Despite being a beloved and iconic franchise, the Harry Potter films have had some memorable scenes that some fans actually really dislike. There are many instances in the movies that fans think could have been handled a lot better, even if the scenes did not follow the books to a tee.
From the battle at the Departments of Mysteries in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to the too-short Quidditch World Cup scene in Goblet of Fire, Redditors have listed the scenes from the movies that were the most disappointing.
Harry And Dumbledore At The End Of The Order Of The Phoenix
Dumbledore spends most of Harry's fifth year avoiding him, excusing his pain-inducing decision by saying it was all to avoid Voldemort's legilimency. However, the effects of his actions are devastating, as Harry showcases at the end of The Order of the Phoenix when he finally lashes out at Dumbledore for isolating him.
Redditor Stanfan_meowman25 commented that "that scene broke my heart to read...[Harry] had every reason to scream and break things… I really wanted to see that scene." Given the young wizard's extensive trauma and experienced loss, the film should have included Harry's rage to further show his emotional pain and how betrayed he truly felt by Dumbledore, adding to their complicated dynamic.
Department Of Mysteries Battle
While the book delivered on the fifth installment's unspoken promise with an entertaining, intense, and heartbreaking fight, its film counterpart failed to hit the same mark. Redditor dragracesssss said they wish audiences "saw more dueling... I understand that it’s only from Harry’s POV, but wish we could’ve seen more."
Dumbledore's Army's hard work and talents were not properly showcased in this prime opportunity, not to mention the omission of great moments like the baby-headed Death Eater and Neville helping an out-of-commission Hermione. Given the significance this sequence had on Harry's life (explaining his past, shattering his present, and narrowing his future, along with being one of the most heartbreaking moments), it deserved more attention and screen time than it was given.
Snape's "DON'T CALL ME A COWARD!"
While Snape remains a contested character within the fandom, it's undeniable that he is one of the most complex and best characters in the series. But many of the nuanced details from his best scenes in the books were omitted, such as his reveal at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Although the book executed the climax well with an emotionally-charged scene, the film gave Snape a calmer, more subdued rage. Redditor veri_sw thinks the films "needed feral Snape... I wanted to see more of a visceral reaction to being called a coward." Given Snape's already debated character, a fury-ridden and ego-driven reaction akin to the book would have furthered Snape's existence as a morally gray character with many quotes that prove he was a hero, but that he was also a villain.
The Maze
The fourth installment in the series had a lot of potential to be epic. With things like more schools, new characters, and interesting and terrifying challenges, the film had many great elements to work with. And while many were well-delivered there was one that was over-hyped and under-used: the final Tri-Wizard Tournament challenge of the maze.
Redditor LingonberryPossible6 disliked how it "lacked the clear and present danger of the first two trials by eliminating the monsters that were in the book." Not only was the maze a bit different than expected - made safer and infinitely less sinister than the books - it was also not explored in as much depth and detail as all the hype toward the final challenge warranted.
Beauxbatons And Durmstrang Not Being CoEd
Potterheads who have only seen the movies will likely be under the impression that Viktor Krum's Drumstrang was a boys' school while Fleur Delacour's Beaxbatons was a girls' one.
However, this could not be farther from the truth and is one of the biggest things The Goblet of Fire movie leaves out. Redditor Aubsedobs "hated every scene in [Goblet of Fire] that implied Beaxbatons was an all-girl school and Durmstrang was an all-boys school." It's made canon by books and other materials that both schools are coed, and it's disappointing that The Goblet of Fire doesn't portray that fact. Instead, the film perpetuates certain sexist stereotypes through its segregation and depiction of the new students, disappointing fans with its misrepresentations.
Harry And Voldemort's Flying Fight Scene
Right from his birth, all the events in Harry Potter's life had been leading up to the moment where he could finally fight Voldemort as an equal. With all his Horcruxes destroyed, this moment finally came on-screen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, but it was not everything that fans were expecting.
The scene of Harry and Voldemort flying in air together, hands all over each other's faces, has been heavily criticized by fans. Redditor mostlyclaudi stated that they "hate it so much! Always reminds me of Jim Carrey in The Mask and definitely not in a good way." This scene disappointed viewers because of its creepy and unsettling, not to mention unnecessary, nature that took away from the two rivals' other scenes in the sequence.
Harry Breaking The Elder Wand
While in the final film, Harry is seen casually snapping the Elder Wand, in the book Harry actually tells Dumbledore he is going to put the all-powerful wand back where it came from (which arguably refers to Dumbledore's tomb).
Although the change in the film adaptations makes sense - given the trouble the wand invites with its sheer power - some fans were left disappointed with this scene. Redditor Climebheat mentioned that while they "agree with movie Harry doing it, I think the sheer [guts] that book Harry had to believe he would die undefeated just wins me over." Having gone through all that he did and finally proving his abilities as a wizard, Harry deserved the moment of subtle cockiness and to remain the true owner of the Deathly Hallows until the end.
Harry Saying Goodbye To Ron And Hermione
Even though there are plenty of reasons why Hermione is actually Harry's best friend, Ron is equally deserving of that title and has proven his worth and loyalty countless times throughout the series. However, the films still posit him as Hermione and Harry's sidekick, seen especially in scenes where Harry bids the two goodbye.
Such as in Deathly Hallows, where Redditor cndyls noted that "Hermione gets a heartfelt hug while Ron just stands awkwardly in the background. Absolutely hate this scene." Ron deserved a lot more when it comes to his on-screen adaptation, and slighting him by making him Harry's second thought disappointed fans of Ronald and also the Golden Trio's original book dynamic.
Quidditch World Cup
Harry's first scenes in The Goblet of Fire involve him traveling with the Weasleys and co. to go see his first ever Quidditch World Cup. His friends, Ron and the twins especially, really hype up the event, and everyone's affinity-defining attire really adds to the anticipation of how great this match is supposed to be.
Sadly, it's over within mere moments, a disservice to many viewers excited to see the match and book readers who were hoping to see some exciting scenes translated on-screen. Redditor Trueloveis4u pointed out how there was "all that build up to a flash of light and the match was over." Given the anticipation that surrounded the event, a few extra minutes showing the actual match would've done wonders for the film.
Voldemort's Death
Fans who read the books will know that Tom Riddle does not simply disintegrate into the air like someone from Infinity War's blip. Instead, he dies like the mortal man he is. But the film changed this monumental death scene entirely, not only disappointing fans but also changing the symbolic value of his death.
Redditor haggard_hobbit thought it "was really important imagery for his death that he fell like a man and slumped over like a man because that's all he actually was in the end - an angry, old, man." Instead, the film's version shows him dying an extraordinary death, showing him to be something beyond a bitter and prejudiced mortal man, hence lessening the impact and message of his demise.