Fantastic Beasts 4 (2025)

Fantastic Beasts 4 (2025) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) is a fantasy film set in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, serving as a prequel to the Harry Potter series. Directed by David Yates, the movie is inspired by the fictional textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, which is mentioned in the Harry Potter books.

The film takes place in 1926, long before the events of Harry Potter, and follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a British magizoologist who travels to New York City. Newt has arrived in America to release some of his magical creatures back into the wild, but things take an unexpected turn when a number of his creatures escape from his magically enhanced suitcase, causing havoc in the city.

While in New York, Newt crosses paths with Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a No-Maj (non-magical person) who becomes involved in the magical chaos. They also meet Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), a former Auror who works for the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA), and her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol). The group works together to track down the escaped creatures, but they soon uncover a more sinister plot related to the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) and the dangerous magical entity, Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller).

The film introduces various magical creatures, such as the Thunderbird, Niffler, and Occamy, and showcases Newt’s deep knowledge of magical creatures and his caring, protective nature. It also explores the contrast between the American wizarding world and that of Europe, with a darker, more secretive atmosphere in the United States. The movie touches on themes of prejudice, the dangers of power, and the importance of accepting differences.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them received positive reviews for its imaginative visuals, engaging performances, and world-building, although some critics felt the plot was somewhat convoluted. It is the first film in the Fantastic Beasts series, with more films planned to further explore the wizarding world and the rise of Grindelwald.