Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

PG-13

Released Nov 18, 2016

2h 7m

Fantasy

Adventure

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74%

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345 Reviews

79%

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50,000+ Ratings

The year is 1926, and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident, were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt's fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

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Critics Consensus

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them draws on Harry Potter's rich mythology to deliver a spinoff that dazzles with franchise-building magic all its own.

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Karen Han

CutPrintFilm

Fantastic Beasts is a charm, excelling when it's allowed to be its own creature and falling short only when it's forced to pay its franchise dues.

Rated: 7/10

Dec 8, 2017

Full Review

Kristen Lopez

Culturess

Much of the film's rapid-fire entertainment value and slick filmmaking style do a lot towards covering up the weak narrative excuses.

Nov 20, 2017

Full Review

Alison Herman

The Ringer

Rowling imbues Fantastic Beasts from start to finish with a sense of discovery.

Aug 11, 2017

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Rowling throws her audience into the fray without developing personalities we grow to love. As a result, Fantastic Beasts feels underwhelming, if diverting for the duration.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 9, 2022

Full Review

David Gonzalez

The Cinematic Reel

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is an unexpected return to Rowlings wizarding world but with anything, the unexpected surprises are sometimes the best.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 14, 2022

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a predominantly worthless endeavor that seems to serve no purpose other than to lay the groundwork for future installments.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 18, 2022

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Boots McGee

a fanciful journey, full of imaginative creature design and world building. THIS movie is great. commenting from 2024....they should have stopped here.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

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Ryan U

look to the western sky

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

A. ERUNDIL M

A pesar de las buenas intenciones es una historia fallida con un personaje protagonista que carece de carisma para atraer al público.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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Horror fan 4

A great start to a prequel trilogy. Loved the creatures and new characters. Tim Treakle

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

Toby D

*Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* launches a new chapter in the wizarding world, introducing a vibrant, if occasionally flawed, cinematic adventure set in the enchanting 1920s. Stepping back from Harry’s era, the film immerses us in a fresh landscape—1926 New York—where we meet Newt Scamander, a quirky magizoologist and the future author of the Hogwarts textbook. His passion for magical creatures drives a chaotic, light-hearted story that feels like a magical mishap where everything that can go wrong does, delivering a whimsical contrast to the looming darkness. Beneath the surface of Newt’s escapades, the film weaves a darker thread with the rise of Gellert Grindelwald, the first truly dangerous dark wizard, whose shadow begins to cast a reign of terror over the wizarding world. The politics of the American magical community, governed by the secretive MACUSA, add layers of tension, exposing the fragility and prejudice within this new setting. Newt’s misadventures—unleashing creatures in a Muggle-filled city—collide with these weightier themes, creating a narrative that balances charm with foreboding. Despite some pacing issues and an overcrowded plot, *Fantastic Beasts* enchants with its stunning visuals, Eddie Redmayne’s endearing performance as Newt, and a menagerie of delightful creatures like the mischievous Niffler. It’s a magical, wonderful trip that expands the wizarding world, introducing fresh stakes and a new hero while hinting at the epic conflict to come. The film’s flaws don’t dim its ability to whisk audiences into a dazzling, creature-filled corner of J.K. Rowling’s universe.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Ryland C

Definitely a great film! An amazing way to expand the Harry Potter universe. Of course I think the highlight here is the visuals. The beast themselves look amazing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

Full Review

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David Yates

Director

Eddie Redmayne

Newt

Katherine Waterston

Tina

Dan Fogler

Jacob Kowalski

Alison Sudol

Queenie

Ezra Miller

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Blu-Ray Trailer

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Trailer 2

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Comic-Con Trailer

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Teaser Trailer 1

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Announcement Trailer

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Synopsis

The year is 1926, and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident, were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt's fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

Director: David Yates
Producer: David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves, Lionel Wigram
Screenwriter: J.K. Rowling
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Nvizible, Heyday Films, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Fantasy/Action Violence)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 8, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $234.0M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Datasat, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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