Harry Potter, I felt an overwhelming urge to become a wizard.
“True” Harry Potter fans will be sure to point out the casting differences and changes between films (as directors changed). Chris Columbus (not to be mistaken with the colonizer) directed the first two in a whimsical manner with bright colors. Alfonso Cuarón directed the Prisoner of Azkaban, a difficult challenge merging the whimsy to more serious tones. Mike Newell, in the most controversial film, Goblet of Fire, focuses on the wrong things. I, for one, really enjoyed the film although in the community it is hated for many reasons, including diverting from the books and focusing on romance. David Yates finished the last four films, splitting Deathly Hallows into two movies. I actually disliked the dark coloration in Yates’ take, but understand the tone of the movies/books.
The films are essential to watch as a fan, even if a casual fan. If you want to break out of the Muggle world and become a wizard, you have your first step.
Video Games
I could talk extensively about Harry Potter video games, as there are so many in existence. It is easier to list the one I have played: Hogwarts Legacy, Quidditch Champions, and briefly, LEGO Harry Potter. I found well over twenty Harry Potter themed video games and haven’t played the majority so my word would mean nothing.
When I heard about Hogwarts Legacy, even as someone who never consumed Harry Potter content in the past, I knew I was buying it. I wasn’t waiting for a sale or for it to come to a subscription service, I was straight-up purchasing it. I’m so lucky I did as it was my Game of the Year for 2023. The world was so engaging and active, even in the dullest areas. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through Hogwarts, both before and after reading the books and watching the movies. I noticed such small things I doubt I noticed in my first play-through. The story was entertaining although as it diverted from the main content of Harry Potter, I wasn’t as entertained. I did, in the end, 100% the game.
Quidditch Champions I was on the fence for a little until I caved because two friends already bought it and needed a third. Again, this was before I consumed any Harry Potter content. I didn’t even know the rules of Quidditch before I started playing which made the gameplay much more interesting and confusing. It made for some fun times with friends but after an update and a swarm of sweaty players, it became a lot less enjoyable. I vividly remember playing a few scenes of LEGO Harry Potter but not enough to speak on it.
Universal Studios
In North London, there’s a Warner Bros. Studio Tour that takes you through different buildings of Harry Potter. It includes actual places the films were taken in and is most Harry Potter dreams fans to explore. I, for one, would love to go there. I would also love to return to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, to take a trip to Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and certainly Hogwarts Castle. At the time of writing this, the Ministry of Magic will also be opening on May 22nd, 2025. I bring this up to show the global impact Harry Potter has had. Yes, in London it’s big because some of the story takes you through the city. But in Florida, in the United States? It goes to show the spread that it had globally.
I went to Universal Studios and saw Hogwarts and Hogsmeade but never understood how awesome it was at the time. I was young and hadn’t read the books or watched any movies. Once I have money to spare, you can catch me back there someday.
Harrypotter.com
Maybe it feels like cheating a little bit, but the official Harry Potter website has so much content to absorb. If you create an account, you can finally find out what house you belong to, what your wand is made out of, and what patronus shoots out when you shout “Expecto Patronum”. It started as “Pottermore” in July 2011, then to WizardingWorld in 2019. The website took its most recent name, harrypotter.com, in October of 2024. Outside of the personal creation gadgets, there’s quizzes, puzzles, and articles galore. Many articles are being added on a daily basis, which is surprising everyone how much the franchise can be milked until there’s no more content to talk about.
Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s nice to find a comforting website with some trivia to entertain oneself. I will always find the time to educate myself more on the Wizarding World and discover everything available to me.
While on the website, be sure to check out the Harry Potter licensed store. They have robes, wands, and everything else needed to start your first year at Hogwarts. (None of this is a sponsor, I’m just really geeked at what is available)
And So Much More!
There’s so much content still being worked on and created by the wonderful minds in the Wizarding World. New games from Portkey Games are being created (Hogwarts Legacy 2?) and a TV show from HBO is in the works of casting for a 2026 release. Universal may continue building things from Harry Potter if success is achieved (why wouldn’t it be?). While Rowling’s ideas may be a little prehistoric, the franchise has never seen more success than now, the year 2025. For a quick reminder, the first book was released in November 2001!
As a new fan of Harry Potter, I was worried I would be behind with content, forever trying to catch up to the times. Within just a few months time, I was able to read the books, watch the movies, and educate myself on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I look forward to the future and will definitely write more on the series when information comes available to the public.