Dobby the House-Elf is one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter series. In the second movie, he goes to great lengths to ensure Harry's safety, and, in the penultimate movie, he makes a triumphant return and helps the trio escape from Malfoy Manor.
Although he is never intended to be a major character, Dobby plays a much larger role in the books than in the movies which seems odd considering he was such a fan favorite even by the time the first films were released. Bizarrely, some of Dobby's important scenes are instead given to Neville in the movies and some of the plotlines involving him are cut completely.
Dobby Works In The Hogwarts Kitchens (The Goblet Of Fire)
After being freed by Harry at the end of the second movie, nothing is really mentioned about what Dobby did as a free elf. However, in the fourth book Dobby begins working in the kitchens at Hogwarts and becomes a more permanent fixture from there.
While he is still serving in this role, he is now paid by Dumbledore. Although it isn't a major plot point and probably wouldn't have added that much to the film, it would have been nice to have the House-Elf as a more permanent character on screen. Dobby's new job also ties in with one of the biggest things cut from the Harry Potter movies as Hermione starts SPEW (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare) in order to help the Elves gain equal rights. Having Dobby work at Hogwarts could have given the character a lot more screen time in the movies.
Dobby Gives Harry The Gillyweed (The Goblet Of Fire)
The unfortunate trend of cutting Dobby out of the movies begins with the fourth installment of the franchise. After some help from Cedric and the golden egg, Harry discovers the second task will involve him holding his breath underwater for an hour. In the movies, Neville gives Harry the Gillyweed which helps him in the task. While this does make sense considering his love of Herbology, in the books it is actually Dobby who gives Harry the Gillyweed reinforcing how much the house-elf wants to help the young wizard.
The audience is aware that Dobby is innocent and naive but the suggestion that Neville has been manipulated by the fake Moody instead actually takes away from his character growth. Giving this scene to Neville doesn't really add anything and sadly means that Dobby is cut from the movie entirely, a disappointing move as he is one of the best supporting characters from Harry Potter.
Dobby Cleans Gryffindor Tower (The Order Of The Phoenix)
Due to the SPEW plot being cut, other House-Elves are rarely seen in the movies which makes it difficult for viewers to understand just how special Dobby is. When Hermione starts planting items of clothing around the Gryffindor common room, in an ill-advised attempt to free the House-Elves in the fifth book, they are insulted and refuse to clean in there again. However, Dobby continues to clean the common room as he enjoys seeing Harry and the others, who he views as his friends.
Dobby is unafraid to go against his fellow elves and stand out as he is so attached to Harry by this point. When Dobby finally returns in the penultimate movie, he hasn’t seen Harry for several years so their friendship doesn’t feel anywhere near as meaningful as it did in the books. Small moments like this one go a long way in illustrating their relationship.
Dobby Tells Harry About The Room Of Requirement (The Order Of The Phoenix)
The fifth Harry Potter movie also cuts out Dobby and continues the tradition from the previous installment by giving his stories to Neville. In the movie, Neville stumbles across the Room of Requirement; whereas, in the book, Dobby tells Harry about the room. In the book, Dobby hilariously recalls how he knows about the room because he uses it to hide his friend, Winky - also cut from the movies - when she becomes intoxicated.
The Room of the Requirement is one of the best rooms at Hogwarts and helps Harry and his friends in their training when preparing for their fight against The Death Eaters. While Neville stumbling across the room in the movie is a fun moment, Dobby knowing about the room and telling Harry suits his character as he previously knew about the danger Harry would be in before the main events of the second movie. Although it is a small change, the discovery of the room is a pivotal moment and it's unfortunate Dobby wasn’t given the honor in the movie adaptation.
Dobby Warns Harry About Umbridge (The Order of the Phoenix)
After setting up Dumbledore’s Army, Harry and the others manage to keep it a secret from Umbridge - for a time. The book sees a minor character, Marietta Edgecombe betraying the group; whereas, the movie has Cho Chang reveal the truth. This change does make sense as Cho is already an established character by this point and it provides a solid reason for her breakup with Harry, without needing to focus on it too much in a movie that is limited for time.
That being said, in the book Dobby warns Harry about this betrayal and although the group doesn’t have time to act, this still builds further on the two characters' bond. The House-Elves of Hogwarts are forbidden from revealing Umbridge’s secrets but Dobby tells Harry anyway which shows his unwavering loyalty to his friend. If this scene had remained in the movies, it could have added more emotional weight to Dobby’s eventual death as the audience would have seen just how loyal the House-Elf was.
Dobby Spies On Draco Malfoy (The Half-Blood Prince)
In the sixth movie, Harry is convinced Draco is now a Death Eater and spends a lot of time tailing him to watch his every move. While his suspicions are partly true, he fails to realize Draco is being coerced by Voldemort and the other Death-Eaters (which includes his own family) until it is revealed at the end of the film. In the book though, Harry actually utilizes Dobby’s loyalty and asks the House-Elf to follow Draco for him. This actually makes a lot more sense as Dobby can apparate just about anywhere and can hide much easier than Harry.
Having Dobby following Draco could have provided some funny moments in the movie and also could have led to some interesting scenes considering the house-elf was the Malfoy’s family servant for many years. Not having Dobby in the movie that proceeds his death seems like a strange narrative choice, making this one of the most disappointing omissions in the film series.
Dobby Fights Kreacher (The Half-Blood Prince)
In the book, Kreacher is also forced to accompany Dobby on his mission to spy on Draco. While the two elves are briefly seen together in the penultimate movie, little is explored about the dynamic between the two. In the book, Kreacher insults Harry and suggests Draco would be a far better master than he could ever be; this insult angers Dobby so much that he fights Kreacher and subsequently knocks out several of his teeth.
The scene would have brilliantly shown the difference between these two elves and would have demonstrated just how affected Dobby is by the trauma he suffered at the hands of the Malfoys. Also, the scene serves to show the House-Elf as a more complex and three-dimensional character. Usually kind-natured, he becomes enraged in this scene. Dobby is a true hero in the HP series and this scene shows how far he is prepared to go in order to protect and defend Harry. This is sadly limited in the movies due to the character's reduced screen time.