Compared to the reception of the Harry Potter film series, Fantastic Beasts has suffered about as many defeats as Voldemort. This prequel series helmed by J.K. Rowling has made drastic changes to the mythos of the Wizarding World, made questionable casting decisions, and has fans questioning the legitimacy of its story.
One thing though that many fans haven't necessarily complained as much about are the many continuity errors found in both films. This is an issue that plagues all productions, no matter the quality of the film or franchise, and even something as detailed as Fantastic Beasts can fall victim to it.
Closing Case
One really beloved friendship in the series is that between Jacob and Newt. This muggle and wizard pairing has resulted in a lot of heart and tons of laughs, and one of the best sequences in this series between the two of them has to be Jacob's first experience inside Newt's magical case.
Sadly, for all the magic and wonder of this moment, it is not without its errors. After entering the case, Newt beckons Jacob to follow him out of the shed, opening the door inside. This shot then cuts to Jacob, who instead of walking through an open door, opens a closed one instead.
McGonagall Is Always Early
This continuity error has implications reaching beyond to the Harry Potter films and the extended materials found on the website Pottermore. According to established canon, Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor house, was born in 1935 and began teaching at Hogwarts in 1956. She would eventually go on to teach Harry Potter and participate in the Battle of Hogwarts.
All of this has been established in the books, in supplemental short stories and pieces of writing on Pottermore, and in the Harry Potter films. Yet, in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald, McGonagall appears in the background as a teacher at Hogwarts in the year 1927. How could she appear as a full-grown adult eight years before her in-universe birth?
Head To Hand
The relationship between Percival Graves and Credence Barebone was one of the more intense and intimate seen in any of the Wizarding World films. The close, albeit questionable, bond between the two contained some closeup moments of comfort.
In one of these moments, Graves puts his hand on the back of Credence's head. In this same shot, the hand is then seen moving to the front of Creedence's face, cupping his cheek. In the following shot though, Graves' hand has returned to the back of Credence's head.
Mustache Mistake
One of the most controversial aspects of this new film series was the casting of Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald, the dark wizard obsessed with starting a revolution in the Wizarding world. Due to real-life accusations towards Depp, many fans have called for his removal.
Beyond his accusations, perhaps we should be concerned with his startling facial hair growing abilities. Throughout the second film, Grindelwald's mustache constantly changes length. At some points, it hangs on his lip, while at other times its shaven right above is upper lip.
Cleaning And Disappearing
The ministry of magic is one of the most fantastic locations in the Wizarding World. The subterranean hub contains so many secrets of the Wizarding World, and all of its appearances instill a bit of wonder into each film.
These locations are so magical, people apparate in and out of frame when you visit. In the scene between Leta and Newt, there is a cleaning machine passing by them. They move out of its way, and there is no one behind the machine, that is until the shot changes and a woman passes by.
Costume Change
The costumes of the Wizarding World are some of the best parts of the whole magical universe. And unsurprisingly, one of the best dressed characters in Fantastic Beasts is its protagonist, Newt Scamander. The warm color palette and bookish silhouette have become a favorite among cosplayers around the world.
In the scene inside his magic chest though, Newt goes through some impressively fast costume changes. Throughout multiple cuts, his costume is altered, and he goes from wearing his jacket to just his shirt and a loose tie, back to his jacket, and then just a vest and tie.
Limited Snowfall
The first Fantastic Beasts film went back to the original Harry Potter release formula, taking advantage of the upcoming holiday season and releasing it in November. For many, this world is tailor-made for this season, and the winter wonderland seen in the film fit right in with that tradition.
Sadly, it also didn't make any sense. The weather in New York during the film, before and after this scene, is incredibly temperate, with sunny, rainy, and cloudy weather as the basic template. Yet, for one whole sequence in one other part of the city, its as if a blizzard rolled through for one night.
Jacob's Been Spotted
Once again, this scene with Jacob and Newt exploring the magic briefcase is full of little moments of continuity issues. At the very least, this one is a fairly small one, no bigger than a small little stain (yeah, that's a bit too on the nose).
In the scene, Jacob is wearing a vest with a button-up shirt underneath. On the left shoulder of the shirt, there is a small little spot that can be seen, kind of like a stain. This spot isn't seen again in the later sequences, and although it doesn't matter in the long run, it should still be mentioned.
Shifting Baked Goods
Jacob is the single best character of this new series, and no, that is not up for debate. He is the first likable muggle in this entire franchise, he is adorable, and makes delicious baked goods. No one can compete with this pure and good soul.
Sadly, even his baked goods aren't impervious to continuity errors. When he first opens up his case in the bank, to show off his pastries to the loan manager, the cakes are all thrown around and piled up on one side. In a later shot, the cakes and such are divided out evenly.
Hard Hat
Jude Law as Dumbledore was a casting decision no one was prepared for. When most fans think of the headmaster of Hogwarts, they think of a wise, bearded, grandfatherly figure. Now though, fans around the world are thirsty for this dapper version of the Hogwarts professor.
In their first meeting, Newt and Dumbledore meet on an empty double-decker bus. In the sequence, Dumbledore's Fedora changes between cuts. In some moments it is crushed on the top and somewhat flattened, while at other times, it is perfectly fine.