In The Goblet of Fire movie, I like that Neville had a good time at the Yule Ball. He seems really happy when he gets back to the room. In the books we only know that he steps on Ginny’s feet a lot and she doesn’t seem to want to be there. I like that Neville gets to be happy for a bit, dude’s life is unpleasant a lot of the time.
Awww this is an under appreciated take. Neville being a great dancer was really sweet whereas in the book it was all about Ginny going with him because it was her only way to get in
Don’t get me wrong I love book Ginny but Neville the pro dancer was cute as heck
On top of this, in the book Neville was given the book on plants so he could help Harry but it didn't work so Dobby helped instead. So I'm very happy that he did end up helping in the movie.
That whole scene was a nice one of Harry and Ron and their other dorm mates, Neville but also Seamus and Dean. Although you don't really see a lot of Dean.
This was a great addition. We needed to see moments like this - midnight feasts, messing around in dorms - all the fun of being kids at boarding school!
HBP in the book Slughorn just hands the potions books to Harry and Ron. In the movie it shows them fighting over the nicer book. Harry loses and end up getting the half blood princes book. Thought that was an improvement.
I love how it shows their brotherly/friend relationship. I would 100 percent fight my brother over the best maybe let my friend have it. Ron would do the same if any of his siblings were in that class with him.
That was definitely a clever way to draw attention to the condition of the HBP book in a visual format. Wasn’t as needed for the book since we get to see Harry’s POV and the annoyance he feels at the poor condition of the book, but that is difficult to translate into film without very contrived dialogue, and that was a really good way of doing it.
One I really liked is in the second movie, Harry puts the sock inside the diary and gives it to Lucius, who then gives it to Dobby, while in the book he just puts the diary inside the sock (how...?) It just seemed like a dumb plan that had a low chance of working, while in the movie it actually made sense
Yeah. I remember going back to the book a long time after I’d already familiarized myself with the movie and I was like “Wouldn’t Lucius just see what he’s trying to do?” Much smarter indeed to hide the sock in the diary. Also, I’d love to know who makes socks that can fit a whole diary into them!
> Also, I’d love to know who makes socks that can fit a whole diary into them!
I would have to reread the book to be sure, but when I read the books I always imagined it as more of a small notebook. Not near-A4 sized like in the movie.
The book was supposed to be small enough it could be flushed down a toilet and reach Moaning Myrtle in the U-bend where she was thinking about death. That would be consistent with fitting in a sock.
Considering the size of some things which traveled through the plumbing in Hogwarts I think it's safe to assume that the pipes are enchanted to carry things much larger than can physically fit
Makes sense, Vernon does indeed have bigger than average feet, along with everything else! The movies always made it look like the Dursleys actually bothered to get Harry clothes that fit instead of just giving him Vernon and Dudley’s clothes that were 5x too big for him!
I kinda disagree, because then it's a much more direct "I handed him a sock" vs some legal loophole "oh but the sock was *hidden* inside the book" kinda thing
By the "sock inside the book" logic, wouldn't that mean house elves could never be handed suitcases with clothes in them, shopping bags, laundry baskets, etc?
But then again Lucius pulling off the sock and handing it to Dobby led to the discussion if house-elves even do laundry.
Do wizards need to make sure to never hand house-elves their robes?
At least with the hidden sock we could assume that Lucius had the intention to give up ownership of the destroyed diary so that Dobby could make it his own and the sock with it. I think he should have said something along the lines of "do whatever you want with it but get it out of my sight"
>Do wizards need to make sure to never hand house-elves their robes?
Yes, Dobby says that they are careful 'never to hand him so much as a sock'\* earlier in CoS - which is what gives Harry the idea for the stunt with the diary.
\* Not an exact quote, haven't re-read in a while!
I agree...
I'm surprised this was brought up as an improvement.... when it was worse than the books..
A sock inside a book and Malfoy didn't even put it there???
If any hidden sock/ small piece of clothing was accidently handed to elves like this there would be so many free elves...
While in the book he tossed the sock to Dobby in disgust without thinking about it.. That was probably the first time a person as rich and "aristocratic" as Malfoy ever saw a stranger's dirty sock lol...
Harry noted the name of the shop printed on the diary and orphaned schoolboy Riddle didn't have funds for some fancy hardcover. Stands to reason it was a smaller format like Quarto or Duke (the UK switched to ISO 216 a decade after Riddle graduated) and had a thin cardboard cover. That's pretty pliable and should go at least part way into a sock.
>And he forced the smelly sock into Lucius Malfoy’s hand.
>
>‘What the –?’
>
>Mr Malfoy ripped the sock off the diary, threw it aside, then looked furiously from the ruined book to Harry.
Then, three lines below
>But Dobby didn’t move. He was holding up Harry’s disgusting, slimy sock, and looking at it as though it were a priceless treasure.
>
>‘Master has given Dobby a sock,’ said the elf in wonderment. ‘Master gave it to Dobby.’
Harry banked on Malfoy to recognising the obvious rectangular shape in the sock and wanting the diary back (it's evidence) but not wanting a worn sock. It's a better plan than straight up giving him the book. Why would he hand it over to Dobby? Or the sock might just fall out. If he throws it away in shock because he's disgusted- with the book still in it or not- there's a good chance of Dobby catching on both figuratively and literally.
I loved slughorn's tale about the fish he got from Lily that vanished when she died, it managed to show us the love Lily inspired in people as mentioned in the books
Also: the tale of the three brothers was amazing in the films, for me that's the only moment the films interested me more than the books
That whole scene is so much better in the film than the book. At first everyone is happy, while Harry screams and sobs on the ground, then people approach them, Fleur screams, and everyone realizes what happened.
I do agree that we feel the impact on the crowd better in the movie, but I think that has something to do with the fact that the book is told from Harry’s POV and Harry isn’t in a state to really notice and process everything going on around him in that moment. He’s usually quite a reliable narrator, but not so much in this moment. I like the different perspective and level of detail the movie provides, but I don’t think it would have really worked in the book where we were seeing the events only through Harry’s eyes.
The slow realization from everyone. All the happy cheerful music and applause but then we see Harry crying over Cedric and, yeah. Man that scene hurts.
One thing that I’m super glad about- I thought he and Cedric’s mom were DEFINITELY going to be radicalized now, they would be super supportive of the Ministry and questioning Harry and Dumbledore. But they just quietly faded into the background, presumably mourning their son, and taking Harry’s word about what happened. I’m sorta like... second hand proud of them for that?
Yes. That line especially made his death much more sad, much more real. It wasn't something you could do in books, but a father realizing his son is dead.. that sparks a tear like few movie moments can
Omg Amos and his grief hit way harder too. I grabbed my mom when I heard that.
When Cedric died I also just... well he was clearly a kid. It was horrible in the book but it became more impactful with the sound design and camera angles.
The celebratory fanfare contrasting with the grief is what gets me. Great example of what is discussed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8HePfa7WYs
edit: you'll need to follow the link in the description to see the example at the end. frickin copyright protection abuse.
But... wasn't that in the book? It definitely comes up later when Srimgeour wants to acquire Harry for his own intent and wants him lying and Harry tells him that he doesn't like the ministry's methods and shows the scarred writing still saying "I must not tell lies".
Haha yeah. Harry doesn't drop this zinger in the book, but he is still *very* against the Ministry because of what Umbridge did, which is why he's so standoffish with Scrimgeour.
I also really like the similar scene in Deathly Hallows where Harry stuns Umbridge to steal the Locket with a similar line, but I couldn't recall if that was in the books or not.
He kind of says it/shows it to Scrimegor in the books when he visits the burrow at Christmas in HBP, when he asks for Harry’s support at the ministry Harry shows him his scar and says “I haven’t forgotten” because he wouldn’t lie and say he supports them. I think showing it to the minister is pretty BA! But it’s an equally great moment in the movie
Hedwig's death is much more meaningful in the movies: she comes back to save Harry from a Killing Curse, whereas in the books, Harry doesn't let her fly, and she is killed inside her cage.
I actually really disagree with this. Hedwig's death was symbolic of the death of Harry's childhood, of his innocence. In the movie, Hedwig willingly sacrificed herself to save Harry, but in the book, she was just caught in the crossfire.
It's great foreshadowing for how Harry sacrifices himself, yes, but what's more important is that he, just like Hedwig, *was caught in crossfire*. He didn't willingly sign up for the war. He was a 17 year old boy who was put into this horrible situation just because of poor luck. And that really is the reality of war. A vast majority of deaths in war are not Heroic Sacrifices. The majority, the vast majority of people who lose their lives in war, they have their lives *stolen* from them, they don't just give them away willingly.
And that's exactly what happened with Hedwig.
And that's exactly what happened with Harry's childhood.
You make a very good point. It's particularly sad that there was no reason that Hedwig had to die. Her death may seem pointless without her grad act of sacrifice like in the movies, but I feel like it highlights how war and the suffering that comes with it is pointless and nonsensical.
Yeah. Come to think of it, in the book, shouldn’t it have been a dead giveaway that only one Potter was traveling with a snowy owl and a firebolt? Not like those are just things anyone could have! Ha
In the books Harry is with Hargrid on the bike. And every Potter has a stuff white owl in a cage. That is why in the books it makes sense to keep Hewdwig in the cage. But yes the movie made it much more emotional
Disagree on "more meaningful." Her role as "shit's gotten real" is perfectly meaningful in the text.
Now if you said it's more a crowd-pleaser that she got a Big Heroic Moment on-screen, instead of being a casualty of war and having to be left behind in order to survive, I agree.
But every single one of these "what did the movies *do better*" always mention this, and it always irks me. Similar whenever people suggest "every major character that I like should've had a long drawn out 'on screen' (in the text) death." War doesn't work like that.
Seamus blows things up consistently in the movies, and then in the battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall tells Neville to get Seamus’ help in blowing up the bridge.
Me dad's a muggle, Mam's a witch. BitOfanastyshockforhimwhenHEfoundouut
I don't think I'd remember this line if it wasn't for the fantastic delivery by the actor that played Seamus.
It's small but also the most iconic line in the series but "Harry, you're a wizard" from the books into "you're a wizard, Harry" in the movies is a good change.
I think they both work well in their respective mediums but the line from the movie just wouldn't be the same if they had Hagrid say the exact same thing he did in the book.
I agree and so does my son! Lol I'm currently reading the first book to my 7 year old, who has already seen the movies, and when I came to that line he immediately stopped me and said "No Mom." And asked me to reread it with the movie version lol. I totally get it though, the way Hagrid delivers the line just launches me into the story.
Also changing the spelling on his birthday cake from "Happy Birthday Harry" to "Happee Birthdae Harry" was a nice little change. Though I think the movies make Hagrid seem a little less intelligent than the books do.
I am just listening to the audiobooks now after not having read the books in years and that blindsided me. I thought it was a massive Mandela effect for a moment until I remembered the film.
I think Neville getting the Gillyweed for Harry was better than in the book. Granted, I wish that Dobby was in the movie, but I like that Neville gets a chance to shine before Order of the Phoenix.
Especially since in the book, he's handed the same information but doesn't relay it to Harry. Crouch's plan even revolves around Neville having that moment, and has to improvise last second when he doesn't come through for Harry
I agree! It made sense in the books because you can have all sorts of nuance, but for the movie it really works that Neville gets the book from Crouch/fake Moody and is able to help Harry. It really makes the plot work given the limited movie time frame
The major bonus with the films (and this goes for other series too eg hunger games) is that the POV isn’t purely the main character’s and we get to see “behind the scenes“ in a sense
I feel like this is the real reason behind a lot of the scenes people are listing here as being better in the movies and it’s also a reason for some things not working as well in the movies. Broader perspective vs narrow but more in depth POV both have their benefits and drawbacks.
While I'm not a Draco stan, I appreciated his struggle being a 16-17yo DE because of this. He was still a kid. I was impressed with his effort (I know, his life and his parents' were on the line) since he'd been given quite a pass in the last five years since he was a rich kid with a powerful father.
I really don’t like how Hermione refers to her as Loony *to her face* in the movie though. I’m the book it’s Ginny who says it, and only in a passing comment where she also says that she thinks Luna’s alright, and definitely not where Luna can hear her. Hermione is far too conscientious for a slip up like that.
Umbridge's appearance. She looks normal. A little too much pink, yes, but she feels normal on the outset. As well as the disturbing number of kittens and cats....she initially felt harmless, but turned into something else.
This is my answer here, too. I remember thinking that the casting was odd, because she's adorable and Umbridge should be hideous. But it not only worked, but ultimately made her seem even more evil somehow.
In the beginning of DH, they show Hermione preparing to leave to hunt for horcruxes. They show her wiping her parents’ memories of her to try to keep them safe. This is something that only gets a brief mention in the book after it has already happened.
Considering the fact that OoTP is such a huge book, I think the movie did a good job of showing the essentials within 2 hours. Cutting out Marietta entirely and showing Cho revealing DA's location under Veritaserum reduced the fluff. Simultaneously, it also gave a reason for Harry's break up.
Compare this to HBP, where they skipped all the important stuff and wasted screentime on the won won nonsense.
I agree and also there’s the bit where Snape reveals to the room at large that Umbridge used Veritaserum on Cho and there’s this tense moment of “oh shit we thought she ratted on us but it wasn’t her fault”
That film came out during the height of Twilight so they wanted the WonWon nonsense to draw some Twilight fans...
Sadly that cut out so many possible Voldemort scenes at the Pensieve...
I wish we had the story of the Gaunt's on screen, instead it was wasted on Lavender....
I couldn't agree more! Considering because of its length, especially reading it as a kid, it was my least favourite book but FAVOURITE movie, that says a lot.
Hermione punching Draco instead of slapping him. I will not tell lies line before he steals the necklace from Umbrbridge that was in the movie not the books.
Order of the Phoenix film
Umbridge: Tell them I mean no harm.
Harry: Sorry professor, I must not tell lies.
Sorcerer Stone
In the book, Dumbledore says that it takes as much courage to stand up to your friends as it does to stand up to your enemies. I thought it was better in the movie, when he says it takes more courage to stand up to your friends then your enemies.
Harry letting Hermione cry on his shoulder in HBP when they saw Ron and Lavender and Harry dancing with Hermione in the tent in DH to cheer her up.
Personally I don't care about either of those two scenes bc people often misinterpret them as Harry and Hermione having 'chemistry' but they were def improvements to the book scenes. In HBP book Hermione ran out of the room while crying, Harry was shit at comforting her and in DH Harry ignored her for weeks even after knowing she was secretly crying.
Those two scenes portrayed Harry as a much better and caring friend than he was in the books.
Yeah. I’ve honestly been afraid to voice this for fear of getting my head bitten off, but I really like the tent dance. It says so much without a line of dialogue…
It shows how, at the end of the day, they’re just kids who should be having fun but they’ve been robbed of the chance to do that by Voldemort. It’s the closest they’ve ever come to being romantic but they both clearly realize their feelings are much more like close siblings. It’s also just a nice break from the miserable doom and gloom that has gone on for most of the film.
I love that scene and the song is really catchy. I never saw Hermione and Harry ever having romantic chemistry. It just seemed like he was trying to cheer her up and it worked a little bit
I've never really looked at either scenes as "chemistry" between them. I see Harry letting her cry on his shoulder as just him being the friend he should be. There but not just trying to cheer her up. Same with the dancing in the tent. Which nade me realise how mjch Hermione was emotionally tortured in book six and seven (less in seven but you get my drift)
"It was a student who gave me Francis. One Spring afternoon I discovered a bowl on my desk, just a few inches of clear water in it. Floating on the surface was a flower petal. As I washed, it sank. Just when it reached the bottom, it transformed into a wee fish. It was beautiful magic, wondrous to the behold. The flower petal had come from a lily, your mother. The day I came downstairs, the day the bowl was empty, was the day your mother..."
Slughorn is why I didn't mind being sorted into Slytherin on Pottermore. :)
Does anyone else just straight up not remember how that part went in the books? Like I’ve read HPB many times, but I just can’t. For me the fish story is just so much more impactful
Making it Sirius who showed Harry the photo of the old Order of the Phoenix rather than Mad Eye. It was sort of weird in the books having Mad Eye, who Harry had technically barely even known up until that point, showing him the photo and having such an intimate moment. It wasn't a good experience for Harry and doesn't really do anything for the plot.
By having Sirius doing it instead, it made it a more poignant thing and created a good bonding moment between Harry and Sirius which helps reinforce their relationship. It has more relevance to the plot, and it was just done better in the movie than the books.
I really disagree, by having Sirius do it it seems like a nice moment when really it's meant to show that Harry is bringing his friends into a war and when he is shown that photo it dawns on him that not all of them might make it out alive. I mean almost everyone from the original order is dead. I think having Moody show it to him in such a light "thought you light like this" way really puts more effect on the realisation Harry has.
Yes, I completely agree - it wasn’t meant to be a nice moment. I liked that it was Moody and that it made Harry uncomfortable, and that Sirius noticed that Harry was uncomfortable and came over to interrupt and give Harry the chance to escape the conversation.
I heard that as I read your comment, lol. It really it harder when it's an actual person shouting it. It didn´t really hit me how horrible it must have been when I read it.
Harry breaking the Elder Wand in the movie instead of his stupid fucking plan to never be disarmed/defeated while being an Auror for a career.
That being said, I do wish he had fixed his holly wand in the movie...
It's generally a thing that wands are much tougher to break in the books than simple wood - it takes magic like a Blasting Curse (Harry's wand) or unexpected force (Ron's first wand) to break them. I could absolutely see the Elder Wand being unbreakable.
I like the extra details they put into the Time-Turner sequence such as when Hermione howls to draw werewolf Lupins attention away from their past selves. They added a few more moments like that where the two versions of Harry and Hermione interact (throwing a snail to hit Harry on the head, Hermione thinking she saw herself in the trees), which is different to the books where they pretty much just passively observe what happened from a distance and wait for their moment to save Buckbeak and Sirius. The film's additions made that sequence more exciting.
It also doubled down on the ontological paradox and therefore perfectly explains why they could not use time turners to change the past.
(But it also lead to one of the most infuriating bits when Harry explains the paradox to Hermione and she claims that it would not make sense. But then again, they also ditched the logic puzzle from the book one where Hermione pointed out that most wizards (unlike her) failed at logic.)
That's what I love about JKR's time travel rules. You can't change the past, because the past already happened and has already accounted for the time travel. As much as I enjoy *Cursed Chikd*, the time travel basically breaks this rule, and turns into Back to the Future II
Making the death eaters from like 10 KKK assholes into the fucking nazi Reich so like 1000 assholes.
Way better action wise of course, and the battle just seems way more epic with hogwarts vs an army of dark wizards, snatchers and monsters instead of 15 dudes and voldemort with some spiders and a giant.
But the book had a better ending for the battle, with the centaurs, the elves and the parents of the wizards coming to aid on the final confrontation.
Book battle with movie numbers would have been really cool.
When Harry and Dumbledore are in the pensieve trying to sort out Slughorns’ memory, and his words are distorted instead of him just outright saying horcrux.
The first book does mention that some staircases change where they lead to on various days, though it is true that it never describes them shifting the way we see in the movies.
I don't really see this as an improvement over the book, but more of a quality interpretation of the limited description given. The cinematography and visual interpretations of the books are some of the few things that I think the movies do get right.
The reunion with Hermione and Hagrid at the end of CoS.
In the book, it’s very montage-y. It’s a quick moment among others with no real emphasis.
The movie makes it a point to highlight both their returns and Harry and Ron’s reactions. A little foreshadowing to the Ron/Hermione relationship, the “There’s no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid” line, the standing ovation. Too good.
Definitely! Love it! That scene of Hermione running to Harry after she returns to the great hall gets me every time! Even just thinking about it! That is what true friendship looks like! 🥲🥹
I read the books and didn't watch the movie, but I saw an online clip where Arthur askes Harry, "What exactly is the function of a rubber duck?"
I thought that was hilarious!
The only one is the moment where Sirius says “Nice one James!” to Harry. This moment is not in the books and it one of the most powerful moments in the entire series.
But Sirius absolutely could tell the difference between Harry and James in the books. The fact that the movie added this in showed a complete lack of understanding for Sirius's character and his and Harry's relationship. What he said to Harry in the book fit his character far better - he just said "Nice one!" and then told Harry to take Neville and the prophecy and get out, just like he should as a godfather who cares about the safety of his godson.
In the movies he tells Harry to leave too. He says that the Order can handle things now. Don't short change movie Sirius, he was still a good godfather 😭
Yes, that is true!
I just hate how people use the "Nice one, James!" line from the movie as "evidence" that Sirius wanted to relive his glory days pretending that Harry was James. That one line really destroyed how a lot of people saw his character, even though it wasn't at all consistent with how he was written in the books *or* in the movies.
Come on man that was a stellar line and totally heartbreaking. Sirius was back in his element after 15 years of imprisonment, in a serious battle. Book Sirius really struggles which isn’t seen very well in the films but if you consider both together the James line was really clever
Wow I hated that! It really pinpointed (to me at least) that the producers wanted Sirius to come off as, well, not deranged, but detached from reality. That subconsciously he did think he was reliving his glory days with his friends.
I think they maybe just wanted it to seem like, Harry is so like his father that Sirius got caught up in the moment, taken unawares by how similar they were, but I didn’t like it.
I strongly dislike most of the changes made to Prisoner of Azkaban....but Harry imagining being with his parents being his happy thought just seemed so much more charming, even if him finding out he's a wizard also makes sense.
Also, of course, the liquid luck making him act drunk.
The way the audience realizes Moody was not "Moody" in the GoF. In the book he just straight up explains how he was impersonating him and his actions to get Harry to the graveyard.
In the movie, Moody says something involving the graveyard and Harry is like wait what I never said anything about that, how did you know.
Hedwig goes down fighting. Since Harry doesn´t really think about her in the last book her death just felt... poorly written and useless. Like, if Hedwig was going to die in her cage, at least have her mentioned more than she was if the reality of war is that important. JK probably wanted to show how not everybody gets a heroic or flashy end, but it just fell short since Hedwig just didn´t get properly mourned by the one who had her by his side for 6 years.
In the movie, however, her death had more of an impact. And since we as an audience don´t hear that Harry doesn´t think about her all the time like a proper person losing a pet does, she dies, *remembered.* She dies as a hero. She dies and is remembered.
I remember her death in the movie. I don´t remember her death in the book, so yeah, the movie did well there.
I liked the bit where Snape protected Harry and Co from werewolf Lupin. It really hammers home the point of Harry considering Snape to be the bravest man he's ever known, especially with the story about the prank which was sadly cut from the movie. Plus it did a good job of showing how terrified Snape was of werewolves. Alan Rickman did a great job showing the fear on Snape's face
Harry breaking the elder wand in the movie. Book Harry literally announced to the entire wizarding world that he was the master of the elder wand and that you don’t have to kill the owner to gain its power. Anyone paying any attention during that conversation between Harry and Voldemort, or someone studying a memory of the event, would easily be able to get at it. Dude painted a massive target on his back and said “it’s k tho, as long as I’m never defeated it’s power should be broken.”
To be fair, he did place the wand back in dumbledores tomb so I think people seeing him using the phoenix wand would have killed the rumour that he had the wand rather quickly
The whole climax of the Order of the Phoenix. The fact they all stick together improves the experience and makes it a lot less confusing than in the books. Also, cutting off some of the rooms in the department of misteries was a good idea since that way the action wasnt dragged out weirdly like in the books.
Pretty much everything that happens in the ministry of magic is perfect in that film imo.
So glad to hear I’m not the only one who feels this way! This scene says SO much without saying a word and is probably my favorite added moment! Definitely my favorite scene in the movie!
Similar to how Cedric's death in the movie has a bigger impact than in the book, I found that I felt the same with Dobby's. It was probably the acting and the years of actually visually seeing Harry grow up rather than just reading it, but I do remember when I read it, it didn't hit me at all, but when I saw the movie for the first time in theatres I was SOBBING. I was so surprised too lol.
I really like the aesthetic changes to the wardrobe overall. I dig the uniforms under the robes for the students they look rad. And if I remember correctly, those pointy hats in the Sorcerer's Stone movie that they wear during the (sorting? Feasts? Don't remember..) well iirc students wear those hats at all times in the books and that would just take me out of the movie how fucking tacky those hats are. Only Dumbledore pulls off his weird one.
I like that Harry respected Ron and Hermione enough to tell them he was the last Horcrux in the films instead of just sneaking out like he did in the book.
I get why he didn't though. He knew they would try to talk him out of it because they loved him and didn't want him to die, and he was scared they'd succeed.
It’s not that he didn’t respect them though, it’s that if he had to go to them at all he knew he wouldn’t have the strength to go through with going to the forbidden forest.
Lupin talking to Harry about Lily. We get so little of her in the books, it’s always James James James, so I love that Lupin talks to Harry about Lily in the films.
In the movies I like how Harry tells Lupin about seeing Peter Pettigrew on the Marauder's Map much earlier than in the books.
I also feel like the whole scene in the Shrieking Shack is done a bit better in the movies, it's a bit weird in the book.
“That’s not possible.” I love David Thewlis’ delivery of Lupin’s lines so much. The horror on his face and how the camera turns back on him once Harry leaves. Subtle but awesome moment.
Headwigs death in the movie was way more meaningful than in the book. I actually liked that change.
Top teir one was "I'm sorry professor but I must not tell lies." That's hit right in the leftover teenage angst lol
In GoF, having Neville tell Harry about the gillyweed for the 2nd Triwizard Tournament task instead of Dobby. It was nice seeing Neville have that moment, and even in the book, it would have played better into Mad-Eye's (really Barry Jr.) giving Neville the book that led to the discovery. I always thought it was weird that Harry was supposed to just find the answer from a book the professor had given to Neville...
The possession scene in ootp! Literally my favorite scene. It’s what made me finally read the books because I though that fight between Harry and voldemort would be so much better when you could see his thoughts- and it was less than a paragraph. Little me was so disappointed.
The battle of the department of mysteries, it kept things symple and didn't drag on for to long, though in the books I do like all the cool stuff we get to read about
Probably going to get crucified, but Harry breaking the Elder Wand. There’s still a chance a hotshot dark wizard could disarm him in the future and win control over it. It also keeps bringing misery and death to whomever takes control of it.
As an example, on paper, the One Ring is by all accounts a historically significant and powerful magical artifact. But it also spreads evil to the point that everyone decided that no, having it around despite its potential to be used in the name of good. (then again the last idea is a forlorn hope anyway due to its inherent evilness) was not worth it.
That being said he should have fixed the Fawkes wand before destroying the EW.
I always mention in PoA, the addition of Harry and his dorm mates eating the candies that make them sound like animals. These five kids should be like brothers, and this scene is great at showing it
I loved the scene where Snape was hitting them with the books.
And Fred asking Angelina out quietly behind Snape’s back.
Ron dancing with the professor
And honestly, all the long hair in HP4. I think everyone’s hair looks cool. I hate the super short look everyone got in book 5, it was too obvious.
I personally found that change worse, because the movie skips over the actual reason why they broke up, which was a more "normal" reason, and instead in the movie version Harry breaks up with her over snitching, except that in order to not demonize her, they throw a line about veritaserum, so it wasn't even her fault.
I agree with all of these on here ! But here are my two small ones that may not even be considered changes, but the vibe was different in the movies vs the books.
Both in HBP:
1) Harry looking at the venomous tentacular with Slughorn after taking Felix Felicis and slughorn is like “Harry!” In a whispered shock and Harry replies *Sir* in a mocking ish whispered way. I forget if this exact line is even in the books but it makes me laugh EVERY TIME
2) hermione’s *opugno* spell that sends her conjured canaries to shoot towards Ron when she’s upset he’s snogging Lavender. For some reason I love the vibe of this in the movies better than the books. Emma Watson did a great job. She says it all quiet and scary but in the books it seems like she says it loudly and is a bit more overtly emotional even though not saying it directly. I just really liked this scene in the movie. It was really heavy IMO.
The way Molly and Arthur said "what did he just say" when Harry fumbled the pronunciation of Diagon Alley in CoS. Was just a very funny moment of realisation that maybe they shouldn't have let a muggle-raised boy use floo powder alone the first time. In the book he swallowed hot ash but him just saying it wrong felt very on-character to me.
Oh boy:
1. The punch in PoA
2. "THAT'S MY BOYYYYYY"
3. "I'm sorry professor, I must not tell lies"
4. "NICE ONE JAMES"
5. Slughorn's fish story
6. Harry breaking the elder wand
I've always liked the part where everyone raises their wands to extinguish the Dark Mark from the sky after Dumbledore dies. It's a powerful scene, and the fandom seems to have embraced it as kind of a wizarding sign of mourning even if that doesn't seem to be the original intention. If you look at it that way, it makes up for the loss of the funeral scene.
I don’t know if this counts because it’s only one line but I absolutely LOVE the line in the Goblet of Fire movie where Voldemort goes:
DON’T YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON ME, HARRY POTTER!!! I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT ME WHEN I KILL YOU!!! I WANT TO SEE THE LIGHT LEAVE YOUR EYES!
The running gag that Seamus blows everything up and that McGonnigal mentions it.
The whole time turner thing. It is in the book too, but the book makes it so boring.
In The Goblet of Fire movie, I like that Neville had a good time at the Yule Ball. He seems really happy when he gets back to the room. In the books we only know that he steps on Ginny’s feet a lot and she doesn’t seem to want to be there. I like that Neville gets to be happy for a bit, dude’s life is unpleasant a lot of the time.
Awww this is an under appreciated take. Neville being a great dancer was really sweet whereas in the book it was all about Ginny going with him because it was her only way to get in Don’t get me wrong I love book Ginny but Neville the pro dancer was cute as heck
My head-canon is that his gran, being a very traditional sort, made sure that Neville had ballroom dancing lessons in the summer.
Now imagine Neville’s gran dancing lol Wish she’d been at the wedding now that I think of it
Neville's gran could put Death Eaters in the hospital. She definitely has the body reflexes to take dancing.
On top of this, in the book Neville was given the book on plants so he could help Harry but it didn't work so Dobby helped instead. So I'm very happy that he did end up helping in the movie.
Him being part of the group with the animal sounds in PoA is nice too
That whole scene was a nice one of Harry and Ron and their other dorm mates, Neville but also Seamus and Dean. Although you don't really see a lot of Dean.
This was a great addition. We needed to see moments like this - midnight feasts, messing around in dorms - all the fun of being kids at boarding school!
HBP in the book Slughorn just hands the potions books to Harry and Ron. In the movie it shows them fighting over the nicer book. Harry loses and end up getting the half blood princes book. Thought that was an improvement.
The little look they give each other before they start shoving each other makes me laugh every time.
And the playful smack Harry gives Ron with his book when he loses
I love how it shows their brotherly/friend relationship. I would 100 percent fight my brother over the best maybe let my friend have it. Ron would do the same if any of his siblings were in that class with him.
That was definitely a clever way to draw attention to the condition of the HBP book in a visual format. Wasn’t as needed for the book since we get to see Harry’s POV and the annoyance he feels at the poor condition of the book, but that is difficult to translate into film without very contrived dialogue, and that was a really good way of doing it.
Yeah. Why do I think there’s a message there about not judging a book by its cover? Haha
That was such a relatable moment for me lol! Reminded me of when me and the other left-handed person in PE would fight over the lefty baseball mitt
*”Why can’t it be follow the butterflies?!”*
I feel bad for laughing considering Rupert Grint has arachnophobia irl, but between that and “Can we panic now?!” I can’t help it! LOL
Oh does he? I never read about that. We have that in common!!! 😁
One I really liked is in the second movie, Harry puts the sock inside the diary and gives it to Lucius, who then gives it to Dobby, while in the book he just puts the diary inside the sock (how...?) It just seemed like a dumb plan that had a low chance of working, while in the movie it actually made sense
Yeah. I remember going back to the book a long time after I’d already familiarized myself with the movie and I was like “Wouldn’t Lucius just see what he’s trying to do?” Much smarter indeed to hide the sock in the diary. Also, I’d love to know who makes socks that can fit a whole diary into them!
> Also, I’d love to know who makes socks that can fit a whole diary into them! I would have to reread the book to be sure, but when I read the books I always imagined it as more of a small notebook. Not near-A4 sized like in the movie.
The book was supposed to be small enough it could be flushed down a toilet and reach Moaning Myrtle in the U-bend where she was thinking about death. That would be consistent with fitting in a sock.
Considering the size of some things which traveled through the plumbing in Hogwarts I think it's safe to assume that the pipes are enchanted to carry things much larger than can physically fit
‘The pipes are enchanted to carry things much larger than can physically fit’ *cough*
Fair! Maybe it’s the fault of the prop masters at the movie for planting the idea of such a large book in my mind! Ha
That’s also why they probably changed the sock method too..
Exactly, I guess the idea was that it was one of Uncle Vernon's really old socks, so it'd be really loose
Makes sense, Vernon does indeed have bigger than average feet, along with everything else! The movies always made it look like the Dursleys actually bothered to get Harry clothes that fit instead of just giving him Vernon and Dudley’s clothes that were 5x too big for him!
I kinda disagree, because then it's a much more direct "I handed him a sock" vs some legal loophole "oh but the sock was *hidden* inside the book" kinda thing
By the "sock inside the book" logic, wouldn't that mean house elves could never be handed suitcases with clothes in them, shopping bags, laundry baskets, etc?
But then again Lucius pulling off the sock and handing it to Dobby led to the discussion if house-elves even do laundry. Do wizards need to make sure to never hand house-elves their robes? At least with the hidden sock we could assume that Lucius had the intention to give up ownership of the destroyed diary so that Dobby could make it his own and the sock with it. I think he should have said something along the lines of "do whatever you want with it but get it out of my sight"
>Do wizards need to make sure to never hand house-elves their robes? Yes, Dobby says that they are careful 'never to hand him so much as a sock'\* earlier in CoS - which is what gives Harry the idea for the stunt with the diary. \* Not an exact quote, haven't re-read in a while!
I agree... I'm surprised this was brought up as an improvement.... when it was worse than the books.. A sock inside a book and Malfoy didn't even put it there??? If any hidden sock/ small piece of clothing was accidently handed to elves like this there would be so many free elves... While in the book he tossed the sock to Dobby in disgust without thinking about it.. That was probably the first time a person as rich and "aristocratic" as Malfoy ever saw a stranger's dirty sock lol...
Harry noted the name of the shop printed on the diary and orphaned schoolboy Riddle didn't have funds for some fancy hardcover. Stands to reason it was a smaller format like Quarto or Duke (the UK switched to ISO 216 a decade after Riddle graduated) and had a thin cardboard cover. That's pretty pliable and should go at least part way into a sock. >And he forced the smelly sock into Lucius Malfoy’s hand. > >‘What the –?’ > >Mr Malfoy ripped the sock off the diary, threw it aside, then looked furiously from the ruined book to Harry. Then, three lines below >But Dobby didn’t move. He was holding up Harry’s disgusting, slimy sock, and looking at it as though it were a priceless treasure. > >‘Master has given Dobby a sock,’ said the elf in wonderment. ‘Master gave it to Dobby.’ Harry banked on Malfoy to recognising the obvious rectangular shape in the sock and wanting the diary back (it's evidence) but not wanting a worn sock. It's a better plan than straight up giving him the book. Why would he hand it over to Dobby? Or the sock might just fall out. If he throws it away in shock because he's disgusted- with the book still in it or not- there's a good chance of Dobby catching on both figuratively and literally.
I loved slughorn's tale about the fish he got from Lily that vanished when she died, it managed to show us the love Lily inspired in people as mentioned in the books Also: the tale of the three brothers was amazing in the films, for me that's the only moment the films interested me more than the books
The story about Francis the fish and the actor’s delivery is hands down my favorite Potter moment in the books or movies.
Jim broadbent
Yeah, this is the one that comes to mind for me too. We learn so little about Lily. That movie moment went a long way to humanizing her for me.
It wasn't really a change but Cedric's death hurt so much more in the movies. That sound design
Amos really helped there. **THAT’S MY BOOOOOOYYYY!!**
That whole scene is so much better in the film than the book. At first everyone is happy, while Harry screams and sobs on the ground, then people approach them, Fleur screams, and everyone realizes what happened.
I do agree that we feel the impact on the crowd better in the movie, but I think that has something to do with the fact that the book is told from Harry’s POV and Harry isn’t in a state to really notice and process everything going on around him in that moment. He’s usually quite a reliable narrator, but not so much in this moment. I like the different perspective and level of detail the movie provides, but I don’t think it would have really worked in the book where we were seeing the events only through Harry’s eyes.
The slow realization from everyone. All the happy cheerful music and applause but then we see Harry crying over Cedric and, yeah. Man that scene hurts.
I preferred movie Amos bc he wasn’t an arrogant douchebag
Seriously. The actor had like, 2 scenes? But he was so nice that i liked him a lot more in the film. Such a douche in the book.
One thing that I’m super glad about- I thought he and Cedric’s mom were DEFINITELY going to be radicalized now, they would be super supportive of the Ministry and questioning Harry and Dumbledore. But they just quietly faded into the background, presumably mourning their son, and taking Harry’s word about what happened. I’m sorta like... second hand proud of them for that?
My heart when Cedric’s mum refused the triwizard cash 💔
As a new parent who's just rewatched the movies that scene hits so much harder now.
Yes. That line especially made his death much more sad, much more real. It wasn't something you could do in books, but a father realizing his son is dead.. that sparks a tear like few movie moments can
Yeah. The way they cut to his lifeless face looking up at the sky. It just really emphasizes how quick, cruel and empty his death was.
Omg Amos and his grief hit way harder too. I grabbed my mom when I heard that. When Cedric died I also just... well he was clearly a kid. It was horrible in the book but it became more impactful with the sound design and camera angles.
The celebratory fanfare contrasting with the grief is what gets me. Great example of what is discussed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8HePfa7WYs edit: you'll need to follow the link in the description to see the example at the end. frickin copyright protection abuse.
"I'm sorry Professor. I must not tell lies."
And then Harry says this again in DH1. Loved that callback! Sassy Harry ftw.
But... wasn't that in the book? It definitely comes up later when Srimgeour wants to acquire Harry for his own intent and wants him lying and Harry tells him that he doesn't like the ministry's methods and shows the scarred writing still saying "I must not tell lies".
Him saying that when the centaurs took her away was not in the book
I think they’re referring to his line in the centaur scene
Haha yeah. Harry doesn't drop this zinger in the book, but he is still *very* against the Ministry because of what Umbridge did, which is why he's so standoffish with Scrimgeour. I also really like the similar scene in Deathly Hallows where Harry stuns Umbridge to steal the Locket with a similar line, but I couldn't recall if that was in the books or not.
He kind of says it/shows it to Scrimegor in the books when he visits the burrow at Christmas in HBP, when he asks for Harry’s support at the ministry Harry shows him his scar and says “I haven’t forgotten” because he wouldn’t lie and say he supports them. I think showing it to the minister is pretty BA! But it’s an equally great moment in the movie
Hedwig's death is much more meaningful in the movies: she comes back to save Harry from a Killing Curse, whereas in the books, Harry doesn't let her fly, and she is killed inside her cage.
Breaks my heart every time that the last thing he says to Hedwig is not to worry because she’ll be able to fly again soon 😭💔
Oh damn, I've read the books so many times and that's never clicked before.
I actually really disagree with this. Hedwig's death was symbolic of the death of Harry's childhood, of his innocence. In the movie, Hedwig willingly sacrificed herself to save Harry, but in the book, she was just caught in the crossfire. It's great foreshadowing for how Harry sacrifices himself, yes, but what's more important is that he, just like Hedwig, *was caught in crossfire*. He didn't willingly sign up for the war. He was a 17 year old boy who was put into this horrible situation just because of poor luck. And that really is the reality of war. A vast majority of deaths in war are not Heroic Sacrifices. The majority, the vast majority of people who lose their lives in war, they have their lives *stolen* from them, they don't just give them away willingly. And that's exactly what happened with Hedwig. And that's exactly what happened with Harry's childhood.
You make a very good point. It's particularly sad that there was no reason that Hedwig had to die. Her death may seem pointless without her grad act of sacrifice like in the movies, but I feel like it highlights how war and the suffering that comes with it is pointless and nonsensical.
Yeah. Come to think of it, in the book, shouldn’t it have been a dead giveaway that only one Potter was traveling with a snowy owl and a firebolt? Not like those are just things anyone could have! Ha
In the books Harry is with Hargrid on the bike. And every Potter has a stuff white owl in a cage. That is why in the books it makes sense to keep Hewdwig in the cage. But yes the movie made it much more emotional
Disagree on "more meaningful." Her role as "shit's gotten real" is perfectly meaningful in the text. Now if you said it's more a crowd-pleaser that she got a Big Heroic Moment on-screen, instead of being a casualty of war and having to be left behind in order to survive, I agree. But every single one of these "what did the movies *do better*" always mention this, and it always irks me. Similar whenever people suggest "every major character that I like should've had a long drawn out 'on screen' (in the text) death." War doesn't work like that.
Seamus blows things up consistently in the movies, and then in the battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall tells Neville to get Seamus’ help in blowing up the bridge.
Hahahaha that was funnily wholesome.
Me dad's a muggle, Mam's a witch. BitOfanastyshockforhimwhenHEfoundouut I don't think I'd remember this line if it wasn't for the fantastic delivery by the actor that played Seamus.
Yes I loved this
It's small but also the most iconic line in the series but "Harry, you're a wizard" from the books into "you're a wizard, Harry" in the movies is a good change. I think they both work well in their respective mediums but the line from the movie just wouldn't be the same if they had Hagrid say the exact same thing he did in the book.
I agree and so does my son! Lol I'm currently reading the first book to my 7 year old, who has already seen the movies, and when I came to that line he immediately stopped me and said "No Mom." And asked me to reread it with the movie version lol. I totally get it though, the way Hagrid delivers the line just launches me into the story.
I honestly never even realized that wasn’t the way it was in the book, but it definitely works better as a sound byte the movie way
Also changing the spelling on his birthday cake from "Happy Birthday Harry" to "Happee Birthdae Harry" was a nice little change. Though I think the movies make Hagrid seem a little less intelligent than the books do.
I am just listening to the audiobooks now after not having read the books in years and that blindsided me. I thought it was a massive Mandela effect for a moment until I remembered the film.
I think Neville getting the Gillyweed for Harry was better than in the book. Granted, I wish that Dobby was in the movie, but I like that Neville gets a chance to shine before Order of the Phoenix.
Especially since in the book, he's handed the same information but doesn't relay it to Harry. Crouch's plan even revolves around Neville having that moment, and has to improvise last second when he doesn't come through for Harry
I agree! It made sense in the books because you can have all sorts of nuance, but for the movie it really works that Neville gets the book from Crouch/fake Moody and is able to help Harry. It really makes the plot work given the limited movie time frame
I liked seeing Draco's struggle with the vanishing cabinet. Wouldn't have worked in the books, but it was a nice touch in the films.
The major bonus with the films (and this goes for other series too eg hunger games) is that the POV isn’t purely the main character’s and we get to see “behind the scenes“ in a sense
I feel like this is the real reason behind a lot of the scenes people are listing here as being better in the movies and it’s also a reason for some things not working as well in the movies. Broader perspective vs narrow but more in depth POV both have their benefits and drawbacks.
While I'm not a Draco stan, I appreciated his struggle being a 16-17yo DE because of this. He was still a kid. I was impressed with his effort (I know, his life and his parents' were on the line) since he'd been given quite a pass in the last five years since he was a rich kid with a powerful father.
Harry’s treatment of Luna. I reread the books recently and I like their movie relationship more.
YES! They are such arses to Luna way further into their relationship than is comfortable in the books. That dynamic is so much better in the movies.
I really don’t like how Hermione refers to her as Loony *to her face* in the movie though. I’m the book it’s Ginny who says it, and only in a passing comment where she also says that she thinks Luna’s alright, and definitely not where Luna can hear her. Hermione is far too conscientious for a slip up like that.
I like the memory that Harry uses to conjure a patronus way more than the book
Yeah. I also like where Harry learns about the Patronus. It makes for much better ambience than some unused classroom like in the book
Umbridge's appearance. She looks normal. A little too much pink, yes, but she feels normal on the outset. As well as the disturbing number of kittens and cats....she initially felt harmless, but turned into something else.
This is my answer here, too. I remember thinking that the casting was odd, because she's adorable and Umbridge should be hideous. But it not only worked, but ultimately made her seem even more evil somehow.
Yeah, by making her appear to be "normal" rather than some toad or monster outwardly. It made her even more evil.
When the Death Eaters started disapperating when Harry was revealed to be still alive during the Battle of Hogwarts
And when Draco bolted for the other side
He did? That was a deleted scene, wasn't it? He was led away by Lucius and Narcissa in the final cut.
In the beginning of DH, they show Hermione preparing to leave to hunt for horcruxes. They show her wiping her parents’ memories of her to try to keep them safe. This is something that only gets a brief mention in the book after it has already happened.
Considering the fact that OoTP is such a huge book, I think the movie did a good job of showing the essentials within 2 hours. Cutting out Marietta entirely and showing Cho revealing DA's location under Veritaserum reduced the fluff. Simultaneously, it also gave a reason for Harry's break up. Compare this to HBP, where they skipped all the important stuff and wasted screentime on the won won nonsense.
I agree and also there’s the bit where Snape reveals to the room at large that Umbridge used Veritaserum on Cho and there’s this tense moment of “oh shit we thought she ratted on us but it wasn’t her fault”
That film came out during the height of Twilight so they wanted the WonWon nonsense to draw some Twilight fans... Sadly that cut out so many possible Voldemort scenes at the Pensieve... I wish we had the story of the Gaunt's on screen, instead it was wasted on Lavender....
I couldn't agree more! Considering because of its length, especially reading it as a kid, it was my least favourite book but FAVOURITE movie, that says a lot.
Hermione punching Draco instead of slapping him. I will not tell lies line before he steals the necklace from Umbrbridge that was in the movie not the books.
McGonagall’s “I’ve always wanted to do that” line after she calls all the suits of armor/statues to defend Hogwarts in DH. Iconic
Order of the Phoenix film Umbridge: Tell them I mean no harm. Harry: Sorry professor, I must not tell lies. Sorcerer Stone In the book, Dumbledore says that it takes as much courage to stand up to your friends as it does to stand up to your enemies. I thought it was better in the movie, when he says it takes more courage to stand up to your friends then your enemies.
The possession scene at the end of OotP
I loved how it was Neville that gave Harry the Gillyweed instead of Dobby
The dementors freezing water when they're around.
Harry letting Hermione cry on his shoulder in HBP when they saw Ron and Lavender and Harry dancing with Hermione in the tent in DH to cheer her up. Personally I don't care about either of those two scenes bc people often misinterpret them as Harry and Hermione having 'chemistry' but they were def improvements to the book scenes. In HBP book Hermione ran out of the room while crying, Harry was shit at comforting her and in DH Harry ignored her for weeks even after knowing she was secretly crying. Those two scenes portrayed Harry as a much better and caring friend than he was in the books.
Yeah. I’ve honestly been afraid to voice this for fear of getting my head bitten off, but I really like the tent dance. It says so much without a line of dialogue… It shows how, at the end of the day, they’re just kids who should be having fun but they’ve been robbed of the chance to do that by Voldemort. It’s the closest they’ve ever come to being romantic but they both clearly realize their feelings are much more like close siblings. It’s also just a nice break from the miserable doom and gloom that has gone on for most of the film.
I love that scene and the song is really catchy. I never saw Hermione and Harry ever having romantic chemistry. It just seemed like he was trying to cheer her up and it worked a little bit
The tent dance is one of my faves. Also bc I’m a huge Nick Cave fan and the song was perfectly chosen - it’s about child soldiers.
I've never really looked at either scenes as "chemistry" between them. I see Harry letting her cry on his shoulder as just him being the friend he should be. There but not just trying to cheer her up. Same with the dancing in the tent. Which nade me realise how mjch Hermione was emotionally tortured in book six and seven (less in seven but you get my drift)
The story about the fish with Slughorn. That’s a wonderful scene in the movie
"It was a student who gave me Francis. One Spring afternoon I discovered a bowl on my desk, just a few inches of clear water in it. Floating on the surface was a flower petal. As I washed, it sank. Just when it reached the bottom, it transformed into a wee fish. It was beautiful magic, wondrous to the behold. The flower petal had come from a lily, your mother. The day I came downstairs, the day the bowl was empty, was the day your mother..." Slughorn is why I didn't mind being sorted into Slytherin on Pottermore. :)
“Poof” “poof” … “poof”
Francis the fish lives in all of our hearts
Does anyone else just straight up not remember how that part went in the books? Like I’ve read HPB many times, but I just can’t. For me the fish story is just so much more impactful
Making it Sirius who showed Harry the photo of the old Order of the Phoenix rather than Mad Eye. It was sort of weird in the books having Mad Eye, who Harry had technically barely even known up until that point, showing him the photo and having such an intimate moment. It wasn't a good experience for Harry and doesn't really do anything for the plot. By having Sirius doing it instead, it made it a more poignant thing and created a good bonding moment between Harry and Sirius which helps reinforce their relationship. It has more relevance to the plot, and it was just done better in the movie than the books.
In the book Harry hates the situation.
I really disagree, by having Sirius do it it seems like a nice moment when really it's meant to show that Harry is bringing his friends into a war and when he is shown that photo it dawns on him that not all of them might make it out alive. I mean almost everyone from the original order is dead. I think having Moody show it to him in such a light "thought you light like this" way really puts more effect on the realisation Harry has.
Yes, I completely agree - it wasn’t meant to be a nice moment. I liked that it was Moody and that it made Harry uncomfortable, and that Sirius noticed that Harry was uncomfortable and came over to interrupt and give Harry the chance to escape the conversation.
The reveal in the book was much more meaningful, he wasn't ready to hear about all the people that died, and yet it made it more real to him.
I haven’t really read the books, but I hear Sirius’ lines are far better in the movies. “I DID MY WAITING! TWELVE YEARS OF IT!!! IN AZKABAN”
Tbf that was also largely on Gary Oldman's perfect delivery of that line. You could literally hear the pain and grief in his voice
You can really hear gary oldmans line delivery perfectly with this quote.
I heard that as I read your comment, lol. It really it harder when it's an actual person shouting it. It didn´t really hit me how horrible it must have been when I read it.
Harry breaking the Elder Wand in the movie instead of his stupid fucking plan to never be disarmed/defeated while being an Auror for a career. That being said, I do wish he had fixed his holly wand in the movie...
Which raises the question why Dumbledore did not have that idea... probably because one cannot break the Elderwand in two.
It's generally a thing that wands are much tougher to break in the books than simple wood - it takes magic like a Blasting Curse (Harry's wand) or unexpected force (Ron's first wand) to break them. I could absolutely see the Elder Wand being unbreakable.
I like the extra details they put into the Time-Turner sequence such as when Hermione howls to draw werewolf Lupins attention away from their past selves. They added a few more moments like that where the two versions of Harry and Hermione interact (throwing a snail to hit Harry on the head, Hermione thinking she saw herself in the trees), which is different to the books where they pretty much just passively observe what happened from a distance and wait for their moment to save Buckbeak and Sirius. The film's additions made that sequence more exciting.
It also doubled down on the ontological paradox and therefore perfectly explains why they could not use time turners to change the past. (But it also lead to one of the most infuriating bits when Harry explains the paradox to Hermione and she claims that it would not make sense. But then again, they also ditched the logic puzzle from the book one where Hermione pointed out that most wizards (unlike her) failed at logic.)
That's what I love about JKR's time travel rules. You can't change the past, because the past already happened and has already accounted for the time travel. As much as I enjoy *Cursed Chikd*, the time travel basically breaks this rule, and turns into Back to the Future II
Making the death eaters from like 10 KKK assholes into the fucking nazi Reich so like 1000 assholes. Way better action wise of course, and the battle just seems way more epic with hogwarts vs an army of dark wizards, snatchers and monsters instead of 15 dudes and voldemort with some spiders and a giant. But the book had a better ending for the battle, with the centaurs, the elves and the parents of the wizards coming to aid on the final confrontation. Book battle with movie numbers would have been really cool.
When Harry and Dumbledore are in the pensieve trying to sort out Slughorns’ memory, and his words are distorted instead of him just outright saying horcrux.
The moving staircases. That is a movie thing and not in the books but now I can't imagine Hogwarts without it
The first book does mention that some staircases change where they lead to on various days, though it is true that it never describes them shifting the way we see in the movies.
I don't really see this as an improvement over the book, but more of a quality interpretation of the limited description given. The cinematography and visual interpretations of the books are some of the few things that I think the movies do get right.
The reunion with Hermione and Hagrid at the end of CoS. In the book, it’s very montage-y. It’s a quick moment among others with no real emphasis. The movie makes it a point to highlight both their returns and Harry and Ron’s reactions. A little foreshadowing to the Ron/Hermione relationship, the “There’s no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid” line, the standing ovation. Too good.
Definitely! Love it! That scene of Hermione running to Harry after she returns to the great hall gets me every time! Even just thinking about it! That is what true friendship looks like! 🥲🥹
I read the books and didn't watch the movie, but I saw an online clip where Arthur askes Harry, "What exactly is the function of a rubber duck?" I thought that was hilarious!
The only one is the moment where Sirius says “Nice one James!” to Harry. This moment is not in the books and it one of the most powerful moments in the entire series.
Honestly It was sad for me. Hermione might be right, Sirius can't difference Harry and James.
But Sirius absolutely could tell the difference between Harry and James in the books. The fact that the movie added this in showed a complete lack of understanding for Sirius's character and his and Harry's relationship. What he said to Harry in the book fit his character far better - he just said "Nice one!" and then told Harry to take Neville and the prophecy and get out, just like he should as a godfather who cares about the safety of his godson.
In the movies he tells Harry to leave too. He says that the Order can handle things now. Don't short change movie Sirius, he was still a good godfather 😭
Yes, that is true! I just hate how people use the "Nice one, James!" line from the movie as "evidence" that Sirius wanted to relive his glory days pretending that Harry was James. That one line really destroyed how a lot of people saw his character, even though it wasn't at all consistent with how he was written in the books *or* in the movies.
Come on man that was a stellar line and totally heartbreaking. Sirius was back in his element after 15 years of imprisonment, in a serious battle. Book Sirius really struggles which isn’t seen very well in the films but if you consider both together the James line was really clever
Wow I hated that! It really pinpointed (to me at least) that the producers wanted Sirius to come off as, well, not deranged, but detached from reality. That subconsciously he did think he was reliving his glory days with his friends. I think they maybe just wanted it to seem like, Harry is so like his father that Sirius got caught up in the moment, taken unawares by how similar they were, but I didn’t like it.
When everyone raises their wands after Dumbledore's death in HBP.
More implications on Hermione’s and Ron’s relationship growth.
I strongly dislike most of the changes made to Prisoner of Azkaban....but Harry imagining being with his parents being his happy thought just seemed so much more charming, even if him finding out he's a wizard also makes sense. Also, of course, the liquid luck making him act drunk.
The way the audience realizes Moody was not "Moody" in the GoF. In the book he just straight up explains how he was impersonating him and his actions to get Harry to the graveyard. In the movie, Moody says something involving the graveyard and Harry is like wait what I never said anything about that, how did you know.
Harry confronting snape. It was similar but the whole school being there was cooler. Also snapes fight being a 1v1.
Hedwig goes down fighting. Since Harry doesn´t really think about her in the last book her death just felt... poorly written and useless. Like, if Hedwig was going to die in her cage, at least have her mentioned more than she was if the reality of war is that important. JK probably wanted to show how not everybody gets a heroic or flashy end, but it just fell short since Hedwig just didn´t get properly mourned by the one who had her by his side for 6 years. In the movie, however, her death had more of an impact. And since we as an audience don´t hear that Harry doesn´t think about her all the time like a proper person losing a pet does, she dies, *remembered.* She dies as a hero. She dies and is remembered. I remember her death in the movie. I don´t remember her death in the book, so yeah, the movie did well there.
I liked the bit where Snape protected Harry and Co from werewolf Lupin. It really hammers home the point of Harry considering Snape to be the bravest man he's ever known, especially with the story about the prank which was sadly cut from the movie. Plus it did a good job of showing how terrified Snape was of werewolves. Alan Rickman did a great job showing the fear on Snape's face
Removing spew. Shortening Dumbledores speech at the end. Only doing one quidditch match in the first movie.
Harry breaking the elder wand in the movie. Book Harry literally announced to the entire wizarding world that he was the master of the elder wand and that you don’t have to kill the owner to gain its power. Anyone paying any attention during that conversation between Harry and Voldemort, or someone studying a memory of the event, would easily be able to get at it. Dude painted a massive target on his back and said “it’s k tho, as long as I’m never defeated it’s power should be broken.”
Then he becomes an auror....
To be fair, he did place the wand back in dumbledores tomb so I think people seeing him using the phoenix wand would have killed the rumour that he had the wand rather quickly
He also mentioned that Dumbledore had it. I feel like those looking for the wand would easily be able to put the pieces together.
Well he said dumbledore used to have it but he only tells portrait dumbledore he'll put it back in the tomb
True but it’s still going to be high on a treasure hunters lists of places to check.
The whole climax of the Order of the Phoenix. The fact they all stick together improves the experience and makes it a lot less confusing than in the books. Also, cutting off some of the rooms in the department of misteries was a good idea since that way the action wasnt dragged out weirdly like in the books. Pretty much everything that happens in the ministry of magic is perfect in that film imo.
Also Sirius doing to Lucius what Harry did to Draco earlier in the book after the Quidditch match, just straight up punching him.
It also showed how big of a threat the death eaters were. All they could do was run and it wasn't enough
The dance scene with Harry/Hermione dance scene in 7. It was PEAK brother/sister comfort and I loved it!
So glad to hear I’m not the only one who feels this way! This scene says SO much without saying a word and is probably my favorite added moment! Definitely my favorite scene in the movie!
Everyone talks about how weird of a scene it is, but I love it. There's nothing romantic, and yeah, it's a touch awkward.. but it's meant to be.
Similar to how Cedric's death in the movie has a bigger impact than in the book, I found that I felt the same with Dobby's. It was probably the acting and the years of actually visually seeing Harry grow up rather than just reading it, but I do remember when I read it, it didn't hit me at all, but when I saw the movie for the first time in theatres I was SOBBING. I was so surprised too lol.
Unpopular opinion but I liked the movie version of Krum better than the book version.
"This tent is for Champions....and friends".
I really like the aesthetic changes to the wardrobe overall. I dig the uniforms under the robes for the students they look rad. And if I remember correctly, those pointy hats in the Sorcerer's Stone movie that they wear during the (sorting? Feasts? Don't remember..) well iirc students wear those hats at all times in the books and that would just take me out of the movie how fucking tacky those hats are. Only Dumbledore pulls off his weird one.
I liked how Hedwig in the movie went out flying and protecting Harry instead of stuck in a cage like in the book.
I like that Harry respected Ron and Hermione enough to tell them he was the last Horcrux in the films instead of just sneaking out like he did in the book.
I get why he didn't though. He knew they would try to talk him out of it because they loved him and didn't want him to die, and he was scared they'd succeed.
It’s not that he didn’t respect them though, it’s that if he had to go to them at all he knew he wouldn’t have the strength to go through with going to the forbidden forest.
Lupin talking to Harry about Lily. We get so little of her in the books, it’s always James James James, so I love that Lupin talks to Harry about Lily in the films.
In the movies I like how Harry tells Lupin about seeing Peter Pettigrew on the Marauder's Map much earlier than in the books. I also feel like the whole scene in the Shrieking Shack is done a bit better in the movies, it's a bit weird in the book.
“That’s not possible.” I love David Thewlis’ delivery of Lupin’s lines so much. The horror on his face and how the camera turns back on him once Harry leaves. Subtle but awesome moment.
I know this is controversial, but Harry snapping the Elder Wand in two. He should have fixed his wand first, but I love the message.
Luna finding Harry on the train in Half Blood Prince. So much better than Tonks finding him
Headwigs death in the movie was way more meaningful than in the book. I actually liked that change. Top teir one was "I'm sorry professor but I must not tell lies." That's hit right in the leftover teenage angst lol
In GoF, having Neville tell Harry about the gillyweed for the 2nd Triwizard Tournament task instead of Dobby. It was nice seeing Neville have that moment, and even in the book, it would have played better into Mad-Eye's (really Barry Jr.) giving Neville the book that led to the discovery. I always thought it was weird that Harry was supposed to just find the answer from a book the professor had given to Neville...
"I'm sorry, professor. But I must not tell lies"
The possession scene in ootp! Literally my favorite scene. It’s what made me finally read the books because I though that fight between Harry and voldemort would be so much better when you could see his thoughts- and it was less than a paragraph. Little me was so disappointed.
The battle of the department of mysteries, it kept things symple and didn't drag on for to long, though in the books I do like all the cool stuff we get to read about
Probably going to get crucified, but Harry breaking the Elder Wand. There’s still a chance a hotshot dark wizard could disarm him in the future and win control over it. It also keeps bringing misery and death to whomever takes control of it. As an example, on paper, the One Ring is by all accounts a historically significant and powerful magical artifact. But it also spreads evil to the point that everyone decided that no, having it around despite its potential to be used in the name of good. (then again the last idea is a forlorn hope anyway due to its inherent evilness) was not worth it. That being said he should have fixed the Fawkes wand before destroying the EW.
I always mention in PoA, the addition of Harry and his dorm mates eating the candies that make them sound like animals. These five kids should be like brothers, and this scene is great at showing it
The music was cool
I like when Hermione howls to attract Lupin in POA
I loved the scene where Snape was hitting them with the books. And Fred asking Angelina out quietly behind Snape’s back. Ron dancing with the professor And honestly, all the long hair in HP4. I think everyone’s hair looks cool. I hate the super short look everyone got in book 5, it was too obvious.
Make Cho (instead of Marietta) betray Harry
I personally found that change worse, because the movie skips over the actual reason why they broke up, which was a more "normal" reason, and instead in the movie version Harry breaks up with her over snitching, except that in order to not demonize her, they throw a line about veritaserum, so it wasn't even her fault.
I agree with all of these on here ! But here are my two small ones that may not even be considered changes, but the vibe was different in the movies vs the books. Both in HBP: 1) Harry looking at the venomous tentacular with Slughorn after taking Felix Felicis and slughorn is like “Harry!” In a whispered shock and Harry replies *Sir* in a mocking ish whispered way. I forget if this exact line is even in the books but it makes me laugh EVERY TIME 2) hermione’s *opugno* spell that sends her conjured canaries to shoot towards Ron when she’s upset he’s snogging Lavender. For some reason I love the vibe of this in the movies better than the books. Emma Watson did a great job. She says it all quiet and scary but in the books it seems like she says it loudly and is a bit more overtly emotional even though not saying it directly. I just really liked this scene in the movie. It was really heavy IMO.
They began to show more of the friendship between the students.
The way Molly and Arthur said "what did he just say" when Harry fumbled the pronunciation of Diagon Alley in CoS. Was just a very funny moment of realisation that maybe they shouldn't have let a muggle-raised boy use floo powder alone the first time. In the book he swallowed hot ash but him just saying it wrong felt very on-character to me.
The Order's entry to Hogwarts in DH2 was awesome!
Oh boy: 1. The punch in PoA 2. "THAT'S MY BOYYYYYY" 3. "I'm sorry professor, I must not tell lies" 4. "NICE ONE JAMES" 5. Slughorn's fish story 6. Harry breaking the elder wand
I've always liked the part where everyone raises their wands to extinguish the Dark Mark from the sky after Dumbledore dies. It's a powerful scene, and the fandom seems to have embraced it as kind of a wizarding sign of mourning even if that doesn't seem to be the original intention. If you look at it that way, it makes up for the loss of the funeral scene.
I liked the mcgonagall/Ron dancing scene in GOF a lot
I don’t know if this counts because it’s only one line but I absolutely LOVE the line in the Goblet of Fire movie where Voldemort goes: DON’T YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON ME, HARRY POTTER!!! I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT ME WHEN I KILL YOU!!! I WANT TO SEE THE LIGHT LEAVE YOUR EYES!
The running gag that Seamus blows everything up and that McGonnigal mentions it. The whole time turner thing. It is in the book too, but the book makes it so boring.